Itsuki opened his eyes, a cold smile on his lips, but a hint of violence in his gaze. He slammed his fist down beside him.
"Damn that Danzo!"
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi… screw you.
You want to play games with me? Planning against me in the open, huh?
Fine, let's go big!
His arm struck something, producing a dull thud.
"Thud!"
"Yikes!"
In the midst of the sound, a strange cry echoed.
"Huh?"
Itsuki was startled and instinctively opened the coffin lid, climbing out.
Shisui, with his stiff body, was sitting nearby. He sensed Itsuki's chakra but hesitated to speak.
Itsuki had a feeling Shisui wanted to curse.
"Itsuki, why… why are you here?"
Shisui couldn't hold back any longer and asked in a deep voice.
"I've been here the whole time. I never left the crematorium!"
"Then… what about the Hokage?"
"A shadow clone."
"Damn!"
Shisui couldn't contain his anger and snapped, "You… you actually sent a shadow clone to meet with the Hokage! That's disrespectful to him!"
Itsuki, surprised, said, "What are you talking about… When did I ever respect him?"
"You…" Shisui was fuming, "He's the Hokage!"
"Did someone say he was the Mizukage?"
Shisui grumbled, "Itsuki, remember, you're a ninja of Konoha. The Third Hokage is Konoha's leader."
"I know, a Hokage who's never been on a battlefield!"
Itsuki casually remarked.
He never missed an opportunity to belittle the Hokage in front of Shisui.
But!
You have to do it step by step.
Overdoing it would backfire!
Slowly, he would drag the image of the Hokage in Shisui's mind down into the dust.
So, Itsuki didn't say, "The Hokage who's best at internal strife."
He wasn't in a hurry! He'd take his time.
"Nonsense…"
Shisui thought for a moment and reluctantly said, "The Hokage needs to oversee the bigger picture. Konoha doesn't need the Hokage to fight on the front lines."
Itsuki gave Shisui a sideways glance and said, "Yeah, yeah, you're absolutely right. That's why the other villages' Kages don't need to oversee the big picture. Their villages are so bad that their Kages have to fight on the front lines."
"By the way, let me ask you another question. Among all the heroic figures who have died in battle, have there ever been any from the Sarutobi clan?"
Shisui fell silent.
What could he say?
Itsuki remembered that in the original story, only one Sarutobi had ever died.
Sarutobi Asuma!
This guy died after the Third Hokage, during Tsunade's reign.
Just like Senju Nawaki, he died so righteously, with no flaws!
Perfect!
Especially since this guy was with Kurenai… Even though this isn't the original story, he had to find a way to kill him!
"By the way…"
Itsuki asked curiously, "Did I scare you just now? Did you pee yourself?"
He looked down, "It doesn't seem wet…"
"Get lost!"
Shisui was so mad he was grinding his teeth. "This crematorium is already creepy, and besides me, there was no other presence. Then you suddenly made a noise… damn it, you're definitely up to something in this place."
"Pfft!"
Itsuki couldn't help but laugh.
He had indeed set up a special barrier.
This was a world of silence. Spending too much time here really tested one's courage.
Especially since Shisui couldn't see right now.
Fear +1!
---
"Hmph!"
Shisui snorted coldly and curiously asked, "What did the Hokage want with you?"
"Sigh!"
Itsuki sighed and said, "It's a long story."
"Then don't bother telling it!"
Shisui interrupted Itsuki and quickly moved aside.
Itsuki: "..."
You've changed, Shisui!
After thinking for a moment, Shisui couldn't help but say, "If you're in trouble, you can talk to me. I'm your brother!"
Itsuki gave him a sideways glance.
If you weren't my brother, that would be even better! I'd come up with all kinds of ways to outsmart you.
...
Yugao, who was returning with Kurenai, suddenly stiffened.
"What's wrong?" Kurenai turned to look.
"Itsuki is calling me!"
"Hmm?"
Yugao looked at Kurenai and said, "I have a special connection with him."
"Then let's go!" Kurenai didn't mind. That little man treated her well, and she wasn't going to throw a fit just because another woman had something she didn't.
Besides, the Uchiha clan is quite sensitive right now, and Yugao's situation is even more delicate.
If her identity were to be discovered, the whole of Konoha would be shaken.
Better safe than sorry.
What she didn't realize was that if Yugao's identity were exposed, Itsuki would launch an all-out assault on Konoha.
The two quickly returned to the crematorium.
Itsuki was already waiting for them.
As for Shisui, Itsuki had sent him away. He was needed more by Itachi.
After all, they were the real partners! Sitting together, sharing snacks...
"Sigh!"
Itsuki looked at the two of them as they entered and sighed helplessly. "Why don't I get any business here? Look at the place across the street, people are coming and going—I'm so envious!"
Yugao was speechless.
Kurenai let out a cold laugh. "You actually want a crowd here? Dream on!"
"Is it because I'm not famous enough?"
Itsuki pondered and said, "How about I bring Sarutobi Hiruzen here and burn him alive? That would definitely make this place famous—'Uchiha's Crematorium' would be known throughout the entire ninja world."
"And then the Uchiha would become the most notorious clan in ninja history."
Kurenai rolled her eyes. "Cut the nonsense. Why did you call us back?"
She continued, "Yugao needed some weaponry, so I took her to stock up. Don't worry, we went to the Uchiha weapon shop."
"It doesn't matter, but remember, don't buy any explosive tags; we've got plenty here."
Itsuki waved it off casually. "I called you back because something big has happened."
Kurenai looked at him skeptically. "Be serious for once. Stop making things up."
Itsuki, feeling wronged, said, "Do I seem like that kind of person?"
Kurenai stared at Itsuki and slowly said, "What was that you always say… 'Be more confident'?"
Itsuki: "..."
"Alright, let's get serious. The Fourth Great Ninja War might break out."
"See!" Kurenai spread her hands towards Yugao. "He's spouting nonsense again."
Yugao also looked troubled.
Itsuki ignored them and continued, "I received a mission to go to the Hidden Cloud Village. Originally, I wanted to go to the Hidden Sand, but the Third Hokage didn't want that. So, Yugao, I have a mission for you. It's related to the Hidden Sand."
Kurenai and Yugao both became serious. "Are you being serious?"
"What do you think?"
Itsuki explained the situation with the military deployment plans.
After hearing it, Kurenai confidently said, "You did it."
Her tone was absolutely certain.
"So what?" Itsuki spread his hands. "Are you going to report me?"
Kurenai sighed and fell silent.
She had some attachment to Konoha.
But after her father's death, she had seen the coldness of people.
Then, Itsuki appeared and became her new refuge.
Kurenai's gaze gradually grew determined.
"I'm just an ordinary woman. I don't need to overthink things."
Itsuki smiled faintly and looked at Yugao. "From what I've heard, the Hidden Sand situation is being handled jointly by the Hyuga and Uchiha clans."
"The Hidden Sand…"
Yugao sighed, then suddenly paused.
"The Hyuga and Uchiha?"
"Yes!"
Itsuki grinned mischievously. "The Third Hokage specifically arranged for the Hyuga and Uchiha to work together. Tsk tsk, that's all he's got? What a disappointment."
(End of chapter)