Chapter 3: Chapter 3. Using Rebellion as a code
As Fugaku expected, news quickly spread as the Uchiha clan began its mobilization.
The high-rise buildings surrounding the Uchiha station were all occupied by Anbu.
The Third Hokage silently set down his pipe, his face serious. "What is the situation now?"
The ANBU lowered his head and reported, "All ninjas of the Uchiha clan are gathering. Uchiha Natsuki and the thirteen jounin are missing. Uchiha Shisui is missing. Uchiha Itachi is missing."
He remained silent; he truly didn't want things to escalate to this point. It seemed that Shisui had failed.
Sighing, he made a decision and his expression become resolute. He removed his Hokage robe, revealing a combat uniform underneath.
"Pass the order; the entire Konoha is in a state of emergency. Notify all ninja clan leaders, gather all jounin. Surround the Uchiha clan for me."
...
Tap tap tap...
The resonant sound of dense footsteps echoed from the roofs, with one ninja after another gracefully traversing over the residential houses.
While normally considered a rude intrusion, the recent emergency declaration by the Hokage had set Konoha into a state of urgency. Consequently, the rooftops of Konoha Village were teeming with leaping ninjas, while civilians wisely sought refuge indoors.
Among the prominent families in Konoha, the mighty Hyuga clan, led by Hiashi and Hizashi, directed their elite members toward the Uchiha clan.
Hizashi couldn't suppress his curiosity as he asked Hiashi, "Brother, is the Uchiha clan truly rebelling?"
Hiashi furrowed his brow and replied sternly, "Refer to me as clan leader outside."
He fell silent for a moment, then responded, "Yes, clan leader."
With a brief pause, he softened his tone, "Sandaime has instructed us to gather and surround the Uchiha. Tonight, we might witness a fierce battle."
Hiashi's expression reflected his concerns; civil strife inevitably resulted in casualties. Moreover, the Uchiha, being the largest clan in the ninja world, possessed formidable skills, and many were known for their unpredictable and intense nature.
Hizashi looked back and noticed more than twenty jounin following him.
He couldn't help but reflect on the uncertain future that lay ahead after tonight—the burden of family heritage.
"Hizashi, if a conflict erupts soon, restrain the clan members and don't take the lead."
Concern etched his face as he inquired, "Where's the Sandaime?"
Hiashi waved his hand, expressing the weight of the situation. "If Uchiha is destroyed, it may be our turn next."
He was taken aback, surveyed the surroundings, and then nodded in silent understanding.
...
"Danzo-sama, the Third Hokage declared Konoha to be in a state of emergency and issued a summons order for all jounin and above personnel to gather to prepare for war. Should we join the conflict?"
"Oh?" Danzo, just waking up after undergoing eye replacement surgery, inquired, "What happened?"
"All Uchiha ninjas are gathering."
Danzo stood up, his hand instinctively reaching for his newly replaced right eye.
It seemed that tonight, he might see the destruction of the Uchiha. How many Uchiha eyes could be harvested before the night's end?
'Hiruzen, I warned you long ago that the Uchiha were not to be trusted. Fortunately, I took the initiative and dealt with Uchiha Shisui.'
"Take our people and rush to the Uchiha clan immediately."
"Yes!"
...
The gate of the Uchiha clan was bathed in bright light, and numerous elite forces from Konoha had encircled the Uchiha.
At the forefront stood the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, alongside Koharu and Mito.
Behind them were the leaders and elites of various influential ninja clans, including members from Hyuga, Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka clans.
Representatives from all major clans, accompanied by ANBU and elite jounin, formed a three-layered encirclement around the Uchiha.
A palpable solemnity hung in the air, reflected on the faces of those present. The leaders of the major clans harbored their thoughts.
Creak... The massive wooden door of the Uchiha compound slowly opened.
Under the leadership of Fugaku, hundreds of armed Uchiha clansmen emerged, walking solemnly through the gate.
For a moment, all eyes focused on Fugaku's face, revealing varied expressions of surprise. Fugaku, typically at odds with others, had sparked curiosity among the crowd.
The Uchiha clansmen behind Fugaku stirred at the sight of numerous Konoha elites outside the gate. However, their voices gradually hushed as they observed their clan leader's silence.
The atmosphere hung heavy with anticipation.
