Chapter 8: The Threat of Fugaku  

Fugaku found the distraught Itachi, standing in the shadows, lost in thought. Itachi's faith in his fellow clan members had all but vanished. The only connections he still felt to the Uchiha were through Sasuke and the family name.

Itachi sensed his father's presence before Fugaku even spoke, but he didn't mention the Mangekyō Sharingan that had awakened in his eyes. Instead, he simply said, "Father, Shisui is dead."

Fugaku's voice was calm but carried a hidden weight. "I saved him."

Itachi spun around, his eyes widening in shock. "What... What did you say?"

Fugaku explained, "Tonight, Sasuke insisted I take him for a walk by the Naka River. I went along with him, and we saw Shisui jump off the cliff. Itachi, tell me... what happened?"

For a moment, anger flickered across Itachi's usually stoic face. "It was Danzo!" he replied bitterly.

Itachi then recounted everything—how Danzo had taken Shisui's eye, his treachery, and Shisui's final moments.

Fugaku listened intently, his expression calm, though inside, he was seething with anger. After Itachi finished, Fugaku finally spoke, his voice low and resolute.

"Itachi, I understand that after joining the Anbu, you and Shisui began to see beyond the family and looked out for the village as well. But Shisui, who sought peace for the village, had his eye stolen by Danzo. Itachi, promise me something. Today, you'll accompany me to the Root. We will demand justice for Shisui."

Itachi, who detested rebellion, still wanted justice for Shisui. He nodded. "Yes, Father. As long as it doesn't lead to war, I will seek justice for him."

Fugaku's eyes burned with determination. "The Uchiha clan will not be bullied anymore! Uchiha members with the three-tomoe Sharingan, step forward! We are going to Root!"

A total of eighteen Uchiha clan members with three-tomoe Sharingan stepped out, joining Fugaku and Itachi. Twenty Uchiha, all wearing their Konoha police uniforms, marched toward the Hokage's office, the weight of their presence sending ripples through the village.

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Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's office, shrouded in dim light, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat opposite Danzo. Tension hung thick in the air.

Danzo spoke first. "Hiruzen, Shisui is dead. Poisoned by my salamander. He won't survive."

Hiruzen frowned deeply, his eyes narrowing. "You killed him?"

Danzo didn't flinch. "Yes. I didn't trust him. I feared Shisui might use his Kotoamatsukami on either of us. So, I took action."

Hiruzen slammed his fist on the table, his voice filled with fury. "Danzo! Do you understand the consequences of your actions? Do you realize how important Shisui was to the Uchiha? You're risking everything! Aren't you afraid the Uchiha will rebel?"

Danzo's voice remained cold and steady. "The Uchiha are no longer the power they once were. Fugaku is the only one left with the Mangekyō Sharingan. Why should we fear them now?"

At that moment, an Anbu operative appeared in the shadows, addressing Hiruzen urgently. "Lord Third, twenty Uchiha are approaching the Hokage Building!"

Hiruzen shot an accusing glare at Danzo. "You said they wouldn't dare to rebel! Then why are they marching here? Answer me!"

Danzo remained silent for a beat, then addressed the Anbu agent. "Mobilize the Root. Surround the Uchiha—discreetly."

"Yes, Lord Danzo!" The Anbu vanished into the darkness.

Both Hiruzen and Danzo walked to the front of the Hokage Building, waiting for the Uchiha. Soon, Fugaku and his clan members appeared before them. Hiruzen, attempting to project authority, spoke in a deep, commanding voice.

"Fugaku," he said, "take your men and return home. If you leave now, I will overlook what happened tonight."

But Fugaku ignored the Hokage's words. His three-tomoe Sharingan spun, transforming into the Mangekyō. Stepping forward, he locked eyes with Danzo, his voice filled with barely-contained rage. "Danzo, do you truly believe you can bully the Uchiha forever?"

Danzo remained silent.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, frowned. "Fugaku, are you planning to rebel?!"

Fugaku's voice rose in defiance. "Third Hokage, for years the Uchiha have been suppressed under your rule, and I've remained silent. You fear us, so you strip away our rights, and still, I've remained silent! But now, Danzo has stolen Shisui's eyes and murdered him without cause. We will not stand for it any longer!"

Danzo raised his hand, and immediately masked figures—Root operatives—appeared on the surrounding rooftops.

Danzo's voice was ice-cold. "The Uchiha are suspected of rebellion. Kill them on sight!"

Itachi stepped forward, his voice cutting through the tension. "Danzo, are you the Hokage? Or is the Third Hokage the one who makes decisions in this village?"

For a moment, Danzo was caught off guard. He didn't have the authority to make such a call. He turned to Hiruzen for support, but the Third Hokage's mind was already racing with conflicting thoughts.

If they went to war with the Uchiha now, other villages—such as the Hidden Cloud or the Hidden Stone—would surely take advantage of the internal strife. However, allowing the Uchiha to go unchecked could be just as dangerous.

Finally, Hiruzen addressed Fugaku. "What do you want?"

Fugaku's voice was resolute. "It's simple. We want Shisui's eyes. Return them to us."

Danzo immediately refused. "Impossible! Absolutely not!"

Itachi's patience snapped. "Why not? Those eyes belong to Shisui! They are Uchiha property! You stole them after murdering him. Are we not even allowed to retrieve what is rightfully ours?"

As tensions rose, more and more villagers gathered on the surrounding rooftops to witness the confrontation.

Among them were the heads of several prominent clans—Hiashi Hyuga, Shikaku Nara, and Choza Akimichi—all silently observing the unfolding events.

Everyone knew what Danzo had done. Everyone knew he had stolen Shisui's eyes. But no one dared to intervene, not yet.

Fugaku had had enough of the games. Black chakra began to swirl around him, condensing into the form of a skeletal figure. Flesh began to cover the bones, and soon a mighty half-body Susanoo appeared, armored in black, with the menacing form of a Tengu.

Fugaku's voice thundered. "Third Hokage, we demand Shisui's eyes. If you refuse this simple request, do not blame the Uchiha for what happens next. We are not afraid to die!"

His eyes glinted dangerously, and he continued, "And remember, if I die here today, the remaining Uchiha will seek refuge in the Hidden Cloud. We are completely disillusioned with Konoha, a village that knows no justice!"

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