Rising Shadows: Uchiha's Wrath

"Have you made up your mind?" The Third Hokage's voice echoed in the dimly lit room, casting long shadows on the walls.

"Yes, Lord Third!" Itachi raised his head, his expression resolute and unwavering despite the weight of his decision.

The Third Hokage said solemnly,

"I want to thank you; because of your sacrifice, Konoha avoided a civil war, and the peace of the village will be maintained!"

His voice carried a mixture of gratitude and sorrow, the gravity of the situation reflected in his eyes.

"Unfortunately, I have not found any other suitable method other than this".

The Hokage's gaze softened momentarily, a hint of regret flickering across his face. The room felt heavy with the unspoken consequences of the mission.

"But even so,"

he continued,

"I regret that there was no other way. Don't worry about Sasuke; I will take care of him so that he can become a respectable leaf ninja on his own!"

The promise hung in the air, a beacon of hope in an otherwise grim scenario.

"Thank you, Lord Third!"

Itachi nodded heavily, the burden of his impending actions etched deeply into his features.

The Third Hokage continued, his voice now tinged with a steely resolve,

"I am the only one who knows about this mission! So, after this mission, you will be listed in the bingo book as an S-level rogue ninja who destroyed his clan for his self-interest, and you will be endlessly pursued by Konoha ninjas!"

The severity of his words underscored the magnitude of Itachi's sacrifice.

"That goes without saying!"

Itachi's response was firm, his determination unshaken.

"And I plan to join a mercenary organization made up of rogue S-level Ninjas from other villages, and I intend to stay close to them and monitor them," Itachi said, his voice steady despite the looming uncertainty.

Itachi put on a cat face mask, the mask's blank expression a stark contrast to the turmoil within him, and then disappeared in a flash, leaving behind a sense of finality.

Looking at Itachi's retreating back, the Third Hokage said lightly,

"Take care and prepare carefully!"

His words, though spoken softly, carried the weight of an impending storm.

"Yes!" Itachi's voice echoed back, a whisper of resolve in the still night.

Hundreds of black-clad Anbu suddenly appeared, their presence like shadows materializing from the darkness. As they bowed to the Third Hokage, they quickly rushed towards the Uchiha clan, their movements swift and silent.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up at the sky, the stars glimmering faintly above, and once again spit out a smoke ring. The night was calm, a deceptive serenity before the chaos that was about to unfold.

Tonight's operation was led by Danzo, who cooperated with Itachi Uchiha. As a Hokage bathed in sunlight, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't feel the need to dirty his hands; as always, the Shadow of Konoha would handle everything, as he was Konoha's light and Danzo was Konoha's shadow.

However, in order to prevent accidents, the Third Hokage still dispatched his most trusted Anbu team to help Itachi Uchiha monitor the progress of the Uchiha extermination.

The night air was thick with tension, every rustle of leaves and distant sound amplifying the sense of foreboding.

***

"Kaito, did Itachi really betray us?!"

In the small courtyard, a young man asked Kaito in a deep, angry voice, his emotions raw and unfiltered. The courtyard, usually a place of tranquility with its neatly arranged stones and blooming flowers, now felt like a stage set for impending doom.