Chapter 48: The Trail of Shisui and Itachi—Uchiha Jin

Uchiha Jin narrowed his eyes slightly.

This was also the thing he worried about most, given how quiet Itachi and Shisui had been lately.

This was highly unusual!

After all, they belonged to the most ruthless village faction; with the Uchiha acting so defiant lately and the village suffering heavy losses, it made no sense for the two of them to remain so silent.

Especially considering the upcoming move, where I must walk straight into Danzo’s trap.

So.

He naturally needed to find out what these two were up to.

And, regarding this.

Upon hearing Uchiha Jin’s question, everyone in the room froze in place.

Shisui? Itachi?

Lately, there’s been almost no word about them, as if they’d vanished completely.

After a moment.

It was Fugaku who finally broke the silence with a direct statement.

“I have a general idea about this.”

“Itachi and Shisui are both ANBU members; they reportedly took a mission a few days ago and have since left the village.”

“Of course.”

“But that’s just Itachi’s word—I don’t know if it’s true or not!”

Fugaku’s gaze was uncertain, clearly tinged with a flicker of fear.

And, regarding this.

Upon hearing Fugaku’s words, everyone in the room fell into silence.

Yet after a brief pause, Uchiha Jin spoke directly: “It’s almost certainly an excuse—there’s been no major crisis in the ninja world lately.”

“Though tensions have risen between Konoha and the Hidden Cloud, the peace treaty hasn’t been signed yet, but the Cloud Village is already exhausted—they can’t start a war anytime soon.”

“Especially now, with tensions between the Uchiha and the village escalating, if Hiruzen Sarutobi isn’t an idiot, he won’t let the two of them leave the village.”

“So it seems they’re likely in the Root.”

“And they’ll probably be part of the trap set for me next.”

Hiss!

At Uchiha Jin’s words, everyone in the room drew a sharp breath.

All their faces turned grim.

Fugaku’s expression twisted in conflict, unsure what to say.

So, sigh!

With a helpless sigh, he looked utterly drained.

There was no choice.

Having a son like this truly wore him down.

“Damn it, bastards!”

“They’re all Uchiha, yet they side with the village.”

“Can’t those two idiots see how the village treats the Uchiha?”

“...”

Those present began speaking up one after another.

Their faces were all dark—after all, as Uchiha, helping outsiders harm their own kind was unforgivable.

And, regarding this.

Fugaku could only offer a bitter smile, having nothing else to say.

Uchiha Jin fell into thought.

This wasn’t good news for him—he had to find a way to stop it.

It wasn’t that he feared Shisui and Itachi, but these two couldn’t die by his hand, even if they’d already betrayed the Uchiha.

But Uchiha must not kill Uchiha—that was an absolute core principle that could never be broken!

Otherwise…

Even if they understood him inwardly, it would still leave a bitter wound in the clan’s heart.

On the contrary.

Only if Shisui died at Danzo’s hands could the clan’s desperate resolve be truly ignited.

What to do?

Uchiha Jin’s mind raced, then he spoke coldly after a moment.

“Fugaku…”

“I need Itachi to reveal your Mangekyo Sharingan and ensure the Konoha high command learns of it.”

“Then, this:”

“Go to the Hokage’s office and tell Hiruzen Sarutobi one thing.”

“Power struggles between factions—whether through scheming or tearing the table apart—are fine.”

“But Uchiha must not kill Uchiha!”

“Tell Hiruzen Sarutobi I’m willing to face Danzo head-on.”

“But Shisui and Itachi must not take part in the fight.”

“Order them back immediately—or the moment I die, the entire Uchiha clan will rise in armed rebellion.”

Uchiha Jin’s expression remained calm.

He’d long prepared himself to clash directly with Danzo—after all, this was fundamentally a world ruled by strength—but Shisui and Itachi absolutely could not fight.

This was the core point!

If this couldn’t be guaranteed, he’d smash the table entirely and go to war with Konoha’s high command.

If need be…

If Konoha was truly destroyed, all Uchiha would roam the ninja world as exiles!

And, regarding this.

Fugaku didn’t hesitate—he nodded immediately.

“Understood. No problem.”

“If Shisui and Itachi don’t stay out of the fight, I’ll kill Konoha’s high command before I die.”

“I’ll personally witness Shisui and Itachi brought to the Hokage’s office, then seal their chakra myself.”

“Since Jin trusts me, I swear I’ll complete this mission.”

Fugaku’s face was twisted with fury, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.

Yes!

Konoha’s high command’s methods were too filthy—especially when it involved his own son. This had crossed Fugaku’s line.

And, on the other side.

Uchiha Jin and everyone present were stunned by Fugaku’s words.

Holy hell!

They’d truly pushed the gentle Fugaku too far!

Indeed.

In terms of being inhuman, Konoha’s high command never disappointed.

But good!

With Fugaku’s fury and his Mangekyo Sharingan, Hiruzen Sarutobi will surely yield.

Yes.

Even before Fugaku reached the Hokage Tower, Uchiha Jin had already foreseen this.

And, at that very moment.

A patrol member entered: “Elders, Danzo sent a letter addressed specifically to Elder Jin!”

“Give it to me.” Uchiha Jin spoke coolly.

Immediately after.

He began reading Danzo’s letter.

And, on the other side.

As Uchiha Jin read the letter, everyone’s faces darkened.

Clearly.

Though they still didn’t know the letter’s contents, they all suspected it was exactly what Uchiha Jin had predicted.

The truth confirmed it.

As they silently pondered, Uchiha Jin set the letter down.

“Everyone, I guessed right.”

“Danzo is using my parents as leverage, demanding I go alone to the Forest of Death.”

“Otherwise, he’ll kill them—just as I suspected.”

Uchiha Jin’s tone was calm.

After all, it was something he had anticipated, so he felt no great surprise.

Then.

He handed the letter to the others; after reading it, they were all suffused with murderous intent.

The Hidden Leaf’s high command is utterly inhumane!

“Elder Jin, give the order!”

Everyone present rose to their feet.

And as for this.

Uchiha Jin wasted no time: “Fugaku, go to the Hokage Tower immediately and bring back Shisui and Itachi. The rest of Itachi, mobilize two-thirds of the Uchiha Jonin.”

“While I engage them in the Death Forest, strike the Root base and rescue my parents!”