Chapter 16

"Now, I will start doing a roll call. Those who do not wish to participate can stand on my right when your name is called. We will personally respect your choice."

If someone really takes the initiative to stand that is. At this point, Kayn already knows that no one here would be stupid enough to do that.

He smiled in his heart.

In fact, he didn't actually need to do this at all. Such a thing is impractical anyway.

However, there's a reason why they had to do this.

Kayn began to call out the names on the list. All of them stood up and silently went to the front.

But, when he called out the last name on the list, strangely enough, no one answered.

The name is—

Uchiha Itachi!

Kayn asked coldly. "Why didn't Uchiha Itachi attend the clan meeting?"

Just then, some 'random' guy from the crowd spoke up "I just saw him here earlier but he suddenly disappeared."

Uchiha Setsuna then knew that this was his cue to stand up.

"He left midway... as an Anbu."

This sentence was like a bomb exploding in everyone's heart.

They never thought that Uchiha Itachi, the eldest son of the clan leader and the pride of the clan, would betray them.

The emotional collapse made everyone particularly angry.

This feeling is like when you thought your crush was a pure, lovely, and good girl, but in fact, is actually a b—

The metaphor is a bit off.

In any case, that's roughly what it means.

Uchiha Fugaku felt his brain buzzing, he was strangely angry...

But not for the right reason.

If Fugaku was unable to notice Uchiha Itachi's abnormality throughout these days, he might as well just find a sh*t hole and drown himself there.

"Elder Setsuna, that child Itachi will never betray the family."

However, between the Clan and the children, he chose his own children.

Fugaku said with a slightly complicated expression, "I asked him to go. I asked him to keep an eye on Danzo to prevent him from doing anything new."

This statement... Is far from the truth.

But people are subjectively willing to believe what Fugaku said.

Because he is the Clan Leader, and his son is the supposed future of the Clan. Anyone could betray the family, but they are the least likely to do so.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

It's good that it's not a betrayal.

It seems Uchiha Itachi still remained, a pure, lovely, outstanding, and a good girl in everyone's mind.

Again, the metaphor was a bit off but that is roughly what it means.

Regardless, given the situation, Kayn was not disappointed, surprisingly enough.

Yes. Kayn had the full support of an Elder, and thanks to the spectacle earlier, he already gained the people's recognition. But without actual evidence, it is still very difficult to bring down this father-and-son duo.

However, he was not completely without gain.

The conversation just now will become a thorn.

They seem not to care, but do they really not care?

At the age of 13, Itachi Uchiha is already prone to acting impulsively.

There is no need to do any planning for such a naughty child. Just dig a hole in the ground and he will jump into it on his own initiative.

Then, completely detonate the mine that was buried there!

With a bang, Uchiha Itachi will blow his father's and his own halo to pieces!

Overall, nothing too major happened after that. But that doesn't mean that everyone did nothing and simply stand in a daze.

Weapons were distributed to everyone.

Pregnant women who were several months pregnant and elderly people who were too old to walk were all sent back home.

A few people were left behind to look after those who can't go, while the rest proceed with their advancement to Hokage Building. All while in a square battle formation.

It is a formation that consist of three layers.

The ninjas spontaneously stood on the outermost layer, surrounding the rest. Those who possessed no fighting capability whatsoever stood in the very middle.

Those who are deemed strong enough stood on the second layer, those who could fight were on the third layer, and the innermost layer was occupied by women, the elderly, and children.

Now, although some were left out, this doesn't change the fact that the entire Uchiha clan went out. And such happening would surely alarm Konoha.

The ninja who was monitoring at the time was still joking wether the Uchihas would have another meeting that would last until dark.

But when they saw the white-haired old people and even infants in the crowd.

The smile on his face froze for a moment.

Something happened, something big happened!

The Uchiha clan is serious this time!!

The people on the street avoided them like frightened deer, hiding in the shops with their heads tucked in.

In the past, under the deliberate guidance of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, they always cursed the Uchiha clan's police force for being arrogant and unfair.

But now, seeing those cold Sharingans that exuded murderous intent, they all closed their mouths.

No one even dare to breathe, for fear that they would become their target.

At this time, Uchiha Itachi was half-knelt on the ground and reported respectfully.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was sitting in a soft leather chair, felt dizzy.

He couldn't understand why the Uchiha clan, which was not known for being too smart, seemed to have grown a new brain overnight.

It made him feel very stressed.

Fortunately, Itachi is here!

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Uchiha Itachi who was half-kneeling on the ground, and felt happy.

This loyal soldier of his came to report immediately, giving Sarutobi Hiruzen time to prepare.

"Itachi, this is your family, what do you think?"

Uchiha Itachi, upon hearing the question thrown at him, said without hesitation: "Hokage-sama. I simply think that for the sake of the entire village they needed to be stopped... At all cost."

Itachi paused for a second before speaking again in a much firmer voice.

"I am willing to assist you and bear the charge. I have only one request. My brother Uchiha Sasuke is innocent. I only ask that he survive and continue to stay in Konoha."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, hearing the suggestion who would normally make him happy, looked surprisingly hesitant.

It's not that he became soft-hearted out of nowhere. It is simply because of the current situation. It is extremely tricky.

If they fight head-on, even if Konoha wins, they will suffer heavy losses.

At that moment, the 'others' will definitely not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

By then, Konoha will face a real crisis.

The cost of a head-on confrontation now is too high and he cannot afford it.

Sarutobi Hiruzen planned to use other methods to temporarily gain the trust of the Uchiha clan. When they relaxed their guard again, he would let Itachi, do what he's suggesting to do.

Many thoughts flashed through his mind, but he sighed deeply with a complicated expression as if he couldn't bear it anymore.

"Itachi, such a method should only be used as the last resort until things have reached a point where they cannot be reversed anymore."

Itachi was moved after hearing that. He was about to say something but Hiruzen quickly followed up his words.

"Get up quickly. After all, the Uchiha clan is your and Shisui's family. If possible, I don't want you to be caught in the middle of this dilemma. You should go down first. If your father and the others sees you here, you will have a hard time explaining to them."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of his cigarette and said in a cold tone. "Regarding Shisui's death, I will definitely punish Danzo severely and comfort Shisui in heaven."

Itachi's eyes suddenly turned red, and his voice trembled slightly. "Thank you, Lord Hokage!"

Another column of smoke blew out of Hiruzen's nose. The white smoke spread and covered his face. His expression was blurred by the smoke.

"Go ahead, Itachi, and contact me if anything happens."

Uchiha Itachi was successfully sent away. He turned into a black shadow and disappeared from the room.