Mastermind of the Akatsuki

Before the words were fully spoken, Shisui disappeared from his original position with a hand seal, wielding his small blade and lunging toward Itachi. 

Itachi raised his kunai to block Shisui's blade. Sparks flew in the darkness as their weapons clashed, the force numbing Itachi's hands, making him realize that Shisui truly intended to kill him this time. 

With a sigh in his heart, Itachi took the initiative, leaving a mere afterimage in his place. 

The two had been friends for years and had spent countless seasons training together. They knew each other's ninjutsu and taijutsu inside out. 

Under such circumstances, neither Shisui nor Itachi could gain the upper hand, let alone defeat the other. 

After another clash, both Shisui and Itachi leapt back, putting some distance between them. From several meters apart, they began casting Sharingan-based genjutsu, pitting their ocular powers against each other. 

In all their years of training, they had never used their Sharingan against one another. 

Unlike ordinary techniques, Sharingan genjutsu was a powerful Kekkei Genkai. If used in sparring, it was difficult to hold back, and one mistake could cause serious injury. 

But now, they were no longer friends or comrades. 

Their differing views on the clan and the village had led them down opposite paths, making them enemies incapable of understanding one another. 

The clash of genjutsu occurred in the void, falling into their respective eyes. 

Due to their Mangekyō Sharingan, both possessed strong resistance to ordinary illusions. Within moments, each had freed themselves from the genjutsu. 

Wiping sweat from his forehead, Shisui carefully observed Itachi. 

He had expected his years of experience with the Mangekyō to give him an edge, but to his surprise, Itachi had resisted his genjutsu completely. 

"Is it because I've overused Susanoo and my ocular power is weakening?" Shisui wondered. 

Despite this level of combat, Shisui had yet to discover the true nature of Itachi's ocular techniques. Was he really unable to teach Itachi a lesson tonight? 

Itachi, facing Shisui, was equally tense. 

Since the age of four, when he had been saved by Shisui after falling from a cliff, he had always followed Shisui, learning and growing under his guidance. Itachi knew Shisui's talent and effort better than anyone, and because of that, he understood how strong Shisui truly was. 

While Shisui was currently engaging him in genjutsu, he hadn't yet used his ultimate weapon—Susanoo. 

The mutual wariness caused both of them to stand still, neither willing to strike first. Instead, they quietly waited for an opening. 

Inside the hall, Fugaku and Mikoto wore awkward expressions. 

They had been fully prepared to sacrifice their lives to support their son, even uttering words like, "Our pain is temporary, but yours will last a lifetime." 

Yet midway through, Danzo had suddenly appeared, only to be revealed as Shisui in disguise! 

All of this made Fugaku and Mikoto feel as if their earlier resolve had been a complete joke. They were like clowns performing for others' amusement. 

Glancing at each other, Mikoto turned to Fugaku and asked, "Fugaku, it seems like Itachi isn't a match for Shisui. Should we just commit suicide? It feels like our deaths are completely meaningless now." 

Hearing this, Fugaku's face turned crimson with embarrassment. He didn't know how to respond to his wife. 

After being scolded by Shisui earlier, his mind was still in disarray, and the resolve to support his son through death was gradually fading as time passed. 

He no longer had the courage to take his own life. 

With a heavy sigh, Fugaku suddenly seemed decades older. "I don't know what to do anymore. Let's watch Itachi and Shisui. Both of them possess the Mangekyō Sharingan. The future of the Uchiha is no longer for me to decide." 

Mikoto was stunned, surprised that her husband had chosen to let go. 

However, seeing the two figures locked in confrontation, their unwavering determination, Mikoto nodded in agreement. 

Perhaps the future of the Uchiha no longer belonged to Fugaku but instead lay in the hands of these two. 

After all, both Shisui and Itachi had awakened the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan and had the ability to lead the clan into the future. 

At that moment, Sasuke appeared in their field of vision, his face pale. 

Although still a child, Sasuke was the top student at the academy. After catching the scent of blood permeating the clan grounds, he immediately rushed toward his home. 

When he arrived, he saw Shisui and Itachi facing off and stood frozen, unsure of what to do. 

The moment Itachi noticed Sasuke, he unhesitatingly activated his Sharingan. His ocular power crossed the distance and locked onto Sasuke's eyes, instantly rendering him unconscious with a genjutsu. 

Shisui also noticed Sasuke. Seeing Itachi cast a genjutsu, he frowned and asked, "Itachi, what did you do to Sasuke? He's your brother—the one you explicitly wanted to protect!" 

Itachi smiled faintly and replied, "I've given Sasuke a gift. These gifts will help him awaken the same eyes as mine." 

Hearing this, Shisui's expression turned serious, while Fugaku and Mikoto turned down their gazes. 

None of them had expected Itachi to take action against Sasuke. 

After a brief pause, Itachi continued, "Shisui, tonight you can take the other clan members, but you can't take Sasuke. He must harbor enough hatred to awaken a pair of powerful eyes. In the future, I'll occasionally return to Konoha. If I find out that Sasuke has learned the truth, I'll reveal Root's secrets to the Third Hokage. I won't let you lay a finger on Sasuke." 

"Why can't I take action against Sasuke?" 

After a moment of thought, Shisui said coldly, "Is your goal the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan? Isn't awakening the Mangekyō enough? Must you pursue the Eternal Mangekyō?" 

Fugaku and Mikoto's eyes widened in disbelief as they turned to look at their son. 

To outsiders, the Mangekyō Sharingan was a legendary power, and even fewer knew about the Eternal Mangekyō's secrets. 

But to the Uchiha present, the Eternal Mangekyō was no secret. 

Ignoring their reactions, Itachi looked toward the Police Headquarters and said flatly, "Judging by the time, I should stop chatting with you people. My goal is the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. Only by obtaining Madara Uchiha's power can I change the rules of this world. Call me hypocritical or twisted, but strength is the only path to peace. Oh, and while we were talking, the radical Uchiha Jōnin at the Police Headquarters have likely been dealt with.

Heh, It's good that those shinobi, always clamoring for a coup, are dead. Now they won't pose a threat to the village." 

Itachi then smiled at Shisui, "Shisui, after I leave Konoha, take care of yourself. Don't die in this village. I need you to witness the day I achieve the Eternal Mangekyō." 

With that, Itachi dissolved into a flock of crows, vanishing into the night.