Naruto: Starting with Tsunade

Chapter 400 The Big Picture? I am the big picture.

At this point, Aokiji seemed to have made a connection to something, and deliberately said "Oh": "You know the Hyuga clan, right? They are a typical example of being tamed like dogs."

Itachi: "..."

"I don't need to elaborate on the alliance between Konoha and Kumogakure a few years ago, do I?"

Itachi: "..."

"How could that ninja leader from Kumogakure so easily bypass the Hyuga clan's guards and even find Hinata Hyuga so accurately? Doesn't that seem too suspicious?"

"You need to know that it's not some other ninja clan, it's the Hyuga clan. Their Byakugan can see through a range of one kilometer."

"What's even more coincidental is that the moment Hinata was kidnapped, Hiashi arrived with his men and defeated her. How could it be such a coincidence? There's only one possibility: someone betrayed the Hyuga clan."

Uchiha's eyes widened in surprise: "Betrayal?"

Aokiji sneered, "That person is the high-ranking member led by Hiruzen Sarutobi."

"Why...why do this?"

"Some things become clear once you consider the interests involved."

Aokiji sneered, "Back then, to celebrate the alliance between Konoha and Kumogakure, everyone in the village went, but the Hyuga clan was the only one who didn't go. The reason was quite ridiculous; it was simply because it was Hinata Hyuga's birthday."

"In the eyes of the higher-ups, this kind of thing will be interpreted as whether the peace of the village is more important or the birthday of the eldest son of your Hyuga clan is more important."

"Of course, what I'm saying is just a microcosm, but it also shows the Hyuga clan's attitude towards the village."

"As a qualified ruler, it is natural to give them a warning. Because he calculated that Hiashi Hyuga could quickly find his daughter through the Byakugan, this scene came about. In this way, the strength of the Hyuga clan can be weakened, and the internal strife of the Hyuga clan can be intensified. I don't need to explain what the Hyuga clan's Caged Bird is, do I?"

Itachi: ...

"Imagine if this happened within our tribe?"

Aokiji sneered, "That Cloud Village infiltrated our Uchiha clan's territory, kidnapped Sasuke to obtain the Sharingan, and then Fugaku, like Hiashi Hyuga, killed him. Afterwards, the village, for the sake of so-called peace, so-called righteousness, and so-called big picture, demanded your father's body. Are you also going to hand over your father's body for the sake of your so-called peace, righteousness, and big picture?"

Itachi harbored special feelings for Sasuke: "I will never let this happen."

"You did say one thing right." Aokiji pointed at Itachi and sneered, "If you dare to say anything like handing over Fugaku and compromising your principles, I'll kill you right now."

Itachi: ...

"You might think one or two things are coincidences, but so many things all pointing to one person, don't you think that's too much of a coincidence?" Aokiji said coldly, "I've said so much already, I think I don't need to explain anymore what kind of person Hiruzen Sarutobi is."

Itachi nodded.

Aokiji raised his hands high into the sky, clenched them tightly, and said with a stern expression, word by word, "I am not only seeking revenge against the Konoha leadership, but more importantly, I want to seek justice for my clan."

Itachi: ...

"Are you on our side or on the side of the higher-ups?"

Itachi moved his lips slightly: "I..."

Aokiji raised his hand, interrupting forcefully: "You don't need to give me an immediate reply just because of formalities."

Itachi: ...

Aokiji held up three fingers and said coldly, "Three days. I'll give you three days to think it over carefully. Then, confess to Fugaku, your father, apologize, and then tell me about your and Shisui's Mangekyou Sharingan techniques. I'll consider that you've realized your mistakes, and I'll forgive your transgressions."

"I'm not afraid to tell you that in three days, I will be able to set about taking revenge on the higher-ups."

If things go smoothly, Aokiji should be able to obtain the White Zetsu within three days, transplant its cells, and further enhance its strength. In this way, all areas that can be improved in a short period of time will be improved, and there will be no more worries.

Free up your hands?

Is there anything more important than dealing with the higher-ups during this period?

Itachi keenly sensed something and thought to himself.

However, he no longer has the time to pay attention to that.

In three days, Uchiha will officially launch an attack on Konoha's top brass.

He had to make a decision during this period: whether to help the Uchiha clan eliminate the higher-ups or follow the example of those who went before him.

Aokiji scoffed, "You can pass on intelligence to the higher-ups during this time without any problem. I don't care at all. In this world, strength is the most powerful voice. The despicable schemes of the higher-ups are nothing more than easy opponents in my eyes. I can wipe them out with a flick of my wrist."

