"Bastard!"
After the meeting predictably ended on a sour note, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been suppressing his anger, finally lost his temper when he saw Danzo Shimura sitting across from him. He slammed his teacup to the ground and roared:
"Danzo, what exactly do you want to do?!"
"At this point, don't you think the situation in the Village is chaotic enough?"
"You know that Bloodline Limits are their Achilles' heel, so why did you choose to bring it up at a time like this?"
"Do you really want to force them to start a Shinobi Clans civil war like the Hidden Mist?"
What kind of incompetent ally is this?!
Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to lose it.
As the leader of a considerable Ninja Clan, how could Hiruzen Sarutobi not understand the current mindset of the various Shinobi Clans' leaders?
First, the Uchiha and Hyuga were both damaged, then it was exposed that the Hokage's high-ranking officials were plotting to seize Bloodline Limits, and now, in a meeting, they were openly shouting slogans about replacing Bloodline Shinobi Clans.
Bloodline Limits were the only absolutely monopolized resource for the major Shinobi Clans within Konoha Village.
Even the various secret Ninjutsu and industries derived from them could be set aside; they were the core of the core interests of all Shinobi Clans, and no one was allowed to touch them in the slightest.
Even the Senju cell experiments back then were done under the guise of helping the Senju Clan reclaim their own Bloodline inheritance.
But you, on the other hand, open your mouth and want to take away their lifeblood?
If it weren't for that old bastard Danzo Shimura representing the Hokage's faction, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have loved to take him down on the spot to see if this fool had been bribed by other Villages.
"Hiruzen, you are just too weak!"
Danzo Shimura showed no sign of backing down in the face of Hiruzen Sarutobi's roar; instead, he looked completely justified:
"Haven't you understood their expressions just now?"
"They just want us, the successors of the Hokage's faction, to retreat step by step, constantly dividing our power!"
"Who among their rank didn't know about the Senju cell research back then? My Root has plenty of people from the Yamanaka and Aburame Clans; as Clan leaders, how could they not know I was collecting Sharingan?"
"They know everything!"
"So why didn't they unite before, and why won't they unite later, but only now are they coming to coerce you?"
"It's because they're scared."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression froze at his absurd argument.
Danzo Shimura, however, grew more confident as he spoke, slamming his hand on the table with a look of deep regret:
"The Uchiha attempted a coup, what was the result?"
"The Hyuga attempted to rebel, what was the result?"
"They clearly saw the power of our Hokage's faction, saw the legacy Teacher Tobirama left after twenty years of cultivation, saw the noose around their necks tightening, and knew that if they didn't start resisting now, they would die!"
"So they united! So they resisted!"
"But precisely at a time like this, our attitude must be even firmer! Your attitude as Hokage must be even stronger!"
"We must tell them that the families who inherited Bloodline Limits are no longer irreplaceable monopolies!"
"Even if we kill them all, we can still, with our technical capabilities, recreate ten! A hundred new Bloodline families!"
"What kind of appearance is it to be so indecisive as you are?!"
A vein throbbed on Hiruzen Sarutobi's temple, and his voice rose a notch: "You say it so easily! Ten, a hundred Bloodline families! We've only just succeeded with one Aizen Sōsuke, where does your confidence come from?"
"Moreover, you've offended so many Shinobi Clans without explanation; have you considered the consequences?"
"What is Konoha like now? Do you think we are still the powerful Ninja Village that Teacher Tobirama left behind after his death?"
"Finances, military, population structure, villager morale! Can these be the same as back then?"
"During the last Great Ninja War, we even sent children who hadn't graduated from the Ninja Academy to the front lines; how many more people do you think we have to squander?!"
"If a civil war starts now, what if other Ninja Villages attack?"
"We're not the Hidden Mist, isolated overseas!"
Danzo Shimura, however, stared at him intently, not backing down an inch:
"Then we fight!"
"Conscript everyone from six to sixty, kill the Shinobi Clans first, and then show a posture of destroying at least two Ninja Villages to perish together!"
"I don't believe the other four great nations can remain a united front!"
"The worst outcome is merely returning to the Sengoku period; can the situation be any worse than it was then?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed at him, his beard trembling, gnashing his teeth:
"Simply incomprehensible!"
"Say what you will, but we absolutely cannot back down against these Shinobi Clans." Danzo Shimura's attitude remained firm. "Not only that, I will protect Aizen Sōsuke at all costs!"
"Since there's already one new Bloodline Limit, there will be a second, a third... Do you really think those Shinobi Clans are so stubborn?"
