Chapter 227.2 : Hypocritical Third Hokage!

Meanwhile, within the confines of the Hokage's office, Tsunade seethed with fury!

With a single punch, she shattered the table before her!

"White bird!"

As Tsunade bellowed, an Anbu operative with a feline mask materialized!

"Summon all Anbu captains."

After a moment of contemplation, Tsunade resolved, "Additionally, convene a clandestine assembly of the Hyuga clan, Ino-Shika-Chō, and others! Ensure Anbu's presence and exclude the two advisers!"

"Understood!" affirmed the Anbu guard before vanishing in a blur of Body Flicker Technique!

Jiraiya regarded the resolute woman before him with a mixture of surprise and admiration. "Are you contemplating a strike against Root?"

Tsunade's gaze remained steadfast. "It is high time."

[Shisui, having lost one eye, escaped using the Body Flicker Technique.]

"But now that he has lost an eye, he can no longer quell the rebellion with the Sharingan!"

Shisui believed that the only option left for him was to sacrifice himself as the strongest member of the clan, hoping that the Uchiha clan would abandon their coup upon realizing the disparity with Konoha.

"So, he entrusted his remaining eye to Itachi, leaving behind instructions to protect the village, then he leaped off a cliff and ended his life."

Under the moonlight, at the edge of the dark cliff, Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan was awakened.

However, reality didn't align with Shisui's expectations.

Shisui's disappearance stirred up excitement among the Uchiha clan. With the Third Hokage's tacit approval, Shimura Danzō presented him with two choices:

"One, stand with the Uchiha and join the rebellion."

"Two, aid the village by eliminating or subduing the Uchiha members, sparing Sasuke's life."

With Shisui gone, Itachi, still young and lacking guidance from Shisui, found himself facing this dilemma alone.

This time, he bore the burden of his village and clan's fate alone.

Off-screen, Sasuke witnessed his brother's absence, sensing Mikoto's anguish, and this moment weighed heavily on his heart.

He felt utterly worthless.

Simultaneously, an intense resentment began to fester within him.

It was the Third Hokage, it was Danzō, it was those advisors!

All the tragedy in his life stemmed from these people!

"Enough!"

In the blink of an eye, Sasuke, feeling unsafe, swiftly departed, fleeing along the river.

The Uchiha district lay at the village's edge; as long as he avoided encountering patrolling ninjas, he could make his escape.

[In the quaint village, amidst the warmth of family ties and the shadow of shinobi, 13-year-old Itachi once more contemplates the significance of these three elements.]

[Finally, after witnessing Sasuke's fleeting moments of joy amidst the school routine and reflecting on the scars of war, Itachi resolves himself.]

[For the sake of his younger brother's future and the possibility of children like them experiencing peace, he must stand by the village!]

[As Shisui once uttered: "Ninjas are the unsung heroes who safeguard peace from the shadows!" Itachi decides to forsake his reputation, his standing, and even familial affection in the pursuit of peace.]

[Once again, he ascends to the heights of Konoha to declare his allegiance!]

[In the face of Danzo's expected opposition and amidst the Third Hokage's somber sighs, the destiny of the Uchiha clan is sealed in blood!]

In this moment, Danzo's malevolence and Sarutobi Hiruzen's duplicity are laid bare for all to witness!

Tsunade and Jiraiya, his disciples, wear expressions of profound disappointment mingled with disbelief!

Initially, the Naruto incident had left them somewhat disillusioned, but they harbored a faint hope that it might have been thwarted by the objections of Danzo and Koharu, forcing their hand.

Now, they can no longer deceive themselves!

[The extermination of the clan is not immediate, and Itachi seeks out the masked man from years past!]

[Obito claims leadership of the Akatsuki and extends an invitation to Itachi, proposing the annihilation of the Uchiha clan and the acquisition of select Sharingan eyes.]

[Itachi consents!]

The scene shifts back to the private audience between the Third Hokage and Itachi. After expressing his trust in Itachi's care for Sasuke, he suggests that Itachi infiltrate the Akatsuki as a spy, feeding information back to the village.

[Itachi hesitates briefly, then accedes.]

"Shameless!"

"Hypocritical!"

Even in distant villages, the Raikage, who harbored hopes of Konoha's downfall, nearly erupts in scornful laughter!

Not content with merely ordering the extermination of an entire clan, the Hokage coerces Itachi into serving as a spy for the village!

This supposed "care" for Sasuke is nothing short of a veiled threat!

Outrage boils within Sasuke as he flees into the night.

And amongst the viewers, even those unconnected to the Uchiha clan, a wave of disdain washes over them for the Third Hokage.

At that moment, Kisame Hoshigaki remarked, "It's unfathomable. After all these years, I never suspected Mr. Itachi to be a spy. You concealed it quite skillfully."

Itachi in front responded casually, "It would have been preferable if it hadn't been revealed." 

The reason was that I hardly relayed any information to Konoha at all. Initially, he approached the Third Hokage with the intention of volunteering as a spy for Akatsuki on behalf of the village. But Sarutobi Hiruzen's unnecessary actions caused a shift in his intentions."

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