The Uchiha Police Force dispatched a large number of personnel to conduct a massive search within the village limits, but they still could not find Shisui's remains. Furthermore, due to a sense of urgency, these searching Uchiha members even clashed with many civilians and other clans. While the Uchiha Police Force theoretically holds law enforcement rights over all of Konoha, a gap often exists between theory and practice. For instance, most major ninja clans in Konoha have their own designated compounds. With the relationship between the village and the Uchiha becoming increasingly antagonistic, these clans would never accept the Uchiha searching their grounds. However, the Police Force was desperate to find Shisui, such a powerful combat asset, and thus sparked many conflicts. The entire village was in an absolute uproar.
As the Clan Head, Fugaku Uchiha was overwhelmed with stress. Yet, compared to managing these disputes, the fact that Shisui remained missing was the true source of his frustration. Offending people in the village meant little to the current Uchiha; they had already offended almost everyone anyway, so one more or less didn't matter. The key issue was that they could no longer locate Shisui Uchiha, the strongest combatant of the Uchiha Clan!
Shisui, with his Mangekyo Sharingan, was a vital component of Fugaku's battle plan. Only by utilizing the powerful genjutsu of the Mangekyo Sharingan could they launch a surprise decapitation strike against the village high-ranking officials. This was the Uchiha Clan's only chance for victory. If they revolted openly and fought a war of attrition against so many ninja clans in the village, the Uchiha would stand no chance at all. Therefore, they had to rely on a decapitation strike to secure victory. But now, the very blade they intended to use for that strike had vanished!
Fugaku looked at the clearly written suicide note before him, his clenched fists letting out a series of cracks. Why... Why would Shisui choose such a path? After a few minutes, Fugaku stepped out of his house. Little Sasuke hid behind the doorframe; even at his young age, he felt the change in the clan's atmosphere. It seems like it's been this way ever since Big Brother came back and said something to Father...
After leaving his home, Fugaku went straight to the Naka Shrine, the representative landmark of the Uchiha Clan. With an event as significant as Shisui's suicide, Fugaku was obligated to give the rest of the clansmen an explanation. Holding a clan meeting was only natural.
"Elder Taka," Fugaku took the initiative to greet him upon arriving at the shrine. Before officially starting the meeting, he had to synchronize opinions with this Uchiha senior. The Uchiha were currently in a state of chaos. If he and Uchiha Taka showed disagreement during the meeting, the consequences would be unimaginable. Only a firm, unified will held true power.
Uchiha Taka slowly opened his eyes. His prominent aquiline nose and the sharp gaze flashing from the gloom highlighted his fierce aura. "It's you, Fugaku. Has Shisui still not been found?"
Fugaku nodded. "We have searched more than half the village, but still nothing."
Uchiha Taka seemed to have anticipated this result. No surprise showed on his face, though he grew a few degrees more solemn. "If that is the case, the plan for the coup must be shelved."
Hearing this, Fugaku nodded as well. "I was thinking the same thing. Without the help of Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan, the probability of a successful coup is simply too low. Therefore, I intend to define this matter as a suicide."
This was exactly why Fugaku had come to consult Uchiha Taka first. They had to unify their story on such a matter to avoid causing even greater chaos. Uchiha Taka looked at Fugaku, a hint of satisfaction bleeding through his sternness. "It is good that you think this way. At this point, even if it wasn't a suicide, it must be one."
Fugaku remained silent. Just as Uchiha Taka said, whether Shisui actually committed suicide or was murdered no longer mattered. If the Uchiha were ready to launch the coup, Shisui could have been killed by Danzo, or even Hiruzen Sarutobi! That would instantly ignite the rage of all clansmen and give the Uchiha a righteous cause to revolt under the banner of avenging Shisui. But since the Uchiha were not yet ready, Shisui's death could only be a suicide! If they confirmed he was killed by the village leaders, what would Fugaku do in the face of surging public opinion? To revolt was not yet the right time. To not revolt would lead to the scorn of his clansmen, making it difficult to lead. Such was the Uchiha's current situation. Therefore, Shisui had to be a suicide.
