Naruto: I am Uchiha Seiryu

"I'm Yoshimura Akito, Captain of the Police Force Unit."

"Why are Jonin with the Anbu captain? What are you plotting? Let Hayate answer!" Itachi demands.

"Calm down, Captain Itachi," Akito says. "We're on a joint assignment. If you want, come to the Police and we'll talk."

"A joint assignment? Why, as Anbu Commander, do I know nothing? And why are you at the Police? You kidnap Lord Jiraiya? Release him now!"

"I'll explain," Shisui steps up.

Akito hands him the radio. Shisui waits for Itachi's angry growl before he speaks.

"Where is he?"

"It's me, Shisui. Calm down," Shisui says.

"Shisui? Even you're with them? Wasn't it because of you that I swore loyalty to the Third and Lord Jiraiya? How can you kidnap him?"

"I won't say much. We can't release Lord Jiraiya—he's suspected of aiding the enemy. If he's cleared, we'll release him immediately."

"Brother Shisui!" Itachi yells.

"Calm down, Itachi."

"How can I?" Itachi's calm is shattered. Itachi angrily hangs up.

In the office, Shisui shakes his head. "He's angry."

"I heard," Kakashi says, then tells Shisui, "Go stop him."

"Understood." Shisui nods.

An Aburame bug flies into Shisui's ear. After exchanging glances with the others, he leaves.

"Ago, how's it going?" Kakashi radios Inuzuka Ago, who's guarding the three clans' compounds.

"They're assembling," Ago replies.

"Just hold them off, keep our people safe," Kakashi says.

"Got it." Ago ends the call and watches as Akimichi Choza leads a force of ninja from the compound.

"Ago, what's the plan?" Uchiha Haruka asks, activating his three-tomoe Sharingan.

"Block them. Avoid conflict if possible," Ago says.

"Understood." The others step out of hiding to block the road to the village.

The two sides quickly face off.

"Chief Choza, are you visiting again?" Azoko asks.

"Yes, last time your hospitality was memorable," Choza replies. "But with trouble in the village, I must be present."

"Think carefully—if you act, you'll be guilty of aiding a rebellion. Is it worth it? Lord Jiraiya has already been captured; you can't change the outcome."

Behind Ago, ten Uchiha jonin with three-tomoe Sharingan appear, putting heavy pressure on Choza and his clansmen—especially since his usual allies, Shikaku and Inoichi, are absent.

Realizing he can't win, Choza radios Inoichi.

In the Anbu base, Inoichi answers, with Itachi and Shikaku listening.

"Choza, what's wrong?" Inoichi asks.

"Our reinforcements can't get through: Inuzuka, Aburame, and ten Uchiha jonin are blocking us. We're no match," Choza reports.

They fall silent. After a moment, Shikaku sighs, takes the radio, and says, "It's fine. Take everyone back. We'll handle it."

"Shikaku-san?" Itachi says in disbelief.

"Tell Shikamaru he's the sixteenth Nara head."

"Ino will be the sixteenth Yamanaka," Inoichi adds.

Afterward, Shikaku hangs up.

"Captain Itachi, forgive me. As clan chief, I can't let my people die needlessly," Shikaku says.

"Is the clan more important than the village?" Itachi asks painfully.

"The village is more important, but this is just an internal strife. Tomorrow, the village is still the village," Shikaku replies.

"Captain, let's go," Inoichi says.

"But…" Itachi is even more confused.

"The clans can't help, but as the old generation, we can't stand aside," Shikaku says, removing his earring and placing it in a box with the Sarutobi crest.

Inoichi does the same.

….

Meanwhile, outside the compounds, Choza puts down the radio and looks at Ago's group.

"So, have you decided?" Ago asks.

"We'll retreat, but I want to speak directly with your leader," Choza says.

"Fine." After confirming with Kakashi, an Aburame sends a communication bug to Choza.

He lets the bug in and infuses chakra.

"Choza, long time no see," Kakashi's voice comes.

"Kakashi? You're in charge?" Choza asks.

"Seiryu's away, so I'm in command. State your terms," Kakashi replies.

"We'll retreat, but let me come over," Choza says, "Alone."

"Why?" Kakashi asks.

"Some things need to end with our generation," Choza says.

After a pause, Kakashi agrees. "Fine, I'll be waiting at the Police."

As the bug leaves, Choza turns to his clansmen.

"Go home. Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji will be the next generation. Guide them well."

"Chief, what are you doing?" an Akimichi asks.

Choza doesn't answer but continues, "Let Shikamaru choose their earring oath's witness—anyone but a Sarutobi."

He then heads toward Ago's group, who make way for him.

…

In the Police office, Kakashi finishes the call, prepares his gear, and tells Aburame Shibi, "It's almost over—watch things here and report any changes."

"Understood." Shibi nods.

Kakashi leaves.

…

Back at the Anbu base, Itachi gathers the remaining ninja—just seventeen, mostly from the Sarutobi, Koharu, and Mitokado clans.

Just as they prepare to depart, Choza rushes in.

Seeing his old friend, Shikaku sighs and says, "The earring box is on my desk."