1 Chapter 1
Land of Fire, Konoha Village
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting fiery hues across the sky, Konoha Village in the Fire Country lay bathed in an ominous shadow.
Within the confines of the Uchiha clan, an eerie silence blanketed the air, a palpable tension that seemed to foretell an impending storm.
The pressure hung heavy in the air, a sensation that had become all too familiar in recent times within the village's walls.
Within the Uchiha compound, the traditional wooden structures stood in stoic silence, their darkened windows seemingly absorbing the fading light of the day.
The usual hustle and bustle of daily life had receded into a hushed whisper, replaced by an unsettling stillness that seemed to echo the collective unease of the clan.
In the courtyard, the ancient cherry blossom trees stood silently, its delicate petals swaying gently in the evening breeze.
From the outskirts of Konoha, the distant howl of a wolf echoed through the night, beyond the safety of the village walls.
In the heart of Fire Country, amidst the whispers of the wind and the flickering light of torches, the stage was set for a pivotal moment in the history of the village hidden in the leaves.
A few months earlier, the Uchiha clan had been rocked by the sudden death of their most formidable ninja, Shisui, renowned as 'Shisui of the body flicker'.
The circumstances surrounding his demise had left a lingering cloud of suspicion and uncertainty, with many within the village questioning the true nature of his untimely end.
Now, in the present moment, atop the Hokage building, the esteemed leader of Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood with an air of solemn authority.
His gaze observed the horizon as if searching for answers amidst the gathering darkness.
Flanking him stood the village elders, their expressions etched with grave concern, their thoughts undoubtedly consumed by the weight of the decisions that lay ahead.
Kneeling before them, clad in the distinctive attire of an Anbu ninja, was Uchiha Itachi.
His form was study in disciplined composure despite the turmoil that undoubtedly raged within him.
His dark eyes met those of the Hokage with a steely resolve, a silent acknowledgment of the burden that had been placed upon his shoulders.
As the last rays of sunlight faded into the night, casting the village below into shadow, the stage was set for a pivotal moment in the fate of Konoha and the Uchiha clan.
In the presence of the village's most esteemed leaders, and with the weight of his clan's legacy resting heavily upon him, Itachi awaited the Hokage's judgment with a stoic determination that belied the storm of emotions raging within him.
"Have you decided, Itachi?", Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze softened slightly as he regarded Itachi.
With a nod of acknowledgment, the Hokage signaled his readiness to hear Itachi's decision, fully aware of the implications it held for both the Uchiha clan and the village of Konoha.
The elders beside him exchanged solemn glances, their features etched with a blend of apprehension as they awaited Itachi's final decree.
The fate of the Uchiha clan, and by extension, the stability of Konoha Village, rested in his hands.
"Yes, I have made my decision, and you must be aware of my last request?" Itachi's voice rang out with a solemn clarity as he affirmed his decision, his words resonating with a sense of finality that left no room for doubt.
Itachi bowed his head in silent reverence, betraying none of the turmoil that undoubtedly raged within him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression remained somber as he nodded in acknowledgment of the weighty decision that had been made.
To bear the burden of such a heinous act, to sacrifice his own kin for the sake of peace, was a burden that few could comprehend.
"Do not worry, Itachi. As long as I am alive, I will ensure that your brother faces no troubles."
As Hiruzen spoke, his words carried the weight of a solemn vow, a promise to honor Itachi's final wish and safeguard Sasuke from the shadows that lurked within their midst.
Itachi nodded, as he accepted the Hokage's pledge with a solemn nod.
With those words, he donned his Anbu mask and vanished from the Hokage building.
With a resigned sigh, Hiruzen turned his attention to the two Anbu guards who appeared at his side.
It was evident that there was much more at play than met the eye.
The identities hidden behind the masks of the Anbu, were his eldest son and daughter-in-law.
"Get ready," With a simple command, Hiruzen spurred them into action, his words laden with a significance that only those closest to him could truly comprehend.
The Uchiha incident was the village's most closely guarded secret, known only to those who were Hiruzen's most trusted confidants.
"Lord Hokage, shall we proceed?" Hiruzen's son, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, asked, his voice muffled by the mask adorned with a distinct pattern that marked him as a member of the Anbu.
Hiruzen hesitated for a moment, his furrowed brow betraying the weight of his thoughts. "If it's already too late..."
Although he didn't express it explicitly, the meaning was clear.
Hiruzen knew all too well the ruthlessness and power of Itachi, but
the Uchiha clan, despite their dwindling numbers, still held significant influence within the village.
It was possible that some of them might escape, and in that case, someone like Hiruzen or Shimura Danzō would need to step in to deal with the situation.
Hiruzen, his son, and daughter-in-law stood ready to carry out their orders.
The same could be said about the other Anbu, who stood nearby, waiting, their masked faces betraying no emotion.
They were prepared to do what was necessary to protect the village and maintain its delicate balance of power.
Without another word, Hiruzen's son and daughter-in-law, accompanied by some Anbu, vanished from the room, their movements swift and silent as they melded into the darkness, ready to act.
The fate of the Uchiha clan and the future of the village now rested in the hands of those select few, who would do whatever it takes to preserve the peace and stability of Konoha.
....
During this time, Uchiha Sasuke remained at the Ninja Academy, diligently undergoing special training under the watchful eye of Iruka, unaware of the hidden agenda behind his intensified regimen.
Sasuke didn't know, the true gravity of the situation that was yet to be revealed to him.
The elders of the village, including Hiruzen and Danzō, had deemed it necessary to keep him away from the unfolding turmoil within the Uchiha clan, shielding him from the harsh realities that threatened to engulf Konoha in darkness.
As Sasuke honed his skills within the confines of the academy walls, oblivious to the shadows that lurked beyond, the wheels of fate turned inexorably, poised to thrust him into a destiny far greater and more perilous than he could ever imagine.
But for now, in the innocence of his youth, Sasuke remained unaware of the intricate webs of deception and betrayal that entangled the village, and the role he would inevitably play in its unfolding drama.
....
Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi had arrived at the Uchiha compound.
Perched atop an electric pole, he observed the houses below with a calculating gaze, his presence casting a shadow of foreboding over the tranquil neighborhood.
He radiated a deadly, cold energy that seemed to mark him as a harbinger of death, his aura as chilling as the icy grip of a winter's night.
His piercing Three Tomoe Sharingan glinted ominously in the moonlight, his clothes billowed lightly in the wind.
In an instant, Itachi vanished from his perch, his departure as sudden and swift as the fleeting touch of a phantom, leaving behind only an unsettling silence that hung in the air.
Along the borders of the Uchiha clan, a group of trusted Anbu members, chosen by Sarutobi Hiruzen himself, lay in wait.
They were there as a backup force, poised to capture any Uchiha clan members who might attempt to slip through the cracks, their keen senses attuned to the slightest disturbance in the night.
These shinobi were all members of the Sarutobi clan, bound by blood and loyalty to their leader, Hiruzen.
Each one had been handpicked for their skills and their unwavering commitment to the village.
Hiruzen had complete faith in them and knew they would not betray their mission, their allegiance to Konoha unwavering even in the face of uncertainty.
The secrecy surrounding the operation was paramount; even renowned elites like Kakashi were not permitted to participate in this mission.
Only those who had proven themselves to be completely loyal to the Hokage and the village could be trusted with this critical task, their identities known only to a select few who held the fate of Konoha in their hands.
