Fugaku watched as Tōshirō went from shock to calm in less than a second and said in surprise,"You don't seem the least bit surprised."
"No," Tōshirō replied, shaking his head with a faint smile. "It's just that I know panicking won't help."
He continued with calm authority, "I'm the Uchiha clan head now. If I panic at a critical moment like this, what will the people below think?"
Fugaku couldn't help but admire him. "You're really starting to look the part of the Uchiha patriarch."
Tōshirō smiled slightly. "Come on, let's go to the hospital."
"The hospital?" Fugaku blinked. "Why there?"
"Kakashi lost his eye. He should be lying there recovering."
"That's not appropriate right now. The village is already suspicious of us."
"Exactly why we should go," Tōshirō replied lightly. "Otherwise, we'll look guilty."
Fugaku found that reasoning sound, so he stopped arguing and followed Tōshirō straight to the hospital. After inquiring about Kakashi's room, they entered.
Kakashi, lying on the bed, turned his head as the door opened. Seeing who it was, he tried to sit up.
Tōshirō raised a hand. "Stay lying down. I'll just say a few words and go."
Kakashi nodded slightly. "What is it?"
"First," Tōshirō said coolly, "the one who took your eye wasn't sent by me. If I truly wanted your eye, I wouldn't have been stupid enough to expose a Sharingan in the process."
Kakashi gave a wry smile. "I know…"
"Second," Tōshirō continued, "if you wish, I can give you another Sharingan from the clan."
Kakashi looked momentarily surprised, then sighed and smiled bitterly. "Forget it. This eye has special meaning to me. No other eye could replace it."
Tōshirō nodded. "As you wish."
He turned and left without hesitation.
Outside, on the way back, Fugaku briefed him on current events. "Recently, the Hokage wants us to move back to the village center. What do you think?"
Tōshirō gave a dismissive "oh." "Ignore it. At this point, still putting on an act—it's ridiculous."
Fugaku went on, "There's more. The Third Hokage is considering retirement and is gathering opinions. Should the Uchiha participate?"
Tōshirō sneered. "When both the judge and jury are theirs, what are we participating in—giving them applause?"
Fugaku laughed bitterly. "You're right."
After a pause, Tōshirō's tone deepened. "Everything on my end is ready. Tell the clan to prepare."
Fugaku's expression turned grave. "It's finally time?"
Tōshirō nodded. "Yes. Time to end this."
He looked up at the clouds drifting across the sky and slowly closed his eyes.
Late that night.
In the heart of Konoha, inside a modest house.
On a square wooden table sat several small dishes and bottles of sake.
Asuma and Hiruzen Sarutobi sat opposite each other.
Dressed casually, Hiruzen spoke with a sigh. "It's been so long since we've sat down like this, peacefully sharing a meal."
Asuma shrugged indifferently. "Five years? Six? I've lost count. Probably since Mom died."
"About Biwako… I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize."
"You're still holding a grudge about me sealing the Six-Tails inside you, aren't you?"
"You're the Hokage. How could I dare?"
"I did it for the village."
"No. You did it for yourself—and your power."
"…"
"Enough talk. Keep yapping and I won't even finish this meal."
Hiruzen sighed heavily.
Asuma watched him quietly eat a few bites and sip some sake. Then he stood, circled behind his father, and took up the Hokage's hat from the table. Gently, he placed it on Hiruzen's head.
"Father," he said in a low voice, "is this hat really that important to you?"
"…"
Before Hiruzen could reply, a sharp, burning pain tore through his chest. His eyes bulged wide as he looked down. His chest was soaked in blood—the metallic scent unmistakable.
His own blood.
"This is…"
He staggered to his feet, stumbling forward a few steps before turning around, his face twisted in disbelief. "Why… why?"
Even unguarded, even against his son, he should have been able to react. That meant only one thing—
The food was poisoned. The weapon that stabbed him was coated with toxin. His body was growing numb; his chakra wouldn't respond.
Asuma closed his eyes. "For the greater good…"
"The greater good? What greater good?" Hiruzen rasped, unable to comprehend.
"…Perhaps I should explain that part."
A third voice echoed through the room, filled with cruel amusement.
"Cough… cough…"
Hiruzen coughed blood, his face turning deathly pale.
A figure walked toward him slowly, hands in his pockets—white hair, red eyes, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.
"You…"
Tōshirō smirked. "That's right. It's me—Uchiha Tōshirō."
