After a moment of silence, a ruthless look appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.
"Have Uchiha Itachi assassinate Uchiha Fugaku!"
Shimura Danzō sucked in a sharp breath. He stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi in astonishment, then gradually broke into a faint, almost crazed smile.
"Not bad, Hiruzen. Now that's the bearing of a true shinobi hero! No wonder you're the Hokage. The darkness within you is every bit as deep as mine!"
"Shut up, Danzō! Everything I've done has been for Konoha!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with fierce conviction, while Shimura Danzō merely gave a smile that was impossible to read as either mockery or approval, then fell silent.
"Heh, everything for Konoha?! Those were words I used to say all the time! Hiruzen, you and I are no different. The only reason one of us stands in the light while the other sinks into darkness is that you're the Hokage, while I'm Konoha's Root!"
"We're the same! Exactly the same!"
His thoughts churned like a storm, but Danzō kept his composure and spoke calmly.
"All right. I'll arrange for Uchiha Itachi to carry out the mission."
"But Uchiha Fugaku made a name for himself on the battlefield during the Third Shinobi World War. Even though Uchiha Itachi has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he's still young. I'm afraid it'll be difficult for him to kill Uchiha Fugaku."
"Then I'll leave it to you, Danzō."
Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his gaze slightly, as steady as a statue of Buddha.
"I don't believe that after all this time, your Root hasn't prepared shinobi to deal with the Uchiha Clan... Just as you said, this is the most critical moment!"
Shimura Danzō's expression immediately darkened. An attack on the head of a major clan meant his Root would take the blame!
If Uchiha Itachi alone attacked Uchiha