🌟 HEAR YE, HEAR YE, BRAVE SOULS! 🌟✨
🔥 Let the drums of destiny roar and the skies sparkle as we welcome our newest LEGENDARY adventurers…⚔️ Wilnet Duverne! ⚔️ & ⚔️ Colin Crossan! ⚔️ 🎉⚡️ With their arrival, our grand voyage just became even MORE epic and electrifying! 🚀✨
💎 These fearless champions have taken the leap, joined our elite crew, and unlockedEXCLUSIVE rewards, legendary perks, and early access to the greatest adventures ahead! 🌍💫
👑 Who's ready to step into greatness and forge their own legend? 🔥✨ The gates to glory are OPEN, and YOUR journey awaits! 🚪🌠
🚀 Don't be left behind—JOIN US NOW and embrace your destiny! 🏆⚡️🎊
***********************************
The sun had long vanished beyond the horizon, leaving the world cloaked in a deep indigo haze. The moon hung low, casting a pale glow over the cliffside where Itachi and Shisui stood ensnared by the gnarled roots of Wood Style. The air was heavy, filled with the faint chirp of nocturnal creatures and the distant rustle of leaves.
A chilling laugh drifted through the stillness, its source the enigmatic figure standing just beyond the reach of the moonlight. His mask caught a faint gleam as he spoke again, his voice low but filled with an unnerving calm.
"Who am I?" He mused aloud, as if entertaining the question for his own amusement. "Ah, but that's hardly the point, is it?"
Before he could say more, another presence pierced the tension, snapping their attention toward the forest.
"Itachi! Shisui!" The voice rang out clear and commanding, and Fugaku Uchiha stepped into view, his expression a blend of anger and controlled fury. His Sharingan spun to life immediately, his cloak swaying in the soft night breeze.
"Father?" Itachi's voice was quiet, almost disbelieving.
Shisui frowned faintly, his energy too drained to fully react. "Lord Fugaku … you're supposed to be at the meeting."
Fugaku's glare moved from his son to the mysterious man who stood unmoving, shrouded in an air of eerie tranquility. His gaze lingered on the writhing roots that held the two young Uchiha captive before locking onto the figure.
"You," Fugaku said sharply, stepping forward with an unmistakable authority. "You're the one who sent that message."
At his words, Itachi and Shisui's confusion deepened. A message? What was he talking about?
The man chuckled softly, the sound more amused than apologetic. "Ah, so you found it. Clever of you, though I made sure even a child could not miss it."
Fugaku's fists clenched, his voice rising. "You left it on Sasuke. A child. My son."
The man tilted his head slightly, as though intrigued by Fugaku's anger. "And he delivered the message, didn't he? As I intended."
Fugaku's Sharingan flared brighter, his tone now steeped in menace. "I'll ask you once more: Who are you, and why are you here?"
"I'm here," The man replied smoothly, "To prevent a mistake. To speak. That's all. No harm has come to your children, as you can see."
Fugaku's sharp gaze swept over Itachi and Shisui. They were bound but unharmed, though Shisui's pale face betrayed his earlier struggles.
Fugaku's suspicion deepened.
"Speak, then," He demanded. "Why involve us in your games?"
The man remained unperturbed, clasping his hands behind his back. "Your clan stands at a precipice, Fugaku. And your choices—rebellion or submission—are both paths to ruin. A cycle of destruction so predictable, it's almost poetic."
"You dare lecture me?" Fugaku snapped, his voice taut with restrained anger.
"I dare," The man replied simply, his tone almost dismissive. "Because your clan's fate doesn't concern only you. Your choices affect the balance of the entire shinobi world."
Fugaku's expression tightened, his suspicion deepening further. "And what would you have us do? Submit? Lay down our pride for the sake of your so-called balance?"
The man shook his head slowly. "No. Pride is not your enemy. Shortsightedness is."
He gestured toward Shisui. "Take your son's friend here, for example. A boy willing to risk everything to manipulate his leader, all for the sake of a fragile peace. Noble, yes, but ultimately foolish."
Shisui bristled weakly at the words but said nothing.
"And your plan for rebellion," The man continued, turning back to Fugaku, "a bold strategy, but one destined to fail. Even in victory, you'd bring about only mutual destruction. Konoha will never tolerate insurrection, and the other villages would seize the chaos to destroy you all. A pyrrhic victory at best."
Fugaku took another step closer, his Sharingan blazing. "Enough riddles. What is your goal in all this? Why deliver that message? What do you want from my clan?"
For a moment, the man was silent, his masked face unreadable. Then, in a tone that was almost casual, he said, "I delivered that message to ensure you were here. To have this conversation. And to tell you one last thing."
The air grew colder, heavier, as the man's voice dropped. "The ones pulling the strings, the ones who have pitted you against the village—they are no longer an obstacle."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
The man's response was calm, almost clinical. "Danzo Shimura. Homura Mitokado. Koharu Utatane. They are no more. I made certain of it."
The words hit like a physical blow. Fugaku stiffened, while Itachi and Shisui exchanged stunned looks.
"You … killed them?" Fugaku asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
The man chuckled again, though this time the sound was darker, more menacing. "Someone had to. Their machinations would've only accelerated the collapse of everything you and your clan hold dear."
