Naruto: Starting with Tsunade

Chapter 358 Konoha's High-Ranking Officials' Methods of Dealing with Aokiji

In the conference room.

"That concludes the information regarding Aokiji's recent activities within the clan."

Itachi knelt on one knee and reported all the information he had gathered from Aokiji over the past few days to the four old men before him, before giving a final summary:

"That's all the information I've gathered."

After reporting the contents, Itachi quietly and discreetly observed the expressions of the higher-ups.

After understanding the situation, Hiruzen Sarutobi compared the information gathered by the bull and horse heads and realized that Itachi was not lying.

Ox-Head and Horse-Head are members of Root. They are twins who usually disguise themselves as Lower Moon Uchiha and work in the logistics department of the security force. They take turns 24 hours a day to continuously supply intelligence to the higher-ups.

As for the real Lower Moon Uchiha, he has long since died...

Hiruzen Sarutobi symbolically asked Danzo for his opinion, highlighting his extreme views to emphasize his character. He then asked Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, and after hearing their different opinions, he emphasized his righteous and noble image: "That's good then. Itachi, please continue to monitor the Uchiha from now on. If possible, the village really doesn't want to fight the Uchiha."

"I see……"

After giving a half-hearted answer, Itachi muttered to himself: Hypocritical...

In the past, he would have firmly believed in this kind old man, but since his close friend Shisui died, he has become increasingly distrustful of the Konoha leadership.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with concern, "You must be exhausted these past few days. Go home and get some rest today."

"Yes."

Itachi didn't try to be brave and chose to accept it.

He has been very tired these days, both physically and mentally, so it would be good for him to relax a little.

After Itachi left the conference room, there were only four old men left in the room. Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo. Now that there were no outsiders, they could have a real discussion about Aokiji.

Danzo, his face grim, spoke first: "This is very bad. This guy returned to the village and instead of causing a ruckus, he's been so quiet and well-behaved. He must be plotting something."

If Aokiji were to return to the village and cause a ruckus, the village could easily convict him, but now, they have no way to do anything about it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes and listened quietly.

Mitokado Homura asked, "Danzo, didn't you personally confirm that he was already dead?"

When asked about this, Danzo fell silent, filled with remorse.

We should be more careful and cautious; the Uchiha clan might already be history by now.

"Alright, alright, things have come to this. Let's think about how to deal with this guy's retaliation."

Just as Koharu Utatane said, it was useless to hold anyone accountable, so Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped bringing up the past. He slowly opened his eyes and cast a glance at Danzo: "Why don't you explain Aokiji's eye technique to us properly? You've faced him directly, so you should know it best."

Danzo recalled the event with lingering fear, and slightly opened his mouth to tell the reporter about the Soul Flame.

Mitokado Homura's expression turned grave: "To be able to devour a person's soul, what a terrifying eye technique..."

Koharu Utatane said with a hint of relief, "Fortunately, he has now lost his tailed beast."

"Don't be too careless. This guy has reappeared in this form. Who knows what other tricks he has up his sleeve?"

Since Danzo was able to survive even the last time that Aokiji miraculously did, he is now extremely cautious towards Danzo.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu looked at Danzo and muttered to themselves, "It's not your place to say this. After all, you were the one who caused this mess by being too extreme."

Danzo saw through what the two were thinking and snorted coldly: "Aokiji dared to kidnap a daimyo's son at such a young age and extort money from him. If he gets the chance, I don't even want to think about what he might do. Don't you think so?"

These words carried a subtle threat, warning the two men not to try to distance themselves from the situation or remain uninvolved.

Aokiji is no pushover. If he finds out that the higher-ups plan to wipe out the Uchiha clan, given his vengeful nature, he will definitely retaliate and slaughter all four of their families.

Thinking of this, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu trembled slightly and suggested, "This guy isn't in the village right now, should we take advantage of this opportunity..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected the idea: "Don't act rashly."

The two still wanted to try: "But..."

Based on his assessment of the situation, Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly responded: "If he is consumed by the Soul Flame, he will only grow stronger."

Thinking of something, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu broke out in a cold sweat: "Do you think this guy left the village specifically to find a powerful opponent, devour him, and thus increase his own strength?"

"..."

Silence enveloped the four of them.

The thought of this guy's strength constantly increasing while they could do nothing but wait for their doom, and even their strength declining with age, was like being slowly torn apart by a dull knife. Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado felt increasingly tormented and terrified: "Isn't there any way to deal with this guy?"

"Calm down..."

Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke at the same time.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were secretly delighted to see the two men's calm expressions. Could it be that they had already come up with a solution?

