Chapter 149: Kazuhiko's Conspiracy!

The entire hut fell into silence, with only the voice of Kazuhiko resonating.

Kazuhiko surveyed the hushed crowd, and each individual reluctantly accepted this harsh reality.

His gaze then landed on Kurogane, who had been lively just moments ago, only to discover that Koichi now mirrored the same expression as the once stoic face of Uchiha Fugaku.

Fortunately, Kurogane had not anticipated this. He had assumed that the Uchiha clan's troubles were limited to being suppressed by the village, and at worst, they might lose the chance for a future Hokage. Little did he know that the Uchiha clan faced a crisis far beyond his imagination.

"The higher-ups in Konoha want to annihilate the Uchiha clan!"

This realization embedded itself in his mind like an unyielding nail, echoing like an incantation.

The situation had far surpassed his expectations.

He struggled to believe that it was all true, but it was Kazuhiko, whom he had once admired, who had revealed it.

Then the Uchiha clan head rose once more, revealing that he himself had felt the malice emanating from Elder Danzo.

Malice directed at the Uchiha!

Although that revelation alone might not be shocking, Uchiha couldn't shake off the memories of the recent incident at the Konoha Guard Station.

The combination of intermittent high-level Konoha oppression, Uchiha's own experiences, and the speeches from both the Uzumaki clan and his own clan leaders left him with no choice but to believe.

The higher-ups in Konoha were indeed plotting against them!

Kurogane, comprehending the gravity of the situation, sat there with a vacant expression.

Kazuhiko was unaware of Kurogane's thoughts, but he could hazard a guess.

He hadn't expected such staunch support from the Uchiha clan head today.

Initially, he had contemplated confronting the Uchiha clan directly, challenging them head-on and engaging in a battle of ideologies.

However, with the Uchiha clan head's unexpected assistance, he spared himself a lengthy debate and delivered a devastating blow to them.

Kazuhiko couldn't shake off a lingering sense of regret, a feeling that had grown within him over time. His intense efforts were fueled by a desire to extend a warning to the Uchiha clan, despite the potential animosity it might bring.

Disregarding the disapproval of others, he felt compelled to alert the higher-ups in the Konoha village about their hostile attitude toward the Uchiha clan. He was even prepared to take drastic measures to jolt them awake.

Was Kazuhiko motivated by kindness or a heroic spirit, as one might assume in the world of Hokage? Not quite. His actions were rooted in a single goal: the dominance of the Land of Whirlpools and the swift establishment of a unified regime.

The crisis facing the Uchiha clan brought into focus the disparity between them and Konoha. Kazuhiko envied the Uchiha, believing that not only he but other nations also harbored a keen interest in the potent Uchiha bloodline limit. 

The Sharingan, a true emblem of the ninja world, held immeasurable power, and Kazuhiko, more than anyone else, understood its potential.

With Konoha seemingly on the brink of wiping out the Uchiha clan, Kazuhiko was convinced that, had it not been for the second and third ninja wars, the Uchiha would have met their demise much earlier than the original plot suggested. 

His presence further intensified the rift between the Uchiha and the high-ranking officials of Konoha.

Kazuhiko's audacious act of slashing Sarutobi Hiruzen triggered a direct attack from Danzo's radical faction within the Uchiha. Though Kazuhiko allowed them to escape, it only served to reveal the deep-seated animosity toward the Uchiha among Konoha's elite.

Believing in the openness of his approach, Kazuhiko assumed that documents about the Uchiha clan now adorned the desks of both Danzo and the Hokage. The Konoha officials, already sensitive to the Uchiha due to the Konoha Police Force incident, were further provoked by Kazuhiko's presence at the Uchiha clan dinner.

Kazuhiko anticipated that Danzo, with his keen interest in the Sharingan, would become even more hostile towards the Uchiha. The conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha's senior officials successfully escalated, earning Kazuhiko the dissatisfaction of the Uchiha clan.

As the final step in his plan, Kazuhiko, enamored with the Uchiha's Sharingan, was ready to seize the opportunity presented by the escalating tensions. However, unlike Danzo's ruthless methods, he aimed for a more refined approach, recognizing that the acquisition of Sharingan need not involve sacrificing lives.

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