Chapter 157: Surviving is already a proof of your strength

"Actually…"

"Kagura's idea…"

"Indeed aligns with the interests of Konoha."

Homura Mitokado did not reject the method proposed by Akihara Kagura, considering that this child's thinking was similar to Shimura Danzo's, which was fortunate since he also took over Danzo's position.

"Let it be."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, not wishing for Kagura to become another Shimura Danzo: "We should still send the person back. It has not been easy for this Mizukage, for the sake of Mist Village."

"Kagura."

"I now issue a Hokage order."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked towards Akihara Kagura, intending to entrust the mission to the strongest person in the village: "This time, you will personally lead the team to escort the Fourth Mizukage back to Mist Village, ensuring the Mizukage's safety at all costs. There must be no mistakes."

"I understand."

Akihara Kagura had no choice but to take on the mission.

[System Prompt]: [New task (Sarutobi Hiruzen), safely escort the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, back to Mist Village.]

After accepting the task, Akihara Kagura still took the initiative to remind: "When I originally brought the Mizukage back, he seemed to have a tendency towards suicide…"

Koharu Utatane interrupted Akihara Kagura, saying in a deep voice: "Even if the Mizukage wishes to commit suicide, we cannot let him die on the way. Just send the person back."

"Okay."

Akihara Kagura agreed.

"Let's talk about the next matter."

Koharu Utatane nodded in satisfaction, bringing up the survivor of that night of the clan annihilation: "Regarding Uchiha Sasuke…"

"This child need not be worried about."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke of the person who was most affected by that night's annihilation: "The conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha, along with last night, has dissipated into smoke. Only Uchiha Sasuke is left alive. From now on, let him live a peaceful life as an ordinary ninja!"

"…"

Akihara Kagura truly did not believe Sasuke could enjoy a peaceful life.

"That child…"

Homura Mitokado adjusted his glasses and sighed: "That child must have already been tainted with deep darkness, probably harboring great hatred towards Uchiha Itachi!"

At this point, both Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane stopped, their gazes turning towards the direction of Akihara Kagura.

Usually, at this time…

Someone should say something, right?

Akihara Kagura, hesitating, looked at the two advisory elders, seemingly trying to grasp their intent: "Then… hand Uchiha Sasuke over to the Root?"

Seeing the evidently more relaxed expressions on Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, Akihara Kagura knew he had guessed correctly and immediately followed up: "Then, let's send Uchiha Sasuke to the Root. I'll find time to arrange a fatal mission for him, eliminating this hidden danger…"

"This…"

Koharu Utatane hesitated.

"This… isn't right, is it?"

Homura Mitokado also felt that something was not quite right.

Normally, shouldn't it be about nurturing at the root? Why would they think about sending that child to the root to be eliminated?

But...

It doesn't seem entirely wrong either?

The remnants of the Uchiha clan indeed should be dealt with.

"There's no need for unnecessary actions."

Sarutobi Hiruzen gave the two advisors a reproachful look, and ordered in a deep voice: "Let the child, Uchiha Sasuke, continue his studies at the Ninja Academy!"

This was something Sarutobi Hiruzen had promised Uchiha Itachi.

If Uchiha Sasuke were really sent to the root, it was likely that by the next day, they would receive a report from Akihara Kagura that Uchiha Sasuke had been sacrificed after being killed by an enemy using Wood Release.

"Alright then."

Akihara Kagura didn't really have much interest in this matter.

Since the future reorganization of the root already had a long list of applicants, with many survivors of the Uchiha waiting in line, how could Uchiha Sasuke possibly skip the queue through the back door!

"I have something to report regarding Lord Danzo."

Akihara Kagura shared his thought: "Can I request for Lord Danzo to return to the root to continue serving as an advisor? There are many situations in the root that I'm not very familiar with yet, and Lord Danzo has a lot of experience. It would be a waste to let Lord Danzo stay idle at home..."

"Did Danzo tell you to say this?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen stared intently at Akihara Kagura.

"I thought so myself."

Akihara Kagura spoke ambiguously.

"Some things need to be figured out on your own."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, persuasively spoke, and then coldly said: "If Danzo comes to see you again, you can tell him that as long as I live, he should not even think about regaining any power..."

Akihara Kagura fell silent.

Initially, Akihara Kagura was just trying to feel out the situation.

If Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed, he would have Danzo confined within the root; if Sarutobi Hiruzen did not agree, he would just turn a blind eye.

"Actually, Kagura's idea is also viable..."

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado had a good impression of Danzo.

