Danzo's heart jolted.
He had indeed been preparing to use his final trump card.
But Uchiha You gave him no such chance.
The instant Danzo tried to form hand seals, a black shadow suddenly tore through the night from the side.
It was Itachi.
Itachi's short blade slashed straight at Danzo's right shoulder.
Danzo's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly retreated, but the blade still carved away a large patch of flesh.
Blood sprayed.
Itachi stood before him without expression, his voice frighteningly calm.
"Lord Danzo."
"You said Sasuke's future depended on my choice."
"Well, my choice has told you everything now."
Danzo clutched his wounded right shoulder, his entire face twisting with fury.
"Itachi!"
"You traitor!"
Itachi lifted his gaze.
"Traitor?"
"When you sent Root to take Shisui's eye, why didn't you call yourself a traitor?"
"When you used Sasuke to threaten me, why didn't you call yourself a traitor?"
"When you brought Root here to wipe out the Uchiha Clan, why didn't you call yourself a traitor?"
Every word was like a slap across the face.
The flimsy veil of "for Konoha" on Danzo's face was ripped to shreds by Itachi's words.
The distant ANBU watched with their hearts pounding.
This was no longer a simple conflict.
Danzo and Uchiha You were tearing each other down, dragging Konoha's upper ranks down with them and grinding their faces into the dirt.
Uchiha You looked at Danzo and said lightly:
"Did you hear that?"
"Even Itachi is more clearheaded than you."
"You treated him like a blade."
"Now he has turned that blade on you."
Danzo's chest heaved violently.
He knew that if this dragged on, he would lose all standing completely.
He had to leave.
As long as he survived, returned to the Root Base, and still had that new