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The Third didn't bother guessing what Danzō was thinking. He stayed in character, his voice heavy with sorrow.
"Itachi. As the inheritor of the Will of Fire, you wouldn't want something like that to happen, would you?"
Itachi lowered his head, his expression hidden from view.
After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice hoarse.
"I understand, Third Hokage-sama. But about the request you promised me earlier…"
"Don't worry!"
Before he could finish, Hiruzen Sarutobi cut him off.
His face was full of sincerity as he spoke.
"Once this mission is completed, you will be a hero of Konoha.
"I guarantee that your younger brother, Uchiha Akira, will remain in the village in complete safety."
And not only that. If his talent proves sufficient, I will personally take him as my student. I'll teach him ninjutsu myself and spare no effort in raising him into an outstanding shinobi of Konoha.
"In the future, if Akira's abilities are strong enough, it wouldn't even be impossible for him to become Hokage."
To push Uchiha Itachi into acting tonight, Hiruzen laid it on thick. Whether these promises would ever be fulfilled didn't matter. What mattered was showing enough "sincerity" so his subordinate would be willing to give his life for the cause.
Unlike Danzō, who didn't know how to sell a dream or win hearts. In the end, he could only rely on the Cursed Tongue Eradication Technique to forcibly control his men.
Itachi fell silent again. After a long while, he said quietly, "I hope the Third Hokage will not break his promise."
The next instant—
Open.
Itachi suddenly raised his head. His eyes were blazing crimson.
The Mangekyō Sharingan had awakened.
The Third Hokage's decision to launch the Uchiha massacre ahead of schedule had shattered Itachi's contingency plans.
When Itachi first received the mission to wipe out the clan, a mysterious man claiming to be Uchiha Madara had sought him out.
The two struck a deal.
After Itachi carried out the massacre, he would join an organization called Akatsuki and work for them.
In return, the mysterious man would secretly protect Akira from the shadows.
This was to prevent the Third Hokage or Danzō from making a quiet move and killing Akira behind the scenes.
But now, with the plan suddenly brought forward, that safety net was gone.
Because his contact with the mysterious man was strictly one-way. The man could reach him, but Itachi had no way to reach back.
So to make up for losing his backup plan, Itachi had no choice but to reveal his Mangekyō Sharingan as a warning.
Hiruzen Sarutobi acted as though he hadn't noticed Itachi's eyes at all. He thumped his chest confidently and swore,
"I pledge this in the name of the Sarutobi clan. I will absolutely protect Uchiha Akira's life!"
Then Itachi turned his gaze to the other side.
"And you as well. I hope Danzō-sama can give me a guarantee."
Danzō stared hard at Itachi's eyes. The greed in his single eye was almost tangible.
Another Mangekyō.
Another Mangekyō!
I must have it!
Danzō roared in his heart.
He had already transplanted Shisui's Mangekyō, so he understood better than anyone how terrifying its power was.
Shisui's Mangekyō held the strongest genjutsu of all, Kotoamatsukami.
So what kind of ability does yours have, Uchiha Itachi?
A hint of anticipation crept into his thoughts.
"Ahem."
The Third Hokage cleared his throat, snapping Danzō back to reality.
"Hmph."
Danzō snorted coldly, then said with disdain, "Just a brat who hasn't even graduated from the Academy yet. I have no interest in little kids like that."
"Good. Then I trust that both of you will honor your word."
With their assurances secured, Itachi closed his Mangekyō Sharingan.
"There's no time to waste. Itachi, once you're ready, go carry out the mission. Everything is for Konoha."
Hiruzen's expression turned solemn.
"Yes. Everything is for Konoha."
Itachi answered seriously, his resolve firm.
How hypocritical.
Danzō cursed inwardly. But seeing both of them looking his way, he casually added, "Everything is for Konoha."
…
Once Itachi had left, the warmth vanished from Hiruzen Sarutobi's face. His voice dropped low.
"Danzō, find the right opportunity and eliminate both Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Akira. That evil Uchiha bloodline should disappear from the shinobi world completely."
"Heh. Hiruzen, you really are as fake as ever."
Danzō sneered.
"But even if you hadn't said it, I would've found a chance to act anyway."
For Itachi's Mangekyō, and for the secrets hidden within Uchiha Akira, those two had to be taken. Alive or dead.
He added that last part silently to himself.
Hiruzen glanced at Danzō out of the corner of his eye. He knew his old friend all too well.
One look at the way he moved, and you knew exactly what kind of filth he was about to produce.
Hiruzen was perfectly clear on what Danzō was plotting, but he said nothing.
Give him a bit of motivation. Let him put in the work during this operation. Then, once it's over, seize the fruits of victory for himself.
After all, he, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was the Hokage.
"Heh heh heh. Hiruzen, I know you too well. I can see straight through what you're thinking."
Watching Hiruzen's retreating back, Danzō laughed coldly to himself.
"Trying to steal my victory? Not a chance."
He then walked up to a pitch-black wall and pressed a spot with his finger.
The wall split open to either side, revealing a dark passage.
Without lighting a lantern, Danzō moved forward by feel alone.
Before long, he reached the end of the corridor and pushed.
Creeeak.
The sound of a wooden door opening.
Inside was a hidden room. Dim yellow lights illuminated all kinds of experimental equipment scattered about.
A figure sat on a high-backed chair, absorbed in research at the control table.
Noticing the door open, the figure stood up.
"Danzō, I told you. If it's not time for the Uchiha massacre yet, don't come bothering me."
A hoarse voice with a strange, magnetic quality echoed through the room.
Danzō ignored him and strode inside.
The figure took a few steps forward. Under the light, his appearance was finally revealed.
Long, smooth black hair fell down his back. Purple eye shadow stretched from the bridge of his nose across his eyes.
Golden snake-shaped earrings hung from his ears, and a thick rope was tied around his waist in a bow.
Orochimaru.
"....."