Even though they were just at loggerheads, like fire and water, a moment ago.
However, after Danzo turned and left, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression quickly relaxed, and he silently lowered his eyes.
They had worked together for many years, and many things didn't need to be spoken aloud; a single glance was enough for them to understand each other.
After all, he also had his own stance and image to maintain as the Hokage.
It's just... another pair of Mangekyo Sharingan?
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought, a hint of apprehension rising within him.
He thought for a moment, then beckoned to his side.
Itachi Uchiha's figure quickly appeared, kneeling beside him, respectfully saying:
"Lord Third."
Although the intelligence he had seen in the past few days had seemingly overturned Itachi Uchiha's worldview, his demeanor in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi remained unchanged. In fact, after listening to the heated argument just now, he seemed even more subservient.
It was precisely because he understood the true face of the old man in front of him that Itachi Uchiha became even more cautious and careful.
"No need for formalities, Itachi-kun."
"You can relax a little in private."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was kind, and his tone was gentle, a complete contrast to how he was in front of Danzo:
"Don't worry, from the village's perspective, the Uchiha are an important force in Konoha. There are many children like you who are loyal to the village, and I won't allow Danzo to act recklessly."
"Lord Third, I..."
Itachi Uchiha pursed his lips, his expression under the mask subtly trembling, and he lowered his head slightly.
"You are a good child."
The Third sighed softly: "Now, a small group of bad people within the Uchiha clan are opposing the village, causing this situation... You must be very upset, too."
"Yes, Lord Third!"
Itachi Uchiha's tone suddenly became more serious, and he said sternly: "The current village absolutely cannot allow such rebels to exist! As a Konoha ninja, I will fulfill my responsibility."
Seeing him like this, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that things hadn't completely spiraled out of his control yet, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, though his tone remained unchanged:
"Very good, Itachi-kun."
"Konoha needs young people with the vision of the Hokage like you."
"Tell me, do you have any clues about the new Mangekyo owner?"
"Among the Uchiha clan, the only confirmed Mangekyo owner is Shisui-kun," Itachi Uchiha was also thinking about this. "However, it's probably precisely because Shisui-kun has now clearly joined the Anbu that the other Mangekyo user is hiding their identity."
"In a few days, it will be the Uchiha clan meeting. I will do my best to gather information related to it."
"I will also continue to monitor news from my father's side."
Listening to Itachi Uchiha's statement, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression grew even more gratified.
This was how the Uchiha clan should be.
Uchiha ninjas who belong to Konoha.
Itachi-kun is a good child, and a very good start.
The complete integration of the village and ninja clans is also an inevitable path.
He only hoped that his old bones could last until the day when young people like this took over as clan leader.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Itachi."
"Yes."
Itachi Uchiha still lowered his head, his gaze subtly deepening... "Hmph."
"That bastard Hiruzen."
As soon as he walked out of the Hokage's office, Danzo Shimura lost his confrontational demeanor from earlier. A cold light flashed in his single eye, but his expression was calm.
Even though he was just as wary as himself of that unknown Mangekyo, his words were still so high-sounding.
If he were Hokage, he would have crushed the Uchiha, that unstable factor, in its infancy.
Has he become softer with age, Hiruzen?
However, in that short conversation just now, the two had actually reached a consensus.
Since he couldn't do 'outrageous things,' it meant that as long as his actions were within a reasonable range, Hiruzen would find a way to clean up his mess.
So now the question is.
To what extent is 'outrageous'?
"Heh."
A barely perceptible murderous intent flashed across Danzo Shimura's face, and his steps grew heavier.
Those who dare to kill my Root members must be prepared to pay the price.
Furthermore.
As if thinking of something, Danzo Shimura's gaze gradually deepened again.
Although according to the Root ninjas' statements yesterday, Shisui Uchiha indeed remained inside the base and hadn't left a single step, his suspicion couldn't be ruled out for now.
Kotoamatsukami... that genjutsu, must be dealt with as soon as possible... The next day, the Uchiha clan received news that four squads of Konoha's outer perimeter guard had gone missing.
By the time all the bodies were recovered, it was several days later, with a total of sixteen deaths.
