Evil Uchiha Itsuki

"Kakashi, what do you say?" 

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes bore into Kakashi, his gaze sharp, pushing him to make a decision.

Kakashi's expression became slightly restrained, and he spoke calmly, "Third Hokage, I'm not trying to cover for anyone. I just don't want the village to fall into chaos."

"If there's a tumor, it must be cut out immediately!" 

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't relent at all. "Do you really want to wait until Danzo makes his move, causing irreversible consequences, before you start regretting it?"

"Just because you don't want chaos, does that mean you can allow Danzo to do as he pleases!?"

"Kakashi, you are the Hokage now!"

The Third's voice rose almost to a roar.

At this point, he couldn't care about anything else.

Rumors were spreading more and more out of control.

They were almost directly targeting the Sarutobi clan!

If it continued like this, even if he smoothed out the Sarutobi clan's dark history, they would become the target of everyone's ire in Konoha.

This couldn't be allowed!

He had to shift the focus elsewhere.

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's plan, he could die, but his clan had to survive.

The clan could pay a certain price, even reducing the number of ninja, but they had to maintain at least 1,500 active fighters.

Thus, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already prepared to let his clan undertake a huge mission for Konoha, making a sacrifice to regain footing.

The current situation was unacceptable!

Danzo?!

Danzo would be the perfect scapegoat.

This was also a decision the Third had made long ago.

He had let Danzo bear the burden, taking all the village's blame, and at the final moment, he would discard him to shoulder everything.

Afterwards!

The Third Hokage would still be one of the greatest contributors to Konoha.

Spotless!

...I will die for the village, just like the Fourth Hokage, heroically in battle!

No!

I am stronger than him!

My name will be known throughout the entire ninja world.

"Third Hokage-sama!"

Kakashi slammed his hand on the desk, standing up, and said, "Right now, everything we know is only speculation, and for that, we are supposed to take down Danzo?"

"Danzo controls a considerable amount of power. If we confront him, what kind of price will we have to pay?"

"That doesn't matter!"

"What matters is, are you sure that everything happening right now is Danzo's doing?"

"If it wasn't him, yet we kill him regardless!"

"Mixing personal emotions into matters concerning the village."

"Third Hokage-sama, you're too disappointing!"

Kakashi's angry outburst echoed through the office.

Everyone was momentarily stunned.

Kakashi had always shown a mild, even lazy demeanor in public.

The fact that he had stayed as Hokage and done his duties properly was already quite commendable.

At the very least, everyone was satisfied!

Who would have thought?

He would get so angry for Danzo.

What was the relationship between the two?

Enemies!

After some thought, that was the only answer they could come up with.

Danzo had repeatedly attempted to take Kakashi's Sharingan.

Moreover.

Kakashi's father's death was also partially connected to Danzo.

Of course, the latter fact was known only to a limited few like Hiruzen Sarutobi.

No matter which aspect, for an enemy, you get this angry!?

Either he was a good Hokage.

Or...

"Kakashi!!!"

The Third Hokage glared furiously at Kakashi.

He couldn't afford to hold back anymore, as the situation was increasingly detrimental to the Sarutobi clan.

Think of his children!

Think of his grandchildren!

Think of his clansmen!

Should they bear all the blame in the future?

No!

Absolutely not!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's breathing grew heavier.

Moreover!

Danzo had always been his backup scapegoat.

Even without the current rumors, Sarutobi Hiruzen had planned to get rid of Danzo, placing all the filth on his shoulders.

He, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would sacrifice everything for Konoha.

At this moment, he was prepared to give his life for Konoha, and he would never allow a stain on his own reputation.

Absolutely not!

Everything was Danzo's doing.

Kakashi, however, did not back down, staring calmly at Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying, "Third Hokage-sama, I will have Danzo cooperate with an investigation. We will also devote more effort. Until then, please remain calm. If it is confirmed that Danzo did all this, I will personally capture him."

"Heh!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sneered, turning to leave.

He didn't believe a single word Kakashi said.

Investigate?

How would you investigate?

How could you investigate?

Danzo wasn't even showing up now. What investigation could you possibly conduct!

How long would this so-called investigation take?

Could the Sarutobi clan endure rumors for that long?

