Chapter 176: It's Time to Avenge the Uchiha Clan
The clear sound of wind chimes echoed persistently in the fierce wind.
Two figures, dressed in black cloaks adorned with red clouds and wearing straw hats, quietly traversed the mountains.
The rings on their fingers bore the characters "Shu" and "Nan," revealing their identities.
During their journey, Kisame glanced at the Uchiha Itachi beside him.
Since their harsh defeat at the hands of Hagoromo Gengetsu, his usually taciturn companion had become even more silent.
Kisame, well-acquainted with Itachi, keenly sensed that Itachi's thoughts had grown even heavier than before.
Noticing Kisame's scrutinizing gaze, Itachi calmly asked, "Any trace of the Four-Tails Jinchuriki?"
"Not yet," Kisame replied with a grin. "That old guy is very experienced at hiding. Finding him in these mountains is not a quick task."
Hearing this, Itachi raised his head, looking at the sky where dark clouds were gradually rolling in. His voice, devoid of any inflection, suggested deep thought:
"Let's hurry. My time is running out."
"Time running out?" Kisame asked in surprise, then added with concern, "Is it because of your health?"
He knew that Itachi's condition had been deteriorating over the years.
But this time, it wasn't because of that.
Itachi shook his head slightly and murmured to himself, "What must come, will come."
---
In the Sky Fortress of the Land of Waves.
Today was a rare occasion. As time passed, the Uchiha clansmen, who usually carried out their duties separately, began to gather in Hagoromo Gengetsu's office.
Except for Hagoromo Anki, all the Uchiha survivors sent to the Hagoromo clan were present, including Uchiha Sasuke, who joined later.
"Sasuke, do you know why Hagoromo-sama summoned us?" Uchiha Kei, soon to be a father, asked anxiously.
He had promised to personally prepare fish soup for his pregnant wife and had already bought the fish when he was called here. The longer this took, the harsher the punishment his increasingly formidable wife might dole out.
Though he wished to run back home, the order was absolute, and he dared not disobey, hoping it would end quickly.
Sasuke, who had just been called from the training ground, also had no idea what was happening. Faced with Zou's inquiry, he could only helplessly shake his head.
However, Uchiha Izumi, after surveying everyone present and counting the numbers, suddenly had a realization, and her mind was blown away by the thought.
Under the surprised gazes of Kei and Sasuke, her black eyes suddenly turned blood-red.
It was her Sharingan, activated by the intense emotion.
"What's wrong, Izumi?" Kei asked, concerned by her rare loss of composure.
"I'm fine," Izumi responded. She thought about voicing her guess but decided against it, worried it might lead to premature celebration.
Anyway, the outcome would soon be revealed.
Controlling her emotions, she nodded to indicate she was okay, then waited with complex feelings.
Some sharp-minded Uchiha ninja also seemed to realize something after counting those present.
The atmosphere in the office became suffocatingly tense, like the calm before a storm.
Until someone pushed open the door, breaking the silence.
"It seems some of you have already guessed what's next," Hagoromo Gengetsu said calmly as he walked through the Uchiha, taking his seat and surveying Izumi and others with a calm gaze.
Izumi and a few others, who had anticipated this, tensed up and clenched their fists.
"That's right," Gengetsu continued straightforwardly, "I gathered you here for a matter you've all been striving for your entire lives."
"The exterminator of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Itachi, will be executed."
Boom!
As Gengetsu's words landed, a significant portion of the Uchiha ninjas could no longer contain their emotions. Chakra surged wildly, causing a chaotic disturbance around them.
Upon confirming the truth of Gengetsu's words, all the Uchiha present were engulfed in an atmosphere of excitement, elation, and fierce, vengeful hatred.
Like Izumi before, countless Sharingan automatically activated.
"Father! Sister! Brother! Finally, I can avenge you!" Uchiha Kei, no longer caring about the fish in his hand, roared with bulging veins and a savage expression.
"Father! Mother! I've finally awaited this day!" Uchiha Kaori cried, wiping her tears vigorously in her excitement.
Thinking of the grandparents who raised him with great effort, only to die tragically without ever enjoying a good life, Uchiha Koru finally couldn't hold back his tears: "Grandpa, Grandma! Wait for me! I'll definitely kill that beast!"
"Brother, bless me. This time, Uchiha Itachi will surely die!"
"Misato, I won't back down this time!"
"."
Too long!
The Uchihas standing here had waited far too long!
In Konoha Year 55, the Uchiha clan was annihilated.
Back then, they wanted revenge but were too weak. Even together, they couldn't defeat Uchiha Itachi.
So they endured!
One year! Two years! Until they had the power to wield a blade against Itachi.
But could they really achieve that?
Uchiha Itachi was too powerful!
Even Uchiha ninjas with three-tomoe Sharingan were no match for him.
They felt lost and helpless.
While hiding under the protection of the Hagoromo clan, they had no idea what to do.
Then, their comrade Uchiha Sasuke arrived, accompanied by the legendary figure on par with Uchiha Madara, Hagoromo Gengetsu.
From that moment, these long-suffering Uchihas saw real hope.
They devoted themselves entirely to Gengetsu, proving their worth with blood and sweat.
All for the moment they would hear what Gengetsu just said.
And now, that moment had arrived.
Amid the intense gaze of multiple Sharingan, Gengetsu remained calm.
When the excited Uchiha managed to regain some control, he calmly issued his command:
"All Uchiha ninjas can join this operation. Uchiha Sasuke will lead."
Since the age of seven, Uchiha Sasuke had dreamed of this day.
Upon hearing Gengetsu's command, he loosened his grip on his sword, his right hand pale from the pressure. Stepping forward, with eyes ablaze, he nodded heavily:
"Yes!"
Gengetsu continued, "Everyone, you have one day to prepare. We set out at seven tomorrow morning."
"Target: Naka Shrine."
"Yes!!!"