REVIEWS AND POWERSTONES PLSSS!!!!!Chapter 92: To Resist Foreign Aggression, Internal Stability Must Come First
Just because the Third had nothing to say didn't mean others agreed with Jiraiya's words. A voice suddenly rang out from the shadows.
"Lord Jiraiya, the Uchiha clan was narrow-minded, ignorant of the bigger picture, always wanting to usurp the village."
"Lord Hokage exterminating them was entirely appropriate."
Hearing this made Jiraiya's brow furrow. He turned toward the voice's source and saw an ANBU-dressed figure emerge from the shadows.
This person wore an ANBU mask with only the eyes exposed, revealing the familiar Sharingan pattern. However, only one eye remained crimson red—the other had completely dimmed, clearly blinded.
"You are..."
The person didn't answer, simply removing the mask to reveal a familiar face beneath.
"Itachi!"
"So it's you!"
Jiraiya suddenly understood. All the words filling his belly, he no longer knew how to say.
Here was an Uchiha speaking from personal experience, saying Lord Hokage killed rightly, killed well, killed without fault. As an outsider, even if he felt it inappropriate, what standing did he have to speak out?
Seeing this, Jiraiya snorted coldly and simply shut his mouth, saying nothing more.
Itachi continued:
"This conflict certainly has factors of the Akatsuki organization wanting to construct a new shinobi world order. But the most important reason was Uchiha Yasushi acting for personal gain, deliberately taking the Nine-Tails to the Land of Rain, thereby triggering conflict between the two countries and deliberately directing the conflict toward Konoha."
"Otherwise, according to the Akatsuki organization's plan, they would spend several years gradually accumulating strength before finally launching the Ten-Tails revival plan."
"Moreover, even when the plan began, they would definitely start with the weakest Sunagakure first, with Konoha coming last."
"If following this sequence, Konoha could have cultivated many more powerful shinobi during years of recovery, and wouldn't be as passive as now."
"Based on my understanding of Uchiha personalities, he won't let this go. There will definitely be more revenge actions targeting Konoha later."
"Rather than passively waiting for trouble to arrive, we should strike first—gather our forces and kill him first."
After hearing this, both the Third and Jiraiya couldn't help but furrow their brows deeply, not quite agreeing with Itachi's words, thinking he was being alarmist.
"Itachi, I know your thinking is for the village's good. But you must understand that right now, all nations are taking advantage of our misfortune to launch coordinated attacks against us."
"The village has suffered too many casualties and lost the Nine-Tails. Our strength is severely insufficient—we can barely resist invasion, let alone pursue rogue ninja."
"This matter requires long-term planning. We can discuss it again after repelling the invading enemies from various nations."
Itachi urgently advised: "Lord Hokage, Uchiha Yasushi absolutely won't let this go."
"He deeply understands Konoha's power, knows he alone cannot possibly destroy Konoha—that's why he ran to cling to the Akatsuki organization."
"He definitely won't sit back and watch us repel the Four Nations' invasion, nor will he wait for us to be fully prepared before launching a counterattack against him."
The Third shook his head, interrupting Itachi's words, sighing: "Too many lice don't itch; too many debts don't worry."
"The current Konoha is already surrounded by powerful enemies. One more Uchiha Yasushi doesn't matter."
Hearing the Third say this, Itachi had no choice but to stop speaking.
The room fell into silence for a time. After a long while, the Third sighed heavily:
"The village becoming like this—I cannot escape responsibility."
"I've already sent people to find Tsunade. When she returns, I'll relinquish the Hokage position and let Tsunade lead Konoha."
"Now that Danzo is also dead, Root is half-crippled, all clans have suffered heavy losses. The village urgently needs your strength."
"Jiraiya, you should return too. Together with Tsunade, completely change Konoha's current situation."
After hearing this, Jiraiya immediately hesitated.
His reason for wandering everywhere searching for the so-called savior was partly due to the Great Toad Sage's "prophecy" influence. But another aspect was because he felt Konoha was beyond saving—completely unable to shoulder the heavy responsibility of shinobi world peace.
But if Tsunade took power with him assisting, without the major clans holding them back... perhaps Konoha could improve?
But before he could make up his mind, chaotic footsteps sounded outside the door.
"Lord Hokage, terrible news! Lady Tsunade was ambushed on her way back by Uchiha Yasushi and Orochimaru and unfortunately died in battle!"
"What?!"
Jiraiya cried out in shock, rushing forward quickly to grab Shizune's shoulders, shaking her vigorously.
"What exactly happened?"
"Ah, Lord Jiraiya, you're hurting me!" Shizune cried out in pain, tears flowing immediately.
"Ah, sorry, I was too anxious." Jiraiya quickly released her, inviting Shizune into the office.
Shizune didn't conceal anything, recounting the situation in complete detail. When they heard Uchiha Yasushi say "As long as Konoha doesn't disband, this isn't over," the Third angrily pounded the table.
"Arrogant!"
"Too arrogant!"
"A mere Uchiha dares such brazen words!"
He couldn't help looking toward Itachi again, remembering what Itachi had just said.
"Lord Hokage, only Uchiha understand Uchiha!"
Itachi quickly pulled the topic back, continuing to persuade:
"Yasushi's vengeful heart is extremely heavy, and he acts with absolutely no bottom line. To achieve his goals, he'll do anything."
"Just as he said, he doesn't need to attack us head-on. He only needs to continuously ambush our village's shinobi executing missions outside, and naturally he can cause enormous harm to the village."
"He thoroughly understands our Konoha's operational style and classified intelligence. Under his random killing harassment, all our defensive and counterattack strategies might inexplicably be destroyed by him."
"This kind of attack comes suddenly, is completely random, and fundamentally cannot be defensively targeted."
"Therefore, to return the village to normal war status, we must eliminate Uchiha Yasushi first!"
"Hmm..." The Third took a deep drag on his pipe, then slowly exhaled the smoke. White smoke gathered without dispersing, gradually obscuring the Third's face.
The Third's features hid behind the smoke, blurry and indistinct, impossible for others to see clearly.
After a long moment, the Third finally made up his mind. He rose abruptly, speaking decisively:
"Itachi is right. To resist foreign aggression, internal stability must come first. We must eliminate the rogue ninja Uchiha Yasushi first!"
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