Chapter 70: The Cruelest Truth, the End of Father and Son!
Uchiha Fugaku's residence. As the former Clan Head, even after relinquishing power, this residence remained one of the symbols of the Uchiha Clan's authority. Ever since his defeat at the Training Ground, Fugaku's heart had never truly been at peace. Akira's series of strong actions were indeed satisfying, but the situation they would face next might be even more severe.
But no matter what came next, he, Uchiha Fugaku, would keep his promise and do his utmost to assist the new Clan Head, restore the Uchiha's glory, and make the Uchiha stand at the pinnacle of the Ninja World once again. He poured a cup of tea for Uchiha Akira.
"Clan Head, is there something urgent you need my assistance with?" Fugaku asked, his posture very humble.
"Fugaku," Akira slowly began, "I came to inform you of something. In 3 days, it will be the Uchiha's extermination night."
"Crack." The ceramic teacup in Fugaku's hand shattered.
"Clan Head… what… what did you say? Are you sure you're not joking?" Fugaku's voice was filled with unbelievable horror. Extermination. These two words were not to be uttered lightly; to exterminate the Uchiha Clan, even the entire power of Konoha might not be enough.
"The Konoha higher-ups can no longer tolerate the Uchiha's existence. Danzō has devised a detailed plan, and the Third Hokage has already tacitly approved it. They will carry out a complete purge of the Uchiha Clan on the night 3 days from now."
"Impossible! How could the Third Hokage do such a thing! This would shake the foundations of Konoha!"
Akira glanced at Fugaku indifferently. "So, they found a perfect executor. An executioner who can both complete the mission and take all the blame upon himself, allowing Konoha to clear its name."
Fugaku's breathing became more rapid. "Who is it?" Although Fugaku already had a faint guess, he still asked, unwilling to give up.
"Your eldest son. Uchiha… Itachi."
"Boom!" Fugaku felt his vision go black. He staggered back 2 steps, his back hitting the wall heavily with a dull thud. He felt as if all his strength had been drained, and he slowly slid down the wall to the floor.
"No… it can't be…" Fugaku trembled all over, still unable to believe that his eldest son would betray the Uchiha and become the butcher's knife wielded by Konoha's higher-ups against the Uchiha.
"Itachi… he deeply loves the family, deeply loves the Village… How could he… How could he raise a butcher's knife against his own clansmen!"
Akira did not argue with him. He knew how cruel it was for a father to admit that his son betrayed the family and was the murderer who slaughtered the entire clan. Akira just calmly watched the distraught Fugaku.
"I didn't come here to convince you. I just came to give you a chance. A chance to personally stop the tragedy, or rather, to personally punish the traitor."
Fugaku suddenly raised his head, and his Mangekyō Sharingan, under his uncontrolled emotions, involuntarily appeared. "At that time, if Itachi truly betrays the Uchiha, then it will be up to you, Uchiha Fugaku, to personally stop him. As a father, and as the former Clan Head of the Uchiha."
Fugaku's chest heaved violently, his heavy breathing particularly clear in the silent study. After a long while, Fugaku's eyes gradually replaced by a resolute sorrow.
"Good." Uchiha Fugaku uttered the word with difficulty. "If Itachi… truly betrays the family, I will personally make him atone for the Uchiha!"
Akira nodded in satisfaction. "However, he's not the only one executing it. To ensure foolproof success, Danzō also invited a few helpers: Konoha's S-rank rogue ninja, Orochimaru, one of the 'Three Ninja,' and the legendary bounty hunter, Kakuzu, an immortal said to have once fought the First Hokage."
Fugaku's face grew even uglier. Every name represented the highest level of combat power in the Ninja World, a terrifying existence capable of giving even a great nation a headache.
"And… the masked Uchiha who caused the Nine-Tails Attack."
Fugaku's body trembled violently once more. That man! The mastermind behind the Nine-Tails Attack would also appear!
"So many strong individuals…" Fugaku's voice was filled with worry. "We must immediately mobilize the entire clan! We must…"
"No need." Akira directly interrupted Fugaku. "Too many people will only get in the way and hinder my performance."
Fugaku was stunned. He looked at the new Clan Head, momentarily unsure what to say. Hinder his performance? That was Orochimaru and Kakuzu, two veteran Kage-level powerhouses, and a mysterious masked man whose depths were unfathomable! This was terrifying combat power capable of influencing the entire battle!
As if seeing through Fugaku's doubts, Akira retorted, "After our fight, you should be clearest about my strength."
"Don't worry. I can handle these people." He said. "Instead, Fugaku, you only have one opponent tonight: your eldest son, Itachi Uchiha! As a father, bring an end to this mistaken bond. Can you be ruthless?"
Fugaku's chest heaved violently. In his mind, Itachi's face, once full of innocence, reappeared. After a long while, the struggle in Fugaku's eyes faded. His gaze became more resolute.
"Clan Head, I understand."
Just then, the last ray of sunset sank below the horizon. Night had fallen.