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hiruzen Sarutobi exchanged a glance, the two understanding each other perfectly.

"Have you figured out a solution yet?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained noncommittal: "In short, you guys shouldn't do anything rash, lest you give this guy an opportunity to make a move."

His words were both to appease the two men and to warn Danzo.

The Sharingan has the ability to see memories. After Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado felt a little relieved, they stopped asking questions and left the rest to Hiruzen and Danzo.

After Koharu and Homura Mitokado left, only Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in the room to discuss countermeasures on their own.

"Danzo, it seems you've already come up with a plan," Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"Aren't you the same?" Danzo retorted.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a moment before asking, "What do you plan to do?"

Danzo said meaningfully, "The only thing that can deal with the Mangekyou Sharingan is the Mangekyou Sharingan..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi squinted, "What do you mean...?"

"I don't need to say more about this, do I?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment: "...So, you killed Shisui, didn't you?"

"Indeed, how can I let someone with such abilities go unchecked, especially since he is from the Uchiha clan? This power must be kept in my grasp."

"...So you've already obtained the Mangekyou Sharingan."

Shisui's Mangekyou Sharingan was known to Hiruzen.

Possessing the most powerful illusion called Betsutenjin.

It can directly invade the opponent's brain and modify their will without being detected. Once hit by this move, the opponent will become the puppet of the caster forever.

Danzo remained silent, seemingly unwilling to provide the information.

"Danzo, you'd better not hold back. We must be completely open now and can't afford to make any mistakes. Otherwise, if Aokiji seizes the opportunity, not only will we suffer, but my family will also be destroyed. Given Aokiji's personality, he's definitely capable of doing something like that."

Danzo was persuaded, opened his mouth, and said with some regret, "Half and half."

"What do you mean?"

"I only obtained one of Shisui's Mangekyou Sharingan."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned: "What's going on?"

"As expected of Shisui of the Body Flicker Technique, even when ambushed, he still has the ability to escape."

"..."

"However, he was poisoned by one of my men. In such a short time, he won't have time to get rid of the poison, and he will surely die."

Based on his previous words, Hiruzen Sarutobi deduced, "In the process, you only obtained one of his eyes?"

Danzo nodded in agreement and continued, "Of all the abilities, Aokiji is least skilled in illusions, so using Kotoamatsukami against him is undoubtedly the best way."

"I just don't know how effective Kotoamatsukami would be against a Mangekyou Sharingan of the same level. To be on the safe side, it would be best to gather a pair of Mangekyou Sharingan."

According to the information available, the Sharingan can only be truly effective when there is only one pair available, and the same applies to the Mangekyou Sharingan.

"Judging from your tone, it seems you know where the remaining Mangekyou Sharingan is?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"Itachi..."

"Itachi!?"

"Based on my understanding of Shisui, if this eye still exists in this world, it can only be in Itachi."

Shortly after Shisui's death, Itachi questioned him about this matter. Danzo could easily guess that Shisui must have seen Itachi before he died, so it would be logical for him to entrust his eyes to him.

He originally planned to use Itachi and then take away the remaining Mangekyou Sharingan from him, but unexpectedly Aokiji appeared halfway, causing him to lose all his efforts.

Seemingly anticipating Danzo's next move, Hiruzen Sarutobi widened his eyes: "Could it be that you're planning to...?"

Danzo's single eye gleamed with a sinister light: "There's nothing we can do about it. Itachi is still on our side, and Aokiji is unaware of Kotoamatsukami's existence and is not on guard."

"But if this drags on, can you guarantee that Itachi will still stand on our side?"

"At that point, with the tides turning and the balance shifting, do you think we'll still have a chance of winning?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.

Years of grudges have made the village and the Uchiha clan irreconcilable enemies.

Itachi still harbors some illusions about the village and is still on its side. When that illusion disappears and he stops taking the blame for Shisui's murder, then the Uchiha clan and the village will inevitably erupt into the largest civil war in history.

Danzo would even take action against Shisui, a ticking time bomb that could threaten the village at any moment, so he would naturally not hesitate to target Itachi and eliminate the threat.

"Hiruzen, I've already told you my thoughts, so now you should tell me yours too."

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew this wasn't the time to hesitate, and uttered a few words: "Dead Demon Seal..."

"The Corpse Demon Seal..."

Danzo rested his chin on his finger, pondering the feasibility of this plan.

No matter how powerful the enemy, their soul is incredibly fragile. Once hit by this move, no one can survive.

"If you use this trick, you might end up..."

"If things really come to that point, then for the sake of the village's stability, I have no other choice but to do this..."

(End of this chapter)