"Once they see the results of technological development and realize they can no longer monopolize Bloodline Limits and secret Ninjutsu, they will naturally accept their fate, just as they did when Teacher Tobirama founded the Ninja Academy!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi gradually fell silent.
He knew what Danzo was referring to.
Back then, after the Ninja Village was just founded, Senju Tobirama, as the Second Hokage, and the various Shinobi Clans, indeed went through an extremely fierce struggle, repeatedly on the brink of civil war.
Many of the current creations within Konoha Village, whether the Anbu and Root directly under the Hokage, or the Ninja Academy that could recruit civilian Ninja, were all valuable legacies left by Teacher Tobirama.
— In the Sengoku era, no one would teach precious Ninjutsu and Chakra refinement methods to commoners whose lives were as cheap as grass.
Thinking this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart wavered slightly.
He understood Danzo's meaning.
Today's artificial Bloodline is equivalent to the precious Ninjutsu inheritance of the past.
Danzo wants to use this method to gradually gather all the resources monopolized by the Shinobi Clans back into the hands of the Hokage.
In essence, this is an action that benefits the Hokage's faction.
But... will he win?
Thinking this, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into silence.
Danzo Shimura, however, did not say more and strode out of the room.
"That's roughly the situation."
After recounting what happened at the meeting, Itachi Uchiha knelt on the ground. His expression still held a clear sense of confusion as he cautiously asked Aizen Sōsuke, who was seated at the head:
"Although this subordinate can understand that Danzo Shimura seems to want to use this method to pressure us Shinobi Clans."
"However, in this subordinate's opinion, it would seem more mature to feign compliance at the meeting, quickly invest resources in private, rapidly achieve widespread artificial Bloodline Limits, and once the results gradually mature, then employ a strategy of pulling the rug out from under the Shinobi Clans."
"But I don't know why Danzo Shimura chose such aggressive methods to be so forceful with the various Shinobi Clans when the time is not yet ripe."
"I've thought it over and over and still can't understand; there must be some hidden reason. I hope Lord Aizen can enlighten this subordinate."
As one of the attendees of this meeting, Itachi Uchiha naturally had his own thoughts on the current situation in the Village.
Ever since his father's death, and witnessing firsthand Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude towards Shisui Uchiha and himself, the 'hero,' as well as the change in the Uchiha Clan's treatment, Itachi Uchiha's mindset had become increasingly like that of a mature adult.
To be precise, he no longer harbored any naive illusions about anyone, as he did in the past.
However, even so, there were still many, many things he couldn't understand.
"Itachi-kun."
"Yes."
Itachi Uchiha looked up and saw Aizen Sōusuke, who was seated at the desk, gracefully brewing a pot of tea. He gently poured a cup for him, pushed it forward, and smiled kindly:
"We have plenty of time."
"In any case, have a cup of black tea first."
"6"
"Yes."
Itachi Uchiha then rose from the floor and cautiously sat across the table, only perching on half of the seat, ready to stand up and respond at any moment.
However, seeing Lord Aizen's leisurely demeanor, he unconsciously felt himself relax a bit, no longer as tense as before.
Lord Aizen always seems to have everything under control, no matter what the situation.
Could it be that even the current situation is completely within his grasp?
Almost instinctively, this thought popped into Itachi Uchiha's mind.
Aizen picked up the teacup in front of him, took a light sip, and smiled like a teacher, dissecting the motives behind the action for him, as a butcher carves an ox:
"For fools, sometimes even deep thought is a cruelty—unless he is a bad person, and you want to punish him."
"Danzo Shimura's actions actually have no other purpose."
"At this time, he should indeed stand from the perspective of the Hokage's faction's interests and make concessions with the Shinobi Clans to buy crucial time."
"But while he is a representative of the Hokage's faction's interests, he is also an individual who has just awakened from the Kotoamatsukami Genjutsu, discovered that his power has been severely encroached upon by Hiruzen Sarutobi, suffered significant losses to his influence, and urgently needs to find a new breakthrough to restore his strength, thus representing his own interests."
"Therefore, even knowing that the Village's internal conflicts are extremely fierce and a civil war could break out at any moment, he chose to abandon the public interest of the Hokage's faction and firmly prioritize his own private interests."
"That's all."
Itachi Uchiha, who had just picked up his teacup, froze at these words and looked at him with some confusion.
After a moment's pause, he heard him ask in a small, almost disbelieving voice:
"Then... didn't he consider what would happen if the Hokage's faction were overthrown, or if the Village's strength were greatly weakened by internal strife, and then faced an external crisis?"
Even a child like him could understand.
