**Chapter 129: Roadblock**

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, screw you!" 

Itsuki glared with wide eyes, saying, "You even calculated against the Ino-Shika-Cho trio? What, do you need hundreds of them to die before you're satisfied? Your heart is darker than Danzo's."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned green. 

Nara Shikaku's face darkened. 

"Uchiha Itsuki, stop talking nonsense." 

"What nonsense am I spouting?" Itsuki sneered, tilting his head and looking at Nara Shikaku. "Great strategist, tell me, do I have a point or not? Come on, speak from your heart."

He's right, damn right. 

But for heaven's sake, don't say it aloud. 

Saying it again will cost you your life. 

And seriously, who says stuff while holding their balls? People usually hold their conscience. 

What, is your conscience growing out of your balls? 

Should I say, 'as expected of an Uchiha'? 

Nara Shikaku fumed inwardly. 

Does this so-called 'great strategist' not understand? 

He understands everything. 

But what can he do? 

A few days ago, Akimichi Choza was summoned by Sarutobi Hiruzen, and when he returned, his face was dark as thunder, having agreed to Hiruzen's terms.

At that moment, Shikaku knew trouble was coming. 

For Choza to give in, things must've gotten really bad. 

"Itsuki!" 

Nara Shikaku tried to keep his voice calm, saying, "The Sand, Cloud, and Stone Villages have all mobilized against Konoha. Konoha is struggling to fend them off. I hope you can remain calm and put the greater good first. Don't forget, you are a part of Konoha." 

"Konoha? Soon I won't be. I'm going to be a celestial dragon." 

"Put the greater good first? Whose greater good?" 

Itsuki shot back, asking, "And ask this old monkey beside you, has he put the greater good first?" 

"He pulled several hundred Uchiha members and placed them under Danzo's command. Nara Shikaku, tell me, if it were you, could you endure that?" 

"Easy to say when it's someone else. When it's yourself, it's 'screw the rules.'"

"What about justice?"

"What about the law?" 

"The 'greater good' you speak of, is it really just Hiruzen Sarutobi's version?" 

"Enough with the nonsense!" 

Hiruzen shouted angrily, "Uchiha Itsuki, immediately lead your clan back to the Uchiha district, or else—"

"Stop with the 'or else'!"

Itsuki rolled up his sleeves and challenged, "If you back down now, old monkey, you're nothing but Danzo's lackey. Come on, show me the strength of a shinobi hero." 

*Swish, swish, swish!* 

All the Uchiha shinobi drew their weapons, preparing for battle.

Even the non-combatants pulled out kunai. 

They were making their stance clear. 

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face grew darker, his killing intent barely concealed. "You Uchiha are determined to become rogue nin? Betray Konoha?" 

Itsuki sneered at Hiruzen, "Screw your 'rogue nin.' Konoha was founded by Uchiha and Senju. We're leaving to create a new village."

"We Uchiha are simply breaking away from Konoha."

"We're severing ties with you!" 

To be honest, Itsuki was frustrated too. 

With Uchiha Madara's power, why did he choose to form a village with Senju Hashirama back then? 

Why not create a village on his own?

Because they were best friends? 

Nara Shikaku sighed helplessly. "Itsuki, no matter how you frame it, Hiruzen Sarutobi is the Hokage of Konoha. Disobeying the orders of the Third Hokage is betrayal."

"Because of you, the Uchiha will be internationally branded as rogue nin." 

"Your entire clan will carry the stigma of traitors for generations." 

"If you don't care for yourselves, at least consider your loved ones and descendants." 

He cast a glance at the Uchiha clan behind Itsuki, noting their unease. 

"Oh?" Itsuki responded nonchalantly, "Rogue nin or not, at least we'll still be alive. Loved ones and descendants? Haha, if we don't rebel, will there even be loved ones and descendants?" 

Nara Shikaku's brow furrowed even more deeply. "From the way you're talking, it's as if staying loyal to Konoha means certain death for your clan."

Itsuki chuckled, giving Shikaku a knowing look. "Isn't the Senju clan a perfect example?" 

"Utter nonsense!" 

Sarutobi Hiruzen erupted in fury. 

That was his master's clan. 

Itsuki's words implied that Hiruzen had destroyed his teacher's clan.

How could he continue to be Hokage with such accusations hanging over him? 

How would the people of the village see him? 

Itsuki glared at Hiruzen coldly, "You know exactly what you've done. Can anyone still find the Senju clan in Konoha?"

"Second Hokage personally dismantled the Senju clan. He wanted all ninja clans to be civilianized. Even I, an Uchiha, don't deny the logic behind his plan. But did he ever say the Senju should be wiped out?"

"He wasn't a monster!" 

"The only surviving Senju in Konoha is Tsunade."

"And that's only because she fled quickly. Had she stayed, she'd probably be dead too." 

"Monkey, you're ruthless." 

"Behind your kind face, you're more sinister than anyone!" 

Sarutobi Hiruzen roared repeatedly, "You, you're spouting nonsense!" 

"Enough talk!" 

Itsuki smirked, "Are you going to fight or not? If not, we're leaving." 

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Nara Shikaku remained silent.

Shikaku really didn't want to fight! 

Neither did Hiruzen. 

Though they had over a thousand people, the Uchiha only had two hundred, but everyone knew how troublesome the Uchiha were. 

To kill an Uchiha of equal rank, you'd need at least three people. 

And then there was Uchiha Itsuki himself. 

If the fight broke out, the thousand people behind Hiruzen would be wiped out. 

"Itachi!" 

The Third Hokage turned to Uchiha Itachi. "Are you really going to follow Uchiha Itsuki in this madness? You—"

"Lord Hokage!" 

Itachi raised a hand, cutting him off. "There's no need to say anything more. I am an Uchiha, and that will never change. Isn't that what you said yourself?" 

"No matter what I do, I can't change that." 

Hiruzen shouted angrily, "Itachi, I never said that! Is Uchiha Itsuki putting words in my mouth?"

"No, that's exactly what you said!" 

Itachi said calmly, "I heard it with my own ears."

Whether he did or didn't, I'm sticking to it. 

Unless you can prove otherwise, you said it. 

"That's impossible!" 

The Third Hokage roared, but inside, he wondered, *Did I really say that? I can't remember.*

"Itachi, listen to me—"

"I'll listen when pigs fly!" 

Itsuki impatiently interrupted. "Hiruzen Sarutobi, you've been stalling for time, waiting for reinforcements. Well, you got your wish. The people are here. Can you drop the fake kindness now?" 

"One question: are we fighting or not?"

"If not, we're leaving!" 

Without waiting for a response, Itsuki led his people toward Hiruzen's forces. 

Satsuna and Toji flanked him on either side, protecting him. 

Itachi moved to the rear, quietly guarding from behind. 

The battle was about to begin! 

(End of chapter)