Naruto: Starting with Tsunade

Chapter 339 Uchiha Mizumi x Uchiha Sasuke

After the meeting, Danzo, in a private capacity, invited Itachi to his base for a secret meeting.

Itachi wasn't too surprised by this; rather, it was abnormal that Danzo didn't react at all.

"What do you think about Hiruzen buying you time?"

Danzo, leaning on his cane, spoke quietly.

Itachi's gaze darkened as he pondered, "If we could have fought for it, this wouldn't have happened."

Shisui sacrificed his own life to buy you so much time, yet all you got in return was the Third Hokage's complete inaction.

He has now more or less discovered the Third Hokage's hypocrisy.

On the surface, he was gentle to everyone and adopted a conciliatory policy towards the Uchiha clan. In reality, both the Third Hokage and Danzo had the same attitude towards the Uchiha clan.

Having received a satisfactory answer, Danzo smiled and said, "Although he said he didn't want to use brute force, you should know that as the Hokage, sometimes personal feelings have to be put aside. For the sake of the village's stability, he will take very decisive action."

Itachi kept his lips tightly closed and listened quietly to what was said.

Danzo saw all of this.

Itachi's face was expressionless, but he was actually suffering greatly. However, it was precisely because of this that he had an opportunity to take advantage of him.

Since discovering Itachi Uchiha, Danzo has devoted a lot of effort to him, and now it's time to close the net.

The thought of completely eradicating the Uchiha clan from this world made Danzo tremble with fear.

However, it is precisely at times like these that we must remain calm and composed.

Danzo said in his usual calm tone, "Once a coup occurs, the Uchiha clan will only face one fate: annihilation, including even your clueless little brother..."

When faced with a heavy topic, Itachi remained silent, as if trying to avoid it.

Sasuke...

He murmured to himself.

From the moment his younger brother was born, Itachi realized that he had special feelings for him, even surpassing those for his father and mother at one point.

"but……"

Upon hearing this, Itachi looked up as if grasping at a straw, but when he met those deep eyes, he realized that he had fallen into the enemy's trap.

He first instills despair, then offers hope—what a cunning fellow…

"Are you threatening me?" Itachi's deep voice was filled with murderous intent.

Danzo calmly replied, "I didn't say that; I was simply explaining how to implement it..."

Itachi suppressed his killing intent. Even if he could kill Danzo now, it wouldn't change anything; instead, it would solidify the Uchiha clan's guilt in their coup.

Danzo smiled slightly: "It seems we can have a proper talk now."

Itachi's face darkened. "What are you trying to say...?"

"Before the Uchiha clan launches their coup, I hope you can help us eliminate the Uchiha clan..."

Uchiha's pupils dilated.

What a vicious plan! It actually wants him to kill his own people and family...

However, even greater despair was yet to come. Danzo continued, "Afterwards, I expect you to shoulder everything alone..."

"..."

"Itachi, I know this is difficult. But relatively speaking, it's the best way to do it. In this way, you can protect the honor of the Uchiha clan and also protect your young brother..."

"..."

Seeing that Itachi remained silent, Danzo continued, "Have you heard of Akatsuki?"

Itachi frowned, not quite understanding why Danzo would include this at this time.

"Orochimaru, who betrayed the village, is in this organization..."

The weasel's pupils trembled slightly.

"After you help us eliminate the Uchiha clan, I hope you can find a way to join this organization to monitor Orochimaru, and at the same time, obtain information about this organization and transmit it to the village..."

Itachi felt a strange sadness; this man was going to exploit him to such an extent.

"As for your brother after your betrayal, don't worry. We will raise him well. After everything he's been through, I believe he will become an excellent ninja, excellent enough to kill you, become a hero of the village, and even revitalize the Uchiha clan..."

The harsh reality nearly crushed Itachi completely. He closed his eyes heavily, nodded, and then turned and left with a heavy heart.

He had no choice...

Seeing Itachi turn and leave, disappearing from sight, Danzo could no longer suppress his inner joy, which surfaced on his face.

We've finally reached this point...

Whether it's Uchiha Aokiji or his entire clan, they will all have to bury this hand that he holds dear...

……

……

Lakeside.

The weasel sat on the wooden plank, quietly watching its reflection in the lake.

Suddenly, a melodious sound, like the clear sound of silver bells, came from behind me, as if it purified my soul.

"Itachi-kun..."

As they approached, a figure slowly drew near, carrying a faint fragrance, and sat down beside them.

