Chapter 69: Hiruzen Sarutobi's Killing Intent, the Night Before the Clan Massacre!
"Patriarch Renji, I'll take my leave. The matter we discussed earlier is settled."
After the promotion exam ended, Hyuga Hiashi greeted Renji, then left with Hyuga Hinata.
He also realized that Renji had not lied to him before, and the foundation of their cooperation was now established.
"Sensei, I didn't embarrass you just now, did I?"
Sasuke quickly ran up to Renji. Over the past month, he felt that training under Renji had been more fulfilling than all his years at the Ninja Academy, and his strength had greatly improved.
Just now, the opponent he fought was a Genin, and he had easily defeated him. This made Sasuke admire Renji even more.
"Not bad, Sasuke. I knew I wasn't wrong about you. You're a very talented child."
Renji raised his hand and gently patted Sasuke's head with a warm smile.
He always played the role of a strict yet loving teacher before Sasuke.
Truthfully, Sasuke had been somewhat lacking in affection early on—an unloved father, a busy older brother—while Renji, this teacher, was always caring and attentive. This made Sasuke increasingly dependent on him.
"Mm! Sensei, are we going to train next?"
"No rush. Since you officially became a Genin today, take some time to relax. I even prepared a gift for you to celebrate your graduation!"
"Really? Sensei prepared a gift for me?"
Sasuke suddenly realized he hadn't received a gift in a long, long time.
"Of course. After all, you've become a Genin."
It felt like he was walking further and further down the paths of Orochimaru and Aizen.
Thinking this, Renji took out a scroll from his robe and handed it to Sasuke, saying, "Inside are some of my cultivation insights and a portion of Uchiha clan ninjutsu."
Sasuke wasn't ready for more powerful techniques yet. Renji's cultivation notes alone would be enough for him to study for a long time.
"Let's go."
Since his objective here was achieved, Renji saw no need to stay any longer.
He waved, signaling Sasuke to follow him.
After their meal, he still needed to discuss the matter of the operation. Since he had decided to act, he had to talk to the three elders. After all, this wasn't something he could do alone.
Even though everyone now seemingly agreed with him, he still needed to ensure they would truly act, not just agree verbally.
On the way back, Renji glanced thoughtfully behind him and then stopped in a deserted street: "You can come out now. You've been following us long enough!"
If he kept following, they'd be near the Uchiha clan grounds, and then he'd be dragged back under a genjutsu.
Behind them, there was a moment of silence. Sasuke turned around to look at a hidden spot and said lightly, "Naruto, why are you following us?"
Actually, he had noticed Naruto's presence long ago, but seeing that Renji said nothing, Sasuke had also pretended not to notice.
Seeing his disguise exposed, Naruto showed no embarrassment. He simply pulled off the cloth hiding him and shamelessly declared, "As expected of Sasuke's teacher! You even saw through my disguise. I acknowledge you!"
"…"
This guy really had a way of asking for a beating.
Renji silently ridiculed him. What do you mean 'you acknowledge me'?
If this was during the Kaguya period, Renji would've been happy. But during this timeline, what's the point of your acknowledgment!?
"Hey! You're that smug Sasuke's teacher, right? I, the great Naruto, have decided—I'm gonna become your student today!"
Huh?
You're asking to be my student in such an arrogant way?
Renji sighed internally. When did becoming someone's student get done like this?
But honestly, when Naruto said it, he was quite nervous.
He had hesitated at first, but later felt Renji didn't reject him, so he decided to try.
For some reason, seeing Sasuke graduate early stirred his own restless heart.
Although he knew he couldn't beat even that Genin earlier,
What could he do?
Sasuke was the best example: after following Renji, he improved so fast. Naruto also wanted to graduate.
"Why do you want to become my student?"
Renji smiled at Naruto, already having an idea.
The bond between the prince and the second pillar—always destined to clash and befriend—seemed to have been drawn back together by his presence.
