"Exactly. Danzo is dangerous, so you can't let your guard down. Shino knows this best—Danzo targeted him as a child, personally demanding the Aburame clan head's son. Shibi didn't even dare refuse, and in the end, Shino's friend Torune took his place and entered Root.
"Shino lost his friend and glimpsed Danzo's darkness, so he's done everything to keep my secret as his friend.
"And it wasn't just Shino. Prodigies from all the great families were, to varying degrees, eyed by Danzo and requisitioned. Only the Hyuga escaped because of their Juinjutsu: Caged Bird (Cursed Seal of the Caged Bird)."
Natsuki's voice grew heavy, tinged with disgust.
Clearly, Danzo sickened him to the core. For a man like that to be village leadership—the so-called 'root' of Konoha—how could Konoha not rot?
"Why didn't anyone resist?" Sasuke couldn't understand.
"Because Hiruzen backed him. Hiruzen was powerful, and the four leaders monopolized authority. The clans couldn't unite, so they were suppressed. Politics isn't solved by hot blood alone. The Uchiha were the only ones hard enough to push back—and Danzo never forgot that."
"Danzo… that old thief…"
Sasuke clenched his fists, jaw tight—itching to tear the old man to pieces.
But Natsuki still hadn't said where Danzo was, so he forced himself to keep listening.
Natsuki actually chuckled. "Here's something you might not know: the great clans loathe Danzo. But after the clan massacre, they turned into frightened birds—afraid the next 'wipeout' would be theirs.
"In truth, many want Danzo dead—some would happily see all four leaders gone.
"When Hiruzen was trapped by Orochimaru's Shishienjin (Four Violet Flames Formation)—are you sure no one could save him? Or was it that no one wanted to? Did they want Hiruzen gone?
"Danzo used to strut about like he owned the place. Why did he hole up after Hiruzen died? Because he feared the clans would denounce him.
"Koharu and Homura still dare to hog power in public—only because they aren't as hated as Danzo. But make no mistake, they're complicit. And Tsunade-sama's been trying to push those two fossils out for ages. They keep blocking her reforms and propping up Danzo—even while he colludes with Orochimaru. For profit, they'll trip Tsunade-sama at every step."
"Tumors—the lot of them! They all deserve to die!"
Sasuke's killing intent was thick. "So—where is Danzo? You still haven't said!"
Natsuki didn't rush. "I get wanting to kill him for revenge. But in my eyes, that's the dumbest way to avenge someone. If you want a man to die in pain, first make him lose what he treasures most. Danzo's dream is to be Hokage—he'd accept infamy and any means to get it. That's his obsession. So if we shatter that dream, he'll suffer more than death. Then killing him will actually be satisfying."
Sasuke's interest sparked. "What's your plan?"
Natsuki grinned. "Simple. Expose everything. Make him infamous. He harmed clan prodigies, colluded with Orochimaru to kidnap villagers for experiments, even tried to assassinate Sandaime. That's treason. We ally with Tsunade-sama and brand Danzo a missing-nin. Then forget 'Hokage'—the village won't even accept him.
"Fight for a lifetime; end with nothing. Watch your greatest obsession crumble—that hurts more than death.
"Then you finish him. You'll avenge your brother and be hailed a hero."
Sasuke shook his head. "I don't care about being a hero. I just want revenge. We can try your method—I want Danzo to die in agony. If your plan fails, I'll find him and cut him down myself."
"But Itachi's wish was for you to become Konoha's hero," Natsuki said softly.
"Huh? Nii-san… that's what he wanted?" Sasuke couldn't believe it.
"Isn't it obvious? He was an S-rank missing-nin, and now he's dead by your hand. That makes you the village's hero. That's why he fought you—to die to you, so his beloved little brother could live in his beloved village as a hero. Isn't that it?"
"Nii-san…"
Sasuke bowed his head, eyes drowning in grief.
He thought it through, analyzed it—and realized Natsuki might be right.
At last, he nodded. "If that's what my brother wanted, I'll do it. Also, Koharu and Homura—Danzo's accomplices—must be dragged off their seats. They spent a lifetime chasing power; let them lose everything in old age. Chances are they'll wither away before I even lift a hand."
"You finally used your head. That's the plan." [014704012 Faloo 024282560]
Natsuki gave a big thumbs-up.
Sasuke only shook his head. In his mind, Natsuki was the clever one, not him.
Left to himself, he'd have hunted Danzo and cut him down. He might even have lashed out at Konoha in madness.
Thankfully, Natsuki had talked him down. He no longer hated Konoha as a whole—only the true culprits. And Natsuki's plan would make the enemy suffer and fulfill his brother's wish. That was probably the best outcome.
They sipped tea in silence.
After a long while, Sasuke's emotions settled completely.
Only then did he speak again. "Natsuki… I feel like you don't really love the village. Yet you've worked so hard to talk me out of attacking it. Why?"
"Oh? You caught that."
Natsuki smiled. "You're right—I don't feel much for Konoha. Its leadership is rotten—weak outward, tyrannical inward. It's ugly. The villagers are… foolish. They chase rumors and persecute people. Konoha no Shiroi Kiba (Konoha's White Fang) died to public opinion. Even Naruto—that kind kid—was bullied constantly. What's so great about such a village?"
Sasuke stared, then slowly nodded. "So… you're doing this for… what?"
Natsuki's smile turned sincere. "For Tenten, I guess. And for friends like Shino, Shikamaru, and Chōji. Because they love Konoha. The shopkeeper—my father-in-law—loves Konoha. We're surrounded by neighbors. Some are awful, sure—but there are many warm, kind people too. With them here… maybe the village is worth protecting."
Sasuke fell silent and looked up at the blue sky.
Maybe Natsuki was right.
There's plenty to hate in Konoha—but there are people worth protecting. For him, that meant Naruto, Kakashi, Natsuki, and all who'd helped him. They were worth guarding.
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