Itachi Uchiha, who had not slept the entire night, made his way to the Hokage Tower at dawn and found Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Kneeling on one knee before Hiruzen, Itachi Uchiha said, "Hiruzen, I've figured out how to resolve the conflict between our clan and the village."
Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and asked, "What method?"
Itachi replied, "Shisui Uchiha once told me that in order for the Uchiha to regain trust, they must accept constraints. However, considering the current attitude of the Uchiha, there's absolutely no chance they'd agree to being restrained. If we propose using cursed seals for control, they would immediately start a rebellion.
Therefore... the only way to make the Uchiha accept the cursed seal's restriction is to first eliminate those extremists determined to launch a coup."
Hiruzen's eyebrows slightly furrowed. "Eliminate the coup supporters? How do you plan to do this?"
Itachi's gaze turned icy cold. "There should still be some time before the Uchiha coup begins. During this period, I will gather the names of those clan members who want to rebel, and then... I will remove them from the equation."
Once these extremists are eliminated, the coup will never come to pass. Then, Third, you could use the situation to claim that the Uchiha were showing signs of disloyalty and suggest using cursed seals to bind the rest of the clan."
Hiruzen's pupils slightly widened. He hadn't expected Itachi to go this far.
Actually, Hiruzen understood that if things continued like this without resolution, annihilating the entire Uchiha Clan would become unavoidable.
However, if Itachi's plan succeeded, at least part of the Uchiha could be saved—allowing the clan to remain in Konoha as a valuable asset.
Hiruzen solemnly asked, "But how will you deal with those people?"
Itachi activated his Mangekyo Sharingan. "With my eyes."
Staring at Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan, Hiruzen couldn't hide his surprise. "You've also awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan?"
Itachi nodded. "Yes. Once I finish gathering the names, I'll act."
Hiruzen was silent, puffing on his pipe for a long moment before finally sighing deeply. "I'm sorry, Itachi. Forcing you into this kind of impossible choice... Perhaps this really is the only path left."
Itachi requested, "Third, I have three requests."
Nodding slowly, Hiruzen responded, "Speak freely. Whatever I can fulfill, I will."
"My first request is that after applying cursed seals to constrain the Uchiha, please, Third, improve the living conditions of the Uchiha Clan. After all, bound by these restrictions, they won't cause any more problems for Konoha."
"I understand completely," Hiruzen replied. "As soon as this matter concludes, I'll immediately relocate the Uchiha Clan back into the heart of Konoha and improve their living environment."
Itachi Uchiha continued with his second request. "My second request is, please Third Hokage, do not allow Danzo to continue targeting the Uchiha Clan. Danzo's hostility toward the Uchiha is too great. Even restrained by the Cursed Seal, he still refuses to trust us. I wish for the Uchiha to remain loyal to Konoha and to the Hokage."
Hiruzen Sarutobi understood Itachi's meaning perfectly—it was time to keep Danzo away from the Uchiha.
He agreed to it without hesitation.
He, too, wanted the Uchiha Clan to be faithful to Konoha—and to himself.
Hiruzen knew Danzo all too well, and Itachi's concerns were valid.
Finally, Itachi made his last plea. "The third request is a personal one. My younger brother, Sasuke—I ask that you do not place a Cursed Seal on him."
Hiruzen paused mid-puff on his pipe. He rose from his chair, walked over to stand before Itachi, and helped him back to his feet. "Itachi, you're ready to make such a heavy sacrifice for Konoha. This village will never forget what you've done. As your brother, I believe Sasuke will surely inherit the Will of Fire just like you and remain loyal to Konoha. I agree to all three of your requests—there's no need for you to bear any worries."
Itachi bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Lord Third. Then I shall proceed now."
After Itachi departed, Hiruzen returned to his seat.
If Itachi pulled it off, then the issue with the Uchiha would finally be settled.
Still, to prevent Danzo from causing trouble again, someone needed to keep an eye on him.
Hiruzen summoned an Anbu ninja.
"Inform our agents within Root Base. Starting today, monitor every action of all Root ninjas and report directly to me!"
"Understood!"
...
At home, Chinya smiled faintly.
"So in the end, you came up with this plan? Sacrificing some to save others. If successful, my Witness Points will be secured."
Chinya gazed out the window at the sun. Konoha's departure date was drawing nearer by the day.
In the forest outside the Naka Shrine Pass Technique.
Obito Uchiha was making his way toward the Naka Shrine Pass Technique.
"Hey."
Itachi dropped down from the trees, landing behind Obito.
Looking at Obito, Itachi asked, "Who are you?"
"Uchiha Madara!"
A slight tremble passed through Itachi's eyes. "Madara Uchiha?"
Obito crossed his arms, standing proudly as he replied. "That's right. Now tell me, why have you come before me?"
Furrowing his brow, Itachi countered, "That question should be mine. What business does a supposed ghost of the Uchiha have appearing here?"
Obito scoffed. "What business? To take revenge, of course—to avenge myself against the Uchiha who betrayed me!"
Itachi glared at Obito with open hostility, readying himself for battle.
Obito Uchiha snorted derisively, "You don't have to stare at me like that. Haven't you already figured out my identity? Since you came alone, you must have something you want from me, right?"
Itachi Uchiha's hostility toward Obito faded, though he remained wary of him. "I need a favor from you. You can choose not to help, but I'll immediately report your existence to Konoha. Your revenge won't succeed if that happens. Also, since you've chosen to wear a mask in public, I assume you don't want others knowing your identity either."
"Ha!" Obito scoffed. "Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"
Itachi Uchiha activated his [Mangekyo Sharingan] directly. "The moment a fight breaks out, this place will be immediately detected!"
Obito Uchiha stared gravely into Itachi's eyes — he hadn't expected another person to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan.
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