Itachi, I Only Trust You

With the departure of Fugaku, Yashiro, and Tekka, the once tense atmosphere in the Hokage's office gradually quieted down.

However, the lingering fury of that clan still caused the white-haired old man sitting at the head of the table to puff on his pipe in frustration; within moments, smoke threatened to engulf the entire room.

"The Uchiha are becoming increasingly arrogant and reckless. To ignore the rules and cause such a scene here!"

After a long silence, Utatane Koharu was the first to break it.

The mere thought of the chaotic scene that had just unfolded made her indignation impossible to suppress.

Although she was the only woman among the four in the room, she possessed a level of capability and ruthlessness that did not fall short of the other three.

"It is time to properly discipline the Uchiha. The Police Force established by the Second Hokage has granted them too much authority, and their autonomy should have been revoked long ago!"

"Hiruzen, when it comes down to it, your heart is still too soft!"

Mitokado Homura nodded in agreement.

Beneath his thin spectacles, his gaze remained sharp.

Any ninja, or even any clan, that underestimated these two elders would suffer irreversible consequences!

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not speak, continuing to puff on his pipe in silence.

He was waiting.

Waiting for that old man who had acted without authorization to provide an explanation.

However, such waiting was nearly futile.

Leaning on his cane, Shimura Danzō sat to the side without a word, appearing like an outsider. His half-closed, single eye even looked as if he were about to fall asleep.

One must know that, in daily life, he was the most resistant to the Uchiha clan and the loudest opponent among them.

If someone were able to wipe out that clan, this old man would undoubtedly be the first to raise both hands in approval.

Yet today, this radical old man showed no signs of agitation; even when faced with the righteous indignation and frantic rebukes of Yashiro Uchiha, he remained composed and silent.

He left his teammate, Hiruzen Sarutobi, to bear the brunt of it all alone.

There was a clear boundary between the Anbu and the Root.

But how could the enraged Uchiha possibly care about such things?

"Danzō, do you not intend to say anything about this matter?"

Finally, the Third Hokage could no longer suppress his frustration and initiated the questioning.

As for the rebukes of the two advisors, he had long since grown accustomed to them.

Wanting to take direct action against the Uchiha and completely dismantle that group was nearly an impossible task.

Although recent garrison missions had consumed some of the combat strength of this premier clan, the clan seemed blessed by the heavens; Shisui, Itachi, and now this newcomer, Arata, were all individuals who, given time, had the potential to step into the ranks of the strongest.

Moreover, not to mention those three, even among the average jonin, the clan boasted dozens of members!

What other clan could possess such a foundation?

It was fortunate that Fugaku Uchiha was not the Madara of the past; otherwise, would they have been able to boil them like frogs in warm water?

Under such direct questioning, Shimura Danzō finally recovered from his detached state, his exposed single eye filled with calm.

"I did nothing wrong."

This statement immediately put Hiruzen Sarutobi in a bad mood, his suppressed emotions surging instantly.

He had borne the brunt of the Uchiha's anger alone, and the culprit wanted to get off easily without a single explanation?

"Then there is no need for the Root to exist; it shall be taken over by the Anbu directly."

A cold glint flashed in the corner of the Third Hokage's eyes, and his rhythmic puffing on the pipe paused.

"That Arata must be dealt with as soon as possible. He is different from Shisui and Itachi; you cannot control him!"

Seeming to sense Hiruzen Sarutobi's coldness, Shimura Danzō finally regained some of his usual spirit, his remaining eye meeting the other's gaze without flinching.

According to the information reported by Aburame Torune, the target had performed impressively in taijutsu, counter-reconnaissance, and the Body Flicker Technique. Being able to escape an assassination attempt by Root operatives already exceeded the strength of an average genin.

Furthermore, Gekko Hayate had also brought back information that the target was a rare genius in swordsmanship, capable of mastering an A-rank technique like the Dance of the Crescent Moon in just five days!

Coupled with his Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, his talent for ninjutsu seemed innate.

The only things currently lacking were practical combat experience and the development of his ocular powers.

"But you failed!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his pipe onto the desk.

That was the most infuriating part!

It was one thing to take action against Arata Uchiha without notice, as he had at least manufactured a situation where the target had a private conflict with other Konoha ninja, providing a pretext for arrest.

But the key was that he had failed!

He hadn't unearthed a single benefit or secret, and he had forced the long-suppressed anger of that clan out into the open, further deteriorating the relationship between the village and the Uchiha.

"That is why I have always said the Uchiha cannot be trusted. If it weren't for Shisui's interference, that little thing would have ceased to exist long ago."

Shimura Danzō replied coldly.

"It is all because you are too merciful!"

He added with earnest, pressing words.

"The Uchiha clan is not something you can suppress just because you want to."

With matters having reached this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only compromise for the time being and abandon his reprimands; the priority now was to discuss how to deal with the potential fury the Uchiha might unleash.

It was said that Arata was the only disciple of Yashiro Uchiha.

That fellow, who appeared gentle on the surface, was anything but gentle when it came to getting things done—a fact that had already earned him a fearsome reputation on the battlefield.

"Two points."

"First, Shisui can no longer be trusted, but those eyes of his are a fine commodity."

Shimura Danzō laid his cards on the table, his cold gaze fixed on the Third Hokage's reaction.

Very well, although the latter furrowed his brows deeply, he ultimately said nothing.

It was true that Hiruzen Sarutobi's trust in Shisui Uchiha had begun to wane, especially after the report from the Root ninja regarding that bizarre movement technique—was that not exactly Shisui's Body Flicker Technique?

Furthermore, the jutsu known as Kotoamatsukami was indeed the best way to resolve the Uchiha's rebellious heart once and for all.

"Second, use Itachi's hand."

Danzō's voice grew colder, and though he only spoke half the sentence, he resembled a cold, venomous snake baring its fangs, sending a chill down one's spine.

"He will not agree to it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi decisively rejected the notion.

He knew what the other man meant, but to have Itachi eliminate his own clan—how could that ever be possible?

"No, Itachi will agree, provided he is given a small temptation."

"For instance, his little brother."

The one-eyed old man leaned on his cane and stood up.

"Of course, this matter still requires your guidance."

"Itachi only trusts you."

Having said this, Shimura Danzō leaned on his cane and walked slowly out of the room.

The confrontation that had originally been sparked by him ended with him being the most relaxed of them all.

"Hiruzen, Danzō is right when it comes to dealing with the Uchiha."

"They are no longer the same as Kagami was!"

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura also nodded in agreement.

"I will think about it further."

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe again, silently exhaling clouds of smoke as the obscure glint in his eyes shifted incessantly.