According to the Anbu's investigation report, the culprits were highly likely to be Cloud Village Anbu, with the aim of avenging the Cloud Village Anbu who died around Konoha during the previous Orochimaru pursuit operation.
However, such investigation reports were only for the villagers of Konoha to hear. The real parties involved, whether the Uchiha clan itself or relevant Konoha personnel, did not believe a single word of it.
Or rather, those who committed the crime didn't expect the Uchiha clan to believe it.
This provocation was blatant.
Naturally, this incident also became one of the biggest fuses to ignite this Uchiha clan meeting... "Fugaku--!"
"How much longer do we have to wait?!"
A roar suppressed with anger echoed in the underground secret room. The faint tremor caused the surrounding candlelight to flicker slightly. The speaker's nails were clenched so tightly they almost dug into his flesh, and his scarlet Sharingan stared directly at his fellow clansmen.
The old man who spoke was none other than Uchiha Setsuna, the leader of the Uchiha clan's hawk faction.
"Today, we cede five cities; tomorrow, ten cities... What has our step-by-step forbearance ultimately brought us to this day?"
"Wanton slaughter!"
"Shimaya, Mimura, Toyomi... These children grew up under my watch, yet now they have become mere corpses at the hands of those you call our own people."
"Are we going to continue to let such things happen?"
His voice was strong and resonant, his speech inherently highly inflammatory. Coupled with his personal identity and the recent events, whether it was the blatant surveillance of the Uchiha compound by the Root or the deaths of Uchiha police force members, all of it stirred the surrounding Uchiha clansmen.
Itachi Uchiha quietly watched his performance from his lower seat, his gaze coldly sweeping over the surrounding clansmen. Only when it passed over Shisui Uchiha did it pause slightly, and he shook his head inwardly.
'Heh.'
'Lord Third's guarantee, huh...'
Although Itachi Uchiha had somewhat expected the current outcome after seeing those documents, his inner feelings were still incredibly complex when the events actually unfolded before his eyes.
The ordinary clansmen might not know about the Root's attack, but the Uchiha clan's high-ranking members were undoubtedly well aware of it.
Although the mysterious second Mangekyo user had not yet come forward to admit their identity, both the hawk and dove faction leaders had, by tacit agreement, downplayed the impact of the Root's attack within the clan.
After all, Itachi, as an Uchiha, knew better than anyone else that everyone present at the clan's secret meeting, having awakened the Sharingan bloodline, did not have a normal mental state.
If uncertain news that could ignite public opinion were suddenly to break out, it would only cause the situation to spiral out of their control.
However, this also proved one thing.
Neither the dove faction nor the hawk faction had likely discovered the true identity of that 'unknown Mangekyo user.'
"Enough, Elder Setsuna."
Uchiha Fugaku, from the main seat at the very top, spoke in a cold voice, also meeting Uchiha Setsuna's gaze with his three-tomoe Sharingan: "The truth of the matter is still unclear. If it was the Root's doing, I, as clan leader, will demand justice from the Hokage."
"However... whether or not we have restrained our own people, whether or not we have maintained a stable status quo, is also an unknown."
"Elder Setsuna, I hope you understand what this truly means."
Uchiha Setsuna's mouth twitched.
Fugaku's words were practically accusing him of being unable to control his subordinates.
However, committing acts like assassinating Root members was undoubtedly the style of their hawk faction, yet even he, the hawk faction's leader, didn't know who did it.
Now, it was like eating bitter melon, a suffering he couldn't express.
Only his old mouth remained stubborn:
"So what!"
"In the end, isn't it because we are too weak? If we had started the previous plan earlier, now..."
The topic shifted, and the clan meeting returned to its usual track, with the hawk and dove factions debating whether to continue the coup plan.
Itachi Uchiha had always been uninterested in such old arguments, especially with the clan's strongest combatant on the surface, 'Uchiha Shisui,' representing the dove faction. Naturally, he zoned out as usual.
Sure enough.
Even after the clan meeting ended, both sides were still at loggerheads, with no results.
However, as soon as he walked out of the Naka Shrine, he heard a familiar voice from behind:
"Itachi-kun."
"Come with me for a moment."
Itachi Uchiha turned his head and saw Shisui-kun looking at him with a serious expression.
He was first a little puzzled, then immediately understood, nodded in agreement, and followed Shisui's footsteps.