Only I can make Konoha Village great again.

Uchiha Itachi's words were like a bolt from the blue, exploding in the hearts of the Uchiha ninjas!

That's right. The Third Hokage was the Hokage, so does that mean the Fifth Hokage, who was promoted by Orochimaru, wasn't the Hokage?

Orochimaru becoming the Fifth Hokage and Minato Namikaze becoming the Fourth Hokage are completely different things.

Orochimaru had old subordinates, confidants, students, many commoner ninjas, and many ninja clans supporting him.

Even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose base of support, apart from the Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane, and Mitomon clans, was actually Orochimaru's base of support as well.

If the Fifth Hokage Orochimaru is willing, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi will be sidelined!

Furthermore, Orochimaru's disciple, Yamanaka Hatsukyu, had a close relationship with Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui, and they secretly formed a small group called the "Rising Sun" organization.

Doesn't this mean that we Uchiha are part of Lord Orochimaru's camp?

What's there to hesitate about?

The Uchiha ninjas became excited, and all eyes turned to their clan leader.

Fugaku Uchiha remained hesitant.

He was sweating profusely from anxiety, but he just couldn't make a decision.

"Chieftain! Say something!"

"Chieftain!!"

Fugaku Uchiha, cornered, grumbled, "But...but it's the Third Hokage's ban..."

"Father!"

Itachi Uchiha roared, "Father—!"

Didn't you hear what I said?

"Did you stumble on Shimura Danzo's ban, and now you want to stumble on Sarutobi Hiruzen's ban again, causing your entire clan to die before you're satisfied?"

"The Third Hokage's ban?"

Uchiha Itachi sneered: "What's the state of Konoha right now? It's in civil war!"

"Lord Orochimaru and Yamanaka Hatsukyu led their men in a valiant battle to protect Konoha, defeating Kumogakure and Kirigakure and saving the lives of countless Konoha ninja."

"But what was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, doing? To protect his own power and clan's interests, he completely disregarded the safety of Konoha and the lives of other clans, allowing Danzo Shimura to run rampant!"

"I bet the fighting at the East Gate right now was started by Shimura Danzo!"

"Is this the kind of Third Hokage we have in Konoha?"

"Is it still necessary for us to abide by the Third Hokage's prohibition?"

The Uchiha ninjas' gazes shifted from Fugaku to Itachi.

Ignoring the fact that he was only five years old, and disregarding the clan leader's dark expression, the Uchiha raised their arms and shouted, "No! We don't need to obey the Third Hokage's prohibition!"

Uchiha Itachi recalled hearing Yamanaka Hatsukyu's evaluation of Hiruzen Sarutobi in the Rising Sun organization, and his respect for the First and Second Hokage.

He raised his head, mimicking Yamanaka Hatsukyu, and met the gaze of all the Uchiha ninjas present with unwavering determination.

His voice was youthful and clear, yet extremely powerful: "The First Hokage's ideal in establishing Konoha was to allow all ninjas to live together equally, regardless of clan or social status. However, Hiruzen Sarutobi deviated from this ideal and turned Konoha into a tool for the three major clans to pursue their own interests."

"Today, we can see the First Hokage's Wood Release appearing outside the East Gate—it's the clarion call of destiny!"

"The corrupt rule of the Third Hokage is about to end. Our Uchiha clan is the founder of Konoha Village, and we can no longer remain silent!"

"We must make the voice of the Uchiha clan heard!"

The Uchiha were filled with fervor, raising their hands and cheering, "Let the voice of the Uchiha resound throughout the skies of Konoha! Let the Uchiha be great again!"

Fugaku Uchiha shouted, "Nonsense!"

"How can you listen to the nonsense of a five-year-old child?!"

"The Third Hokage is incredibly powerful, and with the support of the Sarutobi, Utatane, Mitomon, and Shimura clans, as well as the Ino-Shika-Cho, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans, we Uchiha are no match for him!"

"If we defy the Third Hokage's order and go to the East Gate to participate in the operation, the Uchiha clan will surely be wiped out if we fail!"

Uchiha Itachi, head held high and chest puffed out, said, "What's there to be afraid of?"

"With Lord Orochimaru's support, the Ino, Shika, Cho, Insect, and Inu clans will not stand firmly against us."

"We, the Uchiha, are the strongest clan in Konoha. Do you think we're afraid of Sarutobi or Utatane?"

"We suppressed them for many years because we respected the rules of the Hokage and couldn't show their true strength."

"Today, we, the Uchiha, are obeying Lord Orochimaru's orders and following the will of the First Hokage to end Hiruzen Sarutobi's illegal rule, and to fight for a fair future for the Uchiha clan and all the ninjas of Konoha!"

"We are the righteous!"

"For justice, for Konoha, we are willing to pay the price with our lives!"

Upon hearing Itachi's words, the Uchiha ninjas present completely disregarded their clan leader, their fighting spirit becoming unwavering.

The Uchiha clan had been suppressed by Hiruzen Sarutobi for many years, and their hearts were already filled with resentment.

Now that Itachi Uchiha has pointed out that they are not fighting alone, but are paving the way for Orochimaru, and with the ideals of the First Hokage as their banner, the Uchiha no longer want to remain silent.

They drew their weapons, raised them high above their heads, and shouted: "Follow the young patriarch! Head to the East Gate! End the corrupt rule! Realize the original ideals!"

"good!"

"Very energetic!"

Itachi Uchiha nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand, saying, "All Uchiha ninja, heed my command! Those aged twelve to fifty-five, proceed to the East Gate!"

"The remaining ninjas must be on high alert to prevent a sneak attack from the Sarutobi, Shimura, and other ninja clans!"

"Our goal is not slaughter, but to end Hiruzen Sarutobi's corrupt rule and to protect the future of Konoha!"

"Set off!"

"yes!"

All the Uchiha ninjas responded in unison, their voices echoing throughout the entire clan compound.

No one looked at Fugaku Uchiha again.

Then, the small-statured Itachi Uchiha took the lead, leading two hundred Uchiha ninjas, and marched rapidly toward the East Gate with great momentum.

A large group of Uchiha, their eyes red, marched in formation through the streets of Konoha, like a mighty torrent, attracting the attention of countless Konoha villagers and ninjas.

On their way, the Uchiha clan encountered another white torrent, which was the Hyuga clan ninja led by Hiashi Hyuga.

Upon seeing the Uchiha group, Hyuga Hiashi shouted, "I, the Hyuga clan, support Lord Orochimaru and oppose the restoration of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi!"

"What does the Uchiha clan want to do?"

The Uchiha were all filled with lingering fear: even the conservative Hyuga clan had taken action. If they had waited any longer as the clan leader suggested, wouldn't they have lost all face?

No, we can't keep Fugaku Uchiha as the clan head!

Then several Jonin with three tomoe (empowered appearances) lifted Itachi Uchiha up: "We, the Uchiha clan, under the leadership of our new clan leader Itachi Uchiha, will end the Third Hokage's illegal rule and support Lord Orochimaru as the Fifth Hokage!"

Hiashi Hyuga stared in disbelief, stammering, "Ah, okay, then, let's do it together..."

Itachi Uchiha shouted, "The Hyuga are with us Uchiha! Let's go! Let's go!"

The red and white crowds merged into one, rushing towards the East Gate.