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Itachi Uchiha inwardly despised Obito Uchiha, which was roughly in line with his investigation and guesses…

This mysterious Uchiha, seemingly special, is actually no different from those clansmen who believe Shisui was killed by him. They are all narrow-minded people whose bloodline has been ingrained in the marrow of this pathetic clan!

"So, the so-called organization he established is probably just a rabble..." Itachi Uchiha muttered to himself.

"However, I do have to maintain this persona in front of Sasuke... This ninja world and village are still too dangerous. In order for Sasuke to grow up quickly so that he can protect himself, I must help him gain power as soon as possible..."

"Perfect, let's do as this guy guesses..."

After thinking it over quickly.

Uchiha Itachi nodded coldly: "Understood. As for you, you'd better hurry up..."

Obito Uchiha shrugged nonchalantly, and his figure, like a phantom, stepped into the Uchiha clan's territory.

Both of them held an extremely sharp samurai sword.

If nothing unexpected happens...

These two swords will drink the blood of the Uchiha clan tonight!

But outside the clan's territory.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, along with elites from the Anbu and Root, had all gathered here…

Although after the Shisui incident, Hiruzen Sarutobi once again dismissed Danzo Shimura from his position as Hokage's assistant and ordered him to disband Root.

But in reality, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew perfectly well that this was simply impossible.

Those Root ninjas, under the dual training of Shimura Danzo in both body and mind, had long since become weapons devoid of independent thought, knowing only to be loyal to him and not to know who the Hokage was.

Even without his official position in Konoha, as long as these Root ninjas are alive, Shimura Danzo will still be Shimura Danzo…

Hiruzen Sarutobi could indeed uproot Danzo Shimura's forces completely.

But that's unnecessary...

As the Third Hokage, the aging Hiruzen Sarutobi still needed Danzo Shimura as his vanguard and sharp blade to resolve various troublesome matters, both big and small, within and outside the village.

Over the years, their feelings and ties have become quite complex...

So, just like putting on a show for Itachi Uchiha, Danzo Shimura rested at home for a few days before naturally returning to his rightful place.

Moreover, now that Naruto has been possessed by Tobirama Senju…

Hiruzen Sarutobi needed a hothead like Danzo Shimura to see what their mutual mentor was really up to and what his mental state was like...

“Danzo, let’s wait here… Itachi Uchiha said he would handle the Uchiha clan’s problems alone… Just as we predicted, he’s probably going to kill the Uchiha clan’s extreme militarists.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, "Although I still don't want to see bloodshed... but given that Itachi Uchiha has such a strong will of fire, we can't find a better way now."

"Let's cover for him for now..."

Danzo Shimura gave a silent, cold laugh. As his sinister gaze swept over Hiruzen Sarutobi's sincere expression of regret, a hint of admiration surfaced in his eyes.

As expected of Hiruzen... the man who has been chasing him all along!

Danzo Shimura thought that being able to trick Shisui Uchiha into giving him a Kotoamatsukami was already a testament to his skill and cunning...

But looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi...

It's incredible that the son of the Uchiha clan leader would willingly turn his sword against his own clan!

What profound brainwashing power this is…

And in front of him, he was still wearing that kind old Hokage mask…

"Hiruzen, you handled Itachi Uchiha very well." Shimura Danzo rarely praised Hiruzen Sarutobi, but then quickly changed his expression—"However…"

"I think we should still kill Itachi Uchiha as well! Even if that brat Fugaku is loyal to the village and has transcended the narrow-mindedness of the Uchiha clan, he is still an exceptionally talented and extremely terrifying Uchiha..."

"We can't let someone like him get away with this! You know, our teacher once said that a demon-possessed Uchiha has no logic... If he leaves the village and has other ideas, he might become a terrible enemy for the village!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a moment, then shook his head, rejecting Danzo Shimura's suggestion.

"No, Itachi plans to join the Akatsuki, a rogue ninja organization active in the black market, and become a spy for both sides of Konoha... As Hokage, I cannot allow a ninja who has made significant contributions to the village to be harmed simply because of some speculation."

Danzo Shimura gave a cold laugh: "I understand, Hiruzen. Next time, you might as well just say what you want to say."

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not answer him, but simply looked towards the Uchiha clan's territory with his hands behind his back and sighed again.

As for what wasn't said directly?

Of course, Hiruzen Sarutobi only said that "he, the Hokage" could not make a move, but he did not explicitly forbid Danzo Shimura from attacking Itachi Uchiha.

If it's not explicitly stated, then it's tacitly agreed.

This is the tacit understanding that Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura have developed over the years...

It also reflects the self-cultivation of Hiruzen Sarutobi as Hokage and Danzo Shimura as the root of Konoha.

"Hiruzen, why did you recently lift the order to monitor the Jinchuriki? To be honest with you, I can relinquish my monitoring authority over the Nine-Tails. After all these years, the Jinchuriki have only had contact with you, and as Hokage, you can't possibly give up control over the Tailed Beasts..."

