"What did you just say, Itsuki?"
The Third Hokage's expression froze.
All the nearby Konoha ninjas fell silent.
Their faces, originally mocking, stiffened in shock.
Mokuton (Wood Style)?
Where in the world did Mokuton suddenly come from?
Is the First Hokage back from the dead?
They wanted to laugh, but the Third Hokage's face made it impossible. The hairs on their bodies stood on end.
Holy crap!
Did you guys secretly create something again?
This thought ran through the minds of the Konoha ninjas, led by Shikaku Nara.
Damn it! You old geezers—can't you give it a rest?
The veins on Shikaku's forehead bulged with frustration.
It's only been a few years since the Orochimaru incident, and you still haven't learned your lesson, have you?
Do you really want us to make a big scene again?
Do you really think just blaming everything on Orochimaru will make us believe you had no involvement?
Damn it, with Orochimaru's status back then, there's no way he could have conducted secret experiments for years in Konoha without a single word leaking out.
Orochimaru's experiments involved both civilians and ninjas, even those from clans with secret techniques.
How many ninja clans were enraged by the disappearance of their own members and launched investigations?
If it weren't for the cover-ups by the Third and others, do you think the powerful clans in Konoha wouldn't have figured it out?
And now, you're at it again!
Shikaku exchanged glances with several ninjas.
They may hate the Uchiha, but they hate people who harm their own ninjas even more.
Danzo's actions have truly struck at the heart of the village's clans.
As for whether or not the Third Hokage was involved, it doesn't matter. As Hokage, he promoted Danzo, so whether or not he participated doesn't change the fact that he shares the blame.
Every mistake and every crime, he owns a part of it!
Itsuki shrugged and said, "I don't know if it's true or not, but I heard from that Cloud ninja that there might have been a Mokuton user involved in the chaos this time. I was surprised. Didn't Mokuton disappear from Konoha? Unless it's the First Hokage himself… Oh no, my shop!"
He started rubbing his hands excitedly.
If he could stoke the flames using the First Hokage, that would be huge.
Business would definitely boom in the future!
After all, Hashirama himself was made of wood—a natural fuel source!
The Third Hokage's breathing grew heavy.
Disappear?
Disappear, my ass!
Orochimaru—no, Konoha's research on Mokuton never stopped.
After all, it's the First Hokage's great power, capable of ending the Warring States period!
Without the power of Mokuton, Hashirama Senju would've been long dragged off and beaten down by Madara Uchiha.
Orochimaru succeeded in creating only one experiment and handed him over to Danzo. The name: Tenzo.
Codename: "A."
Even though Tenzo's Mokuton was nothing compared to the First Hokage, it was still a reawakening of the technique.
This was a huge breakthrough!
Later, the Third Hokage took Tenzo away from Danzo's control and kept a close eye on him.
Now that he thought about it, damn! It's been days since he last checked on Tenzo.
Did something happen with Mokuton?
My Tenzo!
The Third Hokage panicked.
Wait!
If Mokuton really appeared in the Cloud Village, then maybe what Uchiha Itsuki said about the ANBU was true as well?
Did the ANBU really abandon Itsuki and carry on with the mission alone?
Did they disobey the Hokage's orders?
Although ANBU only takes orders from the Hokage, Danzo…
That bastard!
The Third Hokage could no longer sit still. He dismissed everyone present and hurried off.
Itsuki shrugged again and said, "Everyone, thank you for the warm welcome. I really feel the love of the Konoha family. I… have no words to express my gratitude!"
"How about this!"
After thinking for a moment, Itsuki continued, "I've opened a shop. You can check it out later. I promise, everyone here gets a 50% discount."
"Hiss!"
A lot of people gasped.
The temperature in the air seemed to rise.
His shop… with a discount?
Forget a 50% discount, even if he broke their bones, they'd still crawl to get there.
But…
Uchiha Itsuki isn't someone to mess with, and none of them wanted to provoke him.
The Third Hokage's situation was proof of that just now.
