Hokage Building. Smoke curled through the office.
The Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his desk, the exhaustion on his face more obvious than usual.
These past few days, the Uchiha Clan issue had nearly crushed him.
First came the conflict between Uchiha You and the Shimura Clan.
Then three accompanying ANBU had died during a mission in the Land of Water.
After that came the Uchiha Clan meeting, where Uchiha You revealed his Mangekyo Sharingan, and the clan began secretly preparing itself.
Then Danzo made a move against Shisui, intending to seize Kotoamatsukami.
One matter after another, all piled together.
The already fragile trust between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha's upper ranks had been almost completely torn apart.
And the one giving the Third the biggest headache was—
Uchiha You.
This young Uchiha was like a blade.
Sharp.
Calm.
And very good at finding the right angle.
Every time he acted, he struck precisely where Konoha's upper ranks hurt most.
He did not directly call for a coup.
Instead, he used Konoha's rules to force Konoha into giving the Uchiha Clan an explanation.
That was what made him the most troublesome.
If Uchiha You had charged into the Hokage Building yelling like an ordinary radical, the Third would have found him much easier to deal with.
But he had not.
He possessed evidence and reason on his side.
He even had the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Leaving someone like that within the Uchiha Clan was practically like keeping an Explosive Tag that could go off at any moment.
The Third exhaled a cloud of smoke and said heavily,
"Has Itachi arrived?"
An ANBU dropped to one knee.
"He is waiting outside."
The Third fell silent for a moment.
"Let him in."
"Yes."
Before long, the office door was pushed open.
Itachi Uchiha walked in.
He stood in the middle of the office, lowering his head slightly.
"Lord Hokage."
The Third looked at the young man before him, and his heart settled somewhat.
Compared with Shisui's current wavering, Itachi at least appeared to have retained his rationality.
"Itachi."
The Third's voice softened slightly.
"You should know about the recent situation within the clan, correct?"
Itachi nodded.
"I do."
The Third 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 clan's emotions are very unstable."
"After Lord Danzo attacked Shisui, the clan members' distrust toward the upper ranks has reached its peak."
"Uchiha You took the opportunity to gather the support of many clan members."
The Third frowned slightly.
"Do you think You is inciting the clan members?"
Itachi said quietly,
"I cannot be certain whether he is inciting them."
"But his actions have indeed made the clan members more wary of the village."
"Many people are now more willing to listen to him than to the clan head."
That made the Third's expression turn even graver.
Even Itachi said so, which meant Uchiha You's influence within the clan had truly become enormous.
The Third asked,
"What about Fugaku?"
Itachi answered,
"Father is still remaining 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."
The pipe in the Third's hand paused.
This was exactly the outcome he least wanted to see.
Although Fugaku Uchiha had coup tendencies, 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 sighed softly.
"Itachi, how is your relationship with You?"
Itachi lowered his gaze.
"Our beliefs differ."
The Third's eyes shifted slightly.
"I heard that you had an argument at the clan training ground."
Itachi was silent for a moment before saying,
"Yes."
"I think he is too radical."
"He said I was a blade raised by the Hokage Building."
The Third 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 relaxed slightly.
"Do not take it too much to heart."
"You is currently influenced by hatred and the clan's emotions. It is inevitable that his words will be extreme."
Itachi said quietly,
"I understand."
The Third looked at Itachi, his tone turning solemn.
"Itachi."
"The village needs you now."
Itachi's heart stirred.
Here it came.
The real test had finally arrived.
His expression remained calm.
"Please speak, Lord Hokage."
The Third said slowly,
"The Uchiha Clan cannot head down the path of a coup."
"Once a coup erupts, Konoha will inevitably fall into chaos."
"The other ninja villages will also seize the opportunity to act."
"At that time, it will not just be the Uchiha Clan. All of Konoha will be dragged into war."
Itachi said nothing.
He had once agreed with those words deeply.
Because he truly did not want to see war.
But now, hearing them, a chill surfaced in his heart.
Because Uchiha You had said this.
"They will first put 'war' before you."
"Then they will tell you that only by sacrificing the Uchiha Clan can war be avoided."
The Third continued,
"I hope you will continue observing the situation within the clan."
"Especially Uchiha You."
"If he shows further signs of aggravating the clan members and pushing for a coup, you must inform me immediately."
Itachi said quietly,
"Yes."
The Third looked at him, his tone gentle.
"Itachi, I know this is painful for you."
"You are an Uchiha, and 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 dug out his eyes.
A bridge?
In the eyes of the upper ranks, if a bridge could not pave the road in the direction they wanted, it would be torn down.
Itachi sneered inwardly, but only said quietly,
"I will do my best."
The Third nodded.
"You may leave."
Itachi turned and left.
However, not long after he stepped out of the office, a figure appeared at the end of the corridor.
His right arm was wrapped in thick bandages, and his face was gloomy.
That right arm still faintly emitted black-red, decayed chakra.
Upon 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 as long as he shows leniency, he 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 leading 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 could truly shatter your plans.
Outwardly, however, Itachi merely said calmly:
"You is indeed too radical."
A flicker of satisfaction passed 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 truly had.
Itachi slowly raised his head, and for the first time, a clear change appeared on his face.
"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 time comes, no one will be able to stay out of it."
"Including Sasuke."
Itachi's fingers tightened slightly.
"Sasuke is only a child."
Danzo said blandly:
"Children of the Uchiha Clan will one day awaken the Sharingan as well."
"Today's children may become tomorrow's enemies."
Itachi's gaze turned icy.
At that moment, he almost wanted to activate his Sharingan and drive 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.
"Lord Hokage would not 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 ninja."
Itachi fell silent.
Danzo continued:
"But if you can stop the Uchiha Clan."
"If you can show the village your value."
"Sasuke can live."
Finally.
Those words had still come.
The last trace of illusion Itachi held regarding Danzo's limits completely vanished.
Uchiha You had been right.
Danzo would never sincerely protect Sasuke.
He would only use Sasuke as a chain.
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 corner of Danzo's mouth lifted slightly.
Good.
He knew people like Itachi were the easiest to control.
Calm, rational, and mindful of the bigger picture.
Most importantly, he 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 truly is preparing to launch a coup?"
Danzo's voice was as 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. He merely said blandly:
"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.
In the end, he said quietly:
"I understand."
Danzo nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good."
"Remember, Sasuke's future depends on your choice."
With that, Danzo turned and left.
Before you continue