"Young man, Uchiha Obito does not like you."
White Zetzu Awei returned to the side of Akihara Kagura, and the first thing he did was to report to Akihara Kagura what he had overheard about Uchiha Obito's opinion of him.
"It doesn't matter."
Akihara Kagura seemed not to care much about Uchiha Obito's attitude towards him, merely comforting White Zetzu Awei: "For me, the only help Uchiha Obito has provided is bringing you here, allowing the two of us to become companions."
"I think so too."
White Zetzu Awei nodded, talking to Akihara Kagura about the meeting between Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi, and took the opportunity to complain about Uchiha Obito's style.
"Obito actually went to meet with Uchiha Itachi directly, thinking that everyone would definitely choose to obey his commands. Both my original self and I think he's a bit too naive..."
"This is normal."
Akihara Kagura understood his superior very well because he knew that after Uchiha Obito revealed his true identity, his mindset had not turned around.
Perhaps Uchiha Obito thought his Dojutsu was invincible, or perhaps he thought he was in control of a world-shaking plan, these two points could make everyone believe in him.
Obviously.
The rest of the ninja world did not think so.
Even White Zetzu, who was by Uchiha Obito's side, did not think so.
"Obito has given another mission."
White Zetzu Awei felt this mission was not difficult: "It's just to provoke a conflict between the Uchiha and the higher-ups of Konoha, forcing Uchiha Itachi to defect and join the Akatsuki! This is easy, I can directly transform into Uchiha Itachi, kill some Konoha ninjas..."
"This is too troublesome."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, not quite approving of White Zetzu Awei's suggestion.
[System Prompt]: [New mission, assist Uchiha Obito in stirring up the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha, forcing Uchiha Itachi to defect and join the Akatsuki!]
"In fact, we don't need to do anything."
Akihara Kagura had a clear vision for the future of this mission: "We would rather do nothing than make any mistakes. Without any external interference, Konoha and the Uchiha could not possibly show any signs of a harmonious relationship..."
Akihara Kagura brought up Uchiha Itachi: "As for Uchiha Itachi, haven't you been monitoring him all this time? That guy's days must not be easy, right?"
"That's true."
White Zetzu Awei nodded, speaking of the intelligence he had gathered while monitoring Uchiha Itachi: "After all, Uchiha Shisui left a suicide note and disappeared without a trace, not even his body could be found. This has led many Uchiha to suspect that Uchiha Itachi had something to do with it..."
"After all, only Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui did not attend the Uchiha clan's coup d'état meeting that day, raising suspicions of contact with Uchiha Shisui..."
"Knowing he's not doing well makes me feel at ease."
Akihara Kagura raised an eyebrow and waved his hand, saying, "The Uchiha clan is so obsessive, thinking their will alone can solve everything, never caring about others' opinions. Even knowing that their mission target is their teammate's most important person, they would still mercilessly raise their slaughter knife..."
If at that time, Uchiha Itachi had been more flexible in the Land of Earth, willing to follow Akihara Kagura to rescue Hatake Kakashi;
If Uchiha Itachi, during the assessment mission given by Shimura Danzo, had chosen to capture Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono, handing them over to Akihara Kagura for dealing, instead of swinging his ninja sword wanting to cut down, the situation could have been different.
"Are we really going to do nothing?"
White Zetzu Awei looked at Akihara Kagura and cautiously reminded, "Uchiha Obito is hiding in the Naka Shrine, wholeheartedly wanting to recruit Uchiha Itachi!"
"Is this planning to supervise?"
Akihara Kagura's eyes flickered, immediately coming up with an idea: "I have a way. I can tell others that I want to avenge the harm Uchiha Itachi did to Dean Yakushi Nono, sooner or later helping the village to eliminate all the Uchihas..."
"The Third Hokage of Konoha would never agree, right?"
White Zetzu Awei felt that this plan was not very reliable.
"I've already been working hard on the tasks Obito assigned."
Akihara Kagura spread his hands: "But the Third Hokage won't allow me to cleanse the Uchiha clan, what more extreme method could I possibly have?"
"This way, it's not our fault for not taking action..."
White Zetzu Awei nodded, highly appreciating Akihara Kagura's plan.
The plan was very subtle, even only requiring a bit of talking, and everyone knew the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen would never agree to this plan.
"However, be careful."
White Zetzu Awei reminded Akihara Kagura to be very cautious about one thing: "Uchiha Itachi has obtained a Mangekyō Sharingan that can change wills, I don't want anything to happen to you, in case he fears your power..."
"Thanks for the reminder."
Akihara Kagura nodded in satisfaction.
Although Akihara Kagura already had a way to destroy that Mangekyō Sharingan, it was not the perfect time as Uchiha Obito was still in Konoha.
Just as Akihara Kagura was about to start his work, a member of the Anbu passed a message to Akihara Kagura that the Third Hokage had ordered him to the Hokage's office.
Coincidentally.
When Akihara Kagura arrived at the Hokage's office, Uchiha Itachi was about to leave.
