Oh... so he's already awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan?
Kageyama Kogetsu, whose perception was extremely keen, sensed the power hidden in Uchiha Itachi's eyes and was inwardly moved.
"Itachi, my condolences. Look forward."
Offering a white flower, Kageyama Kogetsu patted Uchiha Itachi's shoulder and offered some inexpensive words of comfort.
"Yes, Lord Kogetsu." Uchiha Itachi's face was sorrowful as he bowed again.
It was not a problem to address Kageyama Kogetsu as "Lord" on such a formal occasion; Itachi was, after all, his subordinate.
After leaving the mourning hall, Kageyama Kogetsu was half-invited, half-dragged by Uchiha Fugaku to the tea room of the clan head's residence.
It was the same old issue: hoping that Kageyama Kogetsu would put in a good word for them with Sarutobi Hiruzen and ease the conflict between the two sides.
Kageyama Kogetsu said he would do his best, but inwardly, he was quite disdainful.
At a time like this, if you're going to be hard, be completely hard. If you're going to be soft, be completely soft. Being neither, what's the point?
...
Konoha 56, November. Half a year had passed since the last incident.
Under the instigation of Obito's group and the subtle suppression led by Danzō, the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha had reached its lowest point.
The Uchiha clan frequently held meetings at the Naka Shrine. The voice for a coup had become mainstream, and the pent-up dissatisfaction was like a barrel of gasoline, needing only a spark to ignite.
The Uchiha clan had already discussed a vague plan for the coup, such as Danzō must die, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other two must step down, no one else would be targeted, and a Fifth Hokage with no prejudice against the Uchiha would be chosen.
It was worth mentioning that Kageyama Kogetsu had the highest support for the position of Fifth Hokage.
This was because among those currently qualified to be Hokage in Konoha, Kageyama Kogetsu was the only one who was confirmed to be relatively friendly towards the Uchiha.
Jiraiya and Tsunade were both disciples of the Third Hokage, and their attitude towards the Uchiha was uncertain; they might be influenced by the Konoha leadership.
The reason the Uchiha clan insisted that Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other two must step down was because Danzō had recently been reinstated as the Hokage's Advisor.
This incident made the Uchiha clan see how close the relationship between Hiruzen's group and Danzō was.
Even though Sarutobi Hiruzen was the most Uchiha-friendly high-ranking official among the Konoha F4, he could absolutely not be allowed to continue as Hokage.
Faced with the current situation of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Fugaku had completely lost control and had no choice but to go with the flow.
If Uchiha Fugaku did not go with the flow, he, as the clan head, would be the first to be overthrown.
On the surface, the atmosphere in Konoha was normal, but in reality, an undercurrent was surging, and the atmosphere had become somewhat strange and oppressive.
Uchiha Itachi sensed that the coup was imminent and decided to strike first to protect Konoha and the Uchiha clan's name.
Just as in the original story, he concealed Sarutobi Hiruzen's desire to try for a peaceful resolution one last time and conveyed to the Uchiha clan the attitude that the Konoha leadership was all in collusion.
The Uchiha clan lost all hope and began to perfect their coup strategy, secretly stockpiling ninja tools, explosive tags, and other war supplies.
In the shadows, Danzō secretly colluded with Obito. Uchiha Itachi met with Obito, but had not yet asked for his help.
Before taking action, Uchiha Itachi secretly met with Danzō in a forest in Konoha.
Compared to Shisui's carelessness, Uchiha Itachi was much more cautious.
Not only did he scout the vicinity and confirm that Danzō was alone before appearing, but he also kept a considerable distance from Danzō, his eyes transforming into the Mangekyo Sharingan as a deterrent.
In the dim and cold forest, the bright moonlight shone through the gaps in the leaves, forming spots of light of various shapes. The cold wind rustled through the leaves.
Danzō stood in a patch of light more than two feet long, his face half-lit, half-shadowed. Uchiha Itachi stood in the dark forest opposite him, his body blending into the darkness, his eyes glowing red.
