The Uchiha Clan Massacre had happened a full seven days ago. When word first spread that the Uchiha, Konoha's foremost clan, had been wiped out overnight by Uchiha Itachi, a S-rank rogue ninja from Konoha, no one in the Ninja World was willing to believe it.
Even the heads of Konoha's other clans, when they saw the wanted poster for Uchiha Itachi, thought it was a ploy by the Third Hokage to lull the other villages into complacency.
As the clan heads wondered what had happened, they saw Konoha's Anbu and Root agents lose no time in surrounding the Uchiha Clan Compound.
Then, group after group of Anbu and Root ninjas carried away the Uchiha Clan's jutsu scrolls and valuables, transporting them to the Hokage's office and Root Base.
Seeing the situation unfold, the clan heads who had still doubted whether the Uchiha had really been wiped out finally understood.
They didn't know what role Itachi had played in all this or what sort of deal he had struck with the High Command. But anyone who could become a clan head wasn't a fool. If the High Command hadn't been scheming behind the scenes, that really would have been unbelievable.
After the Uchiha Clan's downfall, the Hyuga Clan became Konoha's undisputed foremost clan. Meanwhile, another clan that had never been particularly prosperous began to rise: the Sarutobi Clan.
In the Hokage's office, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the Konoha Military Police Force, once belonging to the Uchiha Clan and now in the Sarutobi Clan's hands, and smiled with satisfaction.
"Now the Sarutobi Clan's rise will be unstoppable. Hyuga, I hope you know what's good for you!"
His gaze fell on the medical report sent over by the hospital, detailing Uchiha Sasuke's condition. Hiruzen's eyes flickered.
The report showed that Uchiha Sasuke still hadn't woken up. Looking at it, Hiruzen suddenly felt that it would be best if Sasuke never woke up. That way, the Uchiha would never have a chance to rise again.
Though that was what he thought, Hiruzen still instructed the director of Konoha Hospital to take good care of Uchiha Sasuke, maintaining his kindly, gentle façade. After all, Uchiha Itachi's threat remained.
The intelligence Uchiha Itachi possessed wasn't a serious threat to Konoha. The village could simply change its barrier if necessary. What truly worried the Third Hokage was Itachi's anger.
From Itachi's description, everyone in the organization he had joined was a thoroughly vile person. If something happened to Uchiha Sasuke, Itachi could lead those villains to Konoha, and they would be more than happy to wreak havoc.
If the Uchiha Clan hadn't been wiped out, Konoha's overall strength would certainly have been enough to stand up to those rogue ninjas. But now the Uchiha were gone, and Hiruzen understood the principle that when one's lips are gone, one's teeth grow cold. For the time being, the other clans certainly wouldn't let go of their resentment toward the Konoha High Command.
While Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was still lost in thought, deep beneath Konoha, at Root Base, Shimura Danzō was practically cursing his head off.
"Hiruzen, you old fox! Your own clan gets to rise, and you make me take the blame? Just you wait. One day, I'll pull you out of that position. I'll prove that I'm the only one fit to be Hokage of Konoha!"
Shimura Danzō leaned on his cane and grumbled furiously. The Root ninjas beside him kept their heads bowed in silence.
At Konoha Hospital, seven-year-old Uchiha Sasuke slowly opened his eyes in his hospital bed. Looking at the unfamiliar yet familiar surroundings, he fell into thought.
"You're awake. Do you feel unwell?"
As little Sasuke sat there in a daze, a kindly voice spoke. He turned his head and saw Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had come in person to check on his condition.
"I'm fine."
Realizing that the hypocritical old man was sitting beside him, Sasuke calmly shook his head.
"That's good. I'm sorry about what happened to the Uchiha. If you don't want to live there, I can arrange a new place for you."
Seeing that Sasuke was still so young, Hiruzen wanted to take the Uchiha's land for himself as well. After all, his Sarutobi Clan would eventually become Konoha's largest clan, and sooner or later they would need a bigger compound.
"No. I don't want to forget that grudge." Unexpectedly, Sasuke refused. After all, he wasn't the Uchiha Sasuke who was only seven years old.
"Very well. I'll respect your choice." When Sasuke refused, a trace of murderous intent flashed in Hiruzen's eyes, then disappeared without a trace.
"Then can I go home?" Sasuke slowly climbed out of bed and looked up at the hypocritical old man.
"No..."
The director of Konoha Hospital started to say something, but Hiruzen quickly stopped him with a look.
"Of course. That's your right." After silencing the director, Hiruzen smiled as he answered Sasuke.
"Goodbye, Lord Hokage." Though Sasuke could barely stand Hiruzen's hypocrisy, he still bowed respectfully to the Third Hokage. After all, Hiruzen was the stronger one for now.
"Mm. Be careful on your way." Seeing Sasuke's respectful attitude, Hiruzen smiled kindly.
Sasuke left. Hiruzen watched him go, his expression gradually changing. I hope you can be of use to me. Otherwise, I won't let you off.
"Lord Third, his body..." The director looked anxiously at Sasuke as he left. After all, Sasuke was still very weak.
"More than his physical weakness, I'm worried about the pain in his heart. To keep him from falling into darkness, it's better not to stop him for now."
No wonder he was the Third Hokage. He always knew exactly what to say.
"Yes, I understand." Hearing the Third Hokage's explanation, the director nodded, feeling outclassed. As expected of Lord Hokage—he always put the village first.
Relying on the memories in his mind, Sasuke slowly made his way back to the Uchiha Clan Compound.
"How pitiful! I heard he's the only one who survived..."
"And the murderer was his own older brother..."
"Quiet. Lord Hokage forbade anyone from discussing this..."
Listening to the villagers' gossip along the way, Sasuke frowned. Something was wrong. Hadn't he transmigrated here? Why was he still getting angry at these people's gossip?
And why were tears welling in his eyes? Hadn't he used that five-cent system to transmigrate directly into Uchiha Sasuke's body?
With those questions weighing on him, Sasuke quickened his pace toward the Uchiha Clan Compound.
The Third was scheming and sinister; Sasuke was bewildered.
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