"Jiraiya told you about the Akatsuki organization, didn't he?"
Kakashi nodded at my question.
"And you know who they're hunting?"
The son of the White Fang nodded again. He had already explained this to Asuma and Kurenai before they arrived.
"I simply eliminated a threat to my student," I replied with a shrug. "As for Itachi, he's still alive because his situation is a bit... delicate."
"And what could possibly stop you from killing a man who murdered his own parents and slaughtered his entire clan?" Kurenai asked.
It was easy to hear the condemnation in her voice regarding my inaction. But it wasn't unexpected; in her view, I was protecting a monster.
"If I tell you the reason I haven't killed him yet, you'll gain another secret that will weigh heavily on your soul. Ask yourself openly... do you really want that?"
The way I posed the question, along with my seriousness, made Kurenai ponder, but she didn't have time to answer, as ANBU arrived at that moment.
"The Hokage-sama awaits you," said the commander of a group of ten ninja who reported directly to Hiruzen, not to Danzo or the other elders.
"Very well, but before that, could you seal Kisame's body and weapon into a scroll?"
ANBU nodded and fulfilled my request. Kisame and Samehada would still be useful to me for certain tasks.
After that, Itachi and I, accompanied by ANBU and the jonin, headed to the Hokage's residence using Shunshin.
The jonin were allowed into the Hokage's office with me, where at that moment there was no one besides Hiruzen and his guards. Apparently, they decided to let the jonin in because they were already aware of my deeds and because Sarutobi trusted them.
Seeing Itachi, Hiruzen felt an incredible sense of shame for what Itachi had to endure. His emotions were an open book to me; I didn't even have to delve into his mind to read them.
"You've certainly caused me some problems, Reed-san," Hiruzen said.
The Hokage still looked like the leader and commander of all Konoha's shinobi, despite missing one arm.
"If it weren't for your help in suppressing Orochimaru's actions... I doubt I could have calmed my comrades."
Hiruzen understood perfectly well that I was stronger than him and all the strongest ninja of Konoha. At least, that was the indirect information he had obtained from Jiraiya, as well as his thoughts based on my actions in the battle against Hashirama and Tobirama.
"You want to know what I'm planning, don't you?" I asked Hiruzen with a slight smirk.
All the ninja present were stunned by my tone and question. They didn't expect me to speak to the Hokage in such a manner. However, they were even more shocked when Hiruzen didn't point out the difference in our statuses.
"Yes," the old Hokage nodded.
My gaze fell on Itachi, who had been silent all this time. A satisfied grin appeared on my face at what was about to happen.
"Itachi, do you still believe your choice was the right one?"
Say what you will, but Itachi is an extremely unstable individual. Fugaku's actions spurred Itachi to develop so he wouldn't die on the battlefield, but they also turned his son into a deeply traumatized person.
A personality that was later reshaped by the will and desires of the village's higher-ups. Through his actions, Fugaku himself handed Itachi over to skilled orators like Hiruzen.
And on the day Fugaku wanted to stage a coup... Itachi didn't side with his clan, as by that time he and Shisui were wholly devoted to the village.
After that, everything went downhill. Itachi's fragile psyche was finally destroyed by Shisui's death, which triggered a cascade of reinforcement of his sadistic and maniacal tendencies.
As a result, Itachi slaughtered his entire clan, leaving neither children nor the elderly. All of this allowed me to overcome my moral limitations in my actions.
Using telepathy, I began altering Itachi's personality on a deep level, doing so without any hesitation. I did this not only out of a noble desire to rid the world of a sadist (how else can you describe someone who used Tsukuyomi on his younger brother with an unformed psyche?), but also to thank Sasuke for the help his samples provided me. By this action, I was destroying at the root all the hatred he had been accumulating for years.
"Would you now repeat the order Danzo gave you—to kill your best friend and take his eye?" By posing this question, I was giving Hiruzen the opportunity to pin all the blame on Danzo.
This question made Hiruzen stand up abruptly, and the jonin present instantly realized what they had gotten themselves into.
"No," replied Itachi, whom I had remade.
—= Hiruzen Sarutobi =—
Hiruzen was no fool. He hadn't held the position of Hokage for so long for nothing.
"This was a mistake," flashed through Hiruzen's mind as his eyes caught the jonin who had learned the truth about Itachi. "I shouldn't have called them here."
But now it was too late to change anything. The jonin looked at Itachi and Hiruzen with various expressions on their faces: shock, anger, confusion.
