I'm retrieving corpses in Konoha.

It wasn't until evening that the four Konoha high-ranking officials left the small conference room.

After Danzo returned to Root, he summoned Itachi Uchiha to his presence.

Looking at the excessively young child in front of him, Danzo couldn't help but sigh.

Others at this age have only recently started school.

However, Itachi Uchiha was already a three-tomoe Uchiha, a Chunin of the Anbu with the potential to become a Jonin.

If it weren't for the fact that he still needed Itachi to deal with the Uchiha clan, Danzo would have wanted to take Itachi's eyes right now.

Such a brilliant eye is so rare.

But he had to hold back; for the sake of more Uchiha eyes, he had to endure it first.

After calming his agitated emotions, Danzo said with a serious expression, "Itachi, the Uchiha are about to betray us, and even you are powerless to stop it."

A flicker of pain crossed Itachi's face.

Seeing this, Danzo continued, "The previous high-level meeting has already decided to take action against Uchiha Hayao, leaving no one alive except you."

"What?!" Itachi Uchiha suddenly looked up.

Although I had suspected it before, it was still hard to accept when it actually came out of Danzo's mouth.

Danzo leaned forward, his gaze sharp, and said:

"Itachi, the Uchiha clan is so rampant, their annihilation is inevitable. By now, you should understand that only one of Konoha and the Uchiha can exist!"

"I hope you can participate in this operation. That way, we can save your life and prevent the Uchiha clan from going without a successor."

Actually, wanting Itachi Uchiha's help was a pretense; his real intention was to shift the blame.

After all, such a massive event as the Uchiha clan massacre couldn't have been carried out without an apparent perpetrator.

It's clearly best to avoid getting involved in the root and dark areas.

Itachi Uchiha stared intently at the ground, muttering, "Lord Danzo, is there no way to turn this around?"

Danzo shook his head firmly and said, "There is no room for maneuver. The village must nip the Uchiha coup in the bud before it even begins."

[A book-reading app recommended to me by a friend I've known for ten years, Wild Fruit Reading! It's damn good! I use it to read aloud and listen to books while driving or before bed to pass the time. You can download it here.]

After saying that, Danzo leaned back in his chair, his eyes slightly narrowed, and his hands stroking his cane.

Finally, Itachi Uchiha said sullenly, "Leave this operation entirely to me. But in return, I want to protect my younger brother and Shisui."

"Oh?" Danzo frowned. "With your strength alone, can you do that?"

Uchiha Itachi raised his head: "I will find a helper; he has the ability."

Danzo thought for a moment, then asked in confusion, "Who is this person?"

“He was the founder of the Akatsuki organization,” Itachi replied.

Danzo remembered the organization, but as far as he knew, it was an insignificant organization in Amegakure that had been wiped out by his Root subordinates in conjunction with Hanzo.

However, he remembered that there was a red-haired youth in that organization.

The young man eventually unleashed a powerful force, summoning a monstrous summon that killed all of Root and Hanzo's subordinates.

That eye is the legendary Rinnegan, known to few in the world.

If it were that young man, he might very well have wiped out the entire Uchiha clan single-handedly.

In fact, the Akatsuki organization has already killed Hanzo and taken control of the Land of Rain.

However, due to Nagato's isolation policy, this news has not yet been spread.

Danzo, of course, had no idea.

Thinking of the red-haired youth, Danzo nodded and said, "Alright then, you will be in charge of this operation."

If the root forces don't need to be mobilized, Danzo would be more than happy to do so.

In this way, he can completely shift the blame without leaving any evidence against him.

As for Sasuke and Shisui...

Sasuke was too young to awaken his Sharingan.

Shisui is only eleven years old; those eyes can be developed gradually.

So, it wouldn't matter if I agreed to his conditions.

After leaving Danzo's office, Itachi Uchiha went to a grove of trees on the outskirts of the village.

Obito, wearing an orange mask, emerged from the vortex, his Sharingan beneath the mask looking at Itachi Uchiha.

This is the third time Itachi Uchiha has met Obito.

The first time was when he awakened his Sharingan; this masked man, who called himself "Uchiha Madara," killed his companion.

