One day later.
Outside Konoha Village.
On a dusty road, Tsunade and Shizune were supporting the Third Hokage, one on each side, as they hurried forward. This rapid pace was the result of the Third Hokage's constant urging. After the grueling battle with Orochimaru, the already aged Third Hokage had a significant portion of his life force drained by the Reaper Death Seal. In just a few short days, he appeared to have aged at least ten years.
Tsunade had initially intended to take the Third Hokage to a nearby town to rest and recuperate for a while, but the Third Hokage insisted that she take him back to Konoha as quickly as possible. He could clearly sense that his weakened body was no longer fit for the demanding duties of the Hokage. He had to return to Konoha urgently to make necessary arrangements and give his final instructions.
Moreover, the dozen or so corpses of Root ninja that the Divine Court member (Jizo) had deliberately left behind had given the Third Hokage a deeply unsettling premonition. He suspected that Danzo was somehow involved in the events that had transpired. With himself absent from the village, could Shikaku truly suppress Danzo and maintain order? The Third Hokage was very worried and doubtful about this.
From a distance, the Third Hokage, still being supported by Tsunade and Shizune, finally saw Konoha in the distance. At the village gate, two Konoha ninja stood guard, one on each side. Outwardly, the village seemed largely unchanged from when he had departed.
"It's Lord Hokage! He's back!" The two Konoha ninja at the gate also spotted Tsunade and the Third Hokage approaching. One of them exclaimed in surprise and relief.
"I'll go greet Lord Hokage. You, quickly inform the Hokage Tower!" the other guard ninja said, also pleased by their return. With that, he leaped forward, rushing towards the Third Hokage's group.
Ten minutes later, in the Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage, his face deeply wrinkled and his body frail, sat heavily in the Hokage's chair, his expression dazed, almost numb.
Danzo was dead. Root had been directly and completely uprooted, its power base shattered. The village's two esteemed Council Elders, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, were currently under house arrest. It was Tatsuya, leading the Uchiha clansmen of the Military Police Force, who had carried out these drastic actions. Nara Shikaku, leading a portion of the Hokage's direct ANBU guard and Jonin Squad ninja, had also participated in the operation.
The moment he returned to the village, the Third Hokage was hit with this shocking, almost unbelievable news.
Over the years, many of Danzo and Root's actions had indeed strayed far from the Third Hokage's control and approval. He himself had been deeply dissatisfied with some of Danzo's past deeds and clandestine operations. But the Third Hokage had never, not even for a moment, considered taking the life of his old comrade, his lifelong rival. He simply couldn't bring himself to make such a ruthless decision. In the Third Hokage's mind, the most he had ever envisioned was perhaps restricting Danzo's power and eventually dismantling Root.
And now, Tatsuya had made that choice for him, resolving the long-festering issue in the most direct, most brutal, and most final way possible. Danzo and Root were both gone.
After sitting in stunned silence for a long time, the Third Hokage finally spoke, his voice hoarse and weary, "What has been the reaction of everyone in the village to this matter?"
In the room, Nara Shikaku replied respectfully, "The major ninja clans in the village, as well as the ANBU and Jonin Squad ninja who participated in the battle, have all maintained their silence on this matter. No one has publicly expressed an opinion. As for the ordinary citizens and other ninja in the village, due to the information lockdown we've imposed, they are currently unaware of these events."
The Third Hokage remained silent, absorbing Shikaku's words. It was only then, hearing Shikaku's report, that the Third Hokage truly began to realize the extent of Tatsuya's influence over the village, and just how utterly detested Danzo and Root had become. Apart from Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who were now powerless, not a single person had apparently been willing to step forward and speak out in defense of Danzo or Root. This even included Danzo's own clan, the Shimura clan!
At this moment, a profound sense of sorrow welled up in the Third Hokage's heart. He felt sorrow for himself, and perhaps even a strange, reluctant sorrow for Danzo. For so many long years, he and Danzo, one operating in the light and the other in the shadows, had worked in their own ways, making countless sacrifices for the village. And yet, the final result, it seemed, was that their actions, their intentions, were completely misunderstood and unappreciated by the very people of the village they had sought to protect. If that was the case, then what meaning did all their years of effort, all the difficult choices and sacrifices they had made, truly hold?
