Chapter 139

Kazuki ordered a shadow clone to take Karin back to the Gekko Clan first, and then activated his Sharingan to locate Sasuke.

Since the two councillors could not be allowed to die mysteriously, they would have to die in a more obvious way.

Kazuki didn't have many useful allies, but Uchiha Sasuke was barely one.

Although they had once clashed over Uchiha ideals, Kazuki believed Sasuke would still help him if it meant learning the truth behind the Uchiha massacre.

"Huh? He's actually here?"

Through his Sharingan, Kazuki discovered Uchiha Sasuke training alone at the old Uchiha district.

Judging by the sweat dripping from him, Sasuke must have been practicing all night.

Kazuki first left a Flying Thunder God Seal on the spot, then swiftly moved towards Sasuke.

After convincing him, Kazuki planned to transport Sasuke using the Flying Thunder God technique.

A few minutes later, Kazuki appeared at the Uchiha compound.

Sasuke was a little surprised to see him, but his face remained expressionless.

"What do you want?" Sasuke asked coldly, continuing his practice, his white shirt sticking to his toned muscles.

"Still upset?" Kazuki teased.

"I'm not upset. If you've got something to say, say it quickly. Don't interfere with my training," Sasuke replied coldly.

"So icy, but that doesn't matter," Kazuki smirked. "I'm still willing to share the truth about the Uchiha genocide with you, regardless of our past disagreements."

Sasuke, hearing Kazuki's mention of the truth, immediately stopped training and stood in front of him.

"Are you serious?" Sasuke asked in a deep voice.

"Do I need to lie to you?" Kazuki said calmly. "But I won't tell you for free. You'll have to help me with something first, and I'll make sure you're safe afterward. How's that?"

"Fine!"

"You're not even going to ask what it is?" Kazuki raised an eyebrow at Sasuke's quick agreement.

"As long as you tell me the truth, I'll do whatever you want."

"What if I wanted your life?" Kazuki asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

Sasuke remained unfazed. "As long as I get my revenge, you can take my life."

Seeing Sasuke's serious expression, Kazuki stopped teasing and began revealing the truth behind the Uchiha massacre.

"On the surface, the Uchiha genocide was carried out by Uchiha Itachi for power, but that's not the whole story. The massacre was the result of a political failure."

"A long time ago, Uchiha Itachi was planted by your father, Uchiha Fugaku, as an undercover agent in ANBU. However, during his mission, Itachi was manipulated by Hiruzen Sarutobi. From that point on, Itachi became a double agent for both the Uchiha clan and the Konoha leadership."

Sasuke's eyes widened in shock at this revelation.

"Why would my father send Itachi to go undercover in ANBU? And why would the Konoha leadership manipulate him?" Sasuke demanded.

"Fugaku sent Itachi to infiltrate ANBU because he wanted to lead the Uchiha in a coup and take control of Konoha. Meanwhile, Konoha's leadership swayed Itachi to protect their own interests."

Kazuki smiled slightly as he watched Sasuke's disbelief.

"On the surface, it seems like your father and the Uchiha clan were in the wrong, but the truth is much more complicated."

"The reason for my father's rebellion?" Sasuke asked, piecing things together.

"Exactly. Your Sharingan has matured to the three-tomoe stage, so I'm sure you've figured out how it develops, haven't you?"

"It seems to evolve whenever I experience strong emotional changes."

"Correct. That method of gaining power terrified the Second Hokage, who believed that any clan dependent on such a technique was dangerous. This fear led to the Uchiha being marginalized, sowing seeds of resentment between your clan and Konoha's leadership. Uchiha Itachi became a key figure in this political conflict."

"But no one anticipated that Itachi, a pawn in this political game, would gain the power to upend the entire board…"

Sasuke furrowed his brow, trying to process everything Kazuki was telling him.

"So, Itachi sided with Konoha's leadership in this political struggle, choosing to slaughter his own clan?" Sasuke asked.

"Exactly. The Uchiha were ready to rebel, but Itachi betrayed them, informing Konoha's leadership. The councillors ordered Itachi to carry out the massacre, and he complied, becoming the primary executioner. However, the real masterminds were Konoha's leaders."

Sasuke fell into a long silence after hearing the truth.

"Is what you're telling me true?"

"The truth can always be verified. If you don't believe me, you can find out for yourself. But first, you'll need to do something for me."

"What is it?"

"Kill two of Konoha's councillors."

"Are they part of the group that ordered the Uchiha massacre?"

"Yes."

"You don't even have to ask. I'll do it. I owe you a favor. If you need me in the future, I'll be there, even if it costs me my life."

Sasuke said this as he sheathed his sword and readied his blade bag.

Kazuki smiled as he looked at Sasuke's determined face. He had chosen the right person.

With Uchiha Sasuke carrying out the assassinations, the killings of the councillors would be traceable, and Danzo's hands would remain clean.

Of course, if Sasuke killed the councillors openly, he'd have no place left in Konoha, and Sasuke's planned training with Jiraiya would have to be postponed.

Kazuki wasn't sure if Sasuke, now labeled an S-rank rogue ninja, would still be able to learn Sage Mode under Jiraiya, but that didn't matter.

Naruto would likely master it eventually, and with Kazuki's current Sharingan abilities, he no longer needed to rely on either Sasuke or Naruto to grow stronger.

For now, Sasuke and Naruto were tools, and their short-term usefulness had already reached its peak.

After all, aside from Sage Mode, the biggest contributions they could make to Kazuki's strength were chakra and taijutsu—both skills that wouldn't develop overnight.

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg