He no longer needed to fight for the position of clan head.
Itachi and Shisui's strength had grown rapidly over just a few days, already surpassing his control.
And Sasuke, despite his young age, had also shown signs of a prodigy.
With those three around, that brat Uchiha Tadashi would never have a chance in his lifetime!
He could only find a way to improve the clan's overall strength as much as possible.
They had to prepare for the future.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi and those other guys are tightening the screws more and more!"
"We've already lost control of the Konoha Military Police Force!"
"If this goes on, our clan will be completely sidelined and driven out of Konoha's inner circle."
"Then our clan will really be in danger!"
Taking advantage of Fugaku's intervention and the other elders having calmed down a little, the Great Elder seized the chance to change the subject, drawing everyone's attention to the real issue.
"Then what do you suggest we do? Are we really going to reach that point?"
Hearing their conversation, Itachi and Shisui's expressions changed.
What was coming was coming. There was no avoiding it.
Was rebellion really the only path left for the Uchiha Clan?
"It hasn't come to that yet!"
"Tomorrow, come with me to meet the Third Hokage and Danzo."
"We'll get to the bottom of this, and give them a warning too. The Uchiha Clan isn't to be pushed around."
"With our Kekkei Genkai, we're the strongest clan in the Hidden Leaf."
The elders all nodded. Yes, putting pressure on the Konoha High Command might change something.
If all else failed, they would fight to the death.
In that case, neither side would come out unscathed.
After that, the meeting ended hastily.
All the elders rose and left.
"Father, do we really have to do this?"
Fugaku's eyes filled with helplessness. Children were just too naive.
It wasn't a matter of what they wanted to do. Those old men were using underhanded tactics to force their hand.
First, they used seemingly unrefusable reasons to gradually strip the Uchiha Clan of its power.
For example, ever since the Hidden Leaf was founded, the Konoha Military Police Force had been run by the Uchiha Clan. It was a department with tremendous authority.
A few years later, they would take another department.
Over time, the Uchiha Clan would be gradually sidelined, and its voice in the Hidden Leaf would grow quieter.
"Tomorrow, you two should keep going to the Arena and improve your strength as quickly as possible."
"Once we have enough power to make the Hidden Leaf wary, they won't pressure us so hard, and we'll have a chance to catch our breath!"
Itachi and Shisui nodded, their expressions serious.
That was right. They still weren't strong enough!
They didn't have enough say!
Then the two of them left as well.
One went to the Hokage Building, and the other went to Root.
At Root, Danzo sat in the seat reserved for him alone.
"How are the preparations coming?"
An officer knelt on one knee and reported to him:
"Everything is ready!"
"We're just waiting for Shisui to arrive!"
Danzo nodded, a cold glint in his eyes.
Shisui, blame your being a member of the Uchiha for this.
You even awakened the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan, with a genjutsu capable of controlling others.
You'll be the first stepping stone on my path to the Hokage Position!
I'll use your eyes to control Zhou Cheng and make him work for me!
I'll have him hand over every last treasure and arm all of Root.
Then I'll become Hokage, and under my leadership, the Hidden Leaf will become the undisputed greatest ninja village in the Ninja World!
Meanwhile, Itachi arrived at the Hokage Building, climbed the stairs, and stopped outside the Hokage's office. He knocked.
"Is that you, Itachi? Come in!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's somewhat aged voice came from inside.
Itachi opened the door and went in.
The first thing he saw was a room full of smoke from Hiruzen's pipe.
Itachi frowned. What was so good about smoking?
He left the door open and went to the window, opening it.
Then he turned around and stared straight at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"The clan elders can't hold back any longer!"
Hearing him, Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped what he was doing and gave a helpless look.
"What are they planning?"
Itachi answered with just four words: "Fight to the death!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils contracted. This was difficult!
With the Uchiha Clan's strength, if they really made a move, the Hidden Leaf would once again be engulfed in war.
No matter which side won, both would suffer heavy losses.
They would lose most of their fighting strength, giving the other ninja villages a chance to attack the Hidden Leaf.
It might seem like a peaceful era, but that was only because the strength of the various countries and villages was relatively balanced.
But if a large-scale civil war broke out in the Hidden Leaf, the other four great ninja villages definitely wouldn't stand by and watch. They would come to claim a share of the spoils.
"Are you certain? When are they planning to act?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned grave. Leaning forward, he looked at Itachi, wanting every detail he could get.
Itachi shook his head, his expression just as serious.
"They haven't decided yet. They're only considering it."
"Ultimately, it's because the village has been putting too much pressure on them!"
"They've been too eager for quick results!"
Itachi was deeply dissatisfied with some of the Konoha High Command's aggressive measures, but there was nothing he could do about them.
Strength. I'm still not strong enough to change what's happening.
What should I do?
Suddenly, a handsome face appeared in his mind.
Senior Zhou Cheng!
That's right. With Senior Zhou Cheng's incredible abilities, he could surely resolve this.
I need to meet with him in private!
Hiruzen Sarutobi noticed the change in Itachi's eyes and expression and couldn't help wondering what had occurred to him.
Had he thought of a solution?
"Tell me, what do you have in mind?"
Itachi stopped worrying and explained his idea.
Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes. Zhou Cheng?
Could he really resolve this peacefully?
He was just a teenager!
"Can he do it?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was skeptical of Itachi's idea.
Itachi smiled. Those who hadn't personally experienced the Arena always doubted Zhou Cheng's strength.
Then they got their faces slapped.
"I know you won't believe me!"
"But I urge you to challenge him once. Then you'll see how formidable Senior Zhou Cheng is!"
With that, Itachi walked out of the office without looking back.
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained motionless for a long time. He'd heard plenty about Zhou Cheng.
Everyone said he was incredibly strong.
But he still couldn't believe it was true.
Talent took time to turn into strength.
Zhou Cheng looked no older than a teenager. How could he possibly be that strong?
He muttered to himself, "I should go see for myself sometime."
After leaving the Hokage Building, Itachi headed straight for the Anbu building.
He wasn't stopped for long along the way. After all, he was a member of the Anbu too.
He wanted to find out where Zhou Cheng lived!
A few minutes later, he left the Anbu building, got his bearings, and headed off.
Once he was out of the Hokage Building's vicinity, he picked up speed, darting across the rooftops.
Ten minutes later, he stopped in front of a hotel. This was the place!
Without looking back, he walked into the lobby and went straight upstairs.
He stopped outside a room, took a deep breath, and knocked.
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