Reed Richards. He had used Hiruzen like a puppeteer uses his marionette. Hiruzen had no doubt that Reed had evidence to support his words... And this thought destroyed any friendly feelings he had toward Danzo.
The very idea that Danzo was capable of such deeds against one of Konoha's brightest children made Hiruzen's blood boil.
"Itachi, your mission ends here," Hiruzen said.
Itachi nodded; his face remained impassive, but in his eyes, a slight relief could be seen.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," he said quietly.
Kurenai and Asuma exchanged glances, still digesting what they had heard. Kakashi, though he looked shocked, tried to remain calm.
"Danzo must answer for his actions," Hiruzen said firmly. "We cannot allow such betrayal to go unpunished."
"What do you propose, Hokage-sama?" Asuma asked.
The jonin expected to hear something like, "We'll convene the Council to discuss and resolve this matter there," but Hiruzen acted differently.
"It's time for Danzo to answer for the deeds he's committed. Assemble a strike team," he ordered the jonin and the ANBU commander.
I watched this scene with satisfaction.
"How will you proceed?"
Hiruzen looked at me and said:
"As shinobi do."
In that answer, there was another context. Hiruzen intended to attack using the element of surprise. Judging by the fact that he was in his official attire, most likely it would be a meeting of old friends.
Hiruzen had mobilized all his best shinobi available to him at the moment.
"This is the kind of plan I've developed within the given timeframe," stated Shikaku Nara.
Shikamaru's father was the leader of the jonin squad and the Hokage's top strategist. The main plan of action was devised by Hiruzen himself, but the roles of the jonin and ANBU were adjusted to fit Hiruzen's plan under Shikaku's guidance. Overall, the plan Nara had crafted was decent, but it could have been more inventive. However, he didn't possess the breadth of information that I had to view the situation from another perspective.
"Are there any questions regarding this plan of action?" Shikaku asked.
Although the question was directed at everyone present, it was specifically aimed at me—I could tell from his gaze. The head of the Nara clan was extremely perceptive. Judging by his surface thoughts, which I instinctively picked up through telepathy, he sensed that I could pose a threat to him in terms of strategy formulation.
"None," I said along with everyone else.
I noticed a slight relief in Shikaku's eyes. He wanted to avoid the extra work that might arise if I proposed an alternative plan.
It would probably have been interesting to see Nara under pressure... However, I had already accomplished a considerable amount today.
—= Some Time Later =—
The meeting between Hiruzen and Danzo took place in the Sarutobi clan's district. Since Hiruzen was still the Hokage and a friend of Shimura (at least in Danzo's eyes), Shimura arrived without hesitation.
Hiruzen and Danzo came to the meeting accompanied by squads of shinobi who acted as bodyguards for these elderly and highly important village figures. However, while Hiruzen knew all the guards present in the area, Danzo only believed he knew all of Hiruzen's guards.
I remained three kilometers away from the meeting place, observing everything through my electromagnetic senses. Given that I could detect a vast spectrum of electromagnetic waves, filtering them to replicate direct visual functionality was quite simple.
Hiruzen acted cautiously. He understood perfectly that any mistake could cost him and the village dearly. The conversation began formally, with pleasantries and discussions of the village's current affairs. But soon, Hiruzen moved to the main point.
"Danzo, do you remember what Tobirama-sensei said on the day I became Hokage?"
Danzo frowned. Of course, he remembered that day like no other. That day, he, Danzo, lost the opportunity that lay before him. That day, he had faltered.
"Yes," Shimura nodded. "What are you getting at, Sarutobi?"
At that moment, the head of the Yamanaka clan contacted Hiruzen with the information obtained by the squad tasked with infiltrating the Root's base. Yamanaka confirmed everything I had told Hiruzen personally.
"Tobirama-sensei spoke of loyalty and honor, Danzo. That we, as leaders, must serve the village, not use it for our own purposes," Hiruzen spoke firmly, his voice full of resolve.
"And what are you implying?" Danzo stared intently at Hiruzen, his eyes gleaming dangerously.
"I know about your actions, Danzo. I know how you've manipulated and orchestrated events to suit your plans. And that... that is unacceptable." Hiruzen took a step forward, his gaze icy.
"That's a lie!" Danzo exploded, but Hiruzen raised a hand, urging him to be silent.
"You know it's the truth. Yamanaka has confirmed everything we've learned. You've betrayed your comrades, the village," Hiruzen spoke calmly, but there was strength in his voice.
Danzo understood perfectly that he had to act immediately. Shimura Danzo was a shinobi of a very high rank, but compared to Hiruzen... he was not as skilled.
