In the Naruto anime, Danzo successfully took Shisui's right eye.
But in this ninja world, Sasuke's intervention had kept Danzo from taking Shisui's eye. This made Sasuke realize that with enough effort, he could change what was going to happen.
As for the massacre of the Uchiha Clan two years from now, Sasuke would work even harder to change that.
The day after the Shisui incident, Sasuke naturally went on missions under Kakashi's lead. Their team worked together like clockwork now, and no matter what the mission was, they could finish it quickly.
After completing a mission that morning, Sasuke paused his training for a while and headed to the Uchiha Clan's Naka Shrine.
Sasuke had only one reason for coming to Naka Shrine: to find Obito!
Shisui's near-death at Danzo's hands yesterday had served as a wake-up call for Sasuke. In the ninja world, unless a ninja possessed overwhelming strength, death was always lurking nearby. Put simply, it was easy to get killed.
It hadn't even been a year since Sasuke had crossed over from the real world. Although he had awakened the Sharingan and learned Chidori, that still wasn't nearly enough. And becoming an overwhelmingly powerful ninja in a short time was simply unrealistic.
Sasuke knew this well. So, to protect the Uchiha Clan, he had decided to ask Obito for help. He didn't know whether Obito would agree, but he intended to try.
"Hey, Masked Man, are you there?"
Sasuke walked into Naka Shrine and called out rather foolishly toward an empty area.
He had actually wanted to call Obito by name, but if Obito really showed up, he'd have to explain how he knew it. So he decided to call him the Masked Man instead.
"Masked Man, I know you're here!"
When no one answered, Sasuke didn't give up. He looked around and called out again.
"I saw you that night. Come out, and let's be friends!"
"Uh... this is kind of awkward."
After calling out for a long while without seeing Obito appear, Sasuke could only scratch his head sheepishly.
"Maybe Obito really isn't here right now!"
Sasuke looked around the empty Naka Shrine once more and murmured to himself.
After those rather helpless words, he turned and slowly walked away.
After Sasuke left, a blurred, distorted figure appeared on the roof of Naka Shrine, taking solid form.
"Kid, maybe we'll meet again someday!"
A low voice rang out, and the figure quickly warped and disappeared.
Konoha was only a village, but it covered a vast area. To prevent enemy incursions, Konoha had set up a spherical barrier below and above the village, greatly reducing the number of guards needed.
For safety, however, surveillance teams were also stationed outside the barrier. Every few hours, they went on patrol to protect Konoha.
Since Anbu members often went out to familiarize themselves with the barrier's codes, they were sometimes assigned to patrol beyond the barrier when they didn't have any special missions.
Dusk was approaching. Itachi had just returned from an outside patrol and handed over to the ninja taking his place.
Just as Itachi was about to return to Anbu headquarters to report, two masked Root members suddenly appeared.
"Itachi, Lord Danzo wants to see you."
At the Root members' words, Itachi's heart gave a sudden jolt. His eyes shifted as his thoughts raced. Does Danzo want to take my Sharingan?
After all, Danzo had only gone after Shisui yesterday, so Itachi couldn't be blamed for thinking that way.
After turning it over in his mind for a while, Itachi nodded and decided to meet with Danzo. As one of Konoha's high-ranking officials, Danzo was someone Itachi couldn't really refuse.
The dim underground passage was crisscrossed with pipes. The place was inconspicuous, but it was the base of Root, an important Konoha organization.
When the Second Hokage first took control of Konoha, he established Anbu, which brought together many excellent ninjas. Root, on the other hand, was organized by Danzo as Konoha's dark side. Konoha might appear bright and sunny, but it still had to do things that couldn't be brought into the light. Those tasks were handled by Root.
After bringing Itachi there, the two Root members quickly left. Danzo, meanwhile, emerged step by step from the darkness.
"Itachi, I know you're wondering why I summoned you."
Danzo stopped some distance away from Itachi, then spoke in a low voice.
Itachi stared at Danzo but didn't respond.
"Never mind. I'll tell you directly." Danzo's half-closed left eye slowly opened, and he suddenly spoke with a vicious expression. "Last night, the Third Hokage decided that Konoha would use every means at its disposal to wipe out the Uchiha Clan!"
"Wipe out the Uchiha Clan?"
As Danzo's words fell, Itachi's body trembled. At the same time, shock turned his face deathly pale.
He knew that relations between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan had deteriorated beyond repair, but Itachi could hardly believe the Third Hokage would make such a decision.
"Itachi, you should understand that with the Uchiha Clan's current strength, it can't possibly stand against the village. The clan's only fate is annihilation..."
Seeing the shock and panic on Itachi's face, Danzo continued.
Itachi hated what Danzo had just said, but he knew it was true.
Konoha had Anbu and Root, as well as more than a dozen powerful clans, including the Hyuga Clan, Nara Clan, and Aburame Clan. With all those forces combined, even the Uchiha Clan at its peak couldn't have stood against them.
"If that's the case, then why did you call me here today?"
Itachi stared fixedly at Danzo. He was breathing heavily, and his voice came out hoarse.
"Conflict always brings casualties. To minimize Konoha's losses, the Third Hokage and I both hope you'll carry out a mission."
Now that Itachi had asked the question, Danzo didn't hesitate. With a solemn expression, he spoke to Itachi in a low voice.
"A mission? What mission?"
Danzo's words startled Itachi, who immediately asked.
"If the village moves against the Uchiha Clan, the clan will be wiped out completely... including your young, innocent brother. But if you act first and eliminate the Uchiha Clan, your brother can still be saved."
A vicious glint flashed in Danzo's eyes as he replied in a low voice.
"So your mission is to eliminate the Uchiha Clan?"
Danzo hadn't said it outright, but Itachi already understood what he meant.
"It's the only way to save your brother!"
Danzo didn't deny it. He even added that for emphasis.
Danzo knew that Itachi's weakness was his beloved younger brother, so his words struck him all the harder.
"Are you threatening me?"
Hearing Danzo keep bringing up Sasuke, Itachi clenched his fists and spoke coldly.
"No... I hope you'll make the right choice. If you complete the mission, I promise your brother will be able to grow up in Konoha, while you can live on outside the village as a rogue ninja."
"Itachi, whether the Uchiha name and bloodline survive is entirely up to you!"
Looking at Itachi, Danzo shook his head and sighed.
Itachi took a deep breath, his thoughts in turmoil. After a moment of silence, he finally said helplessly, "I can't decide right now. I need to think it over!"
"Itachi, I'll give you one day."
Danzo didn't want Itachi to drag things out, so he replied calmly.
After hearing Danzo's words, Itachi said nothing. With heavy steps, he turned and left!
(Thanks to AK Mo and Boss Du for the tips! And thanks to all the brothers for your votes! I'll add an extra chapter at 500 recommendation votes! Let's keep it up together!
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