"The big picture?" Aokiji snorted coldly, saying domineeringly, "I am the big picture."

Itachi looked astonished.

To be able to utter such domineering words, just how powerful has Aokiji reached?

"I think I've done more than enough, whether as the clan leader or an elder. If you're still stubborn and insist on your own ideas, then don't blame me for being ruthless..."

Aokiji glanced at Itachi: "Don't disappoint me."

After saying that, he disappeared on the spot, leaving only a few drifting snowflakes falling to the ground.

The weasel, standing still, looked up. A bright moon hung quietly in the night sky, casting a faint glow.

"It seems like it was a similar scene that night..."

Itachi muttered something.

Although Aokiji gave him plenty of time to think, he didn't really have much of a choice.

He returned home, and his beloved younger brother came out to greet him: "Brother, where have you been?"

Since that night, Itachi often felt grateful that he hadn't made a mistake.

"Brother..." Sasuke pouted, showing his dissatisfaction, when he saw that Itachi was ignoring him.

Itachi poked Sasuke's forehead: "Forgive me, Sasuke, there won't be a next time."

Sasuke was stunned. His older brother, who always stood him up, had changed his lines.

Itachi smiled and said, "I'll train with you tomorrow."

"real?"

Sasuke's eyes lit up, but then, as if he had suddenly thought of something, his upturned lips drooped back down: "Liar, you're going on a mission at this time tomorrow."

Itachi goes on missions every few days, and Sasuke has figured out Itachi's work routine.

Itachi smiled, shook his head, and said softly, "I'm quitting..."

Sasuke was taken aback: "You're quitting?"

Itachi nodded: "I resigned."

"Resign?"

"Yes, I'm going to resign tomorrow. I'm quitting my job in the secret service."

Itachi made up his mind to distance himself from the higher-ups.

Although doing this will inevitably arouse suspicion from higher-ups, it doesn't matter anymore.

Since Aokiji is so confident, there's not much point in him staying in the Anbu.

He also had to be wary of Danzo, wondering if he would do the same thing to Shisui.

It's not that I'm afraid, it's just that I want to spend more time with Sasuke and make up for the regrets of the past.

"You don't need to do this for...me..."

Sasuke is very sensible and doesn't want his brother to give up his job because of him.

Itachi shook his head: "It's not just for you, there are other reasons."

"Other reasons?"

"Let's talk about it next time."

Sasuke's puffed-up cheeks looked like a steamed bun, which was very cute.

Itachi smiled. "I have some things to discuss with my father. I'll keep you company later."

Sasuke obediently hummed in agreement, then suddenly paused, wondering how long it had been since his brother had taken the initiative to contact their father.

Just as he was wondering, Itachi had already disappeared from his sight, stopped at a door, and knocked softly: "Father, it's me..."

After a while, a solemn voice, familiar from the past, came from inside, indicating that we could come in.

With permission, Itachi slowly pushed open the door and saw the man inside.

"What is it?" Fugaku looked at Itachi kneeling outside the door, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

His son hasn't contacted him for a long time.

"Never mind, come in."

Itachi stood up and stepped inside.

Fugaku sensed something was amiss and gave Mikoto a look. She understood immediately, glanced at the father and son, and then offered an excuse: "I'll go make you a pot of tea."

Fugaku crossed his arms, about to ask what was wrong, when his son knelt down on the ground without saying a word, his hands clasped inwards to support his weight, his forehead touching the ground, and he apologized very sincerely.

Fugaku was stunned when he saw it.

Did his son take the wrong medicine today?

"you……"

As they were talking, Itachi slowly raised his head, and a special pupil pattern appeared in his eyes. It wasn't a three-tomoe pearl, but a more complex pattern.

Kaleidoscope Sharingan!

Fugaku looked shocked: "This is...!"

The special pupil markings in Itachi's eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by ordinary black eyes: "I will tell you everything, Father..."

Fugaku watched silently.

After a long silence and some frank conversation, Fugaku sighed, tears welling up in his eyes: "You don't need to apologize to me. I also bear some responsibility for the fact that you almost made a terrible mistake. If I had been more patient with Itachi back then, perhaps things wouldn't have come to this."

Itachi's face showed emotion: "Father..."

Fortunately, there's still room for reconciliation; let bygones be bygones.

"Um."

"I've really indebted to Aokiji again."

(End of this chapter)