After confirming Uchiha Taka's thoughts, a large number of elite Uchiha members quickly gathered at the shrine. All the Uchiha who could participate in this assembly were at the level of Jonin or Elite Jonin. These people would be the decisive force in the future coup. Every member who arrived bore a solemn expression, for they knew exactly what Shisui's disappearance signified.
Seeing this, Fugaku could only announce the results of the investigation regarding Shisui. "After investigation, Shisui's death has been confirmed as a suicide."
As soon as these words left his mouth, the crowd erupted. Suicide? In the eyes of the proud Uchiha, this was undoubtedly the most humiliating way to die. Only a weakling, someone who dared not face reality, would choose to escape through suicide. The Uchiha were a proud clan, a clan carrying supreme glory; they should never die in such a manner!
Who was Shisui? He was the number one genius of the Uchiha and the one held in highest regard by the entire clan. And yet, such a person had committed suicide at this critical moment! In the eyes of the other Uchiha, this was undoubtedly an attempt to use suicide to flee from the upcoming coup.
"Coward!"
"I never thought Shisui would be such a person!"
"I really misjudged him."
Amidst the chaotic insults, Itachi said nothing. He simply remained hidden in the shadows, quietly watching the scene unfold.
"This is Shisui's suicide note." Fugaku took out the note Shisui had prepared and circulated it among the clansmen. After it made its rounds, everyone became even more certain of the fact. Shisui Uchiha had abandoned the glory of the Uchiha Clan; he was afraid of participating in the coup, so he chose suicide. For a time, voices slandering and even cursing Shisui rose from all sides.
Fugaku's expression remained unchanged as he continued to announce, "Because we have lost the vital combat strength of Shisui, our plans must be postponed."
This decision undoubtedly made the clansmen even more dissatisfied. They knew that without Shisui, the Uchiha's strength was greatly diminished, so they were forced to accept it. This forced acceptance quickly evolved into a condemnation of Shisui. If Shisui hadn't killed himself, they would have started the coup by now—maybe they would have already succeeded! Arrogance, conceit...
In the shadows, Itachi clenched his fists and silently walked out of the shrine.
"Itachi!" Just as he was about to leave, a familiar voice called out to him.
Itachi turned slightly. It was Uchiha Inabi and his two companions, walking out while holding a piece of paper. It was Shisui's suicide note.
"Is there something?" Itachi's tone was quite cold, lacking any trace of his usual gentle and kind demeanor.
Inabi walked up to Itachi, dangling the paper. "I say, Itachi. Shisui has already betrayed the Uchiha and become a sinner of the clan. You, being in the Anbu, surely won't do the same, right?"
The ceremonial fires of the shrine surged into the night, looking as though they were igniting the sky and emitting an oppressive aura. Itachi lowered his head slightly, the shadows of his hair masking half his face as he spoke coldly and firmly, "Shisui did not betray the Uchiha, nor is he a sinner of the clan."
Hearing this, Uchiha Inabi let out a sneer without hesitation. "As an Uchiha, he chose to commit suicide at a time like this. If that isn't betrayal, what is?"
His voice grew increasingly mocking as he held the paper between two fingers in front of his eyes. Using a playful tone, he recited Shisui's last words: "I don't want to continue like this. There is no way out for an Uchiha like this..."
"A mere coward actually dares to assert that the Uchiha have no way out!" Uchiha Inabi's expression began to twist. He was a staunch pro-war advocate in the clan. In his view, Shisui's suicide was a betrayal of the Uchiha.
"You don't understand Shisui at all." Itachi's voice was frigid—so cold it made one's scalp tingle.
"Don't understand? I indeed don't understand his coward-like thinking—"
Before he could finish, Itachi appeared in front of him instantly and gripped his neck tightly.
"What are you doing, Itachi?" Inabi's pupils shrank violently. His two companions immediately flanked Itachi from the left and right.
