Yukari Uchiha (English)

Chapter 31

The place where the three of us used to train so often feels different today. The memories of our shared moments flicker like fading shadows over the grass, but the warmth of those memories can't dissolve the cold knot in my chest. As I tell Itachi everything that happened in the Hokage's office, I feel my voice tremble slightly, the weight of the truth heavy on my shoulders.

"I'm proud of you," Itachi says quietly, his voice steady but with a hint of sadness. "Despite everything, you managed to stay calm, like a true shinobi." He pauses and looks at me, as if to make sure his words reach me. "We can trust the Third Hokage, Yukari. I'm certain he didn't know about Danzo's actions. I'll inform him when the time is right."

I nod, but the relief doesn't come. "But... with the Uchiha... I lost control." My voice is tinged with shame, the feeling of failure weighing heavily on my heart.

Itachi places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "No, Yukari. You didn't lose control. In fact, now they take you seriously. If you hadn't stepped in, I might have lost control. You handled it perfectly." His eyes narrow slightly, and I see his mind working, a plan forming. "This situation has given us new options."

I look at him in confusion as he continues. "You need to apologize to my father," Itachi says calmly but firmly. "Tell him that you hold the village leadership responsible for Shisui's death."

My heart skips a beat. "What?" I look at him in shock, but Itachi's expression remains unchanged. "How can you ask me to do that?"

"The Uchiha won't trust me anymore," he explains, his voice now quieter, as if speaking a bitter truth he's known for a long time. "In the meetings where I'm present, they won't reveal anything that could help us. But if they believe you're against the village leadership, they'll trust you. They'll see you as an ally, and you'll gather the information we need. If you apologize, my father will invite you to the meetings."

The weight of his words presses down on me. "You're right," I finally say softly, the anger toward the Uchiha and their stubbornness returning. "I was so blinded by my rage toward Danzo that I lost sight of the real issue. We need to prevent the coup... at all costs."

Itachi nods slowly, his eyes serious and sorrowful. "You've awakened your Mangekyō Sharingan. I don't think the others noticed, but I saw it clearly," I add.

He nods again, and for a moment, we simply look at each other, as if silently promising to end this nightmare. "Alright," Itachi finally says. "I'll go to the Hokage, and you'll go to my father."

I nod, a new sense of focus stirring within me. I can feel the grief and pain that threatened to overwhelm me being pushed aside by this new mission. There's no time to sink into darkness—there's too much to be done.

Upon arriving in the Uchiha district, the heavy, oppressive atmosphere becomes immediately apparent. The once-proud and united neighborhood feels fractured, like a powder keg waiting to explode. I make my way to Uncle Fugaku's house and stop when I see Sasuke approaching me with sad eyes.

"Are you fighting with Dad?" he asks quietly, his voice trembling slightly.

I force a smile and gently ruffle his hair. "No, Sasuke. I was just... not in a good mood. I'm here to apologize." My smile becomes a bit more genuine as I see Sasuke's face brighten. "Can we train later?" he asks me with eager eyes. "Itachi doesn't have time for me."

His pleading eyes make it impossible to refuse. "Of course. But first, I need to talk to your father. Get ready, and then we'll go train, okay?"

Sasuke nods excitedly and runs off, while I head deeper into the house. When I meet Mikoto, I see the mixture of sadness and relief in her eyes. Her gaze speaks of a sorrow only a mother can feel.