The weasel glanced sideways.

Sitting next to him was a girl about his age, with delicate features, long, shiny black hair, and a tear in the corner of her eye. Her droopy eyes made her seem endearing.

Uchiha Izumi...

His few friends, especially those who are girls.

Izumi gazed at him with her large, watery eyes: "How strange, Itachi-kun is here..."

The weasel withdrew its gaze and calmly focused on the tranquil lake.

This is the place where his father first taught him the ninjutsu, Great Fireball Technique.

The thought of having to learn ninjutsu from his father to deal with the Uchiha clan, and even his father himself, made Itachi feel inexplicably ironic.

Izumi thought she had disturbed Itachi, and quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, did I disturb you?"

"without……"

Itachi replied casually.

"If you don't mind, please accept this..." Izuna handed over something wrapped in rice paper.

Itachi looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Izumi opened it, revealing three skewers of three-colored dumplings: "I remember Itachi-kun seemed to really like eating these..."

Itachi shook his head silently; he really wasn't in the mood to eat any of this.

Seeing Itachi's troubled expression, Izumi cautiously asked, "I've heard that keeping things bottled up isn't good for your health..."

"..."

The problem Itachi is facing now is one that is difficult to discuss with anyone.

Izumi bit her thin lips, her drooping eyebrows revealing a tearful expression: "I'm sorry, I was too nosy..."

"Don't take it to heart..."

Just as Itachi was about to leave, a voice came from behind him again: "Nii-san—!"

The voice was very young, revealing surprise and a hint of sullenness.

This is the voice that Itachi is most familiar with.

Itachi and Izumi turned around together, and behind them stood a rather handsome boy, who was undoubtedly very popular with the girls at school.

He is Itachi's younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke.

"Sasuke..."

When Itachi saw him, the gloom on his face lessened.

Sasuke's gaze fell on Izumi, his face contorted with hostility: "Nii-san, who is this girl—!"

"friend……"

Itachi explained.

Izumi felt a warmth in her heart; it seemed Itachi did approve of her.

Sasuke pouted, throwing a little tantrum: "Liar..."

Itachi was a little confused by his younger brother's train of thought: "Why do you say that?"

"Okay, I've been asking you to practice shuriken with me for the past few days, but you kept telling me you were too busy and making excuses. Turns out you were on a date with a girl, Nii-san, I misjudged you..."

"A date..."

Quanmei blushed furiously and could barely speak.

She glanced at Itachi's reaction, but to her disappointment, Itachi didn't react much, simply saying calmly, "You misunderstood, we just happened to run into each other."

"Really?"

Sasuke Uchiha looked at his brother with suspicion.

Itachi gave a wry smile. He couldn't understand where his little brother had heard the word "date" at such a young age.

Izumi said she could testify: "It's true... I really just happened to see your brother and said hello."

Sasuke's big, bright eyes darted back and forth between his beloved brother and the woman he hated.

Izumi felt embarrassed; this was clearly a lack of confidence in her. She pointed to the tip of her nose, flashed a warm smile, and tried her best to appear approachable.

"I don't know if you remember, but when you were just born, I held you in my arms. You loved me so much back then, you were always clinging to me. When your brother tried to pull you away, you cried and fussed."

"Is that so?"

Sasuke looked at his brother with disbelief.

Itachi lowered his eyes, recalling that Izumi had tried to hug her younger brother, but he had pushed her away.

Izumi wanted to get closer to him, but Sasuke started crying and fussing...

Thinking about this, even Itachi himself was surprised; he actually remembered such a thing so clearly…

"Hmph, I was just young and naive back then..."

Sasuke would never admit to getting close to the woman who stole his brother.

"Want some?"

Izumi handed the three-colored dumplings to Sasuke, intending to bribe him. If she wanted to get close to Itachi, starting with his family was a good option.

Sasuke glanced at the three-colored dumplings and said bluntly, "No, I hate sweets."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Dejected by her bad start, Izumi hung her head and shrank back, her face full of black lines: "I saw Itachi-kun likes to eat this, I thought you would like to eat this too."

A sly glint flashed in Sasuke's eyes.

Hmph, trying to bribe me? I'm not that stupid...

Prejudice was one aspect, but he also genuinely didn't like sweets.

Suddenly, he realized something.

Σ(°△°|||)︴: Wait a minute...

My brother likes to eat this kind of thing, how come I didn't know?

(End of this chapter)