Silence fell, thick and oppressive.
Finally, Fugaku found his voice. "What is your true goal?"
The man tilted his head, as if considering Fugaku's question. Then, with an almost weary sigh, he began to speak, his tone uncharacteristically sincere.
"I am here for peace," He said, his voice firm but not devoid of emotion. "No matter how rebellious, no matter how idiotic the Uchiha clan's actions may seem, you are still one of the founding pillars of Konoha. I cannot stand by and let you perish—not for this."
Fugaku's sharp gaze remained locked on the man, his mind racing to dissect the weight of his words.
"However," The man continued, his voice hardening, "Peace comes with a price. The rebellion you are nurturing, Fugaku, threatens not just the Uchiha clan but the entire village. For the sake of your clan's survival, and for Konoha's peace, the radical voices among your people must be silenced. Permanently."
The declaration hung heavy in the cold night air, sending a ripple of tension through Fugaku, Itachi, and Shisui.
"You suggest eradication?" Fugaku asked, his voice low and dangerous.
"I suggest wisdom," The man countered, unflinching. "Some sacrifices are necessary for the betterment of the whole. You must decide whether you will deal with the radicals yourself, or whether I must get involved. And trust me,"
He added, his voice dipping into a shadowed warning, "you do not want me to get involved."
The man turned his attention to Shisui, who had been silently watching, the strain of the evening etched into his pale face. With a motion almost too quick to follow, the man raised his hand. A faint, unfamiliar energy radiated from his palm, something far removed from the chakra. It was colder and heavier, and it hummed with an ancient resonance.
"What are you—" Shisui began, but the man cut him off with a simple command.
"Be still."
The energy engulfed Shisui, and he froze in place, his body stiff as though caught in an invisible vice.
Itachi tensed, ready to act, but a glance from the man halted him.
"Your friend," The man said calmly, "has potential far greater than he realizes. For that reason, I cannot allow his eyes to be wasted."
The energy intensified, forming intricate, glowing sigils in the air. Shisui's body glowed faintly, and as the light receded, the strain and injury on his face melted away. His eyes now shimmered with the unmistakable pattern of fully restored three-tomoe Sharingans.
Shisui gasped, reaching up to his face as he felt the renewed vitality in his vision. "My Sharingan…"
"You have been given a second chance," The man said, his voice devoid of emotion. "The Mangekyou Sharingan is gone—for now. But if you are truly worthy, the next time your eyes awaken, they will evolve into the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan. Consider it my price for taking what was yours."
The weight of his words left Shisui stunned. Even Fugaku seemed momentarily taken aback by the strange power and its implications.
The man stepped back, folding his arms. "Now, Fugaku, the decision rests with you. Will you clean the filth from your clan yourself, or shall I? I leave this decision to your hands—for now."
Finally, he turned his masked face toward Itachi and Shisui.
"And you two," He said sharply, "Do not breathe a word of this to Hiruzen. The Hokage is not as generous or trustworthy as you believe. Sharing this knowledge would endanger not just you, but those you hold dear."
The solemn warning struck both young Uchiha deeply.
With that, the man began to retreat into the shadows, his form fading as the roots binding them withered and crumbled away. His final words echoed faintly, a lingering shadow in the frigid night.
"Peace is never truly free. Remember that."
And then, he was gone.
For a long moment, none of them moved. The cold wind howled softly around them, carrying the heavy silence. Fugaku, his mind spinning, turned to his sons.
"We need to return," He said simply, though his voice carried the weight of a decision yet unspoken.
Itachi and Shisui exchanged a glance, their unspoken agreement binding them as tightly as the roots once had. They knew now that the road ahead would be darker, more treacherous, but also more vital than ever.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
Hello, dear readers! 🦉
Thank you for being part of this thrilling journey from day one. Your support means everything, and I hope each chapter has sparked excitement and given you some unforgettable moments!
If you've enjoyed my stories and want to help keep this adventure going strong, consider joining my Patreon! For as little as $2, you'll unlock extra chapters, exclusive art, and tons of perks.
🌟 Here's what's available now:
Extra Content Ready for You:
☀️ Wandering in Omniverse: 85 extra chapters!
🌙 My Life in Multiverse: 75 extra chapters!
⭐ The Otherworldly Monarch: 10 extra chapters!
🏴☠️ One Piece: The Emperor Luffy: 10 extra chapters!
🤞🏻 JJK: The Cursed Child: 5 extra chapters!
❤️🔥 Asmodeus: A Sinful Tale: Patreon Exclusive
🌏 MHA: A Dark Apostle: Patreon Exclusive
♛ A Gangster Paradise
💫 With daily chapters for Wandering in Omniverse and My Life in Multiverse, weekly updates for MHA, and three chapters a week for all others, there's always something to enjoy!
Even if Patreon isn't for you, you can still get early access to chapters by becoming a free member on the platform! Your support, in any form, keeps these stories alive and growing.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. May these stories bring excitement and inspiration to your life, and I look forward to bringing you many more adventures!
🔮 Myth Guild 🦉
Patreon: patreon.com/Myth_Valley
Want to donate directly?
Visit: buymeacoffee.com/myth_valley