Chapter 71: The Rebel Ninjas Gather and the Night of Genocide Arrives
Time quickly arrived at the third day. Sunlight streamed through the giant windows of the Hokage's Office, casting bright spots on the floor. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the window, his back to Uchiha Itachi, a pipe in his mouth, smoke swirling around him.
"Itachi, take another look. Take a look at this Village." Hiruzen's voice carried a hint of weariness. "The villagers walking on the streets, the laughter coming from the Ninja Academy. All of this is the peace that we dedicate our lives to protect. It is Konoha's Will of Fire."
Itachi stood behind Hiruzen. His gaze passed over the Third Hokage's shoulder, falling upon the Village that was both familiar and strange to him. Yes, peace. For this word, he, Uchiha Itachi, would personally drag his entire Clan into hell.
At the same time, it was also for Sasuke.
"Sasuke..." The only one Itachi couldn't rest assured about was his young brother. "Lord Third, how can Sasuke's safety be guaranteed?"
Hiruzen slowly turned around, a gentle smile on his face. "Itachi, don't worry, I have already made arrangements. Tonight, the Ninja Academy will host a special exchange event, and all students will stay at the Academy to participate. With the double protection of Anbu and the barrier squad, there will be no problems."
Itachi nodded. As long as Sasuke was safe, that was enough. Just then, the office door was pushed open. Danzō Shimura appeared at the doorway.
"It's almost time, Hiruzen."
Hiruzen nodded, shifting his gaze from Itachi. "Itachi, go with Danzō. Your collaborators have arrived."
Root's base. Danzō walked in front, with Itachi following behind him, his steps heavy. They arrived at a huge underground platform. In the center of the platform stood more than 20 figures. The 2 leading figures, even before approaching, radiated a powerful aura.
One of them extended a long tongue, slowly licking his lips, his gaze scanning Itachi's body unreservedly. It was Orochimaru, one of the Sannin. The other wore a forehead protector and a black mask, revealing only a pair of eyes that glowed with an eerie green light. He exuded an aura of decay. This was the legendary bounty hunter, Kakuzu.
Behind Orochimaru and Kakuzu stood more than 20 ninja with equally formidable auras. The eyes of each of them were filled with murderous intent. Every one of these individuals was a notorious A-rank rogue ninja on the wanted lists of various Ninja Villages.
"Hehe... Is this the Uchiha's genius?" Orochimaru observed Itachi, speaking with interest. "What a perfect body, perfect eyes... I truly want to personally pluck out these perfect eyes! Hahahaha!"
Orochimaru's words were filled with undisguised greed. He was quite interested in the Sharingan, but for the Mangekyō Sharingan, he had more than just interest; it was uncontrollable greed.
Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan suddenly turned towards Orochimaru, the dark tomoe spinning wildly, carrying bone-chilling killing intent. "Talk when you're alive to take them."
"Oh?" The smile on Orochimaru's face grew wider. The excitement in his eyes almost overflowed. "Interesting, what an interesting kid."
"Enough." Danzō's cold voice interrupted their standoff. "Orochimaru, put that away. After the mission is over, I don't care about your grudges. But now, you are allies."
Danzō slowly swept his gaze over everyone present, including the more than 20 A-rank rogue ninja. "Tonight's target is the Uchiha Clan. Except for the targets we designated, all resistors will be killed without mercy. After the mission is completed, each of you will receive double the promised reward. Money is not an issue."
Kakuzu's voice finally sounded. "I just want to know, who gets Uchiha Akira and Uchiha Fugaku?"
"They will be dealt with by all of us together. As for who ultimately gets their eyes and hearts... It will be up to each person's ability."
Orochimaru and Kakuzu exchanged glances, both seeing a fleeting murderous intent and greed in each other's eyes. Danzō watched this scene before him with satisfaction. Two S-rank rogue ninja, over 20 A-rank rogue ninja, plus Itachi Uchiha, and the Root Anbu on standby. Such a formidable lineup was enough to ambush any Ninja Clan and annihilate it.
Uchiha Akira. Even if you are truly a monster, in the face of such absolute power, you will only be crushed to dust.
Tonight, the Uchiha will be completely erased from Konoha's map.
Evening. On the top floor of the Konoha Police Force Department building, the wind howled. The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the entire Konoha Village in a tragic, blood-red hue. Uchiha Akira stood with his hands behind his back, at the edge of the rooftop, his black combat uniform flapping in the wind. He overlooked the entire Uchiha Clan Territory, his expression calm.
Steady footsteps came from behind him. Uchiha Fugaku walked onto the rooftop, also wearing a dark combat uniform.
"Orochimaru, Kakuzu... and that masked man, and Itachi." Fugaku's fists unconsciously clenched in his sleeves. A worried expression appeared on his face. "Akira! Do you really... have confidence? Perhaps, Root will also join the battle."
After all, there was only one Uchiha Akira, and on the other side, so many Kage-level powerhouses: Orochimaru, one of the Sannin; the legendary bounty hunter, Kakuzu; the instigator of the Nine-Tails Attack; and even Root Anbu. There were too many enemies.
Akira slowly turned his head and glanced at Fugaku. "Fugaku, my strength is enough to deal with them; they should be worried about whether they can retreat safely. Don't worry. I can handle these people. Instead, Fugaku, you only have one opponent tonight: your eldest son, Uchiha Itachi! 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.