Yoruha nodded, "I've improved a bit." Tsunade asked, "You're not lying to me, are you?" Yoruha chuckled, "I wouldn't dare lie to the Hokage."
Tsunade replied coldly, "Don't be so flippant. But since you were delayed due to training, I'll let it slide." Tsunade had no intention of punishing them, even though they were technically negligent. After all, they had saved the village of Konoha. A few scoldings would suffice.
Then, Tsunade turned to Sasuke, "And what about you, Sasuke? What's your excuse?" Yoruha glanced at Sasuke with a grin, making Sasuke's scalp tingle. It was the first time he felt this kind of pressure with so many eyes on him. Normally, he was someone who never made mistakes and mostly received praise from Tsunade.
This was his first time being reprimanded by Tsunade, and with so many people watching, the pressure was indeed intense. The schadenfreude from the guy next to him was particularly irritating.
Nevertheless, he said, "Hokage-sama, I've dealt with Itachi Uchiha. I stayed outside because there were some things I couldn't figure out." Tsunade was taken aback, "You dealt with Itachi Uchiha? And what couldn't you figure out?"
Tsunade was unaware of the true events behind the Uchiha clan's massacre. The two Hokage advisors beside her felt a bit tense but remained silent, watching quietly.
This matter was a top-secret among Konoha's higher-ups. Only Danzo, the two advisors, and the Third Hokage knew. Sitting behind them, Kakashi, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Guy all looked at Sasuke with puzzled expressions.
Kakashi seemed deep in thought, while Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Guy were genuinely confused. Despite being the Third Hokage's son, Asuma Sarutobi had a strained relationship with him and even joined the Twelve Guardian Ninja in opposition to his father. Although he eventually returned to Konoha, he still didn't fully agree with his father.
Naturally, the Third Hokage hadn't shared Konoha's dirty secrets with Asuma Sarutobi. As for Kurenai Yuhi and Guy, they were simply bewildered. Tsunade had no idea what Sasuke had learned that troubled him.
Sasuke glanced at Yoruha, who nodded, prompting Sasuke to say, "I learned the truth about the Uchiha clan's massacre." Tsunade was stunned, as was everyone else except Yoruha and the two advisors. Tsunade frowned at Sasuke, "Wasn't the Uchiha clan's massacre carried out by Itachi Uchiha?"
Tsunade considered this possibility. Sasuke realized that everyone present was part of the Hokage's circle, and despite the presence of the two advisors, with Yoruha and Kakashi there, and his trust in Tsunade, he decided to reveal the truth about the Uchiha clan's massacre. After a long explanation, Sasuke finished recounting the truth.
Everyone gasped in shock. Even the two advisors felt a chill. Although they had once advised the Third Hokage to eliminate the Uchiha clan, they abandoned the idea after the Third Hokage rejected it.
They hadn't been involved in the subsequent events and never imagined things would turn out this way. Tsunade was left in a daze after hearing it all.
She never expected that the Third Hokage, whom she had always respected, could be such a person.
It was too terrible, and the whole situation had spiraled out of control due to his weakness. Tsunade sat down with a heavy heart. Seeing Tsunade like this made her feel pained; she could imagine how much Sasuke must have suffered upon learning the truth.
Yet, despite everything, Sasuke still returned to the village to help. Tsunade knew she hadn't chosen wrong. At least it proved that Sasuke didn't blame the entire village for the Uchiha clan massacre.
Kakashi and the others were equally shocked. They were utterly taken aback when they learned the truth about the Uchiha clan massacre and how the Konoha leadership handled it. They were shocked at how extreme the Konoha leadership had been, even more so than the supposedly extreme Uchiha clan. Could the Uchiha clan, which Itachi Uchiha managed to eliminate alone, really have caused Konoha such heavy losses?
Itachi Uchiha was only 13 at the time. For such a Uchiha clan, the first thought of the Konoha leadership was extermination. It was terrifying to think about—if other clans made a mistake, would they face the same fate?
Moreover, the Uchiha clan hadn't produced any rogue ninjas for years. Although they often offended people in Konoha due to their role as the police force, the four of them didn't really have any ill feelings towards the Uchiha clan. Not to mention Kakashi, who even received one of his eyes from an Uchiha.
Asuma Sarutobi, despite being the Third Hokage's son, didn't harbor any resentment towards the Uchiha either. After all, no matter how reckless the Uchiha police force was, they wouldn't offend the Hokage's son.
Kurenai Yuhi even had a favorable impression of the Uchiha clan. Both clans excelled in genjutsu, and many of the Yuhi clan's techniques were closely related to those of the Uchiha. The two families had frequent exchanges and maintained a good relationship.
As for Guy, he didn't overthink things. Meanwhile, Naruto felt like his world was collapsing. He never imagined that the Third Hokage, whom he saw as so kind and gentle, could have done such a thing.
He looked at Sasuke, thinking, "What kind of psychological pressure must Sasuke be under?" At that moment, he felt immense sympathy for Sasuke. He thought his own life was tragic for growing up without parents.
But Sasuke had a perfect family, only to have it wiped out by his own brother—the entire clan exterminated. And the Third Hokage, who Sasuke might have considered an important figure in Konoha after the massacre, was involved in the tragedy.
Even if the Third Hokage didn't give the order directly, his weakness and inaction provided Danzo with an excuse. No matter what, the Third Hokage couldn't escape responsibility, though he wasn't as extreme as Danzo. Sakura looked at Sasuke, tears already streaming down her face.
She couldn't imagine her man going through such painful experiences. Right now, she really wanted to hug Sasuke. She wanted to tell him that he still had her.
After Tsunade sat down, she looked at Sasuke, unsure of what to say. After all, Konoha had wronged Sasuke, and as the Third Hokage's successor, she didn't know what to say. It was difficult to say anything.
No one spoke, and the tent fell into a deathly silence. After a long while, Yoruha broke the silence. "In this matter, the Uchiha clan and Sasuke have indeed been wronged.
"Hokage-sama, we should indeed clear the Uchiha clan's name, restore their honor, and bring the culprit, Danzo, to justice. "I encountered Orochimaru outside; he wanted to capture the Three-Tails and even used the Impure World Reincarnation to summon the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Hokages. "After I released them from the Impure World Reincarnation, the Third Hokage also told me about this matter, and all four Hokages agreed with my thoughts."