Konoha, situated in a four-way battleground, doesn't have the natural geographical advantage of the Hidden Mist, which is isolated overseas.
Aizen's smile deepened as he listened to the question:
"He doesn't care."
"As long as he alone can win."
"Then he doesn't care what the cost will be."
Listening to this sharp, penetrating critique that tore through all disguises, Uchiha Itachi's hand, gripping the teacup, tightened.
That's right.
As long as one viewed Danzo Shimura's actions with this perspective, everything became logical and reasonable.
Danzo Shimura truly loved Konoha.
However, his love was like Uchiha Obito's love for Rin Nohara.
What Danzo Shimura cherished was always 'his Konoha' alone.
"Hoo—"
After understanding this point, Uchiha Itachi let out a long breath, a bitter smile inadvertently appearing on his still-youthful face, which looked somewhat prematurely aged beneath his nascent nasolabial folds.
He should have realized it sooner, shouldn't he?
Just like when he was once loyal to Hiruzen Sarutobi, only for the reality to be completely different from what he expected.
Uchiha Itachi gently blew on the steam rising from his teacup, his mind growing calm. He took a small sip, then asked:
"Then, Aizen-sama… what should we do now?"
"The time should be almost here."
Aizen set down his teacup and suddenly spoke.
Uchiha Itachi looked up at him, puzzled.
"Whoosh."
Just as he was looking, he heard the soft sound of a door opening from outside.
Kabuto Yakushi entered, first smiling and nodding to Aizen, then stepping aside to reveal two Root Ninja behind him.
Aizen Sōsuke also stood up, continuing to speak in a persuasive tone as he walked out:
"At a time like this, we must learn to utilize the opportunities he provides."
"Itachi-kun."
He turned his head, looking at the young man behind him, his smile as warm as ever:
"Power, after all, is not only used to 'kill enemies'."
"I hope you remember this point."
"Especially when you have a sufficiently clear objective."
Uchiha Itachi looked at this scene with a hint of bewilderment.
Immediately after, he noticed the two Root Ninja following Kabuto Yakushi; their movements were indistinguishable from ordinary people, but the eyes exposed beneath their masks were blank, like puppets.
At this moment, Itachi almost understood.
He stood up from his seat and bowed slightly in the direction of Aizen-sama:
"I will bear your teachings in mind, my lord."
Danzo Shimura acted quickly.
Or rather, at such a critical moment, he could not tolerate any variables in his plan.
Almost immediately after leaving the Hokage Building, he issued an order to his Root Ninja to summon Aizen Sōsuke.
Although he had just argued with Hiruzen Sarutobi, this order, when delivered to the Third Office of the Hokage Building, passed without obstruction.
In a way, this was also a tacit approval.
Thus, Aizen Sōsuke, surrounded by three Root Ninja, walked step by step into the sunless Root base.
However, despite being surrounded by several notorious Root Ninja, Aizen, walking in the center of the three, seemed to be the master of this base, always wearing a composed smile.
As they passed the third security gate, a figure in white clothes and white hair happened to walk from the opposite end of the corridor.
Noticing the approaching figure, Hiruko instinctively stopped, quietly watching the person surrounded in the center, walking towards him step by step.
Aizen Sōsuke.
The moment he saw the other party, Hiruko recognized his former student.
But for some reason,
Even though the young man humbly nodded to him with a smile, a strong chill inexplicably rose in Hiruko's heart.
This was neither due to his position about to be usurped, nor the faint jealousy he felt towards a genius researcher, but a deeper, more familiar… perhaps, the same sense of fear he felt when facing Orochimaru back then?
This did not originate from himself.
It was more like a slightly special intuition brought by the Chimera Technique, or an instinctive sense of danger.
It was as if the moment he saw him, he had been subjected to an unusually strong Ninjutsu radiation.
So, Hiruko's gaze lingered on him for a moment.
Aizen Sōsuke seemed to notice his gaze.
He turned his head towards Hiruko, smiling gently as always:
"Good day, Hiruko-sama."
"Hmph."
Hiruko did not respond, passing him with a cold face.
What a strange fellow.
Soon.
Aizen and his three companions arrived at Danzo Shimura's office.
The moment the door opened, they saw Danzo Shimura standing with his back to them, hands clasped behind his back. His dark kimono blended with the dim shadows, with only a wall of books in front of him emitting an eerie glow.
Lining the doorway were eight fully equipped Root Ninja.
The entire room was silent, so much so that even breathing was barely perceptible.
It was as if those standing there were merely lifeless statues.
The entire space seemed to have been drained of life, with only the faint light flowing across the book wall, cutting Danzo's figure into geometric shapes of light and shadow.
