At the thought of that possibility, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned ugly.
Wipe out the Uchiha Clan.
For such a major plan, he had never dared to make too much of a spectacle of it. It had always been carried out secretly.
For example, secretly assassinating the Uchiha Clan's elite ninja.
For example, brainwashing the Uchiha Clan's younger generation.
For example, sending the Uchiha Clan out on missions and taking the Sharingan from Uchiha ninja along the way.
Everything had been carried out in secret. Very few people knew about it, and every one of them was a ninja who could be absolutely trusted.
Logically speaking, the plan should have been flawless... They should only have learned the truth when the Uchiha were destroyed.
No matter how much Sarutobi Hiruzen thought about it, he could not figure out who the traitor was, but his expression had already become extremely grim.
"Without a doubt, the Uchiha Clan is warning you. No, they're warning me..."
"The Uchiha Clan may already know the key details of our plan. Their Fire Release last night made their meaning clear. This is merely a small act of retaliation..."
Shimura Danzō nodded darkly and said,
"That's right!"
"So we must strike first. Following the Second Hokage's final wish, we must completely eradicate the Uchiha Clan from Konoha!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a moment before slowly nodding.
"That's right. We must carry out the plan ahead of schedule. This was also the Second Hokage's wish. We cannot allow them the possibility of a coup."
The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had not trusted the Uchiha Clan's ninja even on his deathbed. As the Second Hokage's disciples, they naturally inherited his ideals.
That inherently evil clan had to be completely eradicated, lest the Uchiha Clan seize Konoha in the future.
A trace of stunned realization appeared in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes as he said in a low voice, "Since the Uchiha Clan already knows our plan, we'll deal with Uchiha Shisui first."
"He possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan, the godly eye the Uchiha Clan prides itself on. His ocular jutsu is the most terrifying ocular jutsu I have ever seen. If he remains alive, our plan will definitely not proceed smoothly."
Shimura Danzō agreed with this as well.
"Kotoamatsukami, the strongest genjutsu, can alter a person's consciousness without them noticing. That ability is far too terrifying."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath.
"I'll find an excuse to send Uchiha Shisui out. Danzo, do you have the strength to kill him!?"
"Of course!"
As he spoke, Danzo slowly unwound the bandages around his right arm and sneered. "I'm afraid even Uchiha Shisui would never have imagined it."
"As a member of the Uchiha Clan, he'll die beneath the Sharingan's ocular jutsu!"
The bandages around Danzo's right arm were completely removed.
More than a dozen eyes were embedded in his skin, their crimson pupils rolling restlessly.
They were, unmistakably, three-tomoe Sharingan taken from the Uchiha Clan.
"Shisui, there's a mission that requires you to leave the village. Do you have time recently?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked kindly at Uchiha Shisui.
Uchiha Shisui looked somewhat hesitant. With a bitter smile, he shook his head. "I'm very sorry, Lord Hokage, but I may not have much time lately."
"Hmm!?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned.
This was the first time Uchiha Shisui had refused one of his missions.
Could it be... that he truly had other thoughts?
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened slightly.
Although he had already decided to kill Uchiha Shisui, the latter's refusal still filled him with anger.
Uchiha Shisui's face twitched slightly as he helplessly pulled a book from his pouch.
"Lord Hokage, recently... I've been promoting this book..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face went black. He slapped the table and stood up, roaring, "This mission is urgent. Go immediately."
Uchiha Shisui could only agree with a bitter smile.
"That's what happened. I'm sorry, Uzumaki Naruto. From here on... I may not be able to promote this book anymore..."
Uchiha Shisui looked at Uzumaki Naruto apologetically.
He had clearly promised Uzumaki Naruto that he would promote the book and strive to sell five hundred thousand copies within ten years.
Yet before Konoha's promotion had even been completed, he had to leave the village on a mission again.
Uzumaki Naruto did not care about the book sales. He stared thoughtfully at Uchiha Shisui.
If I remember correctly, the clan massacre happened when Second Pillar was seven. I'm the same age as Second Pillar...
Uchiha Shisui died half a year before the clan massacre...
It's two months early, but... it should be right. The butterfly effect...
Uchiha Shisui froze for a moment, then asked curiously, "Uzumaki Naruto, what are you talking about?"
Uzumaki Naruto shook his head slightly.
"No, it's nothing."
"It's just..."
"Just!?"
Uchiha Shisui repeated instinctively.
Uzumaki Naruto looked at Uchiha Shisui. Rarely, he was not smiling as he asked calmly, "It's just that, Uchiha Shisui, as a ninja of Konoha, who exactly are you loyal to!?"
"Konoha?"
"The Third Hokage?"
"Or... the Uchiha Clan?"
Uchiha Shisui laughed silently. "Naruto, what nonsense are you talking about? I'm a ninja of Konoha, so of course I'm loyal to Konoha."
Uzumaki Naruto nodded.
"That's good!"
A trace of coldness appeared in his eyes. Uzumaki Naruto held out his right hand and said, "Uchiha Shisui, hand over all the money on you."
Uchiha Shisui: "..."
With tears in his eyes, Uchiha Shisui handed his only eight million Ryo to Uzumaki Naruto.
I'm finished!!!
He would have to live on the wind out there while carrying out missions. Uchiha Shisui left with a desolate figure...
Uzumaki Naruto silently watched Uchiha Shisui's retreating back. He extended his right hand, and flames ignited in the center of his palm.
"Let's make a small move."
Inside "Paradise Bookstore."
Uzumaki Naruto stood at the counter with the latest manuscript and asked,
"Boss, how much have I earned in royalties so far?"
The shop owner's smile bloomed like a flower. He bowed fawningly and said in a low voice, "Lord Menma, the book you wrote is selling incredibly well. In only half a month, fourteen thousand copies have been sold."
"And that's only the result of initially opening up the market in Konoha."
"If distribution fully expands across the Land of Fire, this book will definitely be a huge hit. It may even become popular throughout the Ninja World."
Uzumaki Naruto frowned. "I asked how much my royalties are. I need money right now."
The shop owner froze, silently grumbling to himself.
Damn, how much money can you possibly spend in a day? Did you go to one of those shady Izakayas?
Sure enough, no one who can write this kind of book is a good person. Even a brat is no exception...
No, no, not a brat. He's a monster. How could I forget...
The shop owner took out the ledger and said fawningly, "Lord Menma, a total of 14,000 copies have been sold."
"After deducting printing costs and distribution fees, your total income is eight million."
"That's truly incredible. You can earn so much money at such a young age. You'll definitely become a wealthy tycoon in the future."
Upon hearing the shop owner's answer, Uzumaki Naruto's eyes gradually turned cold.
"Is that so!?"
Before you continue