Borrowed from the Root

After returning to the village, Houka handed his subordinates' bodies over to Feitian, instructing him to give them proper burials and demanding that substantial compensation be paid to the families of the fallen ninja.

Afterward, he went to the Hokage Building to report the mission to the Third Hokage.

With Houka handling it, Hiruzen Sarutobi had clearly been at ease. After hearing the report, he approved it directly, then said, "Houka, there's something concerning Uchiha Itachi."

"Uchiha Itachi?" Houka frowned. "What happened?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe and slowly said, "Danzo has transferred him to Root."

"You did something like this while I was away? Heh. Third Hokage, you and Danzo really are childhood friends. That level of coordination leaves me speechless." Houka snorted coldly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi flew into an embarrassed rage and slammed the table. "Watch your tone! I am the Hokage!"

He then took another puff and said, "Houka, Danzo did this for the good of the village as well."

Houka narrowed his eyes.

It seemed that, just like in the original story, Danzo was determined to wipe out the Uchiha Clan.

By pulling Uchiha Itachi into Root, he could monopolize intelligence from within the Uchiha Clan while using Itachi to frantically arrange his schemes. What a fine hand he had played.

The key was still Hiruzen Sarutobi.

His patience with the Uchiha Clan was gradually running out. Once the Uchiha truly showed signs of a coup, he would absolutely permit Danzo's clan-extermination plan.

When that time came, Danzo would bear the blame, while Hiruzen Sarutobi cleaned up the mess and stabilized the situation.

If Houka did nothing, the Uchiha Clan likely would not escape destruction.

After leaving the Hokage Building, Houka pondered for a while and decided to find Uchiha Shisui.

He was no