Rising Shadows: Uchiha's Wrath

"Last night… Itachi slaughtered those who chose to remain behind."

The room fell into a grim silence, as the weight of Itachi's betrayal settled over them like a storm.

Before leaving Konoha, Uchiha Feng had meticulously placed several of his shadow clones within the village. These clones were his eyes and ears, meant to capture any significant developments and relay them with urgency.

Now, the shadow clones had fulfilled their purpose. As they disbanded, a flood of grim news was transmitted to the gathered Uchiha. The reports detailed the aftermath of recent events: the fallout of Sarutobi's machinations, and the brutal massacre of the Uchiha remnants left behind in Konoha.

The room fell into a heavy silence as the gravity of the news settled over the assembly. The once lively discussions now gave way to an oppressive quiet. Each clan member processed the horror of the slaughter, the betrayal that had led to it, and the dark implications for their plans.

Finally, breaking the silence like a knife through fog, Kaito's cold, measured chuckle echoed through the room. The sound was unsettling, a stark contrast to the gravity of the situation. It was as if he found some dark satisfaction or twisted amusement in the chaos unfolding before them.

Kaito's smile, sharp and cruel, broke the silence. "So, the weak have fallen. All the better. What remains now is strength... and we will seize it."

"It seems that the situation is even worse than I anticipated. Staying under the shadow of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo has only accelerated Konoha's decline," Kaito remarked, his voice tinged with a mixture of disdain and grim satisfaction.

"It's astonishing how quickly Sarutobi Hiruzen's loyalty shifted. In such a short time, he's become unrecognizable from the leader we once knew!"

A clansman let out a deep sigh, his expression a mix of sorrow and frustration. "It's truly a shame for the group of Uchiha who stayed behind in Konoha. They remained loyal, only to be sacrificed for nothing."

Uchiha Feng's face hardened into a scowl. "Those who flit from one side to another, driven by the winds of fortune, are not deserving of our sympathy. Kaito was right—they will face the consequences of their choices!"

"Yes," Kaito interjected firmly, "the price of their betrayal is inevitable. But let's not dwell on these grim matters any longer."

He raised a hand, dismissing the conversation with a wave. "Prepare yourselves. In one month's time, I expect all of you to have made significant progress in your training. Use this time wisely."

The clansmen nodded in agreement, turning to leave the room. They knew their tasks: spread the word about the meeting's outcome throughout the clan and prepare for the impending conflict.

As the room cleared, Uchiha Feng approached Kaito with a worried expression. "Sarutobi Hiruzen has cast all the blame on you, and Konoha is furious. Shouldn't we take action to make them think twice?"

Kaito shook his head, a confident smile playing on his lips. "In time, they will all be buried under the weight of their own mistakes. There's no need for us to rush. Let them wallow in their anger while we focus on our own plans."

He paused for a moment, considering the implications. "The prominent families in Konoha are already aware of what happened last night. They will soon make their choices, and I believe they will make the right ones."

"And as for the civilians..." Kaito's tone grew colder. "Their opinions hold no value to me. They are mere pawns in this grand scheme."

He turned to Uchiha Feng with a dismissive wave. "You've had a long and tiring night. Go and rest. We'll have plenty of time to deal with our enemies later."

Uchiha Feng nodded, turning to leave the room, leaving Kaito alone with Uchiha Izumi.

Kaito's gaze softened as he looked at Izumi, who stood by his side, her eyes full of curiosity and determination. "You must focus on your training. Don't fall into the same trap of complacency that others have. The path ahead is demanding."

Izumi smiled up at him, her enthusiasm undiminished. "For you, Brother Kaito, I'll train harder than ever!"

She hesitated for a moment, then continued, "By the way, I saw the sword techniques you used earlier. They were amazing, and you looked so cool using them. I want to learn how to fight like that!"

Kaito's smile broadened as he ruffled her hair affectionately. "Rest today, and we'll start your training tomorrow. I'll teach you everything you need to know."

A month passed swiftly, and Kaito led his clan in preparation for their march toward the Land of Water. During this time, the secret cultivation method Kaito had provided spread throughout the clan. From the oldest elders to the youngest children, every member of the Uchiha began practicing the method specifically designed for their bloodline.

Kaito knew better than to expect immediate results. Even for the most gifted individuals, unlocking the Mangekyou Sharingan would take years of rigorous practice. He estimated it would take at least six years for even the most talented to achieve the Mangekyou, and his own plans were set to unfold after that time frame.

As he considered the future, Kaito's ambitions grew even grander. If the Otsutsuki clan could use the entire universe as their domain, why couldn't the Uchiha aim for something equally monumental?

With a determined glint in his eye, Kaito focused on the horizon. The Uchiha would not merely rise; they would reshape the entire world. And as their power grew, so too would their reach, until they stood as the undisputed rulers of the ninja world.