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Naka Shrine.
The ancestral ground of the Uchiha clan—and the secret meeting place they believed hidden from Konoha's higher-ups.
Until Shisui and Itachi's defection exposed everything.
Almost everything.
Beneath the shrine lay a stone tablet inscribed by the Sage of Six Paths itself. Its full contents could only be deciphered by progressing through the Sharingan's evolutions: three tomoe, Mangekyō, and finally, the Rinnegan.
By the time Danzō and Hiruzen arrived, Root operatives had already swept the area.
"Lord Danzō. Lord Hokage."
The Root members bowed—addressing Danzō first.
Hiruzen's eye twitched imperceptibly.
Bold. Too bold.
Root's days were numbered.
His gaze landed on a white-shrouded corpse nearby. "Who is that?"
"Sarutobi Kōshin."
The name froze Hiruzen in place.
"...What did you say?"
"Your son. Sarutobi Kōshin."
"Impossible!"
Stiff-legged, Hiruzen staggered forward. His trembling hand lifted the cloth—
"NO!"
The word tore from his throat.
At his age, few things mattered beyond Konoha and family. He had two sons: Kōshin, who'd obediently joined ANBU under his guidance, and Asuma, the rebellious wanderer who'd only recently returned from guarding the Fire Daimyō.
And soon, a grandson—Konohamaru—still nestled in his daughter-in-law's womb.
Kōshin was the son who'd walked his path. Now that path ended here.
Grief carved decades into Hiruzen's face.
Danzō observed dispassionately.
He had no wife, no children—only the endless night watch over Konoha. To him, familial bonds were shackles.
"Where are the others?" Danzō's question sliced through the silence.
"Gone."
"Gone?!" Danzō's cane cracked against stone. "An entire clan, vanished?!"
"Only Kōshin remained."
"Damn it!"
Rage contorted Danzō's features. The Uchiha had slipped through his fingers—again.
But if he couldn't have their eyes, he'd take the Hokage's seat.
His glare at Hiruzen turned glacial.
You've let me shoulder the blame too long, old friend. Now it's your turn.
Land of Waves, Daimyō's Residence.
Uzumaki Hina scrambled to accommodate three hundred refugees—mostly civilians spared from Itachi's massacre.
But thirty-two shinobi remained:
Five jōnin (including Shisui and Mikoto). The rest, chūnin and genin.
Sasame's faction had just gained formidable strength. At least Hina's security was now assured.
[Fate altered: Uchiha Izumi, Mikoto, Shisui, Itachi, Danzō, Hiruzen, etc. Total Fate Points: 370.]
The system's chime pleased Sasame. A night's work well rewarded.
And this was just the beginning.
Now, it was Danzō's move.
Don't disappoint me. Or I'll... assist.
Elsewhere, a locked room.
Knuckles rapped against wood. No response.
"I'm coming in."
The door slid open to reveal Mikoto Uchiha—alive but hollow-eyed.
In another timeline, she'd have chosen death beside Fugaku, unprotesting beneath Itachi's blade.
Sasame had denied her that escape.
Bound at the wrists, she sat like a discarded doll, kimono disheveled, pale skin peeking through black silk. Her once-immaculate hair hung in tangled strands.
"Aunt Mikoto."
She didn't react until Sasame removed his disguise.
Recognition flickered—then died. Nothing mattered now.
"Let me go."
Her voice was scraped raw, all gentleness burned away.
Sasame knelt, tucking a stray lock behind her ear. "The academy held an impromptu exam recently."
"Sasuke?!"
The name electrified her. She'd assumed him dead—slain like Fugaku.
"Alive. Safe."
Mikoto shattered.
Tears flooded down as she collapsed against Sasame's chest, sobbing into his shirt.
A mother's resolve: Sasuke still needed her.
He let her cry, hand tracing slow circles on her back.
When the storm passed, she looked up, cheeks glistening.
"Release me. I must see him."
"Not yet." Sasame untied her bonds. "Konoha's on lockdown. Your appearance would harm him."
"Why?"
"Power demands sacrifice." His tone brooked no argument. "You know how the Sharingan awakens. For Sasuke, this pain is fuel. Your presence would dilute it."
Mikoto's protest died unspoken.
She hated it—but he was right.
Sasuke's path to vengeance required this crucible.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 180 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 55 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
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