Chapter 54: The Future Evil That Shocked Hiruzen Sarutobi

Fugaku let out a heavy sigh. He had suspected this conversation wouldn’t go smoothly—but he hadn’t expected the sheer weight of information he’d receive today.

His eldest son… could he really do what the future foretold?

To protect the Leaf Village. To uphold his own beliefs.

Would he, in the end, truly possess the capacity to wipe out the entire Uchiha clan?

Fugaku was lost in uncertainty.

As the head of the Uchiha clan, upon learning that Uchiha Itachi was destined to commit such an act, his duty should have been clear: sacrifice his own son, erase him without hesitation.

“But…” Fugaku murmured, voice thick with sorrow, “what purpose would that serve? Perhaps what Iizumi saw was simply the Uchiha clan’s fate. And fate… is something that cannot be broken.”

He returned home in silence, head bowed, still reeling from the shock.

“Fugaku… where’s Itachi? You two didn’t have any conflict, did you?” Mikoto Uchiha asked, stepping forward with concern.

Fugaku snapped back to reality and shook his head. “Itachi must have reported to Anbu. It’s already dawn. If we’d fought, you’d have seen me return injured.”

Mikoto exhaled in relief.

She knew her husband and son had gone to meet Uchiha Iizumi.

For less than an hour, she had been on edge, terrified something terrible might happen.

“Is something wrong?” Mikoto sensed something off—her husband’s expression, his tone, everything was strained.

“…Nothing.” Fugaku chose to hide the truth.

After all, telling a mother that her eldest son would, in a year’s time, very likely kill her with his own hands… was far too cruel.

…

“Meow! I’ve got a mission for you.” On the rooftop of Uchiha Iizumi’s home, Ninja Cat Tachibana Jiro stood upright like a human, hands clasped behind his back as he paced. Before him gathered over twenty other Ninja Cats—his descendants, the offspring of his long line of feline kin.

“The task: spread the news of what happened here today. I’ll tell you exactly what occurred in a moment.”

Tachibana Jiro bellowed with a strange, theatrical tone, “Our goal is to expose Uchiha Itachi’s future ‘evil’—and to reveal Uchiha Fugaku’s complicity!”

A white Ninja Cat raised a paw, meowing frantically.

“Speak plainly!” Tachibana Jiro snapped.

“Is this really Iizumi-sama’s order?” the white cat squeaked, timid.

“Ahem!” Tachibana Jiro cleared his throat. “It’s… approved by Iizumi-sama.” He puffed up his chest, fur bristling. “I won’t deny I’ve added a little personal feline sentiment—because honestly, I’ve never liked that Uchiha Itachi! Who does he think he is, judging Iizumi-sama’s Absolute Justice?”

“And that Uchiha Fugaku? I’ve never seen such a cowardly clan head! Iizumi-sama was right—‘Fugaku’ is just a façade. A SōyǎnFugaku. The son reflects the father—how predictable.”

But then, he noticed the sudden shift in the cats’ expressions—strange glances, nervous glances, even subtle eye-rolls.

The next moment, he was yanked up by the neck.

Tachibana Jiro froze—completely still.

“C-Chi… Iizumi-sama?” he stammered, trembling from head to tail, whiskers quivering.

“I didn’t ask for embellishment,” Uchiha Iizumi said coolly, setting him down. “Just the truth.”

Tachibana Jiro blinked, then snapped to attention. “Meow! Iizumi-sama, rest assured—everything will be handled perfectly!”

He’d served Iizumi-sama for years. One word from him, and he could read his master’s intent like a book.

…

“Hokage-sama,” Uchiha Itachi stood before Hiruzen Sarutobi just as Fugaku had guessed—having reported directly to Anbu, donning the black mask and uniform of the elite ninja.

Even with the mask concealing his face, Hiruzen recognized him—by the build, the voice.

He exhaled slowly, pushing aside the lingering shadows of grief from losing his own son.

“What is it?” he asked, curiosity in his voice.

“I met with Uchiha Iizumi before dawn,” Itachi said.

Hiruzen paused. “I recall you two had… some misunderstanding.”

He studied Itachi. No wounds. No signs of battle.

“No misunderstanding remains,” Itachi replied, voice low. “But the rift… has only deepened.”

Hiruzen frowned. “What do you mean?”

Then, Itachi delivered the truth like a blade.

“Hokage-sama… Uchiha Iizumi may have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan—the legendary power of the Sharingan. His eyes can see a person’s Future Evil. He… has seen the ‘evil’ within me.”

Hiruzen’s pupils contracted.

“The future I… will kill nearly every member of the Uchiha clan, to protect the Leaf Village. I’ll bear the hatred of the world, so peace can return to a village torn by fire and water.”

Hiruzen was stunned.

The weight of Itachi’s words crashed over him. His mind raced—trying to piece it together.

Iizumi had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. His eyes could see future evil. That was why their relationship had soured so completely.

And Itachi’s “evil”? To exterminate his own people for the sake of peace.

The trigger? Hiruzen could already guess.

The Uchiha clan was preparing to revolt.

The sheer volume of truth made Hiruzen’s breath catch. His face hardened, and he demanded, voice low but firm:

“Itachi… do you realize what you’re saying? Can you guarantee this is true?”

Itachi bowed slightly. “Hokage-sama, this is what Iizumi told me. Though we stand on opposite sides, I believe what he says.”

Hiruzen fell silent.

“…A dōjutsu that sees Future Evil?” he murmured, eyes distant. “So that’s how it is…”

He had known Iizumi’s eyes could perceive past sins. But future evil? That was beyond anything he’d imagined.

The power was terrifying—but strangely, not dangerous. Because it couldn’t be used in battle. It was only knowledge.

And yet… Hiruzen believed.

He believed Itachi. And in the silence, he believed Iizumi.

If the Uchiha were to be wiped out… would the order come from him?

Hiruzen stared at the twelve-year-old before him—so young, so burdened.

“Itachi…” he said gently.

“Yes, Hokage-sama.”

“You’ve done well. But… don’t speak of this to anyone. Pretend today never happened. Forget everything Iizumi said.”

Itachi looked up, surprised.

Hiruzen rose, stepping forward. “I don’t want to see that future. You’re a rare sprout in this village. I won’t let you suffer such pain.”

He paused, voice softening.

“If your people learn of this… they’ll isolate you. You could even be in danger. So… just forget it. Pretend nothing happened.”

He added, with quiet pride: “You are the one I’ve always trusted most. I’m proud of you. But… please… let it never come to this.”

“…Yes, Hokage-sama.” Itachi bowed deeply.

And in that moment, something within him hardened—his resolve, now unshakable.

…

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end