Was it truly because of him, or was it the entanglement of Ashura and Indra's fates?
"Because you're strong! I want to become strong too, and then become Hokage, so the whole village will recognize me!"
Naruto clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth.
"I understand. But you got one thing wrong. It's not 'become Hokage and then get recognized.' It's 'get recognized by everyone, and then become Hokage.' However…"
"However, what?!"
Naruto quickly asked.
Renji's words had given him a faint revelation, making him realize he had been thinking wrong all along.
"But wanting to become Hokage, you're not wrong. First, you need overwhelming strength. When others don't recognize you, you use your fists to make them recognize you. If one punch isn't enough, then two punches. Eventually, they'll recognize you!"
"Sensei, what if they still don't recognize me even after that?"
Sasuke found Renji's theory interesting but saw a flaw—what if someone just refused to acknowledge you?
"Then let them die, Sasuke… Justice must prevail!"
Justice must prevail?
"But… who decides what's justice and what's evil?"
"Of course—the victor is justice!"
Justice belongs to the victor.
Sasuke murmured to himself, and a sudden glint appeared in his eyes.
It was as if a string had been plucked deep inside him by Renji.
"I understand now, Sensei. I know what I have to do!"
Sasuke decided that he must continue learning from Renji. Renji's unique way of speaking was simply addictive.
He had to learn Renji's art of 'cool posing' perfectly!
Victory is justice!
"Uh… I don't get it at all!"
Naruto raised his hand, his face blank with confusion.
He hadn't understood a thing from Renji's long speech.
"Come back when you understand. That's enough for today, Naruto. Go back now."
"Oh, okay!"
After Renji finished speaking, Naruto subconsciously nodded and turned to leave.
Watching Naruto's retreating figure, Sasuke showed a trace of confusion in his eyes. Why had Naruto been convinced so easily today?
"Hokage-sama, Renji just made contact with Naruto!!"
Inside the Hokage's office.
News that Renji had approached Naruto was quickly delivered.
There were several Anbu constantly monitoring Naruto. When Naruto began following Renji, they were already prepared to act, but before they could, Renji had directly called Naruto out. Although they had the urge to intervene, seeing that the two kept a safe distance the whole time, they chose not to alert them.
"What did they do during the contact?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked instinctively.
The Anbu then reported every word of the conversation between Renji and Naruto without missing a single detail.
After listening, Hiruzen froze for a moment, then waved his hand, signaling the Anbu to leave.
"I told you, didn't I?" Danzo said, his tone sharp. "That Renji brat is innately evil. Now he's already begun to brainwash Naruto with those twisted ideas! And don't forget, it's forbidden for the Uchiha to make contact with the jinchūriki!"
Danzo couldn't sit still any longer. Renji had started approaching Naruto, and worse, was implanting dangerous notions into his head.
If anything happened after this—or if the Nine-Tails fell into the Uchiha clan's control—then Konoha would lose its last bargaining chip completely.
"Victory is justice..."
Hiruzen contemplated the phrase Renji had spoken, and for the first time, a trace of murderous intent toward the Uchiha clan arose in his heart.
Indeed.
Victory defines justice.
As long as he won in the end, he could say whatever he wanted afterward. All his previous worries would disappear.
He could claim the Uchiha had plotted a rebellion and that, to prevent greater casualties, they had no choice but to eliminate them.
So long as he won, no matter what he said, it would become the truth.
Moreover, the Uchiha had already started approaching Naruto.
This was absolutely unacceptable!
Renji's audacious words, combined with his current behavior, made Hiruzen realize that if he didn't act now, the consequences would be catastrophic.
"Hiruzen, what are you hesitating for?" Homura Mitokado asked, anxious at Hiruzen's silence.
Recently, the Uchiha clan had been thriving. All the suppression efforts they had made were being undone.
And now, the Uchiha were even reaching toward the Nine-Tails, on top of Renji's earlier ultimatum.