After another long, heavy silence, the Third Hokage spoke again, his voice filled with an almost palpable weariness, "Regarding the final disposition of this matter… did Tatsuya offer any… instructions or suggestions?"
Nara Shikaku replied respectfully, "He proposed that Lady Tsunade succeed to the position of Fifth Hokage."
"Tsunade? He actually said that?" The Third Hokage's voice was filled with genuine surprise.
Nara Shikaku nodded. "Yes, Lord Hokage."
The Third Hokage paused for a moment, then shook his head slowly. "For all these years, Tsunade has been wandering outside the village, detached from its affairs. Persuading her to accept the position of Hokage… it will be very difficult."
Nara Shikaku said, "Tatsuya mentioned that he would find a way to handle that."
The Third Hokage waved his hand dismissively. "What way could he possibly have? It's better if I try to persuade her myself. Find a way to notify Jiraiya. Tell him to return to Konoha as soon as possible."
"Yes, Lord Hokage." Nara Shikaku acknowledged the order respectfully and departed. As he left, his steps felt noticeably lighter than before.
Alone in the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage let out a soft, weary sigh. "Old friend," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper, "may you finally rest in peace."
Uchiha Clan Compound, Fugaku's home.
In the living room, Fugaku Uchiha knelt formally in the seat of honor, while Itachi knelt respectfully on his left-hand side, slightly below him.
"Itachi, you went out of the village a few days ago?" Fugaku's deep, resonant voice finally broke the silence in the room.
"Yes, Father," Itachi replied respectfully.
"For what purpose?" Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze deep and probing.
Itachi paused for a moment before answering, "The Captain had a mission for me to undertake outside the village."
"Tatsuya Akimichi?" Fugaku murmured the name softly, a thoughtful expression on his face. The room fell into a brief, tense silence.
After a moment, Fugaku's voice sounded again, his tone carefully neutral, "Have you also joined the organization behind him?"
Itachi's body stiffened, and he looked up sharply, meeting his father's gaze.
Faced with Itachi's questioning look, Fugaku's expression remained calm, his voice steady. "His rise has been too rapid, too extraordinary. If there wasn't some other powerful faction supporting him from the shadows, how could his strength possibly have increased so quickly, so dramatically?"
Itachi remained silent, offering no reply.
Fugaku continued, his voice now tinged with a hint of concern, "What will become of the Uchiha clan… and Konoha… in the future?"
Itachi finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm, "Brother Tatsuya once said that he will lead Konoha to the pinnacle of the ninja world. He said he will personally put an end to this chaotic world. And we, the members of the Uchiha clan, will also become a clan of true honor and glory."
Fugaku murmured thoughtfully, "A clan of honor?" After a few seconds of silence, Fugaku asked again, his gaze intent, "That wielder of the Mangekyo Sharingan… who exactly is he?"
Itachi shook his head. "I don't know, Father."
Seeing this, a flicker of some unreadable emotion passed through Fugaku's eyes.
Noticing that his father seemed to have no further questions for him, Itachi rose to his feet, bowed respectfully, and prepared to leave. As he reached the doorway of the room, Fugaku's voice sounded from behind him.
"Itachi, go and tell Shisui and Misuke that no matter what decision they make, I will support them fully."
"Yes, Father." Itachi's steps faltered for a brief moment. He acknowledged the order, then continued on his way.
After Itachi's figure had disappeared from view, Uchiha Mikoto entered the living room from outside. She looked at Fugaku with a worried expression and asked softly, "Have you made your decision?"
Fugaku nodded. "Mm. The younger generation of the clan has already matured and grown strong. It's time for me to step down. This way, I can also spend more time properly teaching and guiding Sasuke."
Uchiha Mikoto hesitated. "But… who among them is truly suitable to lead?"
Hearing his wife's concern, Fugaku looked up at her and said, "I am only planning to resign from my position as Captain of the Military Police Force for now. The position of Clan Head… they are not yet ready to take on that responsibility."