By then!

Even if the investigation concluded, the Sarutobi clan's reputation would already be ruined.

...

"Sigh!"

Watching Hiruzen Sarutobi's retreating figure, Kakashi sighed helplessly.

"Elder Mitokado!"

"Elder Utatane!"

The two elders stood up, saying, "What are your orders, Hokage-sama?"

These two had been quite cooperative lately.

"The rumors in Konoha are very unfavorable towards the Third Hokage-sama."

Kakashi frowned, "I need you two to speak with the Third Hokage and counsel him to stay calm!"

The two experienced elders exchanged glances and nodded in agreement, "Understood!"

"Shikaku!"

"Hokage-sama!"

Kakashi then turned his attention to Nara Shikaku.

"Can't we suppress the rumors?"

"No."

Nara Shikaku said helplessly, "Initially, I considered it, but when we tried to forcibly stop them at the beginning, we met resistance. Many ninjas were extremely agitated."

This was the anger directed at the Sarutobi clan.

This was dissatisfaction with the higher-ups.

Hearing this, everyone present fell into silence.

Only Shikaku had a slightly odd expression.

At first, he hadn't wanted to suppress the rumors; he wanted to let them grow.

It was only when things were about to get out of hand that Shikaku considered stepping in.

Who knew that the ninjas would be so agitated, almost fighting with those he sent.

It was then that Shikaku realized the gravity of the situation.

How had it come to this point?

Who was orchestrating all of this?

In Shikaku's mind, a name flashed: Uchiha Itsuki!

No way...

Did he even foresee this?

Laying down plans in advance?

"Everyone!"

Kakashi suddenly looked up, "Though there's no war currently happening, it's obvious someone is targeting Konoha. I hope during this time, we work together to help Konoha through this crisis."

Everyone stood up and responded, "Of course!"

Immediately after.

Kakashi distributed tasks once again.

What surprised everyone was that Akimichi Torifu was assigned an important role, in charge of the entire security of Konoha.

Kakashi's explanation for this was simple: Torifu was a disciple of the Second Hokage and currently the strongest fighter in Konoha. He was the most suitable candidate.

Alright then!

If you say he's suitable, then he's suitable.

Just hope you keep yourself alive...

"Bang!"

"Report!"

Just as Kakashi finished giving orders, a ninja rushed in urgently.

"What is it?"

Kakashi's expression tightened.

The ninja shouted, "The Sarutobi clan's ninjas are moving irregularly."

"What?!"

Everyone present was visibly shocked.

It wasn't wartime anymore. All the ninjas had returned to Konoha, with only outposts remaining at the borders.

The Sarutobi clan ninjas were no exception.

Now, with thousands of ninjas being mobilized, what are they trying to do?

Do they want to trigger a civil war in Konoha again?

Kakashi suddenly stood up, about to leave.

"Bang!"

Several ninjas suddenly appeared, forming hand seals rapidly.

"Seal!"

"Zzz!"

A light purple barrier emerged, completely isolating the Hokage's office building.

"Damn it!"

Kakashi was stunned.

Everyone else was equally shocked.

The Four Violet Flames Formation?!

"Are they insane?!"

Kakashi yelled, "Who sent you? This is the Hokage office building, the most sacred place in Konoha!"

Above them, the faces of the previous Hokages were carved into the cliff.

They were watching over Konoha—who would dare cause trouble now?

"Hokage-sama!"

One of the ninjas spoke in a deep voice, "We are doing this for Konoha."

For Konoha?

For Konoha again?

How many sacrifices had Konoha made because of that phrase?!

Veins bulged on Kakashi's forehead. "You're Danzo's men?"

Ninja: "..."

"No, we serve the Third Hokage!"

Kakashi: "..."

Then why the hell say you're doing it for Konoha?

Stealing someone else's lines like that—do you know how much misunderstanding that can cause?

Kakashi said coldly, "What exactly does the Third Hokage intend to do?"

The ninja, wearing a mask, hid his facial expression, but his voice carried a sense of grief. "The Third Hokage has decided to clear away the last darkness for Konoha."

"The last darkness?"

Kakashi let out a cold laugh, his eyes filled with disdain.