In terms of timing, this was the first official meeting between Uchiha Itachi and Akihara Kagura after their conflict in the Land of Earth, having not seen each other for several months.
Uchiha Itachi's appearance at the Hokage Office was not by chance.
After the suicide of Uchiha Shisui, Sarutobi Hiruzen lost his eyes and ears within the Uchiha clan and directly requested the only spy planted inside the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Itachi, to report intelligence to all the high-ranking officials of Konoha, instead of only reporting to Danzo Shimura.
Such a matter...
Danzo Shimura had no way to refuse, not even to argue.
Uchiha Itachi would regularly come to the Hokage Office to report on the situation of the Uchiha clan. During this time, the reports from Uchiha Itachi were mostly similar, mainly mentioning that after the suicide of Uchiha Shisui, the Uchiha clan temporarily lost their combat power and confidence for a coup.
"Uchiha Itachi."
Akihara Kagura suddenly stopped Uchiha Itachi, pretending to be ignorant: "I heard Uchiha Shisui died. When I want to kill you, is there anyone left to protect you now?"
"Kagura."
Uchiha Itachi lowered his head.
This period was too busy, Uchiha Itachi had been occupied with dealing with the troubles arising after the suicide of Uchiha Shisui, forgetting Akihara Kagura, who was once a major crisis.
However...
The crisis of the Uchiha clan had not yet been resolved.
But the crisis with Akihara Kagura was no longer a crisis.
As an Uchiha who activated the Mangekyo Sharingan, Uchiha Itachi knew he was not as powerless as before. Now, he had ways to deal with Akihara Kagura.
"I don't want to have any more conflicts with you."
Uchiha Itachi lightly passed by the side of Akihara Kagura: "That was a mission I had to carry out. We will not have any interactions in the future."
"Just a mission?"
Akihara Kagura looked at his back and nodded: "I see. Well, I hope one day I can carry out such a mission too, to kill the person most important to you. Your brother, Uchiha Sasuke, is the most important to you, right?"
"..."
Uchiha Itachi's steps suddenly halted, and he turned his head to glance at his teammate. That terrifying gaze almost made one involuntarily feel fear!
"That's a good look."
Akihara Kagura complimented, continuing: "You want to kill me, right? But just with a gaze, it's impossible to kill me."
"It's best..."
"To have a pair of good eyes."
The corners of Akihara Kagura's mouth curled up slightly, as if he was talking about something that barely piqued his interest: "Think about it, this world is really interesting. The murderer actually wants to kill the victim, fearing that the victim might seek revenge on him…"
...
Uchiha Itachi's momentum stalled.
Akihara Kagura always acts like this.
Even though every time, it's oneself who is being forced, every time it's mentioned, it seems like it's Akihara Kagura who holds the moral high ground.
"Forget it."
"I can't understand your way of thinking."
"Just as you can't understand my actions..."
"People live within their own cognition, always unable to understand things beyond their cognition, and they don't even think about stepping out of their own cognition."
Uchiha Itachi shook his head, unwilling to entangle further with Akihara Kagura, and directly stated his stance: "If you still want to seek revenge for that day's matter, target me. We both have the most important people to ourselves…"
This is a declaration of challenge.
For Uchiha Itachi, his brother Uchiha Sasuke is the most important family member; for Akihara Kagura, Yakushi Kabuto and Yakushi Nono are his most important people.
Both have their own concerns.
The problems between the two of them should not involve others.
"In life, the most important thing is fairness."
Akihara Kagura revealed a sinister smile: "If you want to wipe clean what you did at Tsuchi River Gorge, that wouldn't be fair. I don't like someone taking advantage of me."
"This world has never had absolute fairness."
Uchiha Itachi didn't want to continue the entanglement, turned around, and left on his own: "Now, I am willing to solve the trouble between us in a relatively fair manner…"
Uchiha Itachi paused, then earnestly persuaded: "If you still can't let go of the matter at Tsuchi River Gorge and really want to do something, please target only me."
"Let's just say I've listened."
Akihara Kagura watched Uchiha Itachi's departing back with a smile.
"What's wrong with you guys?"
Hatake Kakashi appeared in front of Akihara Kagura. He glanced at the departing Uchiha Itachi and couldn't help asking: "Is it still about the Tsuchi River Gorge incident?"
"No."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, looking at his team leader: "Captain Kakashi, I feel like I might have become a bit weaker, Uchiha Itachi isn't afraid of me anymore…"
…
Hatake Kakashi felt that this subordinate really gave him a bit of a headache: "You... Why do you always have to make people afraid of you?"
Akihara Kagura's intentions in his actions were always kind-hearted, so why was his personality and way of doing things so unpleasant?"
For example,
Regarding Naruto,
Hatake Kakashi remembered Uzumaki Naruto's situation and took the initiative to say, "By the way, the final exam report cards for the first grade of the Ninja Academy have been released. Karin did well, but Naruto's final exam results were not very satisfactory. Lately, it seems like Anko is showing signs of going crazy…"
"Probably because she's afraid I'll trouble her."
