Chapter 23:- Questions For Itachi (2)

This is the true peace brought to Konoha Village.

Ryosuke doesn't understand how Itachi can think it's all thanks to the Third Hokage.

Perhaps it's due to the indoctrination from those toxic textbooks during his academy days.

Ryosuke inwardly feels quite impressed.

'The Third Hokage truly knows how to craft his own glorious image, shamelessly labeling himself as the strongest Hokage in the academy textbooks.'

If he's the strongest Hokage, then where do the First Hokage, the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, the master of forbidden jutsu, Tobirama Senju, stand?

If those two were to hear Hiruzen Sarutobi being called the strongest Hokage, who knows what they would think.

From Itachi's words, it's clear he's been thoroughly brainwashed by the Will of Fire.

To revere the Third Hokage so much—no wonder, in the original timeline, after Danzo falsely passed on the Third Hokage's order for Itachi to carry out the Uchiha Clan Massacre, he executed it without any hesitation.

At this moment, Ryosuke feels a bit powerless. He doesn't possess Naruto's talent for persuading others with words. It's hard to shake Itachi's current mindset.

But he still tries, saying, "Itachi, you could actually stand with the clan, you know. After all, someone as wicked as Danzo exists within Konoha's leadership."

"His attitude towards our clan—surely someone like you can sense it. He even openly labels us the 'evil clan of Uchiha. And he covets the power of the Sharingan from our clan."

Before Ryosuke finishes speaking, Itachi's face darkens. Though he dislikes the harsh and ruthless Danzo, he genuinely respects him for doing the dark work that preserves Konoha's safety.

It is precisely because of Danzo's protection that Konoha enjoys peace today. 'Ryosuke understands nothing.'

Itachi lashes out angrily, "Do you know how much Lord Danzo has done for Konoha? How many enemies he has eliminated? And you dare to slander him like this?"

Ryosuke Uchiha is somewhat dumbfounded, unable to believe that Danzo could appear as such a shining figure in Itachi's eyes.

'This is completely absurd. No wonder, in the original storyline, Itachi obeyed Shimura Danzo's orders without hesitation and wiped out the Uchiha Clan.'

Ryousuke can sense that Itachi is genuinely angry. He sighs deeply. 'Such a clever genius of the Uchiha Clan, yet he believes in Shimura Danzo.'

'Is this intelligence? This must be… some ridiculous level of misplaced thought.'

This isn't intelligence; this is overthinking to the point of absurdity!

This is brainwashing by the Will of Fire to the level of idiocy. Danzo's dark deeds are endless.

Not only does he hypocritically claim to inherit the Second Hokage's ideology, branding the Uchiha Clan as innately evil and a danger to the village, but during the Nine-Tails Incident, he strongly advocated for forcibly relocating the Uchiha Clan's compound away from the center of Konoha.

Step by step, his actions cornered the Uchiha Clan—wasn't he afraid of pushing them to rebellion?

Even now, the bandages covering his right arm and eye are concealing Sharingan.

He calls the Uchiha Clan evil but lusts for their power. Truly a hypocrite.

Itachi, however, reveres such a person, leaving Ryosuke Uchiha unsure whether to laugh or cry. He doesn't know if Itachi is still salvageable, so he decides to drop a heavy question.

"Let's not argue about what kind of person Shimura Danzo is. But if a serious conflict arises between Konoha's leadership and the Uchiha Clan, and the leadership orders you to annihilate the Uchiha Clan—including Izumi—what would you do?"

Ryosuke hopes this bombshell will wake Itachi up from his poisoned mindset.

'Izumi should still hold significant importance to Itachi. Hopefully, this connection will help him realize who truly deserves his protection.'

Hearing Ryousuke's words, Itachi's pupils shrink. He is both shocked and enraged by the question. What Ryousuke is saying is utterly unrealistic.

He joined the Hokage's side as a double agent precisely to ease tensions between the clan and Konoha's leadership, to protect the village.

How could he possibly take action against the clan? Let alone against Izumi. The merciful Third Hokage would never order such a thing. He doesn't even have the capacity to do so.

Ryosuke Uchiha has a severe persecution complex. His thoughts are far too extreme. Even the radicals wouldn't imagine the Uchiha Clan being wiped out.

'The merciful Third Hokage would never allow such a thing to happen. Such an act would bring no benefit to the village.'

Ryosuke Uchiha looks at Itachi seriously. "Don't get mad so quickly. If faced with such a situation, what would you do?"

Itachi naturally refuses to answer Ryosuke's hypothetical question—it has no value or meaning.

If the Uchiha Clan is filled with people like Ryosuke, he feels there's no need to protect them. Protecting Konoha would be far more meaningful.

The Uchiha Clan is too narrow-minded. A shinobi should prioritize the village, not a single clan.

Though he holds such thoughts, there's no need to explain them to Ryosuke. Instead, he slowly calms his anger.

"That's an impossible scenario. I won't answer questions based on something that cannot happen."

Ryosuke feels regretful about Itachi's answer. 'Even Izumi's life cannot prompt him to declare his loyalty to the clan?'

It seems Itachi is truly beyond saving. His brainwashing by the Will of Fire runs far too deep.

For most people, when choosing between a childhood friend and a group of unrelated people, isn't the choice obvious?

But Itachi, with his holier-than-thou attitude, fancies himself a saint.

This outcome leaves Ryosuke deeply disappointed. After all, he isn't Naruto; he lacks the unparalleled skill of persuasion.

Still, he feels compelled to say one last thing, "Itachi Uchiha, let me ask you one more thing."

"A Konoha without the Uchiha Clan—is it still Konoha? Think carefully about that. I'll be leaving now."

Ryosuke, already exhausted from training, had planned to return home to wash up and rest.

Seeing Itachi arrive, he had tried to correct his thinking out of goodwill. For someone like Itachi, whose mind had been corrupted by the leadership of Konoha, he attempted to save him.

If Itachi remains obstinate, then on the night of the massacre, Ryosuke will eliminate him completely.

After all, he is still part of the Uchiha Clan. If Itachi dares to act as he did in the original storyline, then Itachi will find himself on Ryosuke's hit list.

Itachi watches Ryousuke's departing figure, his expression gradually growing colder.

'A Konoha without the Uchiha Clan is still Konoha. Konoha does not belong to the Uchiha Clan. Ryosuke's mindset is far too arrogant, far too narrow. Konoha belongs to all clans.'

'Where the leaves dance, so too does the fire burn. The fire's light will continue to illuminate the village, causing new leaves to sprout.'

This was the saying of the First Hokage, the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, who gave his life for the village.

Itachi Uchiha is determined to become a person like him.

Not long after, Izumi returns with the kunai she collected. Seeing only Itachi remaining, she asks curiously:

"Has Ryousuke gone back already?"

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