They were old friends for many years, having weathered the storms of the ninja world together, and maintained Konoha to this day. Perhaps there was no need to be so heartless?

"Being able to spare his life is already fortunate!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked coldly at the two senior advisors, educating them with an unprecedented severity: "If Danzo is not dealt with, all the ninja clans in Konoha will feel threatened, and Danzo must face the consequences for his actions!"

Everyone in Konoha with a bit of status knew about the conflict between the Uchiha clan and Konoha, and many could guess some truths behind Itachi's massacre of the Uchiha.

Without a doubt.

Konoha's higher-ups bore responsibility for this matter.

The influence of Shimura Danzo enticing Uchiha Itachi to slaughter the Uchiha clan has been extremely detrimental. If not addressed, will the clans truly be willing to follow the commands of the Konoha higher-ups when facing external enemies in the future?

Politics is not as simple as just giving orders at will!

If it weren't for Akihara Kagura, the powerful Wood Release ninja who could suppress others' malevolent intentions with his strength, Sarutobi Hiruzen would have countless troubles on his hands!

"Kakashi!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen called out to the Anbu ninja standing by, instructing, "Gather all the clan leaders of Konoha and allocate their clan lands."

This is the division of interests.

The Uchiha clan has become a blank slate.

Although it is on the edge of Konoha, it is still within the village and protected by the village's barrier, so it was promptly allocated to other clans.

Taking this opportunity, Sarutobi Hiruzen also introduced Akihara Kagura to all the clan leaders, making them understand that the Konoha higher-ups have both carrots and sticks.

In fact, most of Konoha's clans have already begun to live dispersedly, not always gathered together, such as the most prosperous clans like Ino-Shika-Cho and the Sarutobi clan.

The only exception...

The Hyuga clan.

However, the leader of the Hyuga clan, Hyuga Hiashi, seemed to have no intention of resisting the higher-ups, just sitting quietly in the meeting room, listening without voicing any opinions.

After attending this meeting, Akihara Kagura was tasked with the mission of escorting the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, who was still somewhat weak.

Compared to the last time, the personnel escorting the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, had significantly increased, with Konoha directly deploying the village's strongest forces and the entire Anbu!

Of course.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was also worried about Akihara Kagura's impulsiveness in handling tasks, specifically assigning Hatake Kakashi to keep an eye on him, fearing that Akihara Kagura might impulsively harm the Mizukage on the way.

Hatake Kakashi watched Akihara Kagura and a group of Anbu ninjas, then glanced at the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, feeling a sense of change over time.

Three years ago, it was they who brought the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, back to Konoha, with the Anbu following behind like a tail; three years later, they were again escorting the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, back to the Hidden Mist Village, with the Anbu assisting in the escort.

The only thing that made Hatake Kakashi feel nostalgic was that the team once acting together was missing a person, that was his former subordinate, Uchiha Itachi.

And...

The roles had changed.

Akihara Kagura had become the leader of the Root.

Hatake Kakashi looked at Akihara Kagura, feeling somewhat nostalgic, thinking back to when Akihara Kagura, under his command, always talked about wanting to become the leader of the Root, and now he actually did!

The journey was quite safe.

Due to the time difference, Konoha's rival ninja villages had not yet had time to react, all being shocked by the extermination of the Uchiha clan.

The entire ninja world was shocked by Uchiha Itachi's decisive and terrifying act, a powerful ninja clan that hadn't been destroyed for a thousand years, was exterminated by Uchiha Itachi alone.

The Clan Killer.

This title was officially bestowed upon Uchiha Itachi.

Of course.

The most shocking event in the ninja world was still Akihara Kagura's defeat of Uchiha Itachi. Some even believe that Akihara Kagura of Konoha has already acquired the power of the God of Ninjas, Senju Hashirama!

The Land of Rain.

The base of the Akatsuki organization.

Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi arrived here and just when they did, they saw Orochimaru. The three S-ranked rogue ninjas from Konoha reunited here.

A smile formed on the corner of Orochimaru's mouth.

Because he had also received news about Uchiha Itachi, and even received more detailed battle reports. Yakushi Kabuto, risking being discovered by the Sasori of the Red Sand, passed him a message, hoping to meet in person.

Orochimaru was just planning to leave the Akatsuki to meet Yakushi Kabuto, but he ran into Uchiha Itachi first and smiled, saying, "Is this a gathering of fellow villagers?"

"What a coincidence..."

Uchiha Obito chuckled softly.

"Orochimaru..."

Uchiha Itachi had anticipated Orochimaru's arrival.

Because Akihara Kagura had informed him of this and even asked him to take care of Orochimaru as part of the deal where Akihara Kagura would not harm Uchiha Sasuke.

"Let's go, Orochimaru."

The Sasori of the Red Sand's puppet Hiruko approached, ignoring Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Itachi, and coldly said, "Didn't you say you've stayed in the Sand Village too long and fallen behind on your experiments, and today you were going to collect materials?"

"I have things to do, I'll be leaving first."

Orochimaru followed the Sasori of the Red Sand, not planning to continue the idle chat.

Orochimaru coveted Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan, but he was more interested in the news about Akihara Kagura, the title of the new God of Ninjas was quite prestigious!

This time...

Orochimaru left under the pretext of collecting experimental materials, aiming to secretly meet with Yakushi Kabuto and exchange messages while the Sasori of the Red Sand was not paying attention!

Deep within the Akatsuki base.

Uchiha Itachi met the leader of the Akatsuki.

Pain handed Uchiha Itachi a ring, signifying his official membership in the Akatsuki, acknowledging Uchiha Itachi's strength.

Pain, well aware of his junior's strength, earnestly praised, "Escaping from Kagura's hands has already proven your strength..."

"..."

Uchiha Itachi didn't know how to respond, only frowning at Pain, who had the Rinnegan, making sure he wasn't speaking ironically.

Pain, speaking coldly and seriously, said, "The Akatsuki has nearly been defeated by Kagura, even I am no exception, it's not a disgrace for you..."

"Yes."

Uchiha Itachi felt like he was living in the shadow of Akihara Kagura.

"However..."

Pain did not reveal Akihara Kagura's identity because only the high-ranking members of the Akatsuki knew of Kagura's undercover status.

Pain seriously introduced some basic information about the Akatsuki, "The goal of the Akatsuki is peace in the ninja world. For this purpose, we gather exceptional ninjas, regardless of their origins and experience. Uchiha Itachi of Konoha, welcome to join the Akatsuki. From today on, you are the Itachi of the Akatsuki."

"..."

Uchiha Itachi put on the ring of the Akatsuki organization, took out his kunai, and deeply scratched a horizontal line across the ninja forehead protector before putting it back on his head.

"Have you all ever fought with Akihara Kagura?"

Uchiha Itachi casually asked, seemingly curious about some of Akihara Kagura's past experiences: "Don't misunderstand, I'm just curious."

"It doesn't matter."

Pain seemed not to care about his defeat, knowing that the junior was one of their own: "The Akatsuki organization was almost destroyed by Akihara Kagura's hands, which is not unspeakable. But with the Akatsuki, we don't have to worry about his threat anymore…"

"Why?"

Uchiha Itachi looked at Pain, curious: "Does the Akatsuki organization have the power to deal with Akihara Kagura?"

"This is not something you need to know now."

Pain shook his head, assigning Uchiha Itachi a teammate, Juzu Biwa from the Mist Village, an S-rank rogue ninja, as his partner in the Akatsuki: "From today on, you and Juzu Biwa will form a duo to carry out missions…"

"Yes."

Uchiha Itachi nodded, raising a concern he was more interested in: "Orochimaru… has he been in the Akatsuki organization all this time?"

The Akatsuki organization…

Seems a bit unreliable.

Uchiha Itachi initially thought that by following Uchiha Obito, he had joined a group of S-rank rogue ninjas and was somewhat surprised by the organization's strength…

But…

The leader of this Akatsuki organization seems a bit naive, to directly admit that the Akatsuki was almost destroyed by Akihara Kagura, aren't you afraid new members might think you're too weak?

However…

Having witnessed Akihara Kagura's power himself, Uchiha Itachi does not think the Akatsuki organization is weak. Surviving from that guy's hands is proof of strength.

Uchiha Itachi is still worried about Akihara Kagura hurting Uchiha Sasuke and wants to quickly fulfill their agreement, to find a way to properly deal with Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru?"

Pain recalled Orochimaru's hardships during this period and rarely spoke: "Orochimaru was on a mission in the Land of Wind, and only returned from Sand Village last month…"

To attract Jiraiya's attention, Orochimaru spent some time eating sand in Sand Village in the Land of Wind, which is also considered dedication to the Akatsuki organization.

However…

Pain still does not trust Orochimaru.

According to reports from Sasori of the Red Sand, Orochimaru is not to be trusted, still harboring ill intentions towards the Rinnegan, and even trying to extract information about Nagato from him.

~~~

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