Akihara Kagura casually found an excuse for Mitarashi Anko.
"Perhaps..."
Hatake Kakashi pulled a strange smile.
Could it be that he had to tell Akihara Kagura that Anko, a proud Chunin, was almost driven mad by little Naruto's attitude and grades during the summer supplementary classes?
"However, you might become even stronger."
Hatake Kakashi patted Akihara Kagura on the shoulder and softly urged, "Go to the rooftop of the Hokage building. A respected senpai has returned."
Because Sarutobi Hiruzen had specially informed Hatake Kakashi, Akihara Kagura was to receive instruction from a Jonin teacher and temporarily leave the Anbu for some time.
Hatake Kakashi also met the familiar senpai, the respected senpai who should be the Jonin instructor Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to find for Akihara Kagura.
Although Akihara Kagura has yet to have the experience of being instructed by a Jonin, aside from that senpai, Konoha probably couldn't find a more suitable person.
On the rooftop of the Hokage building,
A tall man with white hair stood there, looking down at Akihara Kagura below the Hokage building with serious attention. The gentle breeze lightly blew his long hair fluttering behind him, making him appear somewhat carefree and free, like a hermit from another world.
"Jiraiya, how does it feel to be back in the village?"
After handling affairs, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen went up to the rooftop to catch up and chat with his long-unseen disciple, following Jiraiya's gaze to Akihara Kagura in front of the Hokage building.
"Kagura has already arrived, huh…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, still holding his pipe, exhaled a ring of smoke: "At first glance, what do you think of that kid?"
"From the first glance, I felt he might be a troublesome character…"
The moment the tall man with white hair spoke, he immediately lost that hermit's carefree demeanor, rubbing his forehead and saying, "Old man, this is the person you're handing over to me. Feels like he'll give me a lot of headaches in the future…"
"Actually, he's already giving me a lot of headaches now."
Sarutobi Hiruzen also felt a bit of a headache and took the initiative to talk about Akihara Kagura: "This child has always been influenced by Shimura Danzo, and his personality has become too extreme. If there really was no other way, I wouldn't have wanted to call you back..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at his disciple and seriously said: "I believe you will teach him well, just like how you taught Minato back then, to make this child a worthy successor of the Will of Fire."
"Have you chosen him?"
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not answer but spoke of Akihara Kagura's advantages: "This child possesses the First Hokage's Wood Release and the Second Hokage and Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique, making it hard to find a more suitable successor than this child..."
"You're not someone who believes in power alone..."
The tall man with white hair shook his head, seemingly feeling that his teacher's thoughts were unusual.
However, once he thought of Akihara Kagura's advantages, the white-haired man had to admit, the temptation to make this child a qualified successor was too great.
In the future, both in terms of identity and power, this child would be a more than perfect successor for Konoha.
"Plus the Sage Mode you've mastered..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze fell on the white-haired man.
"I haven't mastered it completely..."
The white-haired man's spirits fell, but then he quickly realized that his teacher was bringing up the old matter of him succeeding as the Fifth Hokage again and quickly shook his head: "I won't be bound by the position of Hokage!"
"I will teach him well."
After the white-haired man agreed, he suddenly became curious and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Wait, the First's Wood Release, the Second and Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique, old man, as the Third Hokage, you didn't teach this child any jutsu that was uniquely yours?"
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smoked his pipe and looked into the distance.
It wasn't that Sarutobi didn't want to teach his jutsu, but the first thing the child learned from him was the Wood Human Technique, capable of competing with Susanoo...
The Third Hokage was almost proficient in all of Konoha's jutsu, especially the combination ninjutsu of the five basic nature transformations, which were very powerful but, unfortunately, were very conventional ninjutsu that mostly required proper hand signs, definitely something that child who disliked hand signs would find annoying...
The old man felt a bit embarrassed to bring it up.
"..."
The white-haired man seemed to understand his teacher well, chuckled, and teased: "Old man, don't belittle yourself! You're known as the strongest Hokage!"
"That's so rude!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's body suddenly leaped up, smashing the pipe in his hand onto his disciple's head, then he forcefully calmed himself and spoke, "Lately, the village has been overwhelmed with official duties. I simply cannot be everywhere at once; I need to properly handle the village's affairs..."
After Sarutobi Hiruzen fabricated a reason, he changed the subject to the matter at hand: "Jiraiya, you must properly teach that child. If the child can master Senjutsu, he might truly reach the height of the First Hokage in the future. In our lifetime, we could see the hope for lasting peace in the ninja world..."
After Sarutobi Hiruzen expressed his hopes for the future, he also shared his concerns: "If we cannot remove the darkness from that child's heart, you should know what a powerful ninja possessing forbidden power might do. He could end up like Orochimaru..."
Just like his other disciple, Orochimaru, who became mad with forbidden power, even endangering the comrades of the village.
The white-haired man became silent upon hearing the old man mention his old friend. After a long while, facing the breeze, his voice became almost as light as the wind.
"I will bring Orochimaru back."
~~~
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