Chapter 137: Konoha's S-Rank Rogue Ninja: Uchiha Sasuke

Chapter 137: Konoha's S-Rank Rogue Ninja: Uchiha Sasuke

Konoha, Hokage's Office.

After returning to the village, Kakashi, the team leader of this mission, immediately went to the Hokage's office to report the mission failure and the entire process to the Fifth Hokage:

"That's the full report on this mission. I'm sorry, Lady Hokage, we failed to complete the task."

Tsunade, seated at the Hokage's desk, listened to the report with a serious expression and waved her hand, saying, "According to what you've said, if that masked man has the Mangekyō Sharingan, it's understandable why the mission failed."

Every Uchiha with a Mangekyō Sharingan is a troublesome opponent. The most recent examples are Uchiha Itachi and, before him, Uchiha Madara. As a descendant of the Senju clan, Tsunade understood the power of such individuals well. Given the presence of a Mangekyō Sharingan, the fact that there were no casualties in the squad was already a relief to her. However...

"When did another Uchiha with Mangekyō Sharingan appear? And why is he involved with Uchiha Sasuke and the mysterious Hagoromo Gengetsu?"

Tsunade, with her fingers intertwined on the desk, was puzzled. Konoha was well-informed about the Uchiha clan's situation and had never heard of another member awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan. If there had been such a case, Itachi's massacre of the clan wouldn't have been so smooth.

"Could it be an Uchiha descendant who awakened the Sharingan outside the village and evolved it to the Mangekyō level?" Tsunade speculated. It's not uncommon for ninja to leave behind descendants during their missions or travels, especially outside the rigidly traditional Hyuga clan. Thus, it's possible that this masked man could be a previously unknown Uchiha descendant.

She was unaware that Uchiha Shisui had also awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan long ago. After Shisui informed the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Danzo about his abilities, Danzo acted swiftly to seize Shisui's eyes. This fact, being highly secretive, was not documented. After Shisui's supposed suicide, Hiruzen, aware of the delicate situation and not wishing to provoke the Uchiha further, downplayed the incident, leaving no official record of Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan.

So now, no one in Konoha knew the truth about Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan, except for one missing-nin.

"This mission has been tough on you all. Take some time off and rest," Tsunade said, rubbing her temples wearily. As Hokage, she increasingly wanted to confront her predecessor, the Third Hokage, about the mess he left behind.

While the rogue Root organization was troublesome, it was ultimately dismantled, albeit in a way she disapproved of. However, the Uchiha clan, once a pillar of Konoha, had been utterly destroyed under the Third Hokage, leaving behind rogue ninja like Itachi, Sasuke, and now another unknown Uchiha with Mangekyō Sharingan.

Tsunade found it absurd. As a Senju, she had no great love for the Uchiha but did not wish for their extermination either. She couldn't understand the intense hatred the old guard like Hiruzen and Danzo held for the Uchiha. The massacre couldn't have happened without Hiruzen's knowledge, given the ANBU surveillance on the Uchiha. It was unnecessary to be so ruthless.

Tsunade sighed. The consequences of such actions were now her burden to bear.

"Kakashi..."

As Kakashi, who had been contemplating new ideas for his Sharingan, was about to leave, Tsunade called him back.

He turned to see Tsunade's serious expression as she said, "Given the current situation, we can no longer ignore Sasuke. I will formally declare Sasuke as a Konoha S-rank rogue ninja."

As an ally, the Fire Temple, which had suffered losses, needed an explanation. Sasuke, being one of the main perpetrators, had too many witnesses. Not declaring him a rogue ninja would severely damage Konoha's credibility.

Though reluctant, Tsunade had no choice. Danzo's decision to declare Sasuke a rogue ninja wasn't wrong in retrospect. At the time, Sasuke had behaved, targeting enemies like Orochimaru, Deidara, and Itachi, who were on Konoha's blacklist. But when news of Sasuke's attack on the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki spread, it necessitated action to avoid conflict with the Cloud Village.

Kakashi, understanding Tsunade's dilemma, nodded after a moment of silence. "I understand."

He had anticipated this day since Sasuke left the village. Now, he could only hope Naruto wouldn't be too devastated or hold onto unrealistic hopes.