The Fish Had Taken the Bait!

Hokage Building.

Smoke filled the office.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his desk, the exhaustion on his face more apparent than usual.

Over the past few days, the Uchiha problem had nearly left him unable to breathe.

First, there had been the conflict between Uchiha You and the Shimura Clan.

Then, three accompanying ANBU had died during the Land of Water mission.

After that came the Uchiha Clan meeting, where Uchiha You revealed his Mangekyo Sharingan, and the clan began secretly preparing itself.

Then Danzo made his move against Shisui, intending to seize Kotoamatsukami.

One matter after another, all piling together.

The already fragile trust between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha's upper ranks had been almost completely torn apart.

And what gave the Third Hokage the greatest headache was—

Uchiha You.

This young Uchiha was like a blade.

Sharp.

Calm.

And exceptionally good at finding the right angle.

Every time he acted, he struck precisely where Konoha's upper ranks hurt most.

He did not openly call for a coup.

Instead, he used Konoha's own rules to force Konoha into giving the Uchiha Clan an explanation.

That was what made him so troublesome.

If Uchiha You had been like an ordinary radical, charging into the Hokage Building while shouting, the Third Hokage would have found him much easier to handle.

But he was not.

He had evidence and reason on his side.

He even possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Leaving someone like that within the Uchiha Clan was practically the same as leaving behind an explosive tag that could detonate at any moment.

The Third Hokage exhaled a plume of smoke and said gravely,

"Has Itachi arrived?"

An ANBU dropped to one knee.

"He is already waiting outside."

The Third Hokage fell silent for a moment.

"Let him in."

"Yes."

Before long, the office door was pushed open.

Itachi Uchiha entered.

He stood in the middle of the office, his head slightly bowed.

"Lord Hokage."

Looking at the young man before him, the Third Hokage felt slightly reassured.

Compared with Shisui's current wavering, Itachi at least appeared to have retained his reason.

"Itachi."

The Third Hokage's voice softened somewhat.

"You should know about the recent situation within the clan, correct?"

Itachi nodded.

"I do."

The Third Hokage looked at him.

"What do you think?"

Itachi was silent for a moment before speaking according to the line of thought Uchiha You had taught him.

"The mood within the clan is very unstable."

"After Lord Danzo acted against Shisui, the clan's distrust of the upper ranks has reached its peak."

"Uchiha You has used this opportunity to gather the support of many clan members."

The Third Hokage's brows drew together slightly.

"Do you believe You is inciting the clan?"

Itachi said quietly,

"I cannot be certain whether he is inciting them."

"But his actions have indeed made the clan more wary of the village."

"Many people are now more willing to listen to him than to the clan head."

Those words made the Third Hokage's expression grow even more solemn.

If even Itachi said so, then Uchiha You's influence within the clan had truly become immense.

The Third Hokage asked,

"What about Fugaku?"

Itachi answered,

"Father is still being cautious."

"But the pressure within the clan is immense."

"The radicals want to take stronger action."

"The conservatives have also begun to waver because of Root."

"If this continues, the clan head may not be able to suppress everyone any longer."

The pipe in the Third Hokage's hand paused.

This was exactly the outcome he least wished to see.

Although Fugaku Uchiha had inclinations toward a coup, he was at least steady and mindful of the bigger picture.

But Uchiha You was different.

He was too young.

Too sharp.

Too uncontrollable.

If the Uchiha Clan's true authority shifted from Fugaku to Uchiha You, the consequences would be unthinkable.

The Third Hokage let out a soft sigh.

"Itachi, how is your relationship with You?"

Itachi lowered his gaze slightly.

"Our ideals differ."

The Third Hokage's eyes shifted.

"I heard that you had a dispute at the clan compound's training ground."

Itachi was silent for a moment before saying,

"Yes."

"I believe he is too radical."

"He said I was a blade raised by the Hokage Building."

The Third Hokage frowned.

Those words were harsh.

But from another perspective, Itachi's willingness to say them showed that he had not sided with Uchiha You.

The Third Hokage relaxed slightly.

"Do not take it too much to heart."

"You is currently influenced by hatred and the emotions within the clan. It is only natural that his words are somewhat extreme."

Itachi said quietly,

"I understand."

The Third Hokage looked at Itachi, his tone turning solemn.

"Itachi."

"The village needs you now."

Itachi's heart stirred.

It was here.

The real test had finally arrived.

Outwardly, he remained calm.

"Please speak, Lord Hokage."

The Third Hokage slowly said,

"The Uchiha Clan cannot be allowed to proceed toward a coup."

"Once a coup breaks out, Konoha will inevitably fall into internal chaos."

"The other ninja villages will take the opportunity to act as well."

"When that happens, it will not only be the Uchiha Clan. All of Konoha will be dragged into war."

Itachi said nothing.

He had once agreed with these words very much.

Because he truly did not want to see war.

But now, upon hearing them, a chill had been added to his heart.

Because Uchiha You had said—

They would first place "war" before you.

Then tell you that only by sacrificing the Uchiha Clan could war be avoided.

The Third Hokage continued,

"I hope you will continue keeping an eye on the situation within the clan."