"If you don't understand Shisui, then don't talk big here. Talking about Uchiha pride... it truly makes one feel your arrogance has no bounds!" Itachi's calm face showed obvious disdain.
This disdain undoubtedly stung Inabi's heart. He was several years older than Itachi, yet he was now being held by one hand? "Damn fellow! Don't think I won't strike you just because you are the Clan Head's son!"
With that, Inabi ignored his constricted throat and threw a side kick toward Itachi's face. Unfortunately, Itachi easily blocked it with his other hand and then delivered a crisp, clean kick to Inabi's abdomen. The explosive power sent Uchiha Inabi flying back, crashing heavily into the surrounding wall.
Seeing this, his two companions instantly activated their Sharingan. Two fists attacked Itachi from both sides. Itachi had no room to dodge!
We got him! Seeing their fists contact Itachi's body, the two of them broke into successful smiles.
However, their smiles vanished in the next second, as the Itachi they hit dispersed into countless crows. Hoarse, unpleasant cries echoed above the shrine, announcing the arrival of an ill omen. Are we in a genjutsu? Before they could react, a heavy strike to their abdomens gave them the answer. With a single kick each, Itachi easily dispatched these three Uchiha elites, who possessed the strength of Jonin and Special Jonin.
"You bastard!" Seeing his two partners taken down, Uchiha Inabi also activated his Sharingan and began forming hand signs for revenge.
Itachi slowly looked up, finally revealing the crimson eyes hidden beneath the shadow of his hair. A surging, terrifying ocular power filled with an ominous aura suddenly erupted, pouring recklessly into Inabi's mind.
He froze. To be precise, his brain stalled.
Awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan was a comprehensive upgrade for Itachi. His speed became faster, his chakra reserves grew, and his ocular power multiplied several times over, becoming higher in quality than during the Three-Tomoe stage. Even if he wasn't currently activating the Mangekyo and was simply fighting with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, this boost in ocular power still existed. Even though Inabi had the strength of a Jonin, this absolute suppression of ocular power was enough for Itachi to easily crush him—especially when the opponent confidently used their own Sharingan to attack him first.
Itachi remained silent, walking up to him step by step. Ignoring the voices of others, he slammed a fist heavily into Inabi's abdomen.
"Argh—" Blood sprayed from Inabi's mouth. It was clear that this time, Itachi was truly striking with lethal intent.
"Stop this instant! Itachi!"
Fortunately, Fugaku sensed the commotion and rushed out of the shrine. Otherwise, given Itachi's current mental state, if he didn't kill Inabi, he would have likely left him bedridden for weeks.
"Itachi! I know Shisui's death is hard for you to accept, but that is no reason to attack your own clansmen!" Fugaku reprimanded him with righteous indignation. As the son of the Uchiha Clan Head and a strong contender for the next leader, Itachi could not afford to leave a stain like harming his own people!
Itachi looked at his father and let out a cold laugh. "You don't care about Shisui's death at all. All you care about is that the Uchiha lost a powerful combat asset! What you care about isn't your clansmen; it's power! It's authority!" Itachi hissed, seemingly venting all the frustration built up since Shisui's passing.
"Shut up, Itachi!" Fugaku's expression changed drastically as he hurried to stop Itachi from continuing his wild talk.
But this time, Itachi did not choose to be the submissive, "good son." A very real killing intent flared in his eyes. A sharp kunai flew past Fugaku's hair, landing precisely on the Uchiha Clan crest on the shrine wall. The scene fell into a dead silence. At this moment, the coldness and resolve in Itachi's eyes were almost physical, threatening to freeze everyone where they stood.
"Itachi, apologize to the clansmen!" Fugaku stared at Itachi, exerting constant pressure. Itachi stared back coldly. This time, he didn't retreat an inch—until Sasuke appeared.
"Big Brother, please stop fighting."
That innocent cry pierced Itachi's psychological defenses almost instantly. The kunai in his hand fell powerlessly to the ground. As if the bones had been pulled from his body, he dropped heavily to his knees.
"I'm sorry, everyone."