Danzo Shimura glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi. On this night, with the Uchiha problem about to be resolved, he was much more talkative than usual.

"Let's resume the Anbu's surveillance of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki as soon as possible. Don't forget the Nine-Tails Night."

“Danzo, your vision is much broader than before…” Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Danzo Shimura in surprise, but shook his head:

"But let me tell you, something terrible has happened to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki... no, it's something I don't even know how to handle..."

"I lifted the imprisonment of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and kept you away as well, all for your own good... Believe me, Danzo."

Is this a lie? Actually, it's the truth...

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's view, given Tobirama Senju's temper and his scheme to possess Naruto's body, if Danzo Shimura were to approach Tobirama Senju with his usual domineering and tyrannical style...

That would definitely lead to a huge fight!

His teacher never tolerated anyone's faults in his entire life, not even the legendary ninjas Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha...

Especially now, Tobirama Senju seems to have studied the Uchiha clan too much in his previous life, so much so that after his rebirth, he seems to have been tainted by the Uchiha's demonic nature. His thoughts and actions are extremely terrifying, and his methods are ruthless!

If Shimura Danzo isn't handled properly, he'll definitely get a severe beating...

But just as Hiruzen Sarutobi predicted.

Danzo Shimura had a strange trait: he liked to oppose people regardless of the situation…

Even though Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with utmost sincerity.

Danzo Shimura flew into a rage in an instant!

"Hiruzen, are you out of your mind?! How did you become Hokage?" Shimura Danzo suddenly realized that Hiruzen Sarutobi was really easily flattered; he had just praised him once and then he pulled off such an incredible feat.

If the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is having problems, how can the monitoring be turned off? It's like he's hiding away.

Shouldn't we immediately mobilize all the village's resources and troops to resolve the unstable factors in the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki at all costs?

Could it be that being Hokage for so long has made this once-mighty ninja senile...?

"Danzo, I know what you're going to say... but you must trust my judgment as the Hokage... If it were a normal problem, I would consider controlling the Nine-Tails before dealing with it..."

But the problem is—

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked troubled, sighed, and then changed the subject seriously, saying, "In short, this is my order! I'm doing this for your own good, Danzo!"

This is also true.

Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't yet figured out how to tell Danzo Shimura and the others that their teacher had been resurrected, possessing the body of the Fourth Hokage's son, and then sought immortality to bring peace to the entire ninja world...

This is too outrageous.

But the more sincere Hiruzen Sarutobi was, the more irritable Danzo Shimura became.

"No! Hiruzen, even if you dismiss me again and disband Root, you must let me lead Root to control the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"

"The village absolutely cannot withstand a second Nine-Tails attack! What's wrong with you as Hokage? If you can't be the Hokage, step down now and replace you with someone with more courage!"

Danzo Shimura, spitting as he pointed at Hiruzen Sarutobi's nose, kept spouting, "Let me tell you, the Uchiha clan's affairs are nothing compared to the Nine-Tails!"

"After tonight, I will take the Root team to control the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. What you say will be useless!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled to himself: "That's right..."

That's it.

On the surface, Hiruzen Sarutobi maintained an angry demeanor, as if he was annoyed that Danzo Shimura did not trust him, and began arguing with him.

And just then.

The two of them stopped arguing at the same time and looked up at the treetops.

At this moment, above Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura.

Naruto is rapidly heading towards the Uchiha clan's territory!

"Damn it! The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is heading to the Uchiha clan's territory?! What on earth is going on?! Hiruzen, is this the result of your negligence…"

Danzo Shimura suddenly formed hand seals, intending to use a powerful Wind Release technique to blast the moving Naruto down.

The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki went to the Uchiha clan's territory?

Do not make jokes!

In the past, even in the center of the village, the Uchiha clan members followed the unspoken rule established after the Nine-Tails' attack, keeping their distance from Naruto for fear of being misunderstood by the village's higher-ups...

But on the very night that Itachi Uchiha was about to make his move, he actually went to the Uchiha clan's territory alone.

What if something unexpected happens...

If those desperate, militant Uchiha saw Naruto in front of them, given their extreme personalities, they would definitely do anything to provoke the Nine-Tails into going berserk, in order to create chaos and take revenge on Konoha, or to seize a chance to turn the tide!

Shimura Danzo's hand seals were quick and his determination was strong...

But Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand was faster.

A look of confusion and fear appeared in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, and his two hands, like iron clamps, firmly pressed down on Danzo Shimura's hands.

"Danzo, no!"

Danzo Shimura struggled desperately, but found that he couldn't shake off Hiruzen Sarutobi's grip.

This damn monkey, how can its shriveled body still have such great strength?

"Let's wait and see! Take the Anbu and Root members and give chase. Naruto might not be heading to the Uchiha clan's territory; he might just be going to that forest over there!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "Trust me, Danzo! Naruto will be fine, at least not tonight, because of the Uchiha..."