The trap had been set, but Uchiha Itsuki flipped the table right from the start.
Shikaku Nara had calculated the Third Hokage's options just moments ago.
The Third had only two choices.
One: Admit that the ANBU had another mission and give Itsuki an explanation.
Two: Confront Itsuki head-on and insist that everything was Itsuki's fault.
But!
If he chose the second option, who knows what Uchiha Itsuki would do?
This guy dared to publicly slap Danzo and take out over ten of his Root members. Do you really want to test his limits?
The Third Hokage had his concerns.
Itsuki had none.
So, when Uchiha Itsuki flipped the table, the Third Hokage had no choice but to back down.
But, Itsuki gave him an out.
Mokuton!
With Mokuton involved, the Third Hokage had no choice but to handle the situation immediately. He didn't need to stay and make a decision.
Or maybe it wasn't an out at all—maybe there really was a Mokuton user who had gone to the Cloud Village!
And the ANBU!
Shikaku Nara suddenly realized something.
Danzo, you son of a…!
Is this your doing again?
At that moment, Shikaku Nara, the strongest strategist in the ninja world and Konoha's chief tactician, had the exact same thought as the Third Hokage.
Danzo: "..."
Watching the hurriedly departing crowd, Fugaku's face darkened as he glared fiercely at Itsuki.
This bastard. If he could, he would've finished him off.
Too bad!
He couldn't beat him!
Itsuki helplessly rubbed his head and said, "Clan leader, calm down a bit. If you get too angry and die, then what about Sister Mikoto..."
You son of a...
Fugaku clenched his fist, rock solid, with his three-tomoe Sharingan faintly glowing red.
Deep breaths, deep breaths, and more deep breaths!
Gritting his teeth, Fugaku said, "Tell me about your mission this time."
"Just like I said!"
Itsuki shrugged and said, "The Hokage ordered me to lead the Anbu to keep an eye on the Hidden Cloud, making sure they don't cause trouble for the Leaf Village. But when we got to the outskirts of Hidden Cloud Village, the Anbu left and acted on their own."
"I had no choice but to sit alone outside the village, silently watching them."
"Who knew that at that moment, chaos suddenly broke out in the Hidden Cloud. I personally saw the Hidden Cloud shinobi getting into a fight with the Anbu and Root members, and then, Wood Release appeared inside the village."
"Anbu? Root?"
Fugaku furrowed his brow.
"Why would they get into a conflict with the Hidden Cloud?"
"How would I know! Man, you should've seen the scene. It was scary as hell."
Itsuki said helplessly, "There were only a few dozen Anbu and Root members, but they were surrounded by hundreds of Hidden Cloud shinobi. I was just one guy. Going in would've been suicide, so I had no choice but to quietly watch them get hacked to death."
"Heh!"
Fugaku let out a cold laugh.
He didn't believe a single word Itsuki said.
This Hidden Cloud chaos... Who would dare say it had nothing to do with Itsuki? If they did, he'd slap them silly.
Exactly!
He had that much faith in Itsuki!
Lowering his voice, Fugaku asked, "Is there any chance this incident will be exposed? Give me the truth so I can be prepared."
Itsuki looked suspiciously at Fugaku and said, "What's going on in that brain of yours?"
Fugaku glared at Itsuki with hostility. "What do you mean?"
"Sigh, Fugaku, oh Fugaku!"
Itsuki sighed and said, "When I went to the Hidden Cloud this time, do you think the Third Hokage and the others were plotting against me?"
"If they had the chance to turn you into minced meat, they wouldn't pass it up. Their greatest wish would be to personally wield the knife."
"Exactly. If they dared to plot against me, do you think I wouldn't strike back?"
Itsuki spread his hands and said, "So what if it gets exposed? At most, I'd give the other side a public smackdown."
"You've got to have more faith in me!"
"Would I screw you over?"
"I, Uchiha Itsuki, am more than worthy of you entrusting your wife and children to!"
(End of chapter)