Did Danzo Open It?

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen was old, the imposing aura he exuded remained undiminished, much like an aging tiger at dusk, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction and ferocity.

Uchiha Itachi took a deep breath: "Reporting to the Hokage, and the three advisors: last night, the Uchiha clan initially argued intensely, but under the forceful suppression of the clan leader Uchiha Fugaku, it was announced that the Uchiha should fulfill their duties."

"Both sides stopped arguing, and the meeting was adjourned." After saying this, Uchiha Itachi bowed and handed over a set of meeting minutes drafted by Uchiha Izuna.

An Anbu agent nearby took the document, opened it, and after verifying it posed no threat, respectfully presented it to the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Sarutobi Hiruzen read the records very carefully, his brow furrowing and his face turning livid at times, only to relax and appear calm and composed at others, before finally chuckling: "Heh, the Uchiha are nothing to fear. As long as Uchiha Fugaku stands on our side, the Uchiha clan will not rebel."

Having said this, he looked at Shimura Danzō with a smile and handed the scroll to him. Shimura Danzō, who had been impatient, quickly scanned the scroll, his face turning ashen as he thought to himself, This Uchiha Fugaku is truly a waste! With money, supplies, and soldiers, yet he is so timid and indecisive!

No, this won't do. The Uchiha must rebel, otherwise, how can I proceed with my Wood Release experiments? When will I ever become Hokage at this rate?

Damn monkey, he lives so long! Even after stepping down, he can still make a comeback—what a dog!

Shimura Danzō's eyes turned vicious as he roared: "Uchiha Itachi, you dare to lie! This report is clearly fake! Fake!"

Uchiha Itachi kept his head low, his expression shifting. Was I seen through? How is that possible? If Danzō decides to act now, what should I do?

But unexpectedly, Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed his hand on the table: "Silence! Danzō, do you not know of Uchiha Itachi's loyalty to the village? Has the information he reported in the past ever been wrong? Or ambiguous?"

"From Uchiha Fugaku down to the duration a genin spent shaking their leg, this report is detailed—how could you possibly fabricate something so perfect?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was very dissatisfied; why did this Danzō always have to stir up trouble?

Previously, when the Uchiha's attitude was unclear, he had let Danzō meddle, but now that they wanted peace, he still wouldn't allow it!

If the Uchiha were truly provoked, it would be Konoha's ninjas and Konoha's wealth that suffered; how could he not understand such a simple principle?

How could Shimura Danzō not understand? He understood perfectly well, but precisely because he did, he could not allow the Uchiha to be stable. The Uchiha were a blade—a blade he intended to use to ascend to the position of Hokage!

If the Uchiha backed down now, what would happen to his Wood Release experiments? What about the Sharingan? And what about that dream of the Hokage position that haunted his soul?

Shimura Danzō wanted to be Hokage too much; he dreamed of it. He wanted to touch the texture of the Hokage Haori, to wear the Hokage Hat, and to stand on the podium, respected and praised by the villagers.

"Hiruzen, don't be fooled by the Uchiha. Don't forget, during the Nine-Tails Incident, the Uchiha clan's Sharingan appeared in the eyes of the Nine-Tails, and the Fourth Hokage as well as countless villagers died in that battle."

"Tobirama-sensei said that the Uchiha clan is a naturally evil clan. It is impossible for them to be content and lie dormant; they are likely brewing some grand conspiracy in the shadows!"

"In my opinion, we should immediately send men to arrest all the ninjas of the Uchiha clan and send them to Root, where I will..."

Uchiha Itachi looked up, his eyes already transformed into the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, staring fixedly at Shimura Danzō. He could not understand why Shimura Danzō's hatred for the Uchiha was so intense.

What had the Uchiha clan ever done to him?

"Silence!" Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up and slammed his hand on the table: "Danzō, you have gone too far!!"

"Back then, because of your suspicions, I mistakenly trusted your slander and relocated the Uchiha to the outskirts. Every time I think of it, I regret it deeply."

"Now, you actually want to pin such a heavy charge on the Uchiha clan again—what has gotten into you!" Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Shimura Danzō coldly.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura lowered their heads, not daring to look at Sarutobi Hiruzen. If Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't angry, they might have been able to put in a word, but when he was angry, they dared not overstep their bounds!

Sarutobi Hiruzen shifted the blame onto Shimura Danzō and reprimanded him righteously, which made Shimura Danzō burn with rage. He also slammed the table and stood up: "Hiruzen, do you really think I am doing this for myself? Everything I do is for Konoha!"

"Enough! Danzō! I am the Hokage!" Sarutobi Hiruzen threw his pipe to the ground. He had just noticed Uchiha Itachi's resentment toward Shimura Danzō, so he spoke to stop him from continuing.

Yet this Shimura Danzō was acting like he was having a seizure, insisting on arguing with him.

Shimura Danzō's face turned livid. He glared viciously at Sarutobi Hiruzen and walked toward the door. As he reached it, he snorted coldly: "Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

He then slammed the door and left!

Door: Bang!

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched the old man leave and shook his head helplessly. He sighed and sat down, then said kindly: "Itachi, I understand your clan leader's intentions. Rest assured, as long as the Uchiha remain stable, Konoha will welcome them into the village."

Uchiha Itachi nodded: "Thank you, Hokage-sama."

"Hmm, you may return now. If there is any situation within the Uchiha clan, report it to me immediately!" Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up, personally helped Uchiha Itachi up, and patted him on the shoulder three times.

"The future of Konoha depends on you young people. Work hard; Konoha needs talents like you." Sarutobi Hiruzen held Uchiha Itachi in high regard, and Uchiha Itachi nodded, neither humble nor arrogant, and turned to leave.

Sarutobi Hiruzen crossed his arms, looking at Uchiha Itachi's retreating figure with a complex expression: "Why did you have to be from the Uchiha clan?"

If Uchiha Itachi were not of the Uchiha clan, Sarutobi Hiruzen might have taken him as a disciple, because Uchiha Itachi was a true ninja—a ninja without selfish motives.

A ninja with the heart and stature of a Hokage; if he were to inherit the title, Konoha would surely become even more prosperous.

But the fault lay in his surname, Uchiha; he was a member of the Uchiha clan.

After reporting, Uchiha Itachi hurried back to the clan grounds to tell Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Izuna, who were preparing to depart, about what had happened in the Hokage's office.

Uchiha Izuna's mouth twitched. If he didn't know Shimura Danzō's character, he would have suspected that Danzō possessed a god's-eye view, knowing that they were only lying dormant briefly and that their ultimate goal was to seize the political power of Konoha!