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Someone deliberately spread this news. Many people in Konoha have the ability to do so, and all the major clans possess this capability. However, spreading such news wouldn't benefit the other clans at all. After all, no one would want to provoke a Kage-level ninja for no reason.
The timing was crucial—it was during the selection of the Fourth Hokage. At that time, Hatake Sakumo was undoubtedly the top candidate. But such a person was forced to commit suicide because of a failed mission. Thinking of this, Nara Shikaku felt a wave of sadness.
"When I couldn't find the mission file, I wondered if I could locate the person in charge of the mission, so I started investigating my father's teammates from that time," Kakashi continued. "In the end, I actually found the two ninjas from back then..." Kakashi paused, his face darkening. "The names of the two ninjas are Sarutobi Biwako and Shimura Shiba," Kakashi said each name with deliberate emphasis.
Hearing these names, Nara Shikaku frowned. He knew exactly who they were—ninjas from the Sarutobi and Shimura clans.
"What did they say?" Nara Shikaku asked.
"They claimed that the mission at the time was crucial, but Hatake Sakumo insisted on retreating," Kakashi said through gritted teeth. "They said they tried to persuade him, but he didn't listen and insisted on covering their retreat. In the end, the mission failed, and they blamed my father for what happened!"
Sasuke, hearing such shameless words for the first time, was filled with disdain and anger.
"Those two are utterly shameless. If the mission was truly that important, they should have committed suicide rather than let Hatake Sakumo rescue them!" Sasuke exclaimed. "After all, if it weren't for those two burdens, the mission might have succeeded! In the end, the ones who dragged everyone down didn't commit suicide, but the person who saved them did. It's incredibly ironic!"
Everyone present fell silent at Sasuke's straightforward words. They claimed the mission was paramount, but when faced with death, they prioritized their own lives. In the end, they blamed their teammate who had protected them. Is that even human? Isn't that purely hypocritical?
Kakashi's heart was filled with deep sadness and helplessness. "But now, the Sarutobi and Shimura clans have been wiped out. At least this can be considered revenge for my father," Kakashi said softly, with a hint of relief in his voice. Although the pain in his heart could never be erased, at least he had sought justice for his father and made those who had wronged him pay the price. It was already a great comfort to him to be able to reveal the truth about his father to the world today. He felt a sense of relief, as if the burden he had carried for many years had finally been lifted.
Kakashi then looked at Sasuke with gratitude in his eyes. He knew that if it weren't for Sasuke's intervention, he might never have been able to clear his father's name.
"Everyone, I believe that after hearing this, you have a new understanding of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo," Kakashi said. Indeed, today's revelations were more shocking than any gossip since the founding of Konoha Village. But they also revealed the true colors of the two.
"But I have even more important news to share with you," Sasuke announced. "This matter is related to the disappearance of the Senju clan."
Hearing this, everyone present was confused.
"The Senju clan? Haven't they been exterminated a long time ago?"
"Is there something we don't know about the Senju clan?"
Sasuke smiled slightly and said, "Before we get to that, I need to ask a certain ninja to come up first. Yamato, come forward!"
The person Sasuke was referring to was Yamato, Konoha's master architect. At this time, he was still known as Tenzo, but Sasuke addressed him as Yamato.
Hearing Sasuke's words, Yamato stepped forward.
"Show us the results of Danzo's research," Sasuke instructed.
"Yes!" Yamato responded, making hand seals. "Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Technique!"
Before he finished speaking, countless wooden beams burst from the ground, rapidly growing and intertwining to form a solid house structure. Finally, a new house stood at Yamato's feet.
The sight left everyone in shock.
"What is this?!"
"Is that Wood Release?!"
"Why do we have a Wood Release ninja in Konoha?!"
"Is Yamato a member of the Senju clan?"
The appearance of Wood Release caused an immense stir among those present. Wood Release was once the unique ability of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. He had used its immense power to bring peace to the chaotic world and became the legendary God of Shinobi. Thus, Wood Release had always been one of the most mysterious and coveted powers in Konoha Village.
However, Sasuke broke the silence: "Yamato, originally a ninja of Root, is also a survivor of Wood Release human experiments!"
"The so-called Wood Release human experiment involved Orochimaru and Danzo injecting Senju Hashirama's cells into the bodies of infants, searching for those who could inherit Wood Release," Sasuke explained. "In this experiment, Yamato was the only one who successfully inherited Wood Release!"
Hearing this, everyone was filled with anger.
"How dare Orochimaru and Danzo..."
"How could they use children for human experiments?!"
"It's absolutely inhumane!"
"Did they take the Hokage's authority seriously when they did this?!"
Sasuke sneered, "The Hokage? Do you think our Hokage wouldn't have known about such an important experiment? Could anyone just obtain Senju Hashirama's cells? Without the Hokage's permission, how could Danzo have dared to conduct human experiments in secret? In fact, the exposure of Orochimaru's human experiments was the only reason more children weren't sacrificed!"
After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen was not entirely trusting of Danzo, knowing that Danzo had long coveted the position of Hokage. If he didn't keep an eye on him, who knows when he might fall into one of Danzo's traps?
Sasuke continued, "According to my investigation, the extermination of the Senju clan is also closely related to Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo!"
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