The oppressive atmosphere was overwhelming.
Danzo Shimura maintained this pose for about ten seconds, his gaze slowly sliding from the book wall in front of him to the young man who had been quietly waiting behind him:
"Aizen Sōsuke."
"To reach this point as a civilian Ninja, your wisdom and perseverance have truly impressed this old man."
"As the pioneer of artificial Bloodline Limits, the Village will always remember your contributions."
"Danzo-sama, you flatter me."
Aizen Sōsuke remained humble and polite, bowing slightly in his direction, neither arrogant nor impatient.
Looking at his composed demeanor, Danzo Shimura seemed even more satisfied: "This is not flattery, but an achievement you have genuinely earned."
"This old man can tell you clearly that your research products are of immense use to the current Konoha."
"To commend your achievements, this old man plans to entrust you with Root's most important First Laboratory, specifically to be in charge of Bloodline research projects."
"Whether it's resources, products, or experimental subjects, this old man can arrange them for you."
"What Hiruzen Sarutobi cannot give you, I will give you—as long as your research can continue to advance."
Hearing this, a joy unique to a researcher finally appeared on Aizen Sōsuke's face, standing in the center of the hall.
It was the delight of having one's achievements recognized and deciding to invest heavily in them.
He seemed to involuntarily raise his head, looking at the old man in front of him, his tone even slightly agitated, and he bowed deeply, saying:
"Thank you for your commendation, Danzo-sama!"
"Your subordinate will certainly do his utmost."
Looking at his naive appearance, a cold smile inadvertently appeared on Danzo Shimura's face, his voice calm:
"However, before that."
"This old man also has a request."
Aizen Sōsuke's joyful expression seemed to freeze, and he subconsciously raised his head, looking in his direction.
Almost the moment he looked up.
"Whoosh—!"
An old, withered hand, like an eagle's claw, suddenly covered his crown.
At the same time, the eight Anbu Ninja standing around like statues also simultaneously completed their hand seals.
"Chh chh chh!"
On the dimly lit floor, several sealing marks, radiating from these eight individuals, shot towards Aizen Sōsuke, connecting like ink at his feet, suddenly fixing his figure in place.
Aizen Sōsuke's expression almost solidified at this instant.
A calm smile slowly appeared on Danzo Shimura's face. He looked down at the young man in front of him, revealing his true intentions:
"That is—hand over your loyalty!"
A suspicious and cautious person like him, ever since he learned to survive in the shadows, would never fully entrust the blade of trust to anyone.
What's more, what this young man held in his hands was a peerless weapon that could potentially turn the tide for the entire Konoha!
In an instant, countless sealing patterns, like slender snakes, climbed onto his body, completely covering his skin, connecting directly to Danzo Shimura's five fingers pressed on his crown.
Watching this scene, feeling the Chakra in his hand connect with the young man's thoughts in front of him, a sinister smile gradually appeared on Danzo Shimura's aged face:
"Let this old man see."
"Aizen."
"Your deepest ambition!"
The next moment.
His thoughts sank into the darkness, gradually beginning to intertwine with countless other thoughts.
"Thoughts."
The reddish-brown liquid on the surface of the teacup rippled faintly with a subtle gentle blow, peeling away layers of rising steam.
Aizen Sōsuke sat calmly at Danzo Shimura's large desk, picking up the freshly brewed black tea and taking a small sip.
Looking at the scene before him.
The eight Root Ninja of the sealing squad all maintained their hand seals.
Danzo Shimura, in their center, held his hand outstretched, his entire body wrapped in sealing patterns, his face tilted upwards, his eyes rolled back, as if seeing some joyful illusion, his mouth stretched into a grotesque grin, his whole body trembling as if in an epileptic fit.
Even Kabuto Yakushi, beside him, couldn't help but grimace with a hint of disgust at Danzo Shimura's foolish and ugly appearance, and he quietly asked with a touch of helplessness:
"Aizen-sama."
"Do we really need to humor this kind of person?"
He always felt that if Aizen-sama spoke, taking control of the entire Root right now wouldn't be difficult.
"Of course, Kabuto-kun."
However, Aizen Sōsuke's reply made him pause.
He still smiled gently, speaking unhurriedly:
"Everything must be put to good use."
"Until the last drop of blood from Danzo's staunch supporters is shed, we will remain eternally loyal to Danzo Shimura-sama."
"Do you understand?"
Hearing this, Kabuto Yakushi's displeased expression gradually receded, and the false smile returned to his youthful face. He nodded and replied:
"Yes, my lord."