Pakura smiled.
Itsuki's hands were dark too.
During the Third Great Ninja War, he obtained the Byakugan.
Who knows how many members of the Hyuga clan he killed?
And how many other ninjas died indirectly because of him?
Coincidentally, Itsuki was also skilled in the Body Flicker Technique, which is perfect for assassination missions.
The Third Hokage and others had always been trying to suppress Itsuki's fame and hinder his rise, which only made it easier for him to act.
As for whether anyone else would find out...
Pakura also noticed that Itsuki simply didn't care.
A lot of things were well understood by everyone, and as long as everything wasn't laid out in the open, he didn't care at all.
When it was just the Third Hokage, Danzo, and Itsuki alone, Itsuki would even tell them his plans outright without any concern.
What could they do?
Nothing!
Even when there were a lot of people around, Itsuki didn't care.
Flipping the table—that's Itsuki's usual!
This is confidence!
The confidence of strength!
Itsuki, true to the name of Uchiha.
The arrogance of the Uchiha was embodied perfectly in him.
Instead, it was the Third Hokage and the others who had to find excuses for Itsuki's actions.
Must be exhausting to be Hokage, right?
If it's so tiring, why not just retire?
Or maybe, he had walked himself into a dead end, with no way to retreat.
"Let's go!"
"Yes, Lady Pakura!"
The two gradually left.
After they had gone, a hurried figure arrived but didn't see Pakura and seemed quite disappointed.
She looked in the direction Pakura left and murmured, "Sensei, is it really you?"
"Why?"
"Why are you doing this?"
"You were clearly the hero of Sunagakure!"
Her eyes grew determined. "Something must've gone wrong, yes, you were manipulated. Sensei, this time, it's my turn to save you!"
She strode away, her steps full of determination.
...
"What did you say?"
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage looked like he was beyond the point of being surprised.
Things couldn't seem to get any worse.
"Flying Raijin? Are you sure it's the Flying Raijin?"
"I'm sure, Father!"
Shinnosuke, wearing a mask that concealed his expression, calling him "Father" made the Third understand his intentions.
"No way!"
The Third Hokage refused without hesitation.
"Father!"
Shinnosuke, angry, said, "How many mistakes has Danzo made, how much trouble has he caused you? Why? Why are you still trying to protect him? You're too stubborn."
"What do you know?"
The Third's expression was stern. "The Uchiha are growing more powerful, and because of that, I need Danzo even more. He's very good at dealing with the Uchiha."
Shinnosuke sneered, "That was the old Uchiha. The current Uchiha—how many setbacks have they caused him? Have you forgotten, Father?"
The Third Hokage's body stiffened.
He had no response.
"Notify Koharu and the others. We need to meet."
"Yes!"
Shinnosuke understood that the Third didn't want to continue the conversation.
He felt helpless, yet couldn't change his stubborn father's mind!
He couldn't understand—Danzo was just one person. They should get rid of him, gain the approval of most of the ninja clans in Konoha, and then gather more power to deal with the Uchiha. Wouldn't that be better?
War might be on the horizon, and they could send the Uchiha to the frontlines.
After being worn down by war, the Uchiha would be more obedient.
And then!
Gather all their power and launch a thunderous strike against the Uchiha, solving the problem once and for all.
Yet!
His father, just to protect Danzo, wanted to face the Uchiha head-on. Meanwhile, many ninja clans were expressing dissatisfaction, making the Third Hokage's position increasingly unstable.
Was Danzo really worth it?
...
Like a surging wave!
A storm!
The old man... cough, cough!
Amidst the screams, it all ended, and Itsuki cheerfully went to make food.
After such massive consumption, he needed to replenish his energy.
Kannon rolled her eyes at him and said speechlessly, "Why did you have to scream at the end like that? You scared me."
Itsuki chuckled and said, "It's the final ritual. If you don't scream, I have to."
"Heh!"
Kannon sneered and turned serious. "I have something to talk to you about."
"I already know."
"You know?"
"Yes!" Itsuki said with a serious face. "The crematorium hasn't opened for business yet. Am I really not cut out for business?"
Kannon: "...Is that what you're talking about?"
"No way!" Itsuki's eyes burned with determination as he clenched his fists. "I'm not giving up! I will succeed! Absolutely!"
"The Third Hokage, just wait. I'll burn you down to make my shop famous!"
Enough is enough!
Kannon sighed softly, "War may be coming, Itsuki. Will you and the Uchiha be on the battlefield?"
She spoke, already feeling it was a bit redundant.
The Uchiha were always on the frontlines.
"War? How's that possible? The Third Great Ninja War just ended not long ago. Have all the villages recovered their strength so soon?"
"Stop pretending!"
Kannon glared at Itsuki unhappily, "You've been preparing for it, haven't you?"
Itsuki chuckled, "If I clash with Konoha, whose side will you take?"
"You've asked me this many times, and my answer hasn't changed. I choose you!"
Kannon's response was without hesitation, "You're my only family now."
"Then what are you worrying about?"
Itsuki got up and walked out.
Outside.
The Anbu were already waiting.
"Lord Itsuki, the Third Hokage is waiting for you in his office."
"Alright!"
Itsuki smiled, handed the meal to Kannon, and followed the Anbu with her worried gaze.
Upon arriving at the Hokage building, Itsuki sensed something unusual.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
I've already revealed the Flying Raijin... Third Hokage, my foolish Third Hokage, you wouldn't, would you?
As he reached the office door, the strange feeling grew stronger.
He opened the door.
A face with only one eye came into view.
The lone eye glared at him viciously!
"Yikes!!!"
A sharp scream rang out, echoing through the entire office building.
"Pfft!"
Inside the office.
The Third Hokage, who was smoking, swallowed a huge puff of smoke, forcing it down his throat, and then started coughing uncontrollably.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were also startled, shivering in shock.
The scream had come out of nowhere.
At that moment, many workers inside the office building froze in place.
This was the Hokage's office building—Konoha's most respected place. Who the heck had the nerve to run around scaring people!?
Even Danzo, who had been making eye contact with Itsuki, was taken aback.
Taking the brunt of Itsuki's sonic assault, veins bulged on Danzo's forehead.
Clenching his teeth, he roared angrily, "Uchiha Itsuki, what the hell are you screaming about!?"
"You…"
Itsuki trembled and said, "You… you scared me."
What the heck…
Danzo wanted to curse.
Itsuki, looking distraught, said, "I just came from the crematorium. My head is full of images of dead bodies. You—you suddenly appeared in front of me! Do you have any idea how scary you look?"
"That twisted expression… you look like a corpse that died a violent death."
Huff, huff!
Danzo's face twisted in rage.
Kill him!
I have to kill him!
"Alright, Danzo, let Itsuki in," came the deep voice of the Third Hokage.
(End of chapter)