In retrospect, it was quite a driven life.
Fortunately, his judgment was correct; the day of action was June 19th, with the assassination carried out the day before the coup.
This was the best time to annihilate every member of the Uchiha Clan.
Because to prepare for the coup the following day, the clan members would certainly be resting and not going out, creating a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Moreover, since the coup was scheduled for the next day, no one would expect an attack the day before.
If it were him, he would also choose to act at this precise time.
As long as there was a spy within the Uchiha Clan, the higher-ups would not spare any member, and with knowledge of the clan's internal mobilization, Rika easily judged this point.
As the actions of the Uchiha Clan were under the surveillance of the higher-ups, the timing of their move would inevitably be laid bare before his eyes.
Things are always relative.
There were still many Uchiha children attending Ninja School, and they would surely return home after nightfall.
Acting after seven in the evening was the precise time.
With all steps understood, Rika left the forest, no longer needing further investigation.
He walked back to the clan land and arrived at the designated clearing, where a large group of Uchiha children awaited his arrival.
Smiling broadly, Rika approached and said to the kids who had not yet reached school age:
"Today, let's play a game of hide and seek."
◎
"Itachi is already prepared on his side. You should go too, Ryuma. Bring Uchiha Shikora here, I have questions for him."
In a living room within Root, Danzo opened his fierce eyes and spoke to the man beside him.
Aburame Ryuma nodded, then quietly asked, "What about Uchiha Rika?"
Danzo addressed the surrounding air, "Gozu, Mezu."
As Danzo finished speaking, two Root ninjas wearing masks emerged from the shadows.
Incredibly, through the eye holes of their masks, shone the scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
"Uchiha Rika, I'll leave it to fellow clan members like you to handle. You should know what to do after the mission is completed, right?"
Danzo spoke in a tone tinged with resignation.
Gozu and Mezu nodded.
"Yes, Lord Danzo. After completing the mission, we will immediately return to the village to end our lives. But we hope to leave our eyes behind to continue contributing to the village; everything would be entrusted to you then, Lord Danzo."
The two Root ninjas kneeled on one knee, their tone resolute.
Like Uchiha Itachi, they were Uchiha Clan ninjas firmly siding with the village.
They were willing to sacrifice everything for Konoha.
Understanding the limitations of their clan led them to believe that staying within such a family was meaningless.
Stagnation and arrogance.
Since the Uchiha Clan was about to face extermination, they had no reason to continue living.
All this was for the Will of Fire and the village.
When joining Root, they were already prepared to die for their Ninja Path.
The day had finally arrived.
"I will grant your wish."
"Thank you very much."
Gozu and Mezu expressed gratitude.
They then disappeared using Instantaneous Body Jutsu, leading a team from Root to depart.
"Hasn't this incident led to too many sacrifices? If possible, I wish Lord Danzo could keep Gozu and Mezu alive..."
Aburame Ryuma showed some restraint.
Not everyone in the Uchiha Clan opposed the village's rule.
Even within the Uchiha Clan, there were ninjas like Gozu and Mezu who were willing to break free from clan-centric thinking for the village.
They were the true foundation needed by the village.
Such outstanding talents shouldn't die so rashly.
"Ryuma, this is their own choice. I can only respect the Ninja Path they've chosen... They are the true bearers of the Will of Fire, Konoha ninjas who have inherited it. I will always remember their contributions to Konoha, and the village will forever hold their selfless sacrifice dear..."
Danzo took a deep breath, slowly closing his eyes, saying no more.
Aburame Ryuma sighed, nodded to Danzo, and turned to leave, leading his squad of Root ninjas toward the Uchiha Clan's territory.
◎
By seven o'clock, darkness had completely settled in.
Itachi walked down the corridor without making a sound, hearing voices from inside the room.
Under the light, Uchiha Izumi was dining with her mother.
Itachi thought for a moment, then deliberately knocked over a trash can, creating a loud noise.
"What was that noise?"
Izumi's mother asked.
"I don't know."
Izumi shook her head.
"Never mind, I'll go check."
Izumi's mother stood up and walked towards the source of the sound, only to be greeted by a pair of incredibly scarlet eyes. After a brief glance, her expression froze, as if encountering something terrifying, and she collapsed to the ground.
Apparently hearing someone fall, Izumi panicked immediately.
"Mom, why..."
Arriving at the corridor, Izumi's words abruptly ceased when she saw Itachi standing there with his Sharingan, beside her mother who lay trembling on the ground, having fallen victim to an Illusion Technique.
"Itachi-kun, why..."
Izumi couldn't finish her sentence.
Itachi's Sharingan began to undergo a dramatic transformation.
The shape of the Magatama shifted, the scarlet glow intensified, becoming sinister and frightening in the dark.
Mangekyo Sharingan.