Outside the village.
In front of a waterfall, two young boys were sitting on a cliff.
They seemed very relaxed.
These two were none other than Shisui and Itachi Uchiha!
This place was their secret base, a place where they could talk freely.
"How's the clan situation?" Shisui asked softly, looking at the falling water from the waterfall.
Actually, he hadn't returned to the clan for a few days because every time he went back, the clan leader would drag him into conversations about other matters!
He didn't want to go back to that clan!
Right now, he felt torn between two sides!
He wanted both the clan and the village to coexist peacefully, to be in harmony.
But things weren't going as he hoped!
"My father's temper is getting worse. No one can convince him not to participate in the coup!" Itachi frowned, a troubled expression on his face. Just thinking about the situation in the clan made him feel conflicted!
"I heard that Uchiha Kinya went to see the clan leader?" Shisui looked at Itachi and asked again.
He was actually feeling very nervous!
If Uchiha Kinya, along with the ninja from the Merchant Association, joined the coup, things would become even more complicated!
"He advised my father to wait for a while." Itachi then repeated the conversation between Uchiha Kinya and Uchiha Fugaku, but his tone became colder as he spoke.
"It seems Uchiha Kinya doesn't have any intentions of joining the coup," Shisui sighed in relief. It seemed that not all the people from his clan wanted to betray the village after all!
If it was just the clan leader and a few other members, it might be easier to handle!
"Hmph? Doesn't have that intention? I don't think so!" Itachi said coldly, showing no affection for Uchiha Kinya. "He's just trying to build up his power. But no matter how much power they gather, they don't have top-tier combat strength. Just a bunch of useless people!"
He spoke without holding back. If someone named Genya heard this, he would definitely scold him for how things had turned out. He had kindly tried to persuade Uchiha Fugaku, only to end up in this situation!
A bunch of useless people?
Is he the elite?
Ridiculous!
If Genya knew about this, he'd definitely beat him up!
"Gathering strength? I don't think so," Uchiha Shisui shook his head and said to Itachi. "You don't have to dislike Uchiha Kinya so much. I think he was just giving an excuse to advise the clan leader."
"Hmph," Itachi snorted. After most of the clan members left Police Force for Uchiha Kinya, he no longer had any good feelings toward him!
In fact, he felt a bit disgusted!
Seeing Itachi's strong reaction, Uchiha Shisui didn't press the issue further. Instead, he looked at Itachi and asked, "So, what do you want to do next?"
"The Uchiha clan is planning a coup. I need to inform Lord Hokage!" Itachi thought for a moment before speaking.
Actually, a while ago, he had already informed the Third Hokage about the Uchiha clan's plot. Such an important matter, of course, needed to be reported!
Thinking about this, his eyes turned cold.
Between the village and the clan, he chose the village!
"Inform Lord Hokage, then," Uchiha Shisui's eyes flickered for a moment, but in the end, he said, "I'll go with you."
With the clan causing such a stir, Konoha would definitely take action. He might be able to help a little!
Perhaps he could convince Lord Hokage!
"You too?" Itachi was surprised for a moment.
"I am also a member of the Uchiha clan. Since the clan leader wants to do something like this, I will represent the clan and apologize to Lord Hokage," Shisui's face was serious.
He really didn't want to see the village and the clan clash like this!
Moreover,
He still had his own trump card!
In the end, Itachi nodded and went to the Hokage's office with Shisui.
At this moment!
In the Hokage's office, both Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo were present. When they saw the serious expressions on the two of them, it was clear that...
He had already learned the truth about the Uchiha clan's rebellion.
"Itachi, Shisui, since you two are here, I already know where you stand!" The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, spoke calmly as he looked at the two of them. He continued, "So, tell me, what does Uchiha Kinya want to do this time?"
He too had suspicions about Uchiha Kinya!
"Hokage-sama, it's like this…" Itachi did not hide the truth. He explained the situation, including Uchiha Kinya's intentions to either compete for the position of village leader or leave Konohagakure entirely.
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened, and his eyes grew colder.
Danzo, on the other hand, was furious. Slamming his fist on the table, he shouted, "As expected, the Uchiha clan hasn't hidden their true intentions! These rebels even want to compete for the position of Hokage!"
Once Hiruzen stepped down, the position of Hokage would be his.
No one could covet it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat quietly, not speaking.
Clearly, he agreed with Danzo's thoughts. The Uchiha clan wanted to compete for the position of Hokage? Wanted to drive him out?
Ridiculous!
It seemed that the Uchiha Kinya faction of ninjas could no longer be left alone!
As long as he was alive, he would be the Hokage of Konohagakure.
"When will they plot something?" After a long silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke, his tone strangely calm.
It was as if he were asking a casual question.
"Seven days from now," Itachi replied softly. "That's when they will likely start their actions."
"Seven days…" Hiruzen Sarutobi furrowed his brow, muttering quietly, "We are all citizens of Konohagakure. Why can't we talk things over calmly? Why must there be rebellion?"
"If Fugaku had spoken directly, I would have stepped down."
As Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke these words, there was a look of kindness and reluctance on his face.
Itachi and Shisui were both deeply moved. If Genya were here, he would certainly give him a big thumbs up!
Since you took office, you've been suppressing the Uchiha clan. After the Nine-Tails incident, you even pushed them to the edge of the village. Now you're pretending to care!
Fugaku's villainy—wasn't it all caused by him?
How ridiculous!
You talk about stepping down—if you have the courage, just do it!
At this moment, Danzo stood up again, his tone serious: "Hiruzen, how long are you going to be merciful? The Uchiha are already on the brink of a coup. You can't keep being so kind! If it were up to me, I would deploy the Konoha ninja and wipe them out. Otherwise... an uprising by the Uchiha will bring great harm to the village!"
"Everything we're doing is for the village!"
Danzo spoke with righteous conviction, though there was a hint of smugness in his voice.
"That's not possible. There must be another way!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, still pretending to be troubled.
"There is no other way. You must choose between the village and the Uchiha!" Danzo continued to press.
"Danzo... the Uchiha are also part of this village!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said, clearly torn.
At this point, the two were like actors in a play, one playing the villain, the other the hero.
However,
Hiruzen's actions still moved Uchiha Shisui and Itachi. Following Hiruzen wasn't a mistake!
"You worry about the Uchiha, but the Uchiha want to harm the village!" Danzo pressed again, looking at Hiruzen. "You have to make a decision today!"
"But..." Hiruzen still seemed troubled.
"Lord Hokage..." At that moment, Uchiha Shisui stepped forward, bowing respectfully to both of them. "Please give the Uchiha clan some time. I have a way to change Fugaku's mind. I can prevent him from starting a coup!"
****
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