Chapter 239

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The sight of the ANBU forces, combined with Danzo's cold, ominous expression, discouraged anyone from asking questions.

"This is going to be something big," whispered those who witnessed the scene.

Though the specifics were unclear, the tension in the air, coupled with the recent rumors circulating through the village, painted a grim picture. Without hesitation, onlookers hurried back to their homes to report the unsettling developments to their clans.

In a solemn and imposing building, the Hyuga clan leader, Hiashi, listened intently as a member of the clan recounted the strange events. Surrounded by clan elders and his younger brother, he grappled with a moment of indecision.

Not long ago, his brother's life had been spared thanks to the intervention of the Uchiha clan. Now, it seemed the Uchiha were facing a dire situation of their own. Hiashi felt a strong urge to investigate and offer his support.

Sensing Hiashi's growing agitation, an elderly Hyuga clan elder broke the silence.

"Hiashi, don't act recklessly!" he cautioned, his tone sharp yet measured. "I know you feel indebted to the Uchiha for saving your brother, but this isn't the time or the way to repay that debt."

Hiashi nodded subtly, acknowledging the truth in the elder's words. Despite their contentious relationship with the Uchiha, their presence served as a buffer. With them around, the higher-ups in the village had another focal point, allowing the Hyuga some breathing room.

"If we simply stand by and let the Uchiha fall into ruin, it won't be long before we're next," the elder said gravely. "Do you remember the Kumo Ninja incident three years ago? If the Uchiha vanish, the Hyuga clan will undoubtedly become the next target of scrutiny."

"It's all in fate's hands now," the elder continued with a heavy sigh. "If the Uchiha cannot endure tonight's ordeal... Hiashi, you must begin making other preparations."

"Other preparations? What do you mean, Elder?" Hiashi asked, his voice laced with concern.

Even Hizashi, standing nearby, couldn't suppress his curiosity. "What are you suggesting, Elder?" he interjected urgently.

The elder's expression darkened. "The village's handling of the last crisis... was less than reassuring."

The elderly Hyuga elder, his beard now stark white with age, looked gravely at the twin brothers before him and continued.

"This time, regarding the Uchiha clan... Regardless of the explanations given later, we must prepare in advance. The continuation of our clan cannot rest solely on Konoha's goodwill."

He paused, his wise eyes narrowing slightly. "And as for the Uchiha—if any of them survive tonight's ordeal—it may be wise to consider strengthening our ties with them."

His tone carried a weight of pragmatism. If the Uchiha manage to withstand tonight's disaster, it would demonstrate that the Sandaime and his supporters can no longer suppress the clan's growing influence. In such a case, offering them a meaningful gesture of friendship would be a strategic move.

"Although extending goodwill at that point would only be adding icing to the cake," he said, stroking his beard thoughtfully, "it remains the most prudent course of action for our clan."

As for the lingering debts and favors between their clan and the Uchiha? Those could wait—if the Uchiha manage to survive tonight.

Across the village that evening, similar hushed discussions unfolded among the other well-informed clans. Most, however, were reluctant to intervene. Instead, they quietly pondered the same question: Was aligning themselves with Konoha's ruling powers truly worth risking their clans' futures?

Should the clan begin preparing an escape plan?

This very question is one of the reasons why the Third Hokage has been so tolerant of Toshiro over the years.

Internal conflicts within the village could be suppressed, ostracized, or even exploited as cannon fodder on the battlefield. But when the village itself takes part in the extermination of a clan, the consequences are far-reaching. Such an act would inevitably fracture the unity of the village's clans, sowing seeds of mistrust and division.

Swoosh!

A brilliant red light shot into the sky from within the Uchiha compound, followed by a deafening roar.

Moments later, a firework resembling a fan—a symbol of the Uchiha—erupted in the sky, bathing the entire compound in an ominous crimson glow.

"What's going on?"

The spectacle and chaos were impossible for the Uchiha clan members to ignore. One by one, they emerged from their homes, confusion and concern etched on their faces, to investigate the commotion.

"Yuta, what are you doing?"

An elderly Uchiha clan member glanced up at the barriers encircling the compound and the now-vanished fireworks that had illuminated the sky moments ago. Turning to a fully armed younger clansman, he asked in a puzzled tone, "What's going on, Yuta?"

"Uncle Yukio, please don't waste time asking questions," Uchiha Yuta replied urgently, his expression tense. He strode over to his uncle in a few quick steps, his voice firm but anxious. "Take Auntie and suki and head to Konoha Prison immediately!"

"To the prison?" Yukio repeated, clearly bewildered. His confusion deepened as he frowned. "Why would we go there? Everything seems fine here. The prison is hardly a safe place."

"Something serious is happening…" Yuta hesitated, his words heavy with unease. "There's been... a conflict with the village. It's not safe here. You need to get Auntie and Suki out and find refuge at the prison!"

His gaze shifted to his pale-faced aunt, who was standing behind his uncle, her expression marked with fear, and then to his young niece, Suki, whose panicked eyes darted nervously. Forcing a reassuring smile, Yuta added gently, "Don't worry. Just trust me and go quickly."

"Don't worry... we'll protect you. No one will harm you while we're still alive!"

With these resolute words, Uchiha Yuta turned away from his uncle's house and began making his way door to door, alerting the ordinary clan members to seek refuge at Konoha Prison.

There was no alternative. The Uchiha base lacked a secure shelter, and constructing one hastily would have drawn unwanted attention. The prison, ironically, was their safest bet for the night.

"Itachi, what are you doing?"

"Why would you turn your blade against your own clan?"

Beneath the crimson torii gate, Uchiha Fugaku stood face-to-face with his masked son, his expression dark and filled with betrayal. He had never imagined that the son he had once been so proud of would now raise his sword against his own people.

"Why?" Fugaku demanded, his voice trembling with equal parts anger and sorrow.

Itachi's response was cold and detached. "Why? For peace. For the village. And…"

He left the rest unsaid, but his Sharingan flared with a scarlet glow, an unspoken weight behind his words.

"Is that so?"

Through Itachi's eyes, Uchiha Fugaku saw the turbulent experiences his son had endured in recent days. He finally understood the reasoning behind his son's actions.

"Stop this... Your plan has already failed. Do you still intend to continue?"

The flare's explosion earlier had signaled to the entire village, thwarting any chance of wiping out the Uchiha clan quietly. The opportunity for a swift, decisive operation was gone.

"Stop? Now that we've begun, how can we possibly stop?"

A voice spoke from the shadows, and a figure emerged behind Fugaku. With ruthless precision, the figure thrust a blade toward Fugaku's heart.

It was Obito, who had aligned with Itachi to annihilate the Uchiha clan that night.

Bang!

A burst of white smoke erupted as the knife struck home.

"A shadow clone?" Obito sneered, his tone dripping with annoyance. "Clever."

He had not anticipated that the Uchiha clan leader would use a decoy.

"Why are you here?"

Itachi, pulling off his mask, turned to Obito with a frown. His expression was stern, his voice carrying a mix of frustration and curiosity.

Obito silently sheathed his sword, the tension between them palpable.

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