"You imprison the Hokage, using 'for Konoha' as your excuse, but you're just acting out of self-interest. That is a betrayal of Konoha!"

"What?!"

The ninjas looked shocked.

"Remove the barrier immediately!"

Kakashi shouted, "Or else, from today onward, Hiruzen Sarutobi will be a traitor to Konoha!"

The ninja yelled angrily, "Hokage-sama, how can you say that? The Third Hokage is prepared to sacrifice his life for Konoha."

"So what?"

Kakashi coldly retorted, "So he gets to imprison the Hokage, mobilize thousands, and ignite a civil war in Konoha?"

"I don't see him doing anything for Konoha; all I see is him eliminating dissent for his own gain!"

"Open the barrier now!"

The ninjas exchanged glances but chose to remain silent in the end.

Kakashi, his face icy, looked at the Konoha elders stepping forward from behind him. "We'll work together to break this barrier…"

"Mm!"

Before he could finish speaking.

The scene before Kakashi suddenly changed.

It felt as if he had returned to his youth.

Back then, Rin was still alive.

Obito was still bantering with him...

"Genjutsu!"

Kakashi immediately realized, forming hand seals in an attempt to break free from the illusion.

"It's not that simple."

The four ninjas outside could clearly see Kakashi and the others' every move.

They also began forming hand seals rapidly.

"Sir!"

One of the ninjas spoke in a low voice, "The Hokage and the others are very powerful; if it's just us, we can't hold out for too long."

"No matter!"

The leading ninja didn't mind. "As long as we can hold them off for a while, everything will be over."

"Yes!"

Hatake Kakashi!

Akimichi Torifu!

Nara Shikaku!

These were powerful ninjas—at worst, they were near Kage-level.

Trapping them wasn't an easy task.

As for Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado...

If they didn't cause trouble, Kakashi and the others would be grateful.

However!

The four ninjas didn't need to hold them for long; as long as Hiruzen Sarutobi could deal with Danzo, it would be enough.

The Third Hokage had already taken control of Danzo's location.

Using only the defensive forces of the Hokage building, the Third Hokage used his last authority to forcefully transfer or knock out those people.

By the time those people regained consciousness, it should be about the same time Kakashi and the others broke the genjutsu and barrier.

That was enough!

But!

Would it really be this smooth?

The leading ninja looked worried.

They were the strongest force at the Third Hokage's side—four Jonin!

Highly skilled Jonin!

They had been kept as the Third Hokage's secret weapon, reserved for the last.

But without their help, could the Third really take down Danzo that quickly?

...

"Bang!"

Several figures flashed.

"Who's there?"

A guard at the underground passage barely managed to cry out before several kunai pierced him, killing him on the spot.

But!

The signal had been sent.

Large chakra signatures began appearing in the underground passage.

"Have we been discovered?"

An old voice spoke.

Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared, his expression indifferent, with a faint sinister smile.

"As expected of Danzo!"

"Unfortunately, this time, you're done for. It won't matter that you know."

Hiruzen led a group of people into the underground passage.

Danzo, with a group of his own, appeared at the other end, confronting Hiruzen coldly.

"Hiruzen, have you gone mad?"

Danzo's face was dark, filled with both rage and disbelief.

Old fool!

Are you crazy?!

You actually came to attack me?!

And you brought such a large force—this is something no ordinary person would dare to do.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, you're finished!

No one can save you now.

Konoha will no longer have Hiruzen Sarutobi!

This thought made Danzo even angrier.

You're willing to sacrifice your own life just to kill me?!

How deep is our hatred, really?

Weren't we the best partners?

And now you want… "If we can't be born on the same day, at least let us die on the same day"?

Fine!

I'll grant your wish!

Danzo was utterly furious.

What frustrated him the most was…

Hiruzen Sarutobi, that damned guy, had always been so indecisive, yet this time, to kill him, he was so resolute.

Damn you to hell!

Danzo was so angry he wanted to cry.

It's all because of me!

All because of me!

All because of me!

"Hiruzen!"

Danzo roared in fury and charged.

"Danzo!"

The Third also shouted in anger and rushed towards Danzo.

"Bang!"

The two collided heavily.

The people behind them also clashed, both sides battling fiercely.

(End of chapter)