Inside a large building near the Uchiha clan compound in Konoha Village, the Konoha elders stood assembled.
Suddenly, a dark figure flashed into existence.
An Anbu ninja knelt on one knee: "Third Hokage-sama! Something terrible has happened, a large number of bodies have been discovered in the Uchiha clan compound!"
"What?! How could this be?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was filled with shock.
A hint of disdain flashed in Danzo Shimura's eyes, and he thought to himself, 'He's such a good actor!'
However, Danzo was in high spirits. He immediately raised his cane and pointed towards the Uchiha clan compound: "Root ninjas, immediately enter the Uchiha compound to investigate and capture the culprit!"
With that, Danzo rushed out.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, on the other hand, waved his hand: "Initiate emergency protocols, notify the Anbu to seal all entrances and exits of Konoha!"
"Yes!"
The Anbu ninja respectfully acknowledged the order, then his figure flickered and disappeared from the spot.
Only Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in the hall, gazing out the window, a subtle, almost imperceptible curve playing on his lips.
He took a deep drag from his expensive pipe, feeling that today's smoke was exceptionally fragrant and good for his lungs.
As the leader of Konoha, he had a thorough understanding of the village's situation, though often it depended on whether he wanted to know; some things were better left unknown... In Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, the disappearance of both the Senju and Uchiha clans was a good thing for everyone!
The village no longer had to constantly fear and suspect a clan inherently evil.
Although the villagers would suspect the Uchiha, it was the public opinion they manipulated that led to this... A gentle breeze blew, and an extra figure appeared behind the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, at some unknown point.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's figure remained unmoving, as steady as an old dog, only the corner of his eye subtly observing behind him.
With his back to the newcomer, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with a choked voice: "Why did this happen? Fugaku and I had clearly worked so hard for so long... Itachi! Don't worry, everyone else has already been sent away!"
"Thank you for your hard work, Third Hokage-sama," Itachi nodded, his voice low.
"In any case, this way, Konoha has finally avoided civil war, and the peace of the village has been preserved!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply: "I regret it deeply, and I apologize. It's my fault for not finding a better alternative."
Itachi's eyes were filled with melancholy: "I apologize, Third Hokage-sama, we did not heed your advice."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head: "I am the one who should apologize. It was Fugaku's and my incompetence that made you bear all of this!"
Saying this, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly turned around, looking at Itachi with pity in his eyes: "Are you mentally prepared? From now on, Konoha will list you as a rogue ninja. You will become the murderer of your entire clan, and you will be hunted by all of Konoha... No! By the entire ninja world..."
Itachi's expression remained melancholic: "That is only natural."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was sorrowful: "What are your plans for the future?"
Itachi adjusted the headband on his forehead and said with determined eyes: "I will continue to do what a Konoha ninja should do. Even if I become a wanted criminal, I will silently protect Konoha!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi feigned shock: "Itachi... you... you are truly exceptional! In you, I feel as if I see the shadow of my senior, Kagami Uchiha."
As he spoke, old tears streamed down his face: "Even his descendant, Shisui Uchiha, was so outstanding..."
"Yes! Shisui was my best friend, and I will inherit his will."
"But... Itachi... what exactly do you plan to do?"
Itachi said softly: "For this mission, I used the power of one person. His strength is formidable! I will stay in his organization to monitor him, to prevent him from doing anything that could harm Konoha!"
"However... to protect my younger brother, Sasuke Uchiha, Third Hokage-sama, can you give me a promise?!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded solemnly: "Of course, I promise you that I will fully protect Sasuke's life and ensure his healthy growth!"
"However... I am powerless against Sasuke's hatred for you."
Itachi's eyes were melancholic: "I have long been prepared to bear all the blame, and Sasuke's share is naturally included!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed: "Go, the Konoha barrier and defense outposts will not undergo major changes, you can often come back to see Sasuke."
He inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. To be honest, he would find a way to keep Sasuke in Konoha no matter what!
If he didn't have Sasuke under his control, Hiruzen Sarutobi would not feel at ease letting Itachi leave.
Itachi slowly turned and walked out, "I'm sorry, the Uchiha clan couldn't understand the Third Hokage-sama's good intentions."
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Itachi's departing back and took a deep drag from his pipe.
After tonight, the Uchiha clan's name and glory, which had resonated throughout the ninja world for hundreds of years, had finally drawn to a close, buried by the very village he had personally established.
At this point, all of the Uchiha clan's contributions and achievements to Konoha had become meaningless.
However, for Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had lived for nearly 70 years, this was not something to be overly surprised about.
How many renowned clans in the ninja world had withered away? Even the once all-powerful Senju clan had been destroyed under the machinations of himself, Danzo Shimura, and others!
What was a mere Uchiha clan in comparison?
Thinking of his own Sarutobi clan's three thousand ninjas, Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips unconsciously curved upwards... The night was deep, and most households in Konoha Village had already extinguished their lights and gone to sleep, leaving only a few isolated points of light.
No one knew, and no one cared, if anything had happened tonight.
In the silent night sky, however, the Uchiha clan compound had become lively.
Konoha's Root ninjas were the first to storm into the compound; they had received a death order from Lord Danzo.
The Root ninjas meticulously examined every body, regardless of gender, age, height, or build!
They gouged out the eyes of every Sharingan user recorded in their files and placed them into pre-prepared culture dishes.
According to Danzo, this was the Uchiha's greatest legacy to Konoha, their final value to the village... For Konoha's sake, it must be properly received!
Danzo Shimura stood in the central street of the Uchiha compound, personally overseeing everything, his heart throbbing with excitement.
How many precious Sharingan were these?
With them, his right arm would have enough ammunition!
And with Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan, who in the ninja world would be his opponent then?
Even the Monkey wouldn't necessarily be able to defeat him, and by then... wouldn't the Hokage's seat be within his grasp?
Looking at the ground covered in Uchiha blood and bodies, Danzo Shimura felt an indescribable exhilaration.
The Uchiha clan had finally been eliminated by his hand; their influence and threat had finally completely disappeared!
Danzo Shimura couldn't help but gaze up at the starry sky at a 45-degree angle, a joyful and intoxicated expression on his face: "Tobirama-sensei, do you see? Your student has done it! I have not failed your expectations, I am the man most suited to be Hokage!"