Konoha Village — Uchiha Clan Compound
"Mm."
Two figures appeared silently within a courtyard.
A voice soon came from inside the house.
"Is that Shisui and Itachi?"
"It's us, Yusuke-niisan."
Moments later, a boy of sixteen or seventeen stepped out of the room.
His fair, smooth face carried sharp, well-defined features and a hint of coldness.His deep black eyes shone with a captivating brilliance.A gentle smile always rested at the corner of his lips, making people instinctively feel close to him.
The newcomer raised his hand in greeting and said warmly,"Shisui, Itachi, you two came at the perfect time. I just finished cooking dinner. Come eat with me."
"There's no time for that," Shisui said seriously."Yusuke-niisan, what you warned us about has come true. Danzo really intends to take my Sharingan."
Earlier that day, Danzo had summoned him. Remembering what Yusuke had said not long ago, Shisui remained cautious and deliberately sent a Shadow Clone to meet Danzo. Even so, Danzo still made his move.
Shisui immediately informed Itachi, and the two of them came together to find Yusuke.
Uchiha Itachi spoke next, his tone calm but heavy."Yusuke-niisan, things are the same on my end. ANBU has ordered me to monitor the Uchiha clan. Father has also asked me to act as a double agent between the clan and Konoha."
He paused briefly.
"The most important order ANBU gave me… is to monitor you."
Shisui nodded."The higher-ups in Konoha gave me the same order. Yusuke-niisan, what should we do now?"
Normally, Uchiha Shisui was extremely composed, but at this moment, even he felt uncertain.
Hearing this, Yusuke smiled calmly.
"Don't worry. Things haven't reached the worst point yet."He looked at both of them."Shisui, Itachi, let me ask you something. If the clan truly comes into conflict with the village… which side will you choose?"
"..."
Both Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi fell silent.
They were members of the Uchiha clan, but they were also shinobi of Konoha Village. If possible, they never wanted to see a war between the clan and the village—but at this point, it seemed almost impossible to stop.
The two exchanged glances, then spoke in unison.
"We'll follow you, Yusuke-niisan."
"You'll listen to me?" Yusuke laughed softly."You two really trust me."
Then his expression sharpened.
"I do have an idea. If we don't want the clan to go to war with Konoha… then why don't we simply leave?"
"Leave?" Shisui shook his head immediately."That's impossible. The clan head and the elders would never agree—and Konoha won't allow it either."
The Uchiha clan was one of the great clans of the ninja world. Their bloodline limit, the Sharingan, was feared everywhere. Konoha would never allow such a powerful force to leave.
No matter which village the Uchiha joined, they would become a tremendous threat to Konoha.
"Permission?" Yusuke said coldly as he stood up."Why do we need permission?"
"Why should the Uchiha clan need anyone else's approval to decide our own fate?"
He turned and said simply,"Let's go."
"Yusuke-niisan, where are we going?" Itachi asked.
"Naka Shrine."
Inside Naka Shrine
Naka Shrine was the ancestral shrine of the Uchiha clan and an important gathering place.Tonight's meeting was meant to prepare for the launch of a coup.
At this moment, Uchiha Fugaku was addressing the clan.
"Everyone," Fugaku said solemnly,"you all know that my son has entered ANBU and obtained more and more information."
"For years now, Konoha's higher-ups have continuously ostracized our Uchiha clan, excluding us from all major decisions within the village."
"But Konoha was founded jointly by the Senju clan and the Uchiha clan. We were meant to stand at the center of the village's leadership."
"That's right!""Exactly!"
Fugaku's words stirred the emotions of many clan members.
"In recent years, not only have we been excluded from decision-making, we've been deliberately pushed aside, our living conditions worsening day by day."
"As clan head, I cannot escape responsibility for this."
"But my patience has only encouraged the arrogance of Konoha's higher-ups."
"Since they treat us this way… then the Uchiha clan will—tonight—"
Bang!
Creak—!
The shrine doors suddenly opened.
Three figures stood at the entrance.
Uchiha Yusuke.Uchiha Itachi.Uchiha Shisui.
Yusuke raised his hand casually and smiled."Hey. Sorry about that. Looks like we're a bit late."
Fugaku's expression softened when he saw them."Yusuke, Shisui, Itachi—you arrived just in time."
Although Yusuke was young, he was already recognized as the strongest member of the Uchiha clan. There were even rumors that he was the strongest shinobi in all of Konoha.
Uchiha Shisui, only slightly younger than Yusuke, was acknowledged as the second strongest of the clan.
As for Fugaku himself, despite being clan head, he ranked only third in strength.
Fortunately, his son Uchiha Itachi possessed extraordinary talent. He had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at the age of eleven and was already considered an elite of the clan—a future pillar of the Uchiha.
Uchiha Yusuke, Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Itachi were collectively known as the Three Heroes of the Uchiha.
Because of them, the clan felt immense pride.
And because of them, Uchiha Fugaku was filled with absolute confidence in this coup.