The Uchiha compound.
When Fugaku returned, he found that all the Jounin had also come back.
Joy filled the entire district.
"We… we really won!"
"Elder Kai is incredible—even in such a desperate situation, he found a way to turn the tables."
"I'm so excited! This is what it means to be a proud and mighty Uchiha!"
"No kidding. All those years of humiliation—finally washed away."
"The clan head is back!"
"Clan head…"
The Jounin spoke all at once, smiles bright across their faces.
Indeed, tonight the Uchiha had every right to celebrate.
No, there hadn't been a real battle—but they had forced the village leadership to yield.
On the other side, Fugaku looked at the familiar faces before him, emotions stirring in his chest.
Just a step away…
If not for Kai's letter, if not for persuading the Hokage faction—
Then after tonight, perhaps not even a tenth of these Uchiha Jounin would have survived until morning.
"You've all worked hard," Fugaku said, raising his hand to quiet them.
"It's over now. The Uchiha are safe. Go rest. We'll speak more tomorrow."
In his words, the compound erupted in cheers.
That night, the Uchiha district drowned in waves of joy.
Even Uchiha Setsuna, who usually bristled at Kai, wore a smile.
Yet in his heart, a shadow grew heavier.
Yes, in the face of annihilation, he could cooperate with Kai. If the clan perished, he would fall with it anyway.
But once the outside threat was gone, inside the clan… they were mortal enemies.
That would never change.
For it was he who had once given the order—the order that killed Kai's parents.
"Hmph.
The deer may fall to either hunter.
We'll see who triumphs in the end."
Muttering coldly to himself, Setsuna turned and left.
The others, too, dispersed in groups of twos and threes, laughing as they went home.
One could imagine—tonight, none of them would sleep easily, not from fear but from excitement.
Meanwhile, the rest of Konoha lay shrouded in silence.
Everywhere but the Uchiha compound, the stillness was suffocating.
And beneath it—tides of darkness churned.
For Sarutobi Hiruzen and his faction would never truly let the Uchiha go.
Twenty minutes later.
The Uchiha district quieted down.
After sending the people home, Fugaku sighed, then returned happily to his own house.
"Father, you're back!"
"Fugaku, are you unharmed?"
As soon as he entered, Mikoto and young Itachi rushed to meet him.
Worry and tension still lingered on their faces—until they saw Fugaku. Relief washed over them.
Yes, they knew the truth.
Before Fugaku returned, both had prepared themselves for his death.
If Kai's plan had failed, aside from a handful of top Jounin, the clan would have been slaughtered.
But thankfully—Fugaku was here. That meant Kai's scheme had worked.
"I'm back," he said warmly.
"Sorry to worry you, Mikoto, Itachi.
Come, let's go inside."
He ruffled Itachi's hair, soothed Mikoto, and even rested his hand gently on her swelling belly.
His heart tightened.
Thank heavens they succeeded.
Otherwise, not only their family of three—but the child yet unborn would have perished too.
Such was the cruelty of power struggles.
But there was no choice.
They were Uchiha—too powerful to be tolerated.
Later, in the sitting room, Mikoto poured him tea.
"Our great hero, you must be exhausted," she said with a smile. "Here—drink, calm your nerves.
Oh, and where is Kai-kun? Why didn't he return with you?"
She had noticed earlier—while Fugaku spoke with the clan Jounin, Kai was nowhere to be seen.
Fugaku gave a wry smile and sipped the tea.
"Kai-kun is cautious. He fears the village may try some trick. He's staying in the Sarutobi compound until morning."
Both Mikoto and Itachi exchanged glances, filled with admiration.
Uchiha Kai—ever cautious, ever formidable.
Having such a powerful, shrewd clansman was a blessing for the Uchiha.
"He's working so hard for us," Mikoto said softly. Then, her face brightened.
"Today is a day to celebrate. Why don't we take this chance to name the baby?"
"A name, hm…" Fugaku mused briefly.
Then he spoke: "Let's call him Sasuke. Uchiha Sasuke."
Yes. With the Sharingan sharper than any X-ray, he had already confirmed the child's gender.
Mikoto stroked her belly.
"Sasuke… a fine name. May it bring him good fortune."
Even Itachi's eyes softened with affection.
"My little brother… Sasuke?" he murmured.
Mikoto smiled.
"Itachi, you must look after your brother, alright?"
"I will," Itachi replied firmly.
Their warm family moment was interrupted when an old servant entered.
"Clan head, madam, young master—there is a visitor.
The guest is Aburame Shibi, head of the Aburame clan."
Fugaku's brows furrowed slightly.
He recalled Kai's parting words—predicting that visitors would come tonight.
And indeed, one had arrived.
"Kai-kun… remarkable," Fugaku whispered.
"Even without returning here, he foresaw it all. Such foresight is terrifying.
We are truly fortunate that he is Uchiha."
Mikoto and Itachi both nodded, their admiration for Kai deepening.
Especially Itachi—pride shone in his eyes.
That was his teacher.
"Go on, Fugaku," Mikoto said gently. "Itachi and I will rest. When you finish, remember to get some sleep yourself."
Fugaku nodded.
Once they departed, he instructed the servant to invite Aburame inside.
Moments later, a man in a gray trench coat and black sunglasses stepped calmly through the door.
To read 250+ Advance chapters, head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/WhiteDevil7554