Either Konoha declared war, or Hiruzen stepped down and let the Uchiha take over!
What a joke!
Neither Homura nor Koharu Utatane would ever allow that to happen.
If the Uchiha seized power, they would surely be purged.
Therefore, war was the only option!
"Renji's words were correct. The victor is justice. As long as we win, we are justice. Prepare yourself, Hiruzen!" Koharu added.
At this moment, Hiruzen's heart completely wavered.
He didn't want to abdicate.
Even if he had to step down someday, he didn't want to be humiliated and forced off the Hokage seat by the Uchiha.
"It seems the Uchiha truly intend to rebel. They've even begun to target the Nine-Tails..."
Hiruzen lowered his head and glanced at Danzo.
Danzo gave a slight, knowing nod, then stood up.
"I'll handle this."
Saying so, he turned and left to summon someone crucial for the operation.
Root Headquarters.
Itachi knelt on one knee, listening silently as Danzo described the Uchiha's recent actions.
After hearing everything, Itachi picked out two main points: the Uchiha were contacting the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki and preparing for rebellion, and Konoha was preparing to eradicate the Uchiha clan.
Upon hearing that the entire clan would be slaughtered, Itachi felt a sharp pain in his chest.
One image flashed through his mind—Sasuke.
He could ignore everyone else.
But not Sasuke!
"So I'll give you a deal: you help eliminate the Uchiha clan, and we'll let Hiruzen spare your brother Sasuke. How about it?"
"I can't do it alone. With just my own strength, it's impossible."
Itachi's voice was cold. He couldn't do it by himself. Shisui alone could take him down, not to mention there were many elite Uchiha shinobi with three-tomoe Sharingan.
"I'll have Root assist you."
Danzo said flatly. Seeing that Itachi still remained silent, a flicker of irritation crossed his heart.
"I understand. But I can only hold off Shisui. The others... you'll have to deal with yourselves."
Itachi knew he could only buy time against Shisui. The others were beyond his ability.
Logically, with only Shisui possessing the Mangekyō, they shouldn't pose too much threat against Konoha's forces.
"Renji... Renji, you've led the Uchiha clan into the abyss..."
Itachi lowered his head, feeling heavy sorrow.
The Uchiha clan would perish because of Renji's actions.
A single pair of Mangekyō Sharingan was far from enough to challenge the entire Leaf.
He understood the Uchiha's fate now.
In this torrent of the times, he seemed powerless to change anything.
There was a time when he and Shisui fought side by side.
But after Shisui chose to side with Renji, Itachi's heart sank into despair.
Now, he could only protect Sasuke.
"I'll notify you when it's time to act. For now, continue providing information on the Uchiha."
Danzo waved his hand, dismissing Itachi.
Gazing toward the Uchiha district, a greedy light flashed in Danzo's eyes.
Soon, all those Sharingan would belong to him.
"Little brother, you look troubled."
"Who's there!?"
Itachi sharply turned his head, scanning the surroundings.
Behind him, a spiral vortex appeared, and masked Obito emerged, watching Itachi with a faint smile.
Without the Mangekyō yet, he wasn't an ideal target to cooperate with.
However, once Konoha wiped out the Uchiha clan and Itachi personally slaughtered his kin, that trauma might awaken the Mangekyō.
The Akatsuki Organization was in urgent need of new blood.
"Who are you!?"
"My name... is Uchiha Madara!!"
Obito said solemnly, lifting his mask slightly, revealing a scarlet Mangekyō Sharingan in his eye.
A Mangekyō identical to Shisui's!?
And that bizarre space-distorting ability...
"It seems you alone can't destroy the Uchiha clan. How about we work together to wipe out this prideful, decaying clan?"
Obito didn't actually care much about destroying the Uchiha.
But since an opportunity presented itself, he might as well eliminate a potential threat before it matured.
He also had another priority—
To kill Shisui and claim his Mangekyō!
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