"So you have the same eyes as Shisui. No wonder you dared to propose that plan to me," Danzō said with interest.
"Don't mention Shisui. You have wronged him!"
"If it weren't for Konoha and the Uchiha's name, I would definitely kill you," Uchiha Itachi said with a blank expression, his voice cold, the red light in his eyes intensifying.
Danzō's mind went blank, and then he woke up with a start, as if from a nightmare.
Hiss... what a terrifying genjutsu. To think it could catch me off guard without me even noticing. It's probably no less powerful than Shisui's.
Danzō averted his gaze, feeling a little annoyed, but thinking of what the person before him was about to do, his heart calmed down.
"Alright, let's get down to business. When do we make our move?"
"Tomorrow night at nine."
"Understood. I will have the Root ninja cooperate with you fully."
The duty of the Root ninja was not to kill the Uchiha clan members, but to seal off the Uchiha clan's grounds with a barrier jutsu to prevent any from escaping.
Because Danzō did not follow the previously discussed plan and acted on his own, letting the Root ninja participate in the slaughter, there was no room for Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other two to maneuver.
"Sasuke must not be harmed, otherwise I will not let you off. You don't know the power of my Mangekyo Sharingan," Uchiha Itachi emphasized.
"I know."
"Given your decisive intention to resolve the impending civil unrest for Konoha, I can give you one more person to spare."
"Hmm... let your mother live. I will pardon her crimes."
"An orphan, without support, is not conducive to growth. With your mother watching over him, I think you can be more at ease."
Uchiha Itachi was stunned upon hearing this. There's such a good thing?
My mother knows about the Uchiha's coup and discusses it with my father late at night. Her identity is also special, yet she can live...
This is truly great!
At this moment, Uchiha Itachi's expression was moved, and a feeling of gratitude actually arose in his heart...
"Thank you... Lord Danzō," Uchiha Itachi said in a deep voice after composing himself.
"Mm," Danzō nodded slightly, laughing inwardly.
That Uchiha Mikoto, I remember she is quite beautiful, and her status as the wife of the head of Konoha's number one great clan is also special.
And she has given birth to two children, both boys, which means she is a fertile woman.
Such conditions seem to perfectly match that guy's requirements. I'll give Uchiha Mikoto to that guy and have him help me get back Shisui's Sharingan.
The key, I have it. It's just that the place where Hiruzen keeps it is too heavily guarded, and there's also a sealing barrier jutsu protecting it.
The Root ninja don't have much confidence in getting it without alerting anyone. Only he, whose stealth and assassination techniques are renowned throughout the ninja world, has a relatively high chance of success.
Once I get back Shisui's Sharingan and can use the ability of Kotoamatsukami, I can begin my plan to replace Hiruzen.
Once I succeed, I can use my position as Hokage to achieve great things.
When Konoha has swept through the ninja world and achieved unprecedented glory, Uchiha Mikoto will also have made a considerable contribution to Konoha, which can be considered as atoning for her crimes.
Uchiha Itachi did not know what kind of scheme Danzō was plotting. If he did... it seems it wouldn't have mattered.
Compared to death, this outcome was much better.
...
The next morning, Uchiha Itachi secretly met with Obito and asked for his help.
After a slight show of reluctance, Uchiha Obito agreed.
Time passed quickly. The day soon passed, and the ninja and civilians of the Uchiha clan lived their lives as usual.
Children played together outside and were called back by their parents for dinner. After eating, they either continued to play or did their homework, read books, or chatted with their parents at home.
Adults on their way home chatted with friends, neighbors, and acquaintances who had set up stalls. At home, they either cooked, ate, rested, or played.
As the night grew deeper, the children who were playing outside went home, the civilians who had set up stalls went home, and the number of pedestrians on the streets gradually decreased.
The lights in some houses were turned off early because they had things to do early the next morning.
The lights in some houses were still on, with families either interacting together or doing their own things.
As the time approached nine in the evening, a fully armed Uchiha Itachi, exuding a murderous aura, leaped towards his home...
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