Hiruzen struck first. Despite missing one arm, Hiruzen, thanks to his experience, was capable of performing techniques one-handed.
BAM
Enma appeared and instantly transformed into a diamond-hard staff, which pierced a hole through Danzo's torso.
Danzo staggered back, his eyes wide with pain and surprise. His gaze darted around, seeking a way to escape. He quickly formed seals, summoning his trusted creature—Baku. The massive elephant-like beast with a trunk began inhaling air, attempting to swallow Hiruzen and his guards.
"Do you really think this will stop me?" Hiruzen growled, not giving Danzo time to think.
Holding Enma in one hand, Hiruzen launched a counterattack. He used the Fire Dragon technique. Flames burst from his mouth, crashing down on Baku, who began to whine in pain and retreat.
"Enough, Danzo!" Hiruzen stepped forward, his eyes blazing with determination. "You won't leave here alive."
BAM
Danzo knew this was his last chance. He used his final trump card—the Izanagi technique, which allows one to rewrite reality and cheat death. His body momentarily dissolved into air, and he appeared behind Hiruzen, ready to deliver a fatal blow.
But Danzo couldn't complete his attack.
"Shadow Imitation Technique," Shikaku said with a slight smirk.
The shadow of the head of the Nara clan extended and merged with Danzo's shadow, halting his movement. Danzo froze, his eyes widening in shock.
"What? How did you..." he began, but the words stuck in his throat.
The jonin, led by Shikaku, had managed to suppress Danzo's bodyguards who were with him. Hiruzen's people were mostly from the same clans as Danzo's guards, so they had ways to neutralize them.
"You've sunk this low, Danzo?" Hiruzen asked, looking at Danzo's arm, which was now exposed from the seals that had restrained Shimura's chakra.
Danzo's arm was covered with Sharingan eyes, like a twisted parody of the Uchiha clan's power. Hiruzen couldn't contain the fury boiling inside him at the sight. Sarutobi instantly understood what Danzo's arm represented.
"This... this is utter madness, Danzo," Hiruzen said, gripping Enma tighter.
The Hokage quickly realized why the skin color of Danzo's arm differed from the rest of his body. Memories of Orochimaru's experiments flashed through Sarutobi's mind, and it became clear to him that Danzo had used Hashirama Senju's cells.
"You wouldn't understand," Danzo said, his voice filled with disdain. "Once, perhaps, you were strong enough to lead Konoha, but now—you are not."
With these words, Danzo suddenly bit his own tongue to activate Izanagi. Blood flowed from his mouth, but it was necessary to activate the forbidden technique.
"Damn!" Hiruzen cursed, seeing Danzo's body dissolve into air.
Shimura reappeared five meters from where he had just died. His face was contorted with rage and determination.
"Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere!" he shouted, launching vacuum bullets toward Hiruzen.
The vacuum bullets unleashed by Shimura served as a distraction. He understood perfectly that he couldn't kill Hiruzen at this moment, leaving him with only one option—escape.
Hiruzen instantly raised Enma, who transformed into a staff, deflecting the incoming bullets. The staff gleamed in the sunlight; each strike was precise and powerful.
"Danzo, you won't escape!" Hiruzen shouted, swiftly moving toward his former friend.
Danzo knew he had little time. Using Izanagi not only depleted his chakra but also reduced the number of Sharingan available for activation. He concentrated all his strength and released another wave of vacuum bullets while simultaneously forming seals for a new technique.
"Wind Style: Vacuum Wave!" Danzo exclaimed, releasing a powerful vortex aimed at tearing Hiruzen apart.
Hiruzen defended himself using the staff.
"Konoha's Strong Whirlwind!"
Guy, having opened the first five gates, appeared behind Danzo with incredible speed and sent him flying back with a kick.
"Chidori!"
Kakashi, who had arrived with Guy, pierced Danzo's chest.
"Bastard..." Danzo whispered.
Izanagi activated once more. Danzo appeared nearby, but Konoha's shinobi had already understood how the technique worked.
"Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
Danzo's body was struck by the Hyuga, who had been observing the battle using Byakugan. Danzo's eyes widened as he realized what was about to happen. He tried to counterattack the Hyuga, but it was too late.
Sixty-four strikes to all of Danzo's tenketsu sealed his fate. Because the chakra flow in his body was completely disrupted... Hashirama's cells went out of control. Half of Danzo's body instantly transformed into a tree.
"Haaa... It was all for the village..." Danzo whispered before his eyes sank into darkness.
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