He couldn't express his grievances!
For the first time, Danzo truly understood the meaning of this phrase.
He never expected that, in the end, everything would be blamed on him.
There's no way he could take the blame for all of this!
Clenching his teeth, he said, "Hiruzen, believe it or not, I had nothing to do with A's situation."
The Third Hokage coldly responded, "So, the chaos in the Hidden Cloud Village has nothing to do with you?"
Danzo was speechless.
The Third's voice was icy: "So, after I secured the Wood-Style user, you never again set your sights on Wood-Style? You didn't take any action?"
Danzo remained silent.
The Third's voice, now frigid enough to freeze one's soul, continued: "So, the Root's mission was only to deal with Uchiha Kazuki and nothing else, right?"
Danzo kept quiet.
At that moment, he wanted to cry but had no tears.
How did it come to this?
Yes, I did some things!
But!
When it comes to Wood-Style, I truly know nothing about it!
You can't accuse me of that!
"You still won't tell the truth?"
The Third shouted angrily, "The chaos in Hidden Cloud is over. Do you think they'll let Konoha off? If you don't speak the truth now, even I won't be able to protect you."
"Danzo, you don't want to end up like Hizashi of the Hyuga Clan, do you?"
Danzo hesitated and finally said, "I only ordered Root to stir up trouble in Hidden Cloud. I wanted them to hate the Uchiha even more. After eliminating Uchiha Kazuki, it would've been great if we could involve the Uchiha Clan. That's all."
"That's all...?"
If I believe you, I'd be the biggest fool on Earth!
The Third Hokage stared at Danzo coldly and said slowly, "Since you refuse to talk, I won't ask anymore."
After that, he turned and walked away.
Danzo watched his retreating figure, wanting to speak but holding back.
He wanted to explain, but some things were simply unspeakable.
Damn it!
Who the hell is behind all of this?
That bastard mixed everything together, making it nearly impossible for Danzo to deny any of it.
Unless he revealed everything.
But if he did!
The Third would be the first to kill him!
The most important thing was...
Even if he told the truth, no one would believe him!
Damn!
Damn it!
Damn it all!
What the hell!
I'm suffering so much!
"Danzo!"
The Third's voice suddenly drifted over, like the wind.
"How is Orochimaru doing?"
Danzo instinctively replied, "According to the plan... *cough cough!*"
A sudden fit of coughing interrupted him before he could finish.
The Third Hokage gave Danzo a cold, deep look before turning to leave.
This time, his steps did not falter at all.
"Damn it!"
Danzo cursed angrily.
Hiruzen.
You're still the same Hiruzen!
Hypocritical and devious.
...
After returning to the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage began to organize the recent events. Danzo refused to speak, but the Hokage knew he had to prepare. The recent appearance of Uchiha Itsuki caught him off guard.
First of all, a Wood Release user was spotted in the Hidden Cloud Village. Not only did Itsuki mention this, but Konoha's operatives in the village confirmed traces of Wood Release.
Second, Root and the Anbu created chaos in the Hidden Cloud, even engaging in direct conflict. Both units suffered heavy losses, especially Root. Counting the dozen Root members that Itsuki took down, more than half of the unit might be gone.
Finally, Orochimaru... What role did he play in all of this? As he sifted through the documents, the Third Hokage was astonished to find that Uchiha Itsuki had stayed completely uninvolved. Despite all the plans meant to target him, Itsuki remained unscathed. Both the Third Hokage and Danzo suffered great losses, and it was certain there would be more trouble to come.
"Danzo, you really are useless!" The Hokage lifted his head again, his gaze icy.
"Hokage-sama!" An elite jonin hurriedly entered the office.
"What is it?" The Hokage's expression softened.
"Uchiha Yashiro has returned to the village."
"Is that so?" the Third sighed. "I heard news recently that this mission resulted in heavy losses for both the Uchiha and Hyuga clans."
"Yes!" the jonin replied in a grave tone. "Of those on the mission, only Uchiha Yashiro and Uchiha Inaho returned. Yashiro is lightly injured, but Inaho is critically wounded and has already been sent to Konoha Hospital. It's said that the chances of saving him are slim."
"Send the best medical ninja; Inaho must not die," the Hokage immediately ordered.
"Understood!"
The jonin quickly left. The Third Hokage relaxed a bit and murmured, "At least there's some good news." He had doubts about the Uchiha and Hyuga's losses, but now, with Inaho's critical condition, he felt a bit of relief.
Both clans lost eleven jonin—well, Inaho is still alive. Additionally, forty elite clan members were killed. Such losses would surely deal a heavy blow to both clans. The Third Hokage felt satisfied. After the issues with Danzo, this was the best comfort he could get.
But unfortunately, his good mood lasted only a few minutes.
Another Anbu rushed in, saying, "Hokage-sama, the Anbu squad on a mission outside the village has suffered precise attacks with heavy casualties. Here's the list." The Anbu handed over a document.
The Third Hokage was stunned. Glancing at it, he immediately felt dizzy. The long list of names almost made him shout, "Medicine! Medicine…"
"How did this happen?" The Hokage glared at the Anbu member and roared, "How could the Anbu be hit so accurately?"
The Anbu replied, "I don't understand either. We don't know how the Anbu's movements were leaked."
That comment immediately triggered the Third's realization. The Anbu's secrecy is beyond question. Only two people in Konoha knew about their movements: the Hokage and the Anbu captain.
No! There's one more person who might know. The Third Hokage's eyes reddened. If he had Uchiha blood, he might have awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan right then.
"Danzo…" Shimura Danzo, another black mark to his name.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Itsuki did not go directly to Kurenai's house. He first visited the crematorium.
"Sigh, still so quiet," Itsuki muttered as he watched people bustling around on the other side of the street, then glanced at his own shop with a helpless sigh.
He looked at the person standing at the entrance and said, "Yo, the foolish son of a rich family. Looks like you're doing well."
"Hmph!" Shisui snorted and said coolly, "Itsuki, follow me."
With that, he used the Body Flicker Technique and disappeared.
"Oh, trying to show off in front of me?" Itsuki smirked as he followed with his own Body Flicker.
Several hidden figures immediately trailed after them.
Shisui challenging Itsuki? This was going to be amazing! A battle between brothers, and with Shisui's strength, surely Itsuki would reveal some of his true abilities.
(End of Chapter)