I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

When the Clan Meeting Is in Progress

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat deep in thought after concluding his visit to a Konoha family. He was satisfied with the results—his philosophy of the Will of Fire had taken root in the village. Even a mischievous boy like Naruto Uzumaki, an orphan ostracized by many, would one day aspire to become Hokage, carrying forward the village's ideals.

However, the issue of the Uchiha Clan's growing dissent troubled him. He hesitated, caught between caution and necessity. If he acted too harshly, he risked pushing them toward open rebellion; if he remained passive, their resentment might fester into something uncontrollable. Danzo Shimura, his longtime advisor and leader of Root, had already made his stance clear—eliminate the Uchiha before they could act. Hiruzen, however, hoped for a peaceful resolution.

Yet inaction had consequences. Tensions continued to rise, and soon, the situation would spiral beyond control.

---

One Week Earlier

With the start of the Ninja Academy's holiday, the usually boisterous streets near the school were quiet. The children had scattered to different parts of the village, leaving an unusual calm in their wake. But to the trained eyes of Konoha's shinobi, this peace was deceptive.

The Uchiha Police Force, positioned at the outskirts of the village, had begun gathering near the Hokage Building. The tension in the air was palpable. To the villagers, nothing seemed amiss, but the jōnin and village leaders knew—Konoha stood on the brink of civil war.

Most shinobi clans, including the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka families, remained neutral, waiting for the outcome. Their strategy was simple: side with the victor. This was how smaller clans survived in an era where alliances determined fate. Years ago, they had shifted allegiance to Minato Namikaze when he became Hokage, abandoning Orochimaru. Now, with uncertainty looming, they watched and waited.

The village's calm was merely the silence before a storm.

---

At Naka Shrine: The Uchiha Clan's Last Meeting

Deep within the main hall of Naka Shrine, nearly every Uchiha jōnin had gathered. This was the final assembly before the planned coup, their last opportunity to rally and finalize their strategy.

Uchiha Fugaku, the clan leader and head of the Konoha Military Police, stood at the front, his sharp gaze scanning the room. But unlike previous meetings, he did not immediately address the clan. He was waiting.

Waiting for one last arrival.

Uchiha Itachi.

Itachi was not just Fugaku's eldest son. As an ANBU captain and the only Uchiha to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan in generations, he was their key to success. His intelligence-gathering ability within ANBU and his unique Sharingan powers could tip the balance in their favor. If anyone could secure victory, it was him.

But ten minutes passed. Then twenty.

Still, Itachi did not appear.

Murmurs spread among the gathered jōnin. Some clenched their fists; others exchanged wary glances. The delay was sowing unease.

Uchiha Yashiro, one of the elders known for his radical stance, leaned toward Fugaku. "Fugaku, we should begin. If we delay any longer, the clan's morale will collapse. We cannot afford another failure."

Fugaku hesitated, his expression unreadable. "We wait," he finally said, voice firm. "We need Itachi."

There was no room for argument. Even so, the clan's confidence wavered.

Six months ago, they had planned to act—but then, Uchiha Shisui had disappeared. His body was never found, but the ANBU declared him dead. Without Shisui's ability to control others with his Kotoamatsukami, the coup was postponed.

Now, if Itachi failed to appear, would history repeat itself?

Among the crowd, a shadowed figure watched silently.

It was Shisui.

Or rather, someone pretending to be him.

The real Shisui was long gone, drowned in the Naka River after his final confrontation with Danzo. Itachi had inherited his left eye, but the clan knew nothing of this.

Fugaku wanted Itachi for more than just ANBU intelligence. He planned to use his Mangekyō Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Naruto Uzumaki, and use his power against the Hokage.

But for another Uchiha, this meeting held a different meaning.

Shisui had once dreamed of guiding his clan down a different path. He and Itachi had shared a vision—peace without bloodshed. But if Itachi had truly disappeared, there was only one explanation.

Had he been targeted by Danzo?

Or… had he betrayed the clan?

The very thought made Shisui—no, the impersonator—uneasy.

---

Above Hokage Rock: A Decision Is Made

Uchiha Itachi stood atop the Hokage Monument, the cold wind whipping at his ANBU cloak. Below him, Konoha stretched in all directions, illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. It was a breathtaking sight.

And a fragile one.

From here, the entire village seemed within his grasp. How easy it would be to destroy it.

How easy it would be to save it.

Itachi had made his choice.

Another figure stood beside him—Uchiha Obito, the masked man who had once plunged the village into chaos by unleashing the Nine-Tails. Eight years ago, he had stood in this very spot, watching the village burn. Now, he was merely a spectator, waiting for Itachi's decision to unfold.

Itachi sighed, turning his gaze toward the Uchiha District one last time.

Tonight was the last clan meeting before the coup.

They were waiting for him, hoping for him to lead them, expecting the power of his Mangekyō to pave the way for their victory.

But he would not come.

He could not abandon the village—his comrades, his brother—for the clan's ambitions.

The coup was doomed. The Uchiha had underestimated the village's power. Even if they succeeded in the initial attack, they would not win. The Hokage and his advisors, along with the combined strength of Konoha's clans, would retaliate. The result would be genocide.

If there had to be a sacrifice, Itachi would ensure it was controlled.

At the very least, he had secured one promise from Danzo—Sasuke would be spared.

Danzo was untrustworthy, but as long as Itachi lived, he could ensure his brother's safety.

His decision made, Itachi adjusted his forehead protector, leapt down from the monument, and disappeared into the darkness.

---

Inside the Hokage Building

The ANBU standing guard barely flinched as Uchiha Itachi strode past them, his expression unreadable. He had walked these halls countless times, but tonight was different.

When he reached the second floor, he stopped before a heavy wooden door. Taking a breath, he pushed it open.

Inside sat Konoha's highest authorities—Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane. All four turned their gaze toward him.

Hiruzen exhaled in relief. "Itachi, you're here. What news do you bring?"

Itachi met their eyes, his voice steady.

"The Uchiha Police Force will launch a coup tonight. Their target is the Hokage and Konoha's leadership."

Silence.

Then, after a pause, he continued.

"I will stop them myself."

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