I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

Root Will

"With you alone, how do you plan to stop the Uchiha rebellion?"

Koharu Utatane turned to Homura Mitokado, her voice sharp with skepticism. She didn't believe Itachi Uchiha could handle the entire Uchiha Police Force alone. Even if the full might of the ANBU under the Hokage's direct command were deployed, it would still require crushing force to eliminate the Uchiha.

Facing the senior councilor's question, Itachi remained silent. Then, his eyes spun into the ominous pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

The intricate tomoe swirled hypnotically, commanding the attention of the high-ranking officials. Homura let out a quiet gasp, his expression shifting to grim contemplation.

How had things come to this? The rare Mangekyō, which once appeared only once in generations, had now surfaced twice in quick succession—first with Shisui, and now with Itachi. The Uchiha were undeniably gifted, yet their rapid rise only deepened the village's fears. Konoha lacked young shinobi outside the Uchiha who could bear such overwhelming responsibility.

Danzo Shimura narrowed his one visible eye. He had assumed Itachi's confidence stemmed from possessing Shisui's remaining eye, the fabled Kotoamatsukami. But this changed everything. Itachi had awakened his own Mangekyō, making him even more dangerous than anticipated. Though the situation was unexpected, Danzo still saw an opportunity to manipulate Itachi into the shadows.

After a long pause, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, spoke. His tone was deliberate. "Itachi, tell me your plan. If you require assistance, say so. The village cannot afford a civil war."

Itachi met his gaze and declared, "There is no rebellion tonight. The Uchiha will not fall to the Leaf's forces. Uchiha Itachi will slaughter his own clan and defect from the village. In return, I ask for only one thing—Sasuke's life. Let him live here, safe and untouched."

A heavy silence filled the chamber. Koharu and Homura exchanged uneasy glances, their gazes shifting back to Itachi with barely concealed fear.

Their previous attempts to suppress the Uchiha—limiting their political influence, exiling them to the outskirts of the village—paled in comparison to the brutality of Itachi's proposal. They had sought control. Itachi sought complete eradication.

"The Uchiha cannot be trusted," Koharu murmured, recalling the words of Tobirama Senju, Konoha's Second Hokage. His warnings echoed in the minds of all present, including Hiruzen.

"Itachi, I cannot sanction this," Hiruzen said firmly. "The Uchiha are part of this village. Even if they stray, they can be guided back."

"Lord Third…" Itachi's voice was strained, his fingers curling into a fist.

"There is no need for further discussion." Hiruzen's tone left no room for argument. "I will go to Fugaku myself. Konoha does not abandon its clans—not even the Uchiha."

With a final wave of his hand, the Hokage dismissed Itachi.

Silently, Itachi left the chamber. Danzo, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, followed.

After the door shut, Koharu turned to Hiruzen. "Sarutobi, if you attempt to negotiate, you will fail. The Uchiha will not back down."

Hiruzen's gaze was heavy. "Perhaps. But we must at least make the attempt."

Koharu sighed, exchanging another glance with Homura before saying, "Then we will prepare accordingly. If negotiations collapse, we must strike first."

Hiruzen didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned toward the shadows and called out, "Strengthen the protection around Naruto Uzumaki. All available ANBU, assemble at headquarters. There is a special operation tonight."

Even without looking, he knew the advisors were relieved. They had already accepted the inevitable.

---

Outside the Hokage's Office

Itachi and Danzo walked side by side in silence. Though Danzo outranked him, it was Itachi who controlled the conversation.

Danzo finally spoke. "You doubt the negotiations, don't you?" He let the words hang before adding, "I'll tell you now—they will fail. The Uchiha will not compromise. Konoha will suffer devastating losses if this escalates to war."

"Whether to obey the Hokage and allow the village to be ravaged by conflict, or to prevent civil war at any cost… I trust you'll make the right choice."

Itachi did not respond, but his expression made his decision clear.

Danzo's lips curled slightly. "As expected of an Uchiha with the will of Root. Konoha thrives because of those willing to stain their hands for its future."

A pause.

"Perhaps the world will never understand our choices, but the village will endure because of them."

But before Danzo could say more, Itachi had already vanished into the night.

His eyes narrowed. He turned to his hidden subordinates.

"Follow him. The moment he completes his task, bring me his eyes."

"Yes, Danzo-sama."

---

At Dusk – Naka Shrine

The faint candlelight cast shadows over Fugaku Uchiha's grim expression. The clan leader had delayed the coup all afternoon, waiting for his eldest son to appear.

Itachi never came.

And with his patience, so too faded his ambition to become the Fifth Hokage.

If he could not even control his own son, how could he lead a rebellion against Konoha?

His subordinates, Yashiro and Inabi, exchanged glances before hesitantly asking, "Clan Head, should we proceed as planned tonight? Or should we wait for a better opportunity?"

Fugaku didn't answer. Instead, he stood from his meditation cushion and stepped toward the temple's entrance.

The weight of dozens of Sharingan bore down on his back, waiting for guidance. But their leader had already lost faith.

A coup without leadership. A clan without direction.

If they fought, they would be crushed. If they hesitated, Konoha's leadership might strike first.

Darkness loomed over their future as surely as the dimly lit hall around them.

Then, a lone figure rose from the gathered Uchiha.

Shisui Uchiha stepped forward, his presence cutting through the clan's uncertainty.

"Fugaku's plan may have failed," he declared, "but the Uchiha still have another path."

Murmurs spread through the group. What did he mean? There had only ever been one plan. Shisui wasn't even part of the clan's leadership.

Yashiro frowned. "Shisui, this is not your place to speak. You've only recently awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan. You are not qualified to make such decisions."

Shisui merely smiled, forming a quick hand seal.

With a flicker, the Transformation Jutsu dissolved, revealing his true self.

The murmurs turned into stunned silence.

Then, his eyes gleamed. Three tomoe spun rapidly as he locked his gaze onto the elders.

"The newly promoted Jonin, Hikaru, may not be qualified," Shisui said calmly, "but Uchiha Shisui—the strongest of our generation—certainly is."

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