The Land of Rain,
Uchiha Itachi and the masked man held a clandestine meeting within a dimly lit cave.
On the screen before them, Sasuke, clad in the Akatsuki uniform, was shown pursuing Shimura Danzō. A deep concern etched itself onto Itachi's face.
He then questioned the masked man, his tone sharp:
"You're manipulating Sasuke!"
"In the beginning, our agreement was to leave Konoha and Sasuke untouched. Yet, you allowed him to join Akatsuki!"
"Are you not afraid that I'll expose your identity?"
Obito replied stiffly:"Why would you say that? Sasuke in the image appears to have joined Akatsuki to follow in your footsteps, seeking the truth about the extermination."
"What does that have to do with me?"
"It's just as likely you coerced him into joining!"
Uchiha Itachi scoffed coldly, knowing he would never do such a thing.
As a member of Akatsuki himself, he understood the volatile nature of the individuals within the organization. How could he ever subject Sasuke to that?
The future question Sasuke posed to Danzō suggested he had uncovered a portion of the truth behind the Uchiha's demise. However, uncertainty lingered until he confronted Danzō directly for clarification.
"While your true identity remains unknown to me, I absolutely forbid you from targeting Sasuke. If you do, I will expose everything I know about you. That will undoubtedly disrupt your ultimate plan!"
With this threat hanging in the air, Uchiha Itachi turned and left the cave, ignoring the masked man's response.
Regardless of the circumstances, he was determined to guide Sasuke back onto the right path, even if it meant using Shisui's eye.
Inside the cave, Obito remained alone, his fists clenching as he watched Itachi's retreating figure. He couldn't help but feel frustrated by Itachi's audacity.
Yet, he had to exercise restraint. Without a truly compelling reason, he preferred to avoid conflict with the prodigious talent of the Uchiha clan.
...
...
Konoha Village, Hokage Plaza,
Voices of dissent echoed through the Hokage Plaza, questioning the justifications for the Uchiha clan's annihilation. Civilians and ordinary ninjas alike fixed their gazes on Shimura Danzō, demanding a credible explanation.
"Release me!" Danzō hissed to the Anbu operatives flanking him.
Several Anbu members sought Sarutobi's approval before complying, finally releasing Danzō.
Danzo adjusted his attire, meeting the accusatory stares with unwavering resolve.
He declared in an imposing voice:
"Regarding the order for Uchiha Itachi to eliminate the Uchiha clan, I confess."
"However, there were compelling reasons behind my actions!"
"I did this for Konoha, and for all of you!!!"
Confusion rippled through the crowd of civilians and ordinary ninjas. They struggled to comprehend Danzō's words.
Danzo elaborated:"The Uchiha clan harbored intentions of staging a coup d'état at that time, and I merely preempted their actions."
"This was done to prevent Konoha from experiencing a tragedy akin to the one caused by Uchiha Madara!"
"Furthermore, according to my investigation, the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' attack was also a member of the Uchiha clan!"
Concerning the Nine-Tails incident, Danzō held only a suspicion. However, to quell any lingering sympathy for the Uchiha clan, he presented it as fact.
Unbeknownst to the crowd, his conjecture was accurate – the Nine-Tails' rampage was indeed orchestrated by a member of the Uchiha clan.
After hearing Danzō's explanation, some individuals in the plaza, who had previously held animosity towards the Uchiha clan, began to voice their support:"Lord Danzō understands righteousness and has sacrificed so much for the village! We have misjudged him!"
"That treacherous Uchiha clan, relying on their strength, were arrogant and disregarded us completely. They deserved their fate!"
"Regardless, I never liked the Uchiha clan!"
However, a significant portion of the crowd, particularly members of prominent clans like the Ino-Shika-Chō, Hyuga, and Inuzuka, remained silent.
They possessed a more nuanced understanding of the truth. The Uchiha clan's extermination was far from a simple matter, and the Sharingan embedded in Danzō's right arm served as undeniable proof.
Sarutobi observed Danzō's attempt to exonerate himself, and the intense killing intent he had harbored began to dissipate.
As long as he wasn't implicated, Sarutobi was willing to let Danzō proceed as he wished.
Suddenly, as if to directly contradict Danzō's claims, the screen flickered back to life.
[In the image--]
[
The Konoha elders sat in the council chamber. Shimura Danzō, taking the lead, began to delineate the family residential areas.]
[Shimura Danzō pointed to a desolate, undesirable location and declared: "The destroyed Police Headquarters will be rebuilt here. Furthermore, the Uchiha clan will..."]
[Fugaku frowned, rising from his seat in dissatisfaction. "Lord Danzō, the Uchiha clan serves as the village's police force, maintaining law and order. This location is too far from the village center to effectively handle urgent matters."]
[Danzo dismissed his concerns curtly: "In case of an emergency, the Anbu will be dispatched!"]
[Sarutobi interjected, attempting to mediate: "Police forces frequently travel to and from the training grounds for drills. This location is adjacent to suitable training land. It can serve as an exclusive training ground for the Uchiha."]
[Reluctantly, Uchiha Fugaku was forced to concede and sat back down.]
"Unbelievable! Absolutely unbelievable!"
"Danzo truly doesn't see the Uchiha clan as human beings!"
"I feel immense sympathy for the Uchiha clan! What in the world is going on?" The Fourth Raikage watched Danzō with open sarcasm.
In their Cloud Shinobi Village, they had always upheld the principle of respecting strength. The strong bore the responsibility of protecting everyone, and in turn, they were met with respect.
Yet, in Konoha Village, the strongest clan, the Uchiha, was treated in such a manner. It was truly a display of incompetence in handling their assets!
T/N:Thanks Asura_Libra for power stone♥️♥️