A messenger bird suddenly flew in, delivering a message to Fugaku. As he read it, a surge of murderous intent filled his eyes before subsiding into calmness.
Remaining composed under Sandaime's scrutinizing gaze, Fugaku continued scanning his surroundings. Noticing Danzo's absence, he narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Hokage-sama, I'm curious as to why you've surrounded our Uchiha clan."
The Third Hokage frowned, responding sharply, "Fugaku! You've gathered so many Uchiha, and you're asking us? What is your intention?"
Fugaku's demeanor had shifted from before, displaying no respect for the Third Hokage.
"What do I want? Uchiha Shisui went missing today after leaving. We're searching for him now. What's the issue?"
The Third Hokage frowned, contemplating Fugaku's numerous past excuses, but he hadn't expected this response.
As far as he knew, Shisui was indeed missing, leaving him momentarily speechless.
Mito, standing beside him, interjected, "This is absurd! Just because Uchiha Shisui is missing, you gather the entire clan? Do you think we're fools?"
Fugaku maintained his silence.
Meanwhile, the crowd in Konoha dispersed, making way for the arrival of Danzo. His bandaged forehead, right eye, right shoulder, and right hand were familiar sights.
"Uchiha Fugaku, it seems your clan intends to rebel tonight!" Danzo accused.
At the sight of Danzo, a flicker of murderous intent flashed in Fugaku's eyes. He responded in a deep voice, "Shimura Danzo, you still dare to show your face before me?"
"Itachi reported to me that Uchiha Shisui disappeared after being recruited by you this afternoon. Are you claiming this has nothing to do with you?"
Itachi, hidden in the crowd, furrowed his brow. He hadn't reported anything to his father. Danzo's cold expression indicated that Itachi was not trustworthy.
Frustrated, he retorted, "That's absurd! I haven't seen Shisui at all this afternoon. Your accusations are baseless slander."
Fugaku's smile turned cold. "Is that so?"
Chakra surged around Fugaku, his eyes growing even colder, making the surrounding ninjas tense.
Amid the commotion, a path opened behind them, and Uchiha Natsuki strode in with a group of Uchiha clansmen.
[Ding! The mission has been updated, the ending of the coup]
[Mission requirement: Protect all Uchiha people from dying in the coup.]
[Task reward: Eye Technique Amplifier X1 Uchiha Deputy Chief.]
It was too late to fully comprehend the reward. Given the mission requirement to protect all clan members, the use of force was not an option tonight.
He stood alone at the front, his eyes keen and alert.
The Uchiha behind him remained silent, occasionally casting enthusiastic and admiring glances at Natsuki.
Two individuals carried a stretcher, and on it lay Uchiha Shisui.
Others dragged the bodies of several root members, their corpses displaying signs of severe damage.
The Third Hokage, wearing a stern expression, demanded, "Fugaku, what is the meaning of this?"
Uchiha Natsuki brought the injured back to the clan, positioning himself between the Third Hokage and Fugaku.
He sneered, "Sandaime, there's no time for riddles. Danzo summoned Shisui away this afternoon to steal his Sharingan!"
"We mobilized the entire clan to find Shisui because he was missing. What's the issue!?"
He then whispered something in Shisui's ear, and Shisui struggled to rise.
Visible injuries covered his body, the most severe being the empty eye sockets where the Sharingan had been brutally removed!
A murmur spread among the surrounding ninja clans.
"Danzo planning to steal Shisui's Sharingan?"
"Be quiet! Danzo is an elder; don't talk nonsense."
Shisui spoke weakly, "I received a message from Danzo this evening, asking me to go see him."
"I didn't expect him to covet the Sharingan of our Uchiha clan and take away mine when I was unprepared."
The Third Hokage was well-acquainted with Shisui and had even discussed using other means to prevent the Uchiha coup this afternoon.
He never anticipated that their farewell would unfold like this.
Danzo remained silent and wore a gloomy expression as Shisui stood up, withholding any comment. His thoughts were inscrutable.
The crowd erupted into murmurs, and suspicion-filled gazes turned towards Danzo.
Seizing someone's bloodline is considered a grave offense in the ninja world, especially among fellow villagers.
Shisui, known as Shunshin no Shisui, had made numerous contributions to Konoha during the Third Shinobi World War and was hailed as a Uchiha genius.
His reputation had always been good, and his words carried considerable credibility.