"Especially Uchiha You."

"If he shows any further signs of aggravating the clan members or pushing for a coup, you must inform me immediately."

Itachi said quietly,

"Yes."

The Third Hokage looked at him, his tone gentle.

"Itachi, I know this is painful for you."

"You are an Uchiha, but you are also a Konoha ninja."

"But precisely because of that, you can better understand both sides."

"I hope you can become the final bridge between the village and the Uchiha Clan."

A bridge.

Itachi lowered his eyes.

Shisui had once thought the same way.

And what had happened?

Danzo had nearly gouged out his eye.

A bridge?

In the eyes of the upper ranks, if a bridge could not pave the way in the direction they wanted, it would be torn down.

Itachi sneered inwardly, but only said quietly,

"I will do my best."

The Third Hokage nodded.

"You may leave."

Itachi turned and departed.

However, not long after leaving the office, a figure appeared at the end of the corridor.

His right arm was wrapped in heavy bandages, and his face was grim.

That right arm still faintly emitted black-red, corrupted chakra.

Seeing Itachi, Danzo's single eye narrowed slightly.

"Itachi."

Itachi stopped.

"Lord Danzo."

Danzo stared at him.

"Finished speaking with Hiruzen?"

Itachi nodded.

Danzo said blandly,

"Hiruzen is too naive."

"He always thinks that conciliation can solve everything."

"But the Uchiha Clan has already reached the edge of a cliff."

"You should understand that better than he does."

Itachi did not answer.

Danzo continued:

"Uchiha You is driving your clan toward destruction."

"He is dangerous."

"More dangerous than Fugaku."

"And more dangerous than Shisui."

Itachi sneered inwardly.

Of course he was dangerous.

Because he really could shatter their plan.

But outwardly, Itachi merely said calmly:

"You is indeed too radical."

A flicker of satisfaction flashed through Danzo's eyes.

Just as expected.

The conflict between Itachi and Uchiha You was real.

At least on the surface, Itachi still did not agree with Uchiha You.

That was enough.

Danzo lowered his voice:

"Itachi, you want to protect Sasuke, don't you?"

Boom!

Killing intent surged through Itachi's heart almost instantly.

But he forcibly suppressed it.

Uchiha You had said it before.

Danzo would definitely bring up Sasuke.

And now, he really had.

Itachi slowly raised his head, a clear change appearing on his face for the first time.

"Lord Danzo, what do you mean by that?"

Watching Itachi's expression, Danzo became even more certain.

Sasuke truly was Itachi's greatest weakness.

His voice was low:

"If the Uchiha Clan launches a coup, every Uchiha will be regarded as a rogue ninja."

"When that happens, no one will be able to stay out of it."

"Including Sasuke."

Itachi's fingers tightened slightly.

"Sasuke is only a child."

Danzo said flatly:

"The children of the Uchiha Clan will awaken the Sharingan someday."

"Today's children may become tomorrow's enemies."

Itachi's gaze suddenly turned cold.

At that moment, he nearly activated his Sharingan and drove a kunai into Danzo's throat.

But he held back.

Because it was not yet time.

He had to make Danzo think he had him under control.

Itachi lowered his voice:

"The Hokage would never allow such a thing."

Danzo sneered.

"Hiruzen naturally would not want that."

"But if the Uchiha Clan truly stages a coup, who can guarantee Sasuke's safety?"

"In war, there is no difference between children and ninjas."

Itachi fell silent.

Danzo continued:

"But if you can stop the Uchiha Clan."

"If you can show the village your worth."

"Sasuke can live."

At last.

Those words had still come.

The last trace of Itachi's illusion that Danzo had any moral limits completely vanished.

Uchiha You had been right.

Danzo would not sincerely protect Sasuke.

He would only use Sasuke as a chain.

To bind him.

Itachi lowered his head, letting the shadows conceal the chill in his eyes.

"What do I need to do?"

The corners of Danzo's lips rose slightly.

Good.

He knew it. People like Itachi were the easiest to control.

Calm, rational, and mindful of the bigger picture.

Most importantly, they had a weakness.

"Continue monitoring the Uchiha Clan."

"Especially Uchiha You."

"Find out the abilities of his Mangekyo Sharingan."

"Find out what the clan has secretly arranged."

"Find out whether Fugaku has already decided to launch a coup."

Itachi said softly:

"What if the Uchiha Clan really is preparing to launch a coup?"

Danzo's voice was cold as a blade:

"Then deal with them in advance."

Itachi's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

"Deal with them?"

Danzo stared at him and said each word distinctly:

"If necessary, sacrifice one clan to preserve the village."

"And preserve Sasuke as well."

The air fell silent.

Itachi slowly raised his head, his face slightly pale.

"Lord Danzo, you want me to..."

Danzo did not answer directly, merely saying flatly:

"It has not come to that yet."

"But you must be prepared."

"A true ninja must be able to bear the darkness."

Itachi remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he said in a low voice:

"I understand."

Danzo nodded in satisfaction.

"Good."

"Remember, Sasuke's future depends on your choice."

With that, Danzo turned and left.