Chapter 98: Gathering Troops at the Mansion

The gale howls, the heavy snow never ceases, the blizzard blocks the view, the snow is one foot three inches deep, making travel extremely difficult.

Near noon, Shisui ordered people to set up a shelter in the courtyard; the fierce wind made the canvas flap loudly. The canvas wasn't meant to resist the snow, but to prevent anyone from standing aloft to spy.

More than fifty straw bundles were placed in the main hall, making it slightly cramped; the prepared lunch consisted only of rice balls, meat broth, and a cup of wine, with some soldier rations saved for the evening. Though the provisions were meager, at this hour no one would come merely for a meal.

Shisui wore chainmail, a forehead guard, and a short blade at his waist; the symbols of the Konoha and the Uchiha clan were displayed on his attire. He stood in the courtyard as the snow and wind alternated, unmoving and imposing.

"Grandfather, I sent out fifty invitations; forty‑six people have explicitly said they will come, and they are already on the way.

Three of them I don't know; the last is Uncle Yizheng, and Brother Hui said he took Uncle Yizheng to inspect the clan land Barrier together."

"Also, Yangzhe reported that there is no activity near the clan head's residence; everything is progressing smoothly."

Sima Yi stood beside Shisui, quietly listening to the information Shisui brought.

He nodded slowly; this matched the reports he had received, and the arrival of forty‑six people showed that Shisui had won popular support, making the great undertaking possible.

"Now we have isolated him inside and out, cutting off information; if he is alone, tonight even without using your eyes there will be no mistake.

However, caution is paramount. When you were training the Police Department, I already sent people to keep a closer watch on the clan head's mansion. Recent intel shows that aside from Itachi traveling daily to the western clan land, only the clan head's wife goes out regularly to procure supplies.

But since the Police Department training ended, she hasn't appeared again; this is abnormal, and the clan head must have sensed something.

"Aunt Meiqin.

Shisui frowned; Aunt Meiqin treats him well and is Itachi's mother, a very gentle person, and he does not wish to fight her.

Seeing Shisui's concern, Sima Yi suggested, "We only need to seal off the clan head's mansion so they cannot appear openly in the family alley today for anyone to know."

After all, this is a usurpation; it's better to resolve it in the shadows than make it known to the world.

"Hmm, I understand. I'll have Senior Daohuo send people to reinforce the seal," Shisui nodded, and immediately summoned a ninja crow.

Sima Yi suddenly raised his hand to stop him, earnestly advising, "Send Badai instead. The heavy snow now blocks the roads, and assassins are hidden outside; you can use that as a reason to speed up, have the clan members return home early, then directly seal the family alley. This task can be given to Daohuo instead."

Shisui understood that Sima Yi didn't trust Daohuo, but he did not object and simply agreed.

Soon after the ninja crow left, the invitees began arriving one after another; after paying respects to Shisui, they were led by Xuehua and Meihua to the hall, each finding a spot behind the main doors, sitting on opposite sides and waiting quietly.

They, too, wore chainmail, forehead guards, their gear neatly arranged, eyes bright, exuding ferocity and resolve.

Everyone understood what arriving here meant; once inside this courtyard, Shisui could not let them leave.

At the very least, they could not return before tomorrow; they would stay here until the operation begins or ends.

They had already said goodbye to their families, chose to trust Shisui, and came here for what they sought in their hearts.

Their reasons for coming varied: some for family, some for the clan, some for faith, and perhaps some for the Leaf.

Yet the reason they trusted Shisui and placed their strength here was surprisingly the same.

Their hearts are toward the clan, their thoughts bound to the clan members; this heart is clear, the sun and moon can bear witness, the yellow earth can attest.

Such devotion is worthy of their entrustment and trust.

The crowd arrived as if prearranged, all within a few minutes, then knelt on the straw bundles and waited silently.

When the last person arrived, Shisui turned, walked slowly into the hall with his back to Sima Yi; the two exchanged no words, and Shisui went straight to the chief seat.

He stood before the crowd, and everyone looked up at him.

Without extra words or gestures, Shisui solemnly scanned the assembly, his emotions surging, then slowly bowed.

"Everyone, thank you!" The crowd sat upright, bowed their heads together, and called in unison, "Please, Lord Shisui!"

Then came a suffocating silence; the crowd sat in the hall with eyes closed, quietly awaiting nightfall, perhaps also savoring the stillness.

The mobilization ended like that, without melodrama or encouragement; Sima Yi stood outside the door, watching quietly, feeling both puzzled and helpless.

But he vaguely knew this is the Uchiha way; Shisui had excellently completed the mobilization.

Thus it is sufficient; the matters here can be confidently entrusted to Shisui.

He turned and returned to his study, reviewing the previous actions several times, then simulated tonight's outcome; after confirming it was correct, he took the clan land Barrier map that Hui had obtained from the Great Elder and examined it closely.

The Uchiha clan land Barrier only provides protection and concealment; once activated, it can block external intrusion and spying.

But he soon discovered many flaws in the Barrier, glaringly obvious—perhaps intentional, or perhaps due to funding shortages after the Uchiha relocated their land.

"Ying Shu, go find Hui and have him station people at these locations, and also tell him to stay vigilant after the Barrier is activated; under no circumstance may anyone pass through the Barrier without my order."

After speaking, Sima Yi produced eight red talisman papers and gave them to Ying Shu, then instructed, "Take these eight talismans as well, have him distribute them to his trusted men, affix them around the clan land for silent guard, and activate them all once the Barrier is raised."

"Yes!"

Ying Shu took the talismans, put on his mask, and left immediately.

After he left, Sima Yi sat quietly at the desk, spread out paper, hesitated briefly before picking up the brush, and wrote the three large characters 'Memorandum of Dispatch' on the right side of the paper from top to bottom.

Thus, several hours passed in an instant, until the wind ceased, the snow thinned, and dusk approached.

Shisui suddenly rose, and the crowd opened their eyes; the air suddenly grew heavy, filled with a murderous chill.

His expression was calm, his breath steady; when he reached outside the courtyard, Sima Yi had already been waiting there for a moment.

"Grandfather, the time is about right."

Sima Yi glanced at the sky, nodded, and said, "Begin."

"Yes!"

Almost as soon as Shisui finished speaking, Yangzhe, Daohuo, and Badai, who had received the news early, instantly appeared before Shisui.

"Notify all elders and every clan member eligible for the clan meeting: in one hour, convene at Fugaku the clan head's residence!"

"Yes!"

"One more matter," Sima Yi whispered beside Shisui.

Itachi Uchiha.

Shisui fell silent; he knew what Sima Yi meant. He had not wanted to mention Itachi beside Sima Yi, because he had already concocted some reasons to secretly invite him, yet received no response.

He hesitated; if Itachi stayed at home, he feared Itachi might get hurt or see something, but if he brought him out, it would undoubtedly be to use him.

But the silence lasted only a moment; he took a bamboo skewer from his pocket, on which the number '58' was engraved.

Shisui's gaze shifted, chakra flared, his thumb erased the number on the skewer, the '58' vanished instantly, and he slowly carved a '1' in its place.

I will go personally and bring Itachi back.

(End of chapter)