Discussion in the Hokage's Office

"Sun Slash, what do you want from me?"

The door to the Hokage's office was pushed open, and Shimura Danzō, his face dark and brooding, walked in slowly.

A faint haze of smoke lingered in the Hokage's office. Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been smoking, set down his pipe as he saw Danzō enter, and asked in a low, heavy voice:

"Danzō, what have you been up to lately? Does Uchiha Itachi's disappearance have anything to do with you?"

"I've told you many times—stop provoking the Uchiha Clan now. What exactly are you trying to do?!"

Shimura Danzō snorted coldly and spoke flatly:

"Sun Slash, you're still the same as ever, just muddling through without ever coming up with a real solution!"

"Enough! I just want to know—where is Uchiha Itachi now?!"

The Third Hokage slammed his hand hard on the desk. His eyes, already beginning to grow clouded with age, flashed with a sharp, piercing light as he stared fixedly at Shimura Danzō.

"Uchiha Itachi is right in front of you, isn't he?"

Shimura Danzō replied with a calm expression, causing the Third Hokage to pause in slight confusion. Then, the Root Ninja standing behind Danzō removed the mask from his face, revealing Uchiha Itachi's features.

"Uchiha Itachi... when did you join Root? No! Danzō! What have you done?!"

The Third Hokage's face showed surprise. Itachi had joined the Anbu, not Root—after all, he was the son of the Uchiha Clan's leader. Even if Danzō wanted to recruit Itachi into Root, he would have had to consider the Uchiha Clan's reaction.

Joining the Anbu meant Itachi could accumulate merit, but joining Root would all but ruin his life.

After all, Root undertook many missions targeting the village's own ninja, earning a notoriously vile reputation.

Once someone entered Root, they could hardly ever leave, and even if they did, they would struggle to be accepted by ordinary Konoha ninja.

No one wanted to work alongside an executioner stained with the blood of their own comrades, because you never knew if you might be their next target.

Looking at Uchiha Itachi standing respectfully behind Shimura Danzō, the Third Hokage's thoughts churned. After a moment, he steadied himself and fixed his gaze on Danzō:

"Danzō, did you use Kotoamatsukami on Uchiha Itachi?!"

"That's right. This is the best method—to truly plant our pawn deep within the Uchiha Clan. If the clan ever harbors any other intentions, Uchiha Itachi can stop them!"

Shimura Danzō admitted it outright, a hint of fervor in his expression.

"You... the Uchiha Clan hasn't rebelled yet! They are still Konoha's ninja! And Uchiha Itachi was already on the village's side! How dare you lay a hand on our own comrade?"

The Third Hokage's face flushed with anger as he scolded.

Shimura Danzō said nothing. He knew his old friend's temperament well—no matter how much the Third Hokage berated him verbally, he would quietly condone such actions.

Sure enough, after a few reprimands, the Third Hokage dropped the matter. He neither imposed punishment nor ordered Danzō to release Itachi. Instead, after a moment of silence, he asked:

"The method you used to control Uchiha Itachi—it's Uchiha Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, isn't it?"

"Indeed... but unfortunately, without Uchiha Shisui, Kotoamatsukami can only be used once. Even if another Uchiha genius could nurture this Mangekyo, it would take at least twenty years before it could be used again."

Shimura Danzō's voice carried a note of regret. The Third Hokage breathed a sigh of relief—having a Dojutsu like Kotoamatsukami in Danzō's hands put immense pressure on him as Hokage.

He wasn't surprised that Kotoamatsukami couldn't be used for twenty years.

Even Uchiha Shisui himself needed a ten-year cooldown to use those eyes. For another Uchiha to nurture them, it would naturally take even longer.

To the Third Hokage, this was actually a good thing. Without those eyes, Danzō would be more restrained, and there would be no need to worry about him brainwashing others.

The Third Hokage could prepare himself with various seals and checks to ensure he wasn't brainwashed, but his subordinates lacked such complex countermeasures. If Danzō wanted to exploit loopholes, Kotoamatsukami could still accomplish a great deal.

Now, with Kotoamatsukami out of commission for twenty years, even if Danzō found an Uchiha capable of nurturing it, both he and Danzō would likely be nothing but a handful of Kitsuchi by then—as good as useless.

"Since Kotoamatsukami can't be used, then let it be. That incident with Shisui was our fault to begin with. Danzō, you'd best bury those eyes and let them rest."

The Third Hokage took a drag from his pipe and spoke in a low voice. Shimura Danzō sneered:

"What's done is done. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Everything I do is for the prosperity of Konoha!"

"As for these eyes, since I won't be using them again, I'll return them to Uchiha Shisui later."

"Good!"

The Third Hokage let out a long breath, then hesitated for a moment before finally asking:

"Uchiha Itachi... can your Kotoamatsukami fully control him?"

Shimura Danzō lowered his head slightly, hiding the mockery in his eyes:

"Of course. Shisui's Kotoamatsukami can't be resisted even by an Uchiha who has awakened the Mangekyo. Uchiha Itachi is a genius of the Uchiha Clan, no doubt, but compared to Uchiha Shisui, who awakened the Mangekyo, he's still far behind."

"What? Do you want Uchiha Itachi to break free from Kotoamatsukami, or do you want him to remain under my control forever?!"

The Third Hokage stiffened, then lifted his head with a cold glint in his eyes. This old comrade of his seemed to be getting a bit too cocky!

"Hmph, as the Hokage of Konoha Village, I know where my priorities lie! It's best for Konoha if Uchiha Itachi remains under control forever!"

"However, this kind of genjutsu tactic can only be used once. Kotoamatsukami is a special case. To truly govern Konoha and fully subdue the Uchiha Clan, we must rely on our own methods."

"Besides, Uchiha Itachi was already a ninja loyal to Konoha. Using Kotoamatsukami on him is a complete waste. You should have saved it for something more important!"

Shimura Danzō was about to retort, but the Third Hokage waved his hand:

"Regardless, all of this is your mistake! From today onward, without my written order, you and your Root ninja are not allowed to leave Konoha Village! Until my ban is lifted!"