“Alas! Six years old—what a truly dismal age.”

Sasuke lay on his bed, gazing at the ceiling, his heart heavy with unease. He knew that the Uchiha clan would meet its tragic end when he turned six, yet he remained unaware of the specific day it would occur. To protect Mikoto Uchiha, he refrained from venturing outside at night. He had considered revealing the truth to her, encouraging her to leave the Uchiha clan, or perhaps hiding her away, but he quickly recognized the futility of such plans. Would Mikoto even agree to leave? Even if she did, Fugaku Uchiha would undoubtedly investigate. Sasuke understood the immense power of the Uchiha clan—Mikoto could not be hidden away. The only viable solution was to incapacitate her the night before or just hours prior to the massacre, ensuring that the Uchiha clan had no time to conduct an investigation. As for her future after the massacre, Sasuke had yet to contemplate that; for now, his priority was to rescue her.

Upon attending school, Sasuke discovered that the curriculum consisted solely of basic knowledge, which offered him little benefit. He sent his shadow clones to classes while he ventured into the Forest of Death to train. He had yet to make any friends at school, and his strength had already reached that of an elite Chunin. Had it not been for his lack of experience, he would have attained the rank of special Jonin by now. Currently, his chakra reserves were three times that of an elite Chunin, and his hand-sign formation speed had reached three signs per second. In terms of physical combat, he had also achieved elite Chunin level, but it was his progress in genjutsu and ninjutsu that was most remarkable. His genjutsu, “Eighteen Layers of Hell,” had advanced to the third layer, now classified as a B-rank technique. Additionally, he had mastered two new ninjutsu techniques.

Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique (C-rank) unleashes a straight line of flames after performing the hand signs, possessing remarkable speed and power sufficient to sever large trees. Lightning Release: Lightning Armor summons lightning to envelop his body, providing protection against attacks. Including his previous techniques, Sasuke had mastered a total of nine ninjutsu, namely: “Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, Lightning Release: Lightning Sphere, Lightning Release: False Dark Fire, Lightning Release: Phoenix Fire Technique, Lightning Release: Earth Walk, Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique, Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique, Lightning Release: Lightning Armor, and Multi Shadow Clone Technique.”

Moreover, Sasuke had created a new technique, known as “Fire Release: Tenfold Golden Crow Technique” (B-rank). This technique bore some resemblance to the Phoenix Fire Technique, enabling him to expel ten basketball-sized fireballs in rapid succession, yet its power was significantly greater. The principle of the Tenfold Golden Crow Technique lies in Sasuke's ability to maintain his liquid chakra in its original form while executing ninjutsu, preventing its transformation into gas. Consequently, the temperature of the fireballs produced by this technique soared above a thousand degrees, causing them to glow a brilliant yellow. Sasuke had also contemplated using liquid chakra to enhance other techniques, but after a month of experimentation, he realized that in order to prevent chakra from converting into gas, he needed to instantly control all the required chakra just before casting the technique, a feat impossible for most other jutsu. Only the Tenfold Golden Crow Technique allowed for the expulsion of ten fireballs in succession, thus providing the necessary time for successful execution.

“Itachi, what is the task for the Anbu this time?”

As the clan leader, Fugaku Uchiha inquired.

Itachi glanced at his father, feeling a swirl of emotions. As a father, he failed to inquire about his son's well-being, choosing instead to question him about Konoha's secrets. “This clan has been blinded by power; this cannot continue…”

Itachi wrestled with his inner turmoil.

“It’s merely a routine escort mission,” Itachi replied.

“Is that so? Has the village caught wind of our impending rebellion?” Fugaku's tone was laced with skepticism.

“No,” Sasuke replied expressionlessly. “Itachi, you must understand that being placed in the Anbu is…”

“Father, I understand! Should anything arise, I will report to the clan,” Itachi interrupted, cutting off Fugaku.

“As long as you comprehend. For the sake of the clan, sometimes…”

“Father, I know. I’m tired.” Itachi once again interrupted Fugaku’s words. Such conversations had occurred many times, leaving him feeling mentally and emotionally drained, weary of his father's teachings.

Watching Fugaku depart, Itachi's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he made a resolution.

In truth, Konoha had already sensed the Uchiha's movements. Fugaku had instructed Itachi, as an Anbu, to steal Konoha's secrets; however, the intelligence he provided to the clan was merely a fragment of the Third Hokage’s intentions. It could be said that Itachi was playing a double agent, torn between his family (kin) and the village (peace). It seemed that Itachi had made his choice.

Bearing such a burden, Itachi felt overwhelmingly weary…

“Itachi, come out for a moment.”

While Sasuke and Itachi were dining, voices from several clan members reached their ears.

Itachi stepped outside. “Itachi, did you know? Uchiha Shisui has died, and you were the last person he saw. Is his death connected to you?”

Accusations echoed from outside, landing squarely in Sasuke’s ears.

“Is it beginning?” Sasuke muttered to himself. It seemed he could not leave the clan for the next few days.

As for the events transpiring outside, Sasuke remained unaware, only knowing that Itachi had been taken away in the end.

The following afternoon, “Sasuke, come with me.”

Itachi said to Sasuke, who had just returned home the night before. “Alright.”

Seeing that it was Itachi who wanted him to come out, Sasuke felt reassured and followed him. After all, without Itachi, the Uchiha clan could never face annihilation.

The two walked silently along the path, each lost in their thoughts, neither daring to break the silence.

“Sasuke, forgive me.”

Upon reaching the riverside, Itachi suddenly spoke. Before Sasuke could react, he was struck unconscious from behind.

“Sasuke, forgive me. I don’t know why you haven’t been leaving the house these days, but if you remain in the clan tonight, I cannot guarantee your safety. Thus, I must incapacitate you, ensuring you leave the clan.”

Itachi gently lowered the unconscious Sasuke onto the soft grass, quietly murmuring to him, “It appears that tonight will be the night of the Uchiha clan’s destruction.”

“This blow will surely keep you unconscious until nightfall; by then, everything will be over.” Itachi slowly stood, resolutely making his way toward the clan.