Ibiki understood that Tsunade might know something but he decided not to ask further. He turned around and saw a similar expression on Shizune's face as well who was still standing at the door.
'Both of them know something but aren't saying anything. Seeing their expressions it's obvious that they are shocked by this as well. Maybe I should dig a little as to who these two mercenaries are' Ibiki thought. It wasn't like he didn't trust the Hokage but as someone who heads the intelligence division of the Hidden Leaf Village, he didn't like to have things not known as they could pose a potential threat to the village later.
"If there is nothing else, I will take my leave Lady Tsunade" Ibiki said as he left Tsunade's office.
"Princess Tsunade, the two people that he just talked about seem a lot similar like..." Shizune was saying but Tsunade interrupted her and said "I know Shizune...I want to investigate things myself as well but I don't seem to have the luxury of time with my hands full with the Akatsuki and everything. Have we received any update from Kakashi as to how he is doing?"
Shizune shook her head and said "Nothing as of yet but I am sure Kakashi can handle it. I will notify you in case we receive anything." Shizune said and left the room as well.
Tsunade sat in the same position for the next few seconds and the entire room was completely silent but anyone who saw this would definitely say that this was the silence before the storm. There were a lot of thoughts running through Tsunade's mind and as time went on she began to get more and more restless.
"I just can't let it go" Tsunade said with a hint of anger in her voice and bolted out of the room. She walked in a swift face with heavy steps and continued to walk toward the hidden leaf hospital. The ones that were in her way quickly moved aside seeing her coming with such a determined expression on her face.
'Who is going to end up pulverized now?' was the question that was going through the people's mind who saw her leave. She entered the hospital and without paying any attention to the people around her greeting her, she opened and went towards the basement.
She walked 2 floors under the hospital and ended up in front of a steel door. "I am coming in" She announced and pushed open the door with her brute force. causing the locking mechanism holding the door in place to deform. As she entered the room, she saw Itachi laying on a bed with one hand resting on his temple and just staring at the ceiling.
"Who else knew?" Tsunade asked to which Itachi glanced at her and sat up straight "Knew what?"
"About you, about the coup, about everything...who else knew?" Tsunade asked. Itachi furrowed his eyebrows a little as he heard this question. Although it was an important question he didn't understand what made Tsunade so angry about it.
"As I told you before, Lord Third, the two elders Homura, Koharu, and lastly Danzo," Itachi answered truthfully. He expected Tsunade's expression to ease a little as she heard this but her expression became even more fierce.
"No...someone else knew as well. I am sure of it. The two shinobis who delivered the letter explaining everything about you and the coup. Who gave them the letter?"
"Lady Tsunade it was you who told me that the letter was most probably sent by Lord Third. What makes you doubt your own conclusion?"
"Because mercenaries almost similar to the two of the them were just spotted assisting your brothers against Orochimaru and the hidden sound. If they are the same people then there is no way that they would go against Orochimaru and his men when Lord Third who we thought ordered them is unconscious." Tsunade said.
'How is that possible? Even I thought that it was Lord Third who sent the letter to Lady Tsunade and that's why I didn't try to dig deep into this. But someone out there knows the truth...someone else.' Itachi thought. Although he himself was shocked by this news, he didn't let it show on his face. He also now understood why Tsunade was angry and said "If you are thinking that someone from the Akatsuki sent that letter then you are wrong...n-no one in the Akatsuki knew about this" Itachi said but Tsunade could sense a little hesitation in his voice. She stepped forward with her expression a little more fierce than before and asked "You are lying Itachi...this is the first time I have seen you uncertain of yourself. Tell me"
Itachi blinkled his eyes slowly as if making his peace with something and said "Tobi...he was the one who helped me kill the Uchiha clan. He knew about the coup and the deal made with Lord third and the elders as well as my illness."
"I KNEW IT...you were always hiding something from me...why would you approch a member of the akatsuki for this and why would he even help you do this? He doesn't seem like the guy who would do this for money. What did he ask for doing this? " Tsunade asked as she punched the wall beside her creating a web of cracks around it.
"He didn't. He did this for personal revenge. He wanted to take revenge against the Uchiha clan for betraying him decades earlier." Itachi said as he finally started spilling the beans.
"Revenge for betrayal...Itachi who is Tobi? Is he someone from our village?" Tsunade asked cautiously as her furious expression had now turned into caution and fear.
"Yess...Tobi is from our village. He is one of the founders of the Hidden Leaf Village...Madara Uchiha"
"What? How is that possibe. Madara Uchiha has died long ago...there is no way that he can live up until now and if it were truly him then he would have caused chaos all over the shinobi world. He doesn't have any reason to hide his face and remain in the shadows." Tsunade said as she tried to deny what Itachi was saying
"All I could find about is that there is some kind of a plan that he is going to carry out and for that he needs all the tailed beasts." Itachi said as he sat back down on his bed.
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