Chapter 175

In the howling wind, the clear sound of wind chimes echoed through the mountains. Two figures, both clad in black robes adorned with red clouds, walked silently along the mountain paths, their conical hats concealing their faces.

The rings on their fingers, marked with the kanji "Shu" and "Nan," revealed their identities.

Kisame glanced at his silent companion, Itachi. Ever since their crushing defeat at the hands of Gensou, Itachi had become even more withdrawn than before.

Kisame, who knew Itachi well, could sense that his teammate was burdened by something heavier than usual.

Seeming to notice Kisame's gaze, Itachi calmly asked, "Have we found any trace of the Four-Tails Jinchuriki?"

"Not yet," Kisame replied with a grin, "That old man is good at hiding. Finding him in these mountains won't be quick work."

Itachi looked up at the sky, dark clouds rolling in from the distance. His voice, devoid of emotion, carried a strange weight as he said, "We should hurry. I don't have much time left."

"Not much time?" Kisame was surprised. Then, his expression turned serious as he asked, "Is it your health?"

He knew all too well that Itachi's body had been deteriorating over the years.

But this time, it wasn't about that.

Itachi shook his head slightly and muttered, "The inevitable is coming."

...

Land of Waves, Sky Fortress

Today was a rare occasion. The Uchiha clan members, who usually went about their respective duties, slowly gathered in Gensou's office. Every surviving Uchiha, who had been brought to safety years ago, along with Sasuke, were now present.

"Hey, Sasuke, any idea why Gensou-sama has called us here?" Jin, who had recently become a father-to-be, asked with a hint of anxiety.

He had planned to make fish soup for his pregnant wife, but just as he was about to head home, the summons came. He dreaded the punishment he might face if he delayed for too long.

Sasuke, fresh from his training, shook his head. He had no idea why they had been gathered either.

However, Izumi, who had been quietly observing the scene, suddenly realized something. Her eyes widened in shock, and without warning, her Sharingan activated, glowing crimson.

"What's wrong, Izumi?" Zhen asked, noticing her rare display of emotion.

"I'm fine," Izumi replied, though her heart raced with suspicion. She hesitated to voice her thoughts aloud, worried that she might get everyone's hopes up prematurely. She composed herself, signaling to Jin and Sasuke that she was okay, and settled into a tense wait.

It wasn't just Izumi—some of the more astute Uchiha members were also counting heads and seemed to sense the significance of the gathering.

An air of anticipation and unease filled the room, like the calm before a storm, until the silence was broken by the opening of a door.

Gensou entered the room, his expression unreadable as he walked past the gathered Uchiha and took his seat. His gaze swept over Izumi and the others before he spoke in a calm, measured voice.

"It seems some of you have already guessed why you've been called here."

Izumi and the others, who had anticipated what might come next, felt their hearts race. Their hands clenched reflexively.

"You're right," Gensou continued without delay. "The reason I've gathered you here is for the goal you've pursued all your lives."

"The one responsible for the Uchiha clan massacre, Uchiha Itachi, is about to meet his end."

Boom!

At that moment, the pent-up emotions of the Uchiha members could no longer be contained. Chakra flared wildly, filling the room with a chaotic surge of energy.

As the weight of Gensou's words sank in, the Uchiha present erupted in excitement, elation, and an overwhelming thirst for revenge. One by one, the Sharingan activated, their red eyes burning with intensity.

"Father! Sister! Brother! Finally, I can avenge you!" Jin, who had long since forgotten about his fish soup, clenched his fists, his face contorted with fury.

"Father! Mother! The day has finally come!" Uchiha Kyou, overwhelmed by emotion, wiped away his tears.

Even Uchiha Yokushi, who had always viewed crying as a weakness, was unable to hold back his tears as he thought of the grandparents who had raised him but never lived to see peace. "Grandfather! Grandmother! I swear, I'll kill that monster!"

"Brother, watch over me. Itachi will be punished this time!"

"Misa, I won't back down again!"

The emotions were too intense, too long suppressed. These Uchiha had waited far too long for this moment.

Since the massacre of the Uchiha clan in Konoha's 55th year, the survivors had dreamed of vengeance. But Itachi was far too powerful. Even their most skilled members, those with fully awakened Sharingan, couldn't hope to match him in battle.

So they waited. One year. Two years. They endured, training in silence, hoping that one day, they would be strong enough to take their revenge.

But could they really?

Uchiha Itachi was a prodigy, his strength insurmountable. For so long, the Uchiha had felt nothing but despair.

That is, until Sasuke arrived, accompanied by the legendary Gensou, a man spoken of in the same breath as Uchiha Madara.

From that moment on, the downtrodden Uchiha survivors saw a glimmer of hope. They devoted themselves to Gensou, pouring their blood and sweat into proving their worth, all in anticipation of hearing the words that had just been spoken.

Now, the time had come.

As the room filled with the blood-red glow of their Sharingan, Gensou remained calm, his presence steady and unshaken.

Once the Uchiha managed to rein in their emotions, he issued his orders.

"This mission is open to all Uchiha," Gensou said. "Uchiha Sasuke, you will lead."

From the age of seven, Sasuke had dreamed of this day. As Gensou's words registered, he released the grip on his sword, which had left his palm white, and stepped forward. His eyes burned with a fierce intensity as he bowed his head deeply.

"Yes!" he declared.

Gensou continued, "You have one day to prepare. We leave at 7 AM tomorrow."

"The target is Naka Shrine."

"Yes!" the Uchiha chorused, their voices filled with determination.

(End of Chapter)

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