Uchiha Itachi Must Die

Konohagakure, Hokage Building.

The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, smoking with his head down.

Shimura Danzō stood opposite him, leaning on his cane, his face grim.

Aburame Torune was beside Danzō, giving his report.

"...In conclusion, six Root ninja, including Yamanaka Fu, have been confirmed dead. The enemy is the last remnant of the Uchiha, Uchiha Itachi."

"Uchiha Itachi..." The Third Hokage's expression turned ugly, his suspicious gaze flicking back and forth between Danzō.

"Danzō, since you knew this information beforehand, why didn't you report it to me and have the Village send people to pursue him? Instead, you sent people privately to investigate?"

"Hmph!" Danzō slammed his cane heavily on the ground, glaring and shouting, "Hiruzen, can you blame me for something like this?"

"If I told you, would you believe me?"

"If you had just trusted me a little more, you wouldn't have placed me under house arrest and sent Nara Shikaku to search Root for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"

"I've said it before, the Uchiha cannot be trusted!"

"Uchiha Itachi killed Sasuke and Konohamaru, took Fugaku's Mangekyo Sharingan, and kidnapped the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Everything has proven it, he was clearly lying to us before!"

"What loyalty to the Village? It's all a lie!"

"Once he digests the chips in his hand and becomes a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki with the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, the threat to the Village will rise to an exaggerated level."

"Hiruzen, don't hesitate any longer, issue the order immediately!"

"I will personally lead the team, and I will definitely eliminate Uchiha Itachi and rescue the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"

Seeing his old friend so proactive, the Third Hokage became even more vigilant. He let out a cold snort, warning him:

"Hmph!"

"Don't think I don't know what little scheme you have in mind!"

"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is an important tool for the Village, and Root is absolutely not allowed to touch him!"

"As for Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan, it will not fall into your hands either!"

"I will arrange for someone to rescue the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki myself. You will stay in the Village honestly and are not allowed to go out without my orders!"

"If the person who kidnapped the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is indeed Uchiha Itachi, I will naturally order his elimination."

"But you'd better be telling me the truth. If I find out you've lied to me with false information, don't blame me for being harsh!"

"Hiruzen, even now, you still doubt me!" Danzo's plan had failed, and he was furious, banging his cane on the ground.

"You're always so indecisive, which is why the situation has devolved to this point!"

"If the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is lost, you will be held entirely responsible!"

"After this incident, we can no longer allow the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to be left outside so carelessly. It would be most suitable for my Root to manage him!"

"I said no!" The Third Hokage slammed the table and stood up abruptly. "I am the Hokage!"

After glaring at the Third Hokage for a long time, Danzo was ultimately helpless against him and left in a huff, slamming the door.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

After Danzo left, the Third Hokage clutched his chest and took a few breaths to calm down. After a moment of contemplation, he gave an order:

"Have Nara Shikaku come see me!"

"Yes!"

The Anbu in the shadows acknowledged and vanished. Moments later, footsteps sounded, and Nara Shikaku knocked and entered.

"Hokage-sama, you sent for me."

The Third Hokage waved him to sit and sighed:

"Shikaku, I received intelligence from Danzo earlier stating that Uchiha Itachi was the one who abducted Naruto."

"To confirm this news, six Root ninjas, including Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Ryoma, were killed."

"Alas, to be frank, I am unwilling to believe that child Itachi would do such a thing."

"I would rather believe that Danzo deliberately set a trap to frame him, in order to obtain the Mangekyo Sharingan and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"But he is not in the Village now, and I cannot confirm it with him face-to-face."

"You have always been prudent and steady, and you are also resourceful and strategic. Therefore, I will have you lead this team to rescue the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and while you're at it, see if it was Uchiha Itachi, or if he had some unspeakable reason for doing these things."

"I understand, Hokage-sama." Nara Shikaku hesitated for a moment and confirmed carefully, "If these things were indeed done by Uchiha Itachi, what is the decision regarding his treatment..."

The Third Hokage did not answer immediately. Instead, he stood up, turned to face the window, and looked out at the distant, silent Uchiha compound. After a long pause, he sighed:

"They are all young people. Who hasn't made a mistake?"

"As long as his heart is with the Village and he is willing to return, all past actions can be forgiven."

After a pause, he added:

"Even if Konohamaru was really killed by him, the Village wouldn't pursue it."

"The original plan is completely abolished. He doesn't need to investigate any mysterious organization anymore. Have him return to the Village immediately to report."

Nara Shikaku's heart chilled, and he quickly lowered his head.

"I understand."

"Hokage-sama, please rest assured. I will convey your intentions to him."

The Third Hokage nodded, turned, and took out a document from a cabinet, placing it in front of Nara Shikaku.

"This is all the intelligence regarding Uchiha Itachi, including his Mangekyo Sharingan dojutsu Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and all information about Susanoo."

"This mission is extraordinary. Besides the entire Ino-Shika-Cho unit being dispatched, the Sealing Squad must also be brought along to prepare for all sealing measures in case the Nine-Tails goes out of control."

"If Itachi has truly betrayed us, then the Village must eliminate all dangers in their infancy."

"Yes, please rest assured, Hokage-sama."

After carefully reading the intelligence, Nara Shikaku returned the document and, holding the Hokage's order signed by the Third Hokage, took his leave. He gathered Ino-Shika-Cho and the Sealing Squad, preparing to go rescue the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Meanwhile, after Danzo returned to Root, he immediately summoned Aburame Torune.

"Torune, when the team to rescue the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki departs, you will take a squad and follow them secretly."

"I know Hiruzen too well. He's always playing dirty political games!"

"After all, the Uchiha are a clan that existed from the founding of the Village. The Village needs to have traces of the Uchiha Clan's existence."

"Too many would be bad and affect his power. A sole survivor is the most suitable."

"Especially when this sole survivor possesses great strength and is obedient to him as Hokage."

"What a useful tool!"

"Just like the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he holds him firmly in his grasp, not allowing anyone to get close."

"If the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is worth a hundred Konohamaru, then the last scion of the Uchiha is worth at least fifty."

"Don't talk about killing just one Konohamaru. Even if he killed ten or eight more, he absolutely wouldn't bear to kill Uchiha Itachi!"

"This is unacceptable!"

"Someone whose entire clan was wiped out by the Village cannot be loyal to the Village!"

"Uchiha Itachi must die!"

"Kill him and bring back the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"