Cruel Mission!

"Sarutobi, we must take measures against the Uchiha Clan. If we continue to let them be, and they strike at us first, it will be too late!"

Looking at the silent Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo offered a reminder.

"Sigh! Let me think about it some more..."

With a heavy sigh, Sarutobi felt deeply conflicted inside.

In truth, Sarutobi particularly disliked making such impossible decisions, much like the Hizashi Hyuga incident from years ago.

A few years back, an envoy from the Land of Lightning attempted to abduct Hinata, the eldest daughter of the Hyuga main branch. After the plot was exposed and the envoy was killed, it was clearly the fault of the Hidden Cloud Village. Yet, the Hidden Cloud Village turned the tables, brazenly demanding that Konoha hand over the head of the main branch.

The final result was that Sarutobi Hiruzen compromised, agreeing to let Hizashi Hyuga die in place of Hyuga Hiashi.

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not want to sacrifice Hizashi Hyuga either, but if he did not hand someone over, the Hidden Cloud Village would launch a war, which would lead to the sacrifice of even more ninjas and Konoha villagers.

"Koharu, Homura, if the Uchiha Clan takes control of Konoha, will you still be able to keep your positions as advisors?"

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was deep in thought, Danzo suddenly said in a low voice.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura remained silent. If that were to happen, it would undoubtedly be a disaster for them; they certainly did not wish to hand over the positions they had held for decades to anyone else.

Moreover, everyone had the interests of their own clans to protect. As long as they remained the esteemed advisors of Konoha, their clans would inevitably continue to flourish.

Therefore, they did not want to see the Uchiha Clan seize power.

"Sarutobi, since the Uchiha Clan dared to make a move against Danzo, they would dare to make a move against you as well. If something were to happen to you, Konoha would truly be finished."

Weighing the pros and cons in her heart, Utatane Koharu spoke up to persuade Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Nodding, Mitokado Homura turned his gaze toward Sarutobi Hiruzen and added his support, "Recently, the villagers have been very dissatisfied with the Uchiha Clan's enforcement of the law through the Military Police. It seems the sentiment for a coup within the Uchiha Clan is continuing to grow."

Faced with those gazes, Sarutobi's brows furrowed slightly, and he spoke in a low voice: "Although the Uchiha Clan's strength has declined significantly in recent years, it is still quite difficult to eliminate them!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was not loud, but Danzo knew that Sarutobi Hiruzen had already made the decision he wanted.

"There is no need to worry about that. The mission to exterminate the Uchiha Clan can be handed to Itachi, who is both a member of the Anbu and a member of the Uchiha Clan. He can complete the mission brilliantly!"

Perhaps having planned the genocide long ago, Danzo said with cold, ruthless intent.

"Isn't it a bit cruel to let Itachi carry out such a mission?"

Upon hearing Danzo's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened.

If it were him tasked with wiping out his own clan, he certainly would not be able to bring himself to do it.

"As a ninja, one must have the resolve to carry out any mission. Furthermore, Itachi possesses a mindset unbound by narrow clan-centrism. For the sake of Konoha, I believe he knows what must be done!"

After a moment of contemplation, Danzo slowly replied.

As Itachi's superior, Danzo naturally knew what kind of person Itachi was; having Itachi execute the genocide plan was the most suitable choice.

Sarutobi Hiruzen remained silent. His mind was in turmoil, but after glancing at Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura and seeing them nod, he took a deep breath and said, "If that is the case, then I leave it to you!"

At night, the stars twinkled in the sky, echoing the myriad lights of Konoha village from afar.

With a creak, the wooden door of Izumi Uchiha's home opened.

"Shisui, get plenty of rest these next few days; you'll recover faster that way!"

Watching Shisui walk out the door, supported by Itachi and Sasuke, Izumi urged him.

Following Izumi's treatment, Shisui had regained consciousness. Although his face remained pale, he was already able to walk.

"Izumi, thank you!"

Knowing that his survival this time was thanks to Izumi Uchiha, Shisui smiled and expressed his gratitude.

"It's nothing!"

Facing Shisui's thanks, Izumi gave a sweet smile.

"Izumi, we'll be heading off now!"

Since it was getting late and he still had to help Shisui home, Itachi greeted Izumi and left with Sasuke.

Watching Itachi's retreating figure, Izumi stood at the doorway until his silhouette completely vanished before reluctantly returning inside.

"Shisui, what exactly happened this afternoon? Why were the members of Root hunting you down?"

Walking slowly along the road home while supporting Shisui, Itachi suddenly asked.

At Izumi's house, Itachi had not asked this sensitive question.

"Danzo invited me for a talk today, but his goal was to take my Sharingan!"

Slightly stunned, Shisui replied in a low voice.

"What? Danzo actually..."

Hearing this, a look of astonishment washed over Itachi's face. Clearly, he had not expected that Danzo, as a high-ranking official of Konoha, would commit such a despicable and shameless act.

"I knew that bastard Danzo would do something like that!"

Clenching his fists, Sasuke shouted in anger.

Looking at the furious Sasuke, Shisui chuckled lightly, "Sasuke, you are truly remarkable to be able to guess the thoughts of Konoha's higher-ups, while foolish me actually thought the higher-ups would leave the Uchiha Clan a path to survival."

"Shisui, you aren't stupid; you are just like my brother—too kind for your own good!"

Shaking his head, Sasuke spoke with earnest gravity.

As soon as Sasuke's voice fell, both Shisui and Itachi looked at him with expressions of confusion.

"We love Konoha and treat the people here as our indispensable companions, but ever since the Nine-Tails incident, the upper echelons of Konoha have placed the Uchiha Clan under surveillance. They no longer trust us."

"Therefore, even if we sacrifice the interests of our clan to consider the village, the result will be the same: we will be heartlessly abandoned by the village!"

Sasuke did not beat around the bush; he laid out the plight of the Uchiha Clan with blunt, brutal honesty.

At the same time, Sasuke needed to use facts to shatter the notion held by Shisui and Itachi that sacrificing the clan to preserve the village was the right path.

It had to be said that these words were quite effective; although Shisui and Itachi's expressions were grim, their furrowed brows showed that they were finally questioning their own convictions.

Shisui fell into silence under the weight of Sasuke's words. After a long moment, he let out a soft sigh and said, "Itachi, although Sasuke is still young, I find myself in complete agreement with what he has said. No matter what we do, we cannot change the village's hostility toward us."

"Since that is the case, we should simply focus on protecting our own clan!"

"I understand!"

Nodding, Itachi aligned his views with Shisui's; he was prepared to abandon the line of thinking that was clearly a mistake.

Seeing Itachi nod, a smile appeared on Sasuke's face. Although Itachi had not made an explicit declaration, Sasuke knew that from now on, Itachi would stand on the side of the Uchiha Clan.

Following their conversation, the three of them quickened their pace and vanished into the distance.