"Why?"
"Why?" Tōshirō's smile froze into a sneer as he jabbed a finger toward Hiruzen. "Old man, don't play dumb. You and your lot killed Tsunade—how dare you ask me why?"
Hiruzen's breath grew weaker. He knew he wouldn't live through the night. "Cough… I never wanted Tsunade to die…"
"Shut up! You're not even worthy to speak her name!"
Tōshirō's voice cracked with rage. "Without your constant indulgence, things would never have gone that far. Don't you dare pretend you're innocent—it disgusts me."
Hiruzen fell silent, staring at his son with deep sorrow. He never imagined the son he loved most would betray him—would stand with his enemies to murder him.
"Tsk, tsk…" Tōshirō mocked. "How pitiful—the mighty Hokage reduced to this pathetic sight. Hahaha…"
His laughter filled the room, his shoulders trembling with unrestrained satisfaction, his expression twisted by vengeance.
Hiruzen said nothing.
Tōshirō grinned. "But you know what? I'll be merciful enough to give you a hint. Doesn't being betrayed by the one closest to you feel familiar?"
Hiruzen's pupils widened. "You mean—"
"Heh. You're not as senile as I thought."
Tōshirō clapped his hands. A shadowed figure appeared, carrying a wooden box.
At Tōshirō's signal, the box was opened—inside lay a freshly severed, bloody head.
Tōshirō grabbed it by the hair and lifted it up. "Recognize him?"
Hiruzen's breath hitched. It was one of the spies he had planted in the Uchiha clan—he couldn't even tell if it was Ox-Head or Horse-Head. Judging by this, both were dead.
"Hehehe… going against me? You were never in my league."
Tōshirō tossed the head back into the box and smiled darkly.
A cold dread welled up in Hiruzen's heart. "What are you planning?"
"What am I planning?" Tōshirō wagged a finger mockingly. "Good question. Let's just say I intend to turn every trap and scheme your council planned for the Uchiha… right back on you."
Hiruzen's face went ashen. "No… you can't… If you do this, you'll plunge the entire village into chaos! Come for me if you must—but leave them out of it!"
"Even now, you worry about the village? Touching." Tōshirō's tone was icy. "Beg me nicely, maybe I'll think about it."
"…"
Then Tōshirō snickered. "Just kidding. As if I'd ever do that."
For the first time, Hiruzen felt true despair. His body grew cold, his soul sinking into darkness. "Asuma… why?"
Tōshirō smiled pityingly, as if addressing a foolish student.
"Still don't get it? Asuma did it for the greater good. He knows you and your council can't win against the Uchiha. So he chose the winning side—for the future. Righteous patricide."
He smirked. "Just like Itachi once did. Only this time, your council is the one being sacrificed for the so-called 'greater good.' How ironic, isn't it?"
"No! That's impossible!" Hiruzen screamed hoarsely. "You must have him under genjutsu!"
Genjutsu?
Suddenly, realization flickered in his eyes. "I see now… it's…"
He never finished. A dagger sliced through his throat, blood spurting wildly. His eyes bulged like a dead fish, staring at his son in disbelief.
Tōshirō said flatly, "Rest in peace. I'll take good care of the village for you—and use it as a stepping stone to conquer the Land of Fire. Under me, Konoha will reach heights you never dreamed of."
But Hiruzen heard none of it. He collapsed in a pool of blood, his lifeless eyes still staring upward.
Tōshirō looked down with disdain. "Make sure to leave the weapon at the scene—with fingerprints."
Then he left the house casually, meeting up with his allies outside.
"How did it go?" Fugaku asked.
Tōshirō glanced at the Hyūga head, Hiashi. "Didn't he tell you?"
Without the Byakugan's x-ray vision, he couldn't have timed his dramatic entrance so perfectly.
Hiashi shivered under Tōshirō's gaze, eyes filled with fear. Tōshirō's manipulation had gone beyond anything he imagined—he had actually made Asuma kill his own father.
Hiashi opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Inaho interrupted excitedly, his tone brimming with admiration. "Do you even need to ask? With Lord Tōshirō involved, of course the Hokage's dead!"
Fugaku sighed. "How does it feel… killing the Hokage?"
Tōshirō shrugged. "It went so smoothly, it was almost boring."
Then his lips curled into a grin. "Hopefully, Danzō will prove a bit more entertaining."
End of Chapter)
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