Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Uchiha Fugaku with icy eyes.
If Itachi hadn't suddenly changed his mind, the Uchiha would probably have disappeared from Konoha by now!
The evil Uchiha!
Damn it!
"Alright, Lord Hokage, you can handle the rest from here on out."
Hyuga Hiashi spoke up at the right moment, slightly easing the somber atmosphere.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, his gaze turning to Uchiha Kei and the other man.
Itachi was about to say something, but was stopped by Uchiha Kei.
"Since the clan leaders wish to discuss important matters, we will not disturb them any longer."
After saying that, he pulled Itachi out of the ward.
Downstairs at the hospital.
"Jing, why did you come out?"
The two stopped under the shade of a tree, and Itachi looked at Uchiha Kei.
In the three years that followed, his impression of Sarutobi Hiruzen had undergone a complete transformation.
It only took three years for my initial respect to turn into my current disgust.
If Jing hadn't pulled him back, he would definitely have tried to make Danzo bear the consequences himself.
As for the Yang Organization, Itachi was not afraid.
"That situation wasn't appropriate for us to get involved in, after all..."
"You're not Hokage yet."
One sentence jolted Itachi awake. He took a deep breath, and the anger on his face vanished.
"What's the next step?"
Uchiha Kei rubbed his chin.
"Simple, call Shisui, and let them watch the show from the doorway."
Itachi was taken aback for a moment, then he understood.
In the hospital ward.
"Lord Hokage, isn't this inappropriate?"
Hyuga Hiashi's expression was extremely grim.
Just now, Sarutobi Hiruzen actually suggested that the Hyuga Clan act as the vanguard to withstand the first wave of attacks from the Yang Organization.
Is this an attempt to exterminate the Hyuga Clan?
Why should the Hyuga Clan be the vanguard in all cases?
Are other clans not members of Konoha?
Is the Hyuga Clan a stepchild?
Sarutobi Hiruzen his clan was truly vicious!
The key point is that he was using an open and aboveboard scheme, blatantly leading his Hyuga Clan toward Destruction!
"Hyuga clan leader, this is a time of life and death for Konoha. How can we let personal feelings interfere? Or does the Hyuga clan leader think that one clan is more suitable?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen had a righteous and indignant expression on his face.
But secretly, I was delighted.
Just when he was wondering how to weaken the Hyuga Clan, the attack by the Yang Organization gave him the perfect opportunity.
"You!"
Hyuga Hiashi's face turned red with anger, but he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.
What can he say?
The suggestion is to have other races lead the vanguard?
"Lord Hokage, the Hyuga Clan alone may have limited effect."
Uchiha's expression remained calm.
"Let's continue with the grouping of three people."
A cold glint flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.
"The Uchiha Clan Head has a point. Everyone in the Shinobi World knows that the Byakugan and Sharingan are the two strongest Kekkei Genkai, and when combined, they are incredibly powerful."
"How about... the two races cooperate?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed.
His smile was like that of an old fox.
Before they could even make arrangements for the Uchiha, he himself jumped out.
Uchiha Fugaku was speechless for a moment.
Although he is indecisive, he is still clear-headed when it comes to matters of principle.
But clearly, this clear-headedness plays right into the hands of some people.
"Since the Lord Hokage already has a plan, I'll take my leave now."
With Hyuga Hiashi cold expression, Sarutobi Hiruzen's reply.
Uchiha Fugaku also snorted coldly and left with Hyuga Hiashi.
"Alright, now all races must cooperate and await the arrival of the Yang Organization."
The other family patriarchs were also somewhat uncomfortable.
But since it didn't concern them personally, they had no choice but to accept the arrangement.
In the afternoon, the sky was already dyed red by the setting sun.
Konoha Gate, thousands of people stood, each brimming with surging Chakra.
All of Konoha's fighting force has come here.
Jonin – 600!
Chunin – 400!
Apart from the Genin, Konoha unleashed its full fighting force, revealing its ferocious fangs to the outside world for the first time.
"The Yang Organization? What is that? How dare they come to Konoha!"
"That's right, if they dare to come, I'll give them a Fireball Jutsu!"
"What? You have two yo-yos? What are those?"
Are you deaf?!
"I'll become Jackie Chan someday? Okay, got it."
"..."
There were four square formations at the entrance.
One side, the power of a family!
Each family stood orderly to one side, their expressions stern and unsmiling.
One side, the Hokage's forces!
All the ninjas wore masks and stood in orderly formation like an army, without appearing chaotic at all.
One side, the common people's forces!
This was the largest group, with a mix of clothing and everyone wearing a grin, their formation extremely chaotic.
The last group consisted of a group of children.
Under the protection of dozens of Anbu, they secretly hid in the outermost corner, craning their necks and waiting with great curiosity.
Uchiha Kei, Itachi, and Shisui stood in the Uchiha Clan's formation.
"Itachi, do you see that over there?"
Uchiha Kei pointed to the civilian forces' formation.
Itachi looked over in confusion, and seeing the chaotic formation, his brows furrowed slightly.
"Isn't it a mess? Doesn't it look like you're not up to any fighting spirit?"
Uchiha Kei said with a smile.
Itachi hesitated for a moment, but still nodded truthfully.
"But Konoha's foundation lies with them."
Uchiha Kei remarked with a sigh.
"They are the true roots of Konoha. With them, Konoha can achieve the state where the Konoha dance and the fire burns eternally."
Uchiha Kei looked at him solemnly.
Do you understand?
Itachi fell into deep thought.
A moment later, Itachi raised his head, a bright smile on his face.
"I understand, Jing."
After saying that, he left the Uchiha formation and walked towards the civilians.
"Hey, it's Itachi the God!"
"That's right! But why would Itachi the God come here?"
"Yes, he should be in the Uchiha Clan."
The civilian ninjas looked at Itachi as he walked in, their faces showing surprise and delight.
When the weasel stopped, the noise also stopped abruptly.
"Why did you stop talking?"
Itachi asked with a smile, sounding puzzled.
The commoner ninjas looked at each other, none of them daring to answer.
They talked about Uchiha Itachi quite a bit during their leisure time.
But when the real person appeared before them, they were at a loss for words.
After a long while, a younger ninja finally spoke up timidly, "Lord Itachi... why aren't you with the clan?"
"What's the difference between families? We're all members of Konoha. What's the difference?"
A moment of silence fell, followed by a burst of enthusiastic cheers.
Itachi looked at them with a smile, a peace he had never felt before.
This...
This must be what Jing was talking about...
It's the will of the people!
As soon as Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped out of the door, he heard a deafening shout.
What's going on?
He hasn't even appeared yet, why are the cheers starting so early?
Looking in the direction of the sound, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression instantly turned grim.
He saw him surrounded by the crowd...
Uchiha Itachi!
The evil Uchiha!
Damn Uchiha Itachi!
How dare they steal his thunder!
Such cheers should only belong to him!
Belongs to the Hokage — Sarutobi Hiruzen!