Hypocritical Mask

Seven full days have passed since the tragic massacre of the Uchiha clan. When news first broke that the Uchiha, Konoha's premier clan, had been wiped out in a single night by the S-rank missing-nin Uchiha Itachi, no one in the ninja world was willing to believe it.

Even the heads of the various Konoha clans, upon seeing the bounty order for Uchiha Itachi, felt this was merely a ploy by Sarutobi Hiruzen to lull other ninja villages into a false sense of security.

Just as these clan heads were pondering what had truly transpired, they saw the Anbu and Root of Konoha impatiently surrounding the Uchiha district.

Following that, squads of Anbu and Root ninja were seen hauling away the Uchiha clan's ninjutsu scrolls and assets, transporting them to the Hokage office and the base of Root.

Witnessing this scene, the various clan heads who had initially doubted the truth of the Uchiha incident finally understood.

Although they did not know what role Uchiha Itachi played in this or what conditions he had reached with the higher-ups, none of those who could become clan heads were fools. If there hadn't been machinations from the leadership involved, it would truly be a miracle.

After the fall of the Uchiha, the Hyuga clan became the undisputed number one clan in Konoha. At the same time, a clan that had not been particularly prosperous began to rise slowly: the Sarutobi clan.

Inside the Hokage office, Sarutobi Hiruzen watched as the Konoha Military Police Force, which had once belonged to the Uchiha, became the spoils of the Sarutobi clan, and he smiled with satisfaction.

"With this, the rise of the Sarutobi clan will be unstoppable. Hyuga, I hope you know how to behave!"

His gaze shifted to the medical report sent from the hospital detailing the physical condition of Uchiha Sasuke, and Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flickered slightly.

The record showed that Uchiha Sasuke still showed no signs of waking up. Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly felt that it would be best if Uchiha Sasuke never woke up; that way, the Uchiha would have no chance of ever recovering.

Although he thought this in his heart, Sarutobi Hiruzen, in order to maintain his image of kindness and benevolence, still instructed the director of the Konoha Hospital to take good care of Uchiha Sasuke. After all, the threat of Uchiha Itachi still loomed.

While the intelligence Uchiha Itachi possessed did not pose a major threat to Konoha—and the village's barrier could simply be changed—what truly worried the Third Hokage was the wrath of Uchiha Itachi.

Judging from Uchiha Itachi's description, the organization he had joined was filled with heinous criminals. If something were to happen to Uchiha Sasuke, Sarutobi Hiruzen believed those villains would be more than happy to come and wreak havoc on Konoha under Uchiha Itachi's lead.

If the Uchiha had not been wiped out, Konoha's overall strength certainly wouldn't fear those missing-nin. But now that the Uchiha were gone, Sarutobi Hiruzen understood the principle of "when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold." In the short term, those other clans would certainly not let go of their resentment toward the Konoha leadership.

Just as the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen was still deep in thought, deep underground in the Root base, Shimura Danzō was practically cursing up a storm.

"Hiruzen, you old fox! Your own clan rises, and you make me take the fall. You just wait; one day I will drag you down from that position. I will prove that only I am the qualified Hokage for Konoha!"

Shimura Danzō cursed while leaning on his cane, and the Root ninja beside him all silently lowered their heads.

At the Konoha Hospital, seven-year-old Uchiha Sasuke slowly opened his eyes on his hospital bed. Looking at the surroundings that were both strange and familiar, Uchiha Sasuke fell into deep thought.

"You're awake. Is anything uncomfortable?"

Just as little Sasuke was dazed, a kind voice reached his ears. Sasuke turned his head and happened to see the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had come to confirm Sasuke's condition in person.

"I'm fine!"

Upon realizing that the person accompanying him was this hypocritical old man, Sasuke shook his head calmly.

"That's good. I am very sorry about what happened to the Uchiha. If you don't want to live there anymore, I will arrange a new place for you!"

Looking at the still-naive Sasuke, Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to acquire the Uchiha district as well. After all, his Sarutobi clan would eventually be the largest in Konoha, and they would need a larger space sooner or later.

"No need. I don't want to forget that hatred!" Unexpectedly, Sasuke did not agree. After all, he was no longer the seven-year-old Uchiha Sasuke.

"Very well, I will respect your choice!" Seeing Sasuke refuse, a flash of killing intent crossed Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, though it vanished without a trace almost immediately.

"Then can I go home now?" Slowly hopping off the hospital bed, Sasuke looked up and asked the hypocritical old man.

"No..."

The Konoha hospital director standing nearby wanted to say something, but he was quickly stopped by a look from Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Of course you can. It is your right!" After stopping the director, Sarutobi Hiruzen answered Sasuke's question with a smile.

"Goodbye, Lord Hokage!" Although he couldn't stand the hypocritical Sarutobi Hiruzen, Sasuke still bowed respectfully to the Third Hokage. After all, the man currently held all the power.

"Mm, be careful on your way!" Seeing Sasuke's show of respect, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled kindly.

Sasuke left. Sarutobi Hiruzen watched his retreating figure, his gaze gradually shifting. I hope you can be of use to me; otherwise, I will not let you off.

"Lord Third, his body..." Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was still contemplating how to turn Sasuke into his pawn, the director looked at the departing Sasuke with concern. After all, his body was still very weak!

"Compared to his physical weakness, I am more worried about the pain in his heart. To prevent him from falling into darkness, it is better not to stop him for now!"

As expected of the Third Hokage, his words were truly seamless.

"Yes, I understand!" Hearing the Third Hokage's explanation, the director nodded in self-reproach. As expected of the Hokage, he truly thought of the village in everything he did.

Walking out of the hospital, Sasuke relied on the memories in his mind to slowly walk back toward the Uchiha district.

"How pitiful! They say only that child survived..."

"And the killer was his own older brother..."

"Hush, the Hokage said not to discuss this matter..."

Listening to the villagers' gossip along the way, Sasuke frowned deeply. Something isn't right! Didn't I transmigrate here? Why do I still feel anger at these people's rumors?

And what was with these tears he couldn't stop from welling up in his eyes? Wasn't he supposed to have transmigrated into Uchiha Sasuke using a system he bought for five cents?

With these doubts in his heart, Sasuke quickened his pace toward the Uchiha district.

The scheming and sinister Third, the bewildered Sasuke.

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