The Third Hokage and Itachi

In the Hokage Building Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly, looking at Itachi Uchiha kneeling on the ground, unsure whether he could completely trust him...

Although Itachi Uchiha had been a member of the Anbu for quite some time, this genius ninja from the Uchiha Clan always gave him a feeling of being unfathomable...

This feeling seemed to become even more pronounced after Shisui's death...

"Itachi, you've done very well lately. There haven't been any other rumors circulating in the village. You've been a member of the Anbu for a while now, haven't you...?"

"Yes, Lord Hokage, it is what I should do for the stability of the village..." Itachi Uchiha lowered his head slightly, making it difficult for the Third to see his expression. However, upon hearing his words, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled slightly.

It seems Itachi Uchiha still has the village in his heart...

"Sometimes, we may have to do things that are painful, but Itachi, you should understand that this pain is only temporary, like a sick person who can only regain health and achieve lasting peace and stability by clearing away the 'lesion'..."

"The Uchiha Clan also shed blood and tears for Konoha... But in Second Shinobi World War and Third Shinobi World War, countless Konoha Ninja left their precious lives on the battlefield. Their selflessness brought us the precious peace we enjoy today..."

"Only then can the children, the elderly, and women in the village live in peace and stability, and only then can our village continue to exist..."

"And it is precisely because of their unwavering belief, even at the cost of their lives, that our village now has schools, hospitals, parks, smiling faces, and villagers living happily. These are the precious things that those who have passed away cherished, the things they would rather die to protect..."

"Itachi, you should understand that this village doesn't just belong to my Sarutobi Clan, nor to any particular Hokage. It belongs to all of us. Only through our collective efforts can Konoha survive in the Shinobi World and forever maintain this hope in our hearts..."

"But now, this peace is in grave danger. This is not what I want to see, nor is it what any member of Konoha wants to see..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face held a hint of sorrow, as if he were mourning those who had passed away, or perhaps lamenting the mistakes of the Uchiha Clan. Perhaps what he said also reflected some of his true feelings...

"The situation in the clan... the situation in the clan is very dire..."

"Setsuna Uchiha and his followers are staunch rebels who are vying for power within the clan, creating division. Public opinion within the clan has largely shifted in their favor... Father..."

Mentioning Fugaku Uchiha, Itachi Uchiha paused for a moment. Aside from the lack of genuine father-son affection, he found his father somewhat incomprehensible. Fugaku seemed to be desperately avoiding armed resistance, yet he wasn't a complete surrenderer; rather, his resistance appeared restrained, but also carried a hint of wavering...

Perhaps it was too difficult for him to lead a large clan and navigate the complexities within Konoha village, or perhaps his personality simply wasn't suited to being a clan leader. In this critical situation, Itachi Uchiha keenly sensed that Fugaku Uchiha was developing a sense of escapism, as if to say, "Let it be."

Hopefully, it's just his imagination...

"Father hasn't seemed to show up at all lately... he's just been indulging Setsuna Uchiha's growth without restraint..."

Upon hearing Itachi Uchiha's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi slightly. In his memory, Fugaku Uchiha was not the kind of clan leader who would "give up" like this. Fugaku Uchiha, who left behind the reputation of "Wicked Eye" on the battlefield of the Shinobi World, was not a fool. Could he be plotting something?

"Itachi, it's good that you understand how precious peace is..."

"But as someone who bears the name of the Uchiha Clan yet whose heart is with the village, you should fully understand that the conflict between the village and the Uchiha Clan is now almost irreconcilable..."

"And we must protect peace... We cannot allow Konoha to be destroyed..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's deep voice made Itachi Uchiha realize that it was time for him to pledge his loyalty. However, as he slightly raised his head and looked at the solemn-faced Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kato Osamu's words involuntarily echoed in his mind...

'Perhaps peace can only be achieved without them...'

Now, it seems all he needs to do is wait—wait for the plan to begin, wait for the true glimmer of hope to arrive. Until then, all he needs to do is mediate...

"Yes, Lord Hokage! I will secretly monitor the clan and report any unusual activity immediately..."

"If Setsuna Uchiha and the others truly intend to rebel by force..."

"I will personally annihilate them completely..." As he spoke, Itachi Uchiha's eyes suddenly turned blood red, and the windmill pattern of his Mangekyō Sharingan began to spin involuntarily in his eyes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was very satisfied with Itachi Uchiha's performance, given his deep understanding of espionage. However, looking at the Mangekyou Mangekyō Sharingan in Itachi Uchiha's eyes, a sense of relief welled up within him. If Itachi hadn't been for his 'great sense of justice,' those eyes alone would likely have plunged Konoha into a bitter battle...

When Madara Uchiha left Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi was just a lowly Genin. However, the Susanoo, capable of rivaling Hashirama Senju, was one of the reasons why the Konoha High Command was unwilling to fully accept the Uchiha Clan.

After all, in their eyes, the Uchiha Clan were wolves in sheep's clothing, and the fact that everyone Uchiha Clan the clan could awaken a powerful force made them an extremely unstable entity...

"It's not that bad... After all, the village is peace-loving... If we can make peace with the Uchiha Clan, that would be ideal..."

"As for your father, keep a close eye on him these days..." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly, his expression relaxing a little as if he had resolved a major problem...

"Yes!"

After Itachi Uchiha completely left the Hokage Building, a man covered in bandages entered Hiruzen Sarutobi's office. Shimura Danzō Itachi Uchiha against his side; instead, his hatred for the Uchiha Clan only intensified...

"As expected of an evil clan, Itachi Uchiha, a traitor..." No one likes a Danzo. Even Danzo scoffed at the idea of a clan traitor like Itachi Uchiha before turning his gaze to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Their relationship was a mix of love and hate. No matter how big a mistake Shimura Danzō made, Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to forgive him, even though they had just argued yesterday. But now, the two acted as if nothing had happened, and were plotting against the Uchiha Clan again...

"The Uchiha Clan has no reason to exist anymore..." However, Shimura Danzō's words, filled with murderous intent, received no response from Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō never seemed to joke around. Sometimes they even appeared to be at odds, but at other times they seemed to have an unspoken understanding, knowing each other's meaning without saying a word.

Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi silent, only slowly puffing on his pipe as if he hadn't heard him, Shimura Danzō's eyes flashed with understanding.

He knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi had tacitly approved of him handling the matter...

"Hiruzen, has anyone ever told you that sometimes you're really hypocritical..." With a soft snort, Shimura Danzō left the office, leaving only the Third slamming his fist on the table and glaring fiercely at Danzo's Danzo figure...