Chapter 11: Uchiha Itachi Must Die
Konoha Village, Hokage Tower.
The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, smoking moodily.
Shimura Danzo stood opposite him, leaning on his cane with a dark expression.
Aburame Torune stood at Danzo's side, delivering his report.
"...In summary, Yamanaka Fu and five other Root shinobi have been confirmed killed in action. The enemy is the Uchiha's last remnant, Uchiha Itachi."
"Uchiha Itachi..." The Third's expression darkened, his suspicious gaze repeatedly circling Danzo.
"Danzo, since you already knew the intelligence, why didn't you report to me and let the village dispatch pursuers? Why send people privately instead?"
"Hmph!" Danzo heavily struck his cane against the floor, glaring furiously. "Hiruzen, how can you blame this on me?"
"If I told you, would you have believed me?"
"If you had even a shred more trust in me, you wouldn't have placed me under house arrest and sent Nara Shikaku to search Root for some Nine-Tails jinchuriki!"
"I've said it before—no Uchiha can be trusted!"
"Uchiha Itachi killed Sasuke and Konohamaru, stole Fugaku's Mangekyo Sharingan, and kidnapped the Nine-Tails jinchuriki."
"Everything proves he was deceiving us all along!"
"What loyalty to the village? All lies!"
"Once he fully integrates his assets and becomes a Nine-Tails jinchuriki with Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, his threat to the village will reach absurd levels."
"Hiruzen, stop hesitating! Issue the order immediately!"
"I'll personally lead the team. I'll definitely eliminate Uchiha Itachi and rescue the Nine-Tails jinchuriki!"
Seeing his old friend so proactive, the Third grew even more vigilant. He snorted coldly in warning:
"Hmph!"
"Don't think I don't know what you're scheming!"
"The Nine-Tails jinchuriki is a vital village asset. Root is absolutely forbidden from interfering!"
"And Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan won't fall into your hands either!"
"I'll arrange people to rescue the Nine-Tails jinchuriki myself. You stay obediently in the village. Without my orders, you are not to leave!"
"If the one who kidnapped the Nine-Tails jinchuriki truly is Uchiha Itachi, I'll naturally order his elimination."
"But you'd better be telling me the truth. If I discover you dare deceive me with false intelligence, don't blame me for being impolite!"
"Hiruzen, at this point you still suspect me!" Danzo's schemes thwarted, he flew into a rage, pounding his cane loudly on the floor.
"Your constant indecisiveness is what reduced the situation to this! If anything happens to the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, you must take full responsibility!"
"After this incident, we absolutely cannot leave the Nine-Tails jinchuriki wandering freely outside. Handing him to Root for management is most appropriate."
"I said no!" The Third slammed the desk, standing abruptly. "I am the Hokage!"
After Danzo glared back at the Third for a long moment, he ultimately could do nothing and stormed out angrily.
"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"
After Danzo left, the Third clutched his chest, gasping several breaths before recovering. After pondering briefly, he ordered:
"Summon Nara Shikaku!"
"Yes!"
The ANBU in the shadows acknowledged and vanished. Moments later, footsteps approached as Nara Shikaku knocked and entered.
"Hokage-sama, you called for me."
The Third waved him to sit, sighing: "Shikaku, we received intelligence from Danzo earlier. The one who kidnapped Naruto is Uchiha Itachi."
"To confirm this information, six Root shinobi including Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Ryoma were killed."
"Honestly, I'm unwilling to believe that boy Itachi would do such things."
"I'd rather believe Danzo deliberately framed him to obtain the Mangekyo Sharingan and Nine-Tails jinchuriki."
"But he's not in the village now, so I can't confirm with him face-to-face."
"You've always been steady and resourceful, so this time you'll lead the team to rescue the Nine-Tails jinchuriki. Also see whether that person is Uchiha Itachi, or if he has some unspeakable difficulties forcing him to do these things."
"Understood, Hokage-sama." Nara Shikaku hesitated before carefully confirming: "If these actions were truly done by Uchiha Itachi, then regarding his disposal..."
The Third didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stood, turning to face the window, gazing at the distant, deathly silent Uchiha compound. After a long moment, he finally sighed:
"They're all young people. Who hasn't made mistakes?"
"As long as his heart remains with the village and he's willing to return, everything past can be forgiven."
After a pause, he added: "Even if he really killed Konohamaru, the village won't pursue it."
"Abandon all previous plans. He doesn't need to investigate any mysterious organizations. Tell him to return to the village immediately and report."
Nara Shikaku's heart chilled. He quickly lowered his head.
"Understood."
"Rest assured, Hokage-sama. I'll convey your sentiments to him."
The Third nodded, turned to retrieve a document from the cabinet, and placed it before Nara Shikaku.
"This contains all intelligence regarding Uchiha Itachi, including his Mangekyo Sharingan techniques Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, plus complete information on Susanoo."
"This mission is extraordinary. Besides deploying the entire Ino-Shika-Cho formation, also bring the sealing squad prepared for Nine-Tails loss of control scenarios."
"If Itachi has truly betrayed us, then the village must eliminate all dangers while they're still budding."
"Yes, please rest assured, Hokage-sama."
After carefully reviewing the intelligence, Nara Shikaku returned the document, took the Hokage's signed orders, and left to assemble Ino-Shika-Cho and the sealing squad to prepare for rescuing the Nine-Tails jinchuriki.
Meanwhile, after returning to Root, Danzo immediately summoned Aburame Torune.
"Torune, when the Nine-Tails jinchuriki rescue team departs, take a squad and follow secretly."
"I understand Hiruzen too well. He's accustomed to playing dirty political games!"
"The Uchiha were a founding clan. The village needs traces of the Uchiha clan's existence."
"Not too many—that would threaten his power. One last survivor is perfect."
"Especially one with formidable strength who obeys his every command as Hokage."
"What a useful tool!"
"Just like the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, he keeps it tightly controlled, allowing no one else close."
"If the Nine-Tails jinchuriki is worth a hundred Konohamarus, then the Uchiha's last seedling is worth at least fifty."
"Never mind killing just one Konohamaru—even killing ten or eight more, he'd absolutely refuse to kill Uchiha Itachi!"
"This cannot be allowed!"
"Someone whose entire clan was eliminated by the village cannot possibly be loyal to it!"
"Uchiha Itachi must die!"
"Kill him and bring back the Nine-Tails jinchuriki!"