The second time was a few days ago, after the war ended. Itachi Uchiha had just advanced to the Three-Tomoe realm, and the masked man came to see him.

This is the third time.

“I want your help with something that you might be interested in,” Itachi Uchiha said calmly.

He then told Obito about the plan to exterminate his clan.

Obito narrowed his eyes, looking at Itachi Uchiha with great interest, his voice slightly hoarse:

"I also happen to want to take revenge on the Uchiha clan, but your current determination is not enough."

"Determination?" Itachi Uchiha frowned.

Obito chuckled and said, "I won't help you without sufficient determination."

Itachi Uchiha was somewhat puzzled, not understanding what Madara Uchiha meant by saying that.

Seeing this, Obito immediately said, "You must kill your mother with your own hands first, so that you can have enough determination and magnanimity."

Obito's goal was to awaken Itachi Uchiha's Mangekyou Sharingan.

Before achieving this goal, the Uchiha clan must not be completely wiped out.

The awakening of the Mangekyou Sharingan is not related to age, but rather requires a strong mental stimulus.

The reason why most people open their eyes at an older age is that as they get older, their feelings for their relatives and friends become deeper.

At this time, the shock of losing a relative or friend is immense.

Itachi Uchiha was far more mature than his peers, which is why he advanced to the Three-Tomoe stage ahead of time.

It's quite possible that he can open his eyes now.

Although Uchiha Natsu was not present, Obito's investigation revealed that Uchiha Natsu had no relatives or friends, and no girlfriend.

It's extremely difficult for someone like that to awaken their Sharingan. That's why Obito gave up on Uchiha Natsu.

When Itachi Uchiha heard the word "mother," his heart clenched.

But then he thought of Shisui and his younger brother.

This clan is beyond saving. If we want to protect Shisui and his younger brother and continue the hope of the Uchiha clan, the only way is to annihilate them.

Uchiha Itachi nodded solemnly and said, "Alright."

Chapter 89 Exquisite Patterns

Upon receiving Itachi's affirmative reply, Obito's lips, hidden beneath his mask, curled into a slight smile.

Now that the decision has been made, there will be no more dragging things out.

Obito reached out and grabbed Itachi's arm. As a vortex appeared before them, both of them vanished.

Immediately afterwards, the same vortex appeared in the backyard of the patriarch's mansion.

Itachi Uchiha looked around, secretly amazed by Madara Uchiha's abilities.

But then, a feeling of tension and hesitation took over.

"Go, prove your magnanimity." Obito raised his hand and pointed to the house in front of him.

Uchiha Itachi nodded, took a deep breath, and drew the long sword from his back.

With a few leaps and bounds, they arrived at the long corridor.

He activated his Sharingan and circled the outside of the house.

Itachi Uchiha confirmed that his father was not home, and that his younger brother was asleep inside the house.

Only his mother, Uchiha Mikoto, was cooking in the kitchen.

Due to his ANBU missions, Itachi Uchiha would come home late every day and wouldn't eat lunch or breakfast at home.

Therefore, every night, Mikoto Uchiha would prepare special meals for Itachi Uchiha.

For the sake of her excellent son, she had to carefully prepare some nutritionally balanced dishes.

If it weren't for the special nature of the mission, she would have suggested bringing Itachi Uchiha a lunchbox every day.

Recalling these memories, Itachi Uchiha's eyes darkened, and he then climbed through the window into the kitchen.

She landed gently, standing behind Uchiha Mikoto.

The Sharingan stared at Mikoto Uchiha's retreating figure, and the long sword was raised, trembling slightly.

Mikoto Uchiha, although she no longer participates in ninja missions, was once a Jonin.

Therefore, Mikoto Uchiha had already noticed Itachi standing behind her.

He turned around, looked at Uchiha Itachi who was clearly startled, and then at the tip of the sword pointing at him.

Mikoto Uchiha turned off the stove, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection, and said softly, "Itachi, welcome back."

"Mother...Mother..."

Itachi Uchiha's breathing quickened slightly, a strong voice in his mind urging him to act quickly.

Because now is the best opportunity.

My mother is also a Jonin, so once she knows my intentions, it will be very difficult for me to succeed!

However, Itachi Uchiha's hand remained still.