"Not bad… all actors, huh."
Uzumaki Shuji remained completely calm inside. This kind of petty tactic had no effect on him whatsoever. It was obvious these people were being forced into it. They didn't dare actually lay a hand on him. If this was all they could do, then it was aningless.
…
"They didn't make a move at all, Hiruzen."
Danzo Shimura was clearly dissatisfied with the clan heads' actions. He had wanted them to actually step in and beat Uzumaki Shuji, yet not a single one had acted.
Looks like they're giving face to Minato."
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled slowly. "Since they won't act, then your people will."
"Spread a rumor—tell everyone that Uzumaki Shuji is the true jinchūriki. Then arrange for an attack on him."
Hiruzen was irritated. The clan heads' behavior was a direct slight against him, but he couldn't push them too hard. Going too far would only breed resentnt.
In truth, he had also been testing whether any of those clans had secretly contacted the remnants of the Uzumaki clan. But now that none of them had acted, it beca harder to tell.
"Are we doing this for real?" Danzo asked.
If it looked fake, it would be obvious at a glance.
"Have Itachi Uchiha do it."
"He's no longer useful within the Uchiha. He's already being excluded. Even that organization called Akatsuki has approached him again recently."
"Let him attack Uzumaki Shuji, abduct him, then defect as a rogue ninja."
"Let's see if the one hiding in the shadows can still stay quiet."
Hiruzen's tone hardened.
The Uchiha clan couldn't be touched for now. That ant Itachi's value had dropped significantly, especially since he had lost the clan's trust. They didn't even call him to etings anymore—they openly excluded him.
So now, it was ti to squeeze out the last of his usefulness.
An Uchiha turning rogue and attacking a suspected jinchūriki—this would be the perfect excuse to target the Uchiha later.
"That will work." Danzo nodded.
Let the Uchiha and the Uzumaki tear each other apart.
"You handle Itachi," Hiruzen added. "Make sure he doesn't actually kill Uzumaki Shuji."
"If… the hidden enemy can be eliminated first, then Uzumaki Shuji's life doesn't matter."
Hiruzen didn't intend to personally get involved. After all, when dealing with Itachi, he had always played the righteous figure.
He might feel a trace of guilt for using Itachi as a tool—but when it ca ti to act, he would show no hesitation.
"Understood." Danzo accepted calmly.
This was normal. Many things in Konoha weren't entirely his responsibility—he simply carried them out. But he had his own plans as well.
Once Itachi captured Uzumaki Shuji, Danzo intended to take him for himself.
Control him.
Train him into a perfect tool.
He had never been truly loyal to Hiruzen. He had always wanted to overthrow him and take the Hokage's seat.
…
"To have attack a child…"
Itachi Uchiha frowned deeply.
Yes, he wanted to kill Uzumaki Shuji.
But if he did it as Itachi Uchiha, it would bring enormous trouble to the Uchiha clan.
Right now, the fragile balance between the clan and the village was barely holding. He didn't want to be the one to break it.
"Your father is already trying to change," Danzo said calmly. "He's been arresting those within the clan who oppose the village."
"But the Uchiha's influence is still too great. Many still harbor dangerous thoughts. This ti, the village plans to use this incident to suppress the Uchiha."
"After this, the Uchiha will no longer be a threat to Konoha. Only then can both sides truly coexist."
Itachi remained expressionless, but his silence showed he was thinking.
"So this is the final step?" he asked.
"As long as the Uchiha pose no threat to the village, there's no need to eliminate them," Danzo replied. "After this, your task will be to monitor the one calling himself Madara, and find the traitor who leaked information to the Uchiha."
"I can guarantee, on behalf of the Third Hokage, that your brother will not be involved."
Danzo's words were precise.
This ti, if they acted, Fugaku Uchiha would definitely not survive. They needed a more obedient leader.
And Itachi's weakness? Everyone knew it.
His little brother.
Danzo felt no guilt using that weakness against him.
"…Understood."
"I'll do it. Just make sure you keep your promise."
Itachi's face remained calm, but his clenched fists betrayed the pressure behind his decision.
"Make your move in two days. Monday, right? The day your brother gets beaten."
"You can take your revenge then. That brat has bullied your brother many tis."
"But I want him alive. My people will be waiting outside the village. Hand him over—that will be your final mission here."
Danzo spoke as if he were doing Itachi a favor.
His last warning was deliberate—he didn't want this emotionally unstable Uchiha to kill Uzumaki Shuji in a mont of rage.
After all, the Uchiha were known for losing control of their emotions.
That was exactly why Tobirama Senju had always been so wary of them.
They were walking ti bombs.
"Understood."
After responding, Itachi donned his mask and vanished with a Body Flicker.
"Return the surveillance around Uzumaki Shuji to normal. Gather at the northwest side of the village."
Danzo issued his orders imdiately.
"This ti… you won't even leave a corpse behind."
The mory of nearly being killed still burned within him.
This ti, he would repay it in full.
To Read 60 ahead advanced Chapters, head over to P@treon
patreon/DarkVerse146
User Comments
0 comments from readers