Chapter 50: This Is Just an Illusory Life
"Hokage-sama, there have been significant personnel movements within the Uchiha Clanrecently. Furthermore, the death of Uchiha Shisuihas greatly provoked the clan. After nearly two years of maneuvering, the Radicals have now completely overwhelmed the Conservatives."
Wearing a cat-face mask, Naruto knelt on one knee before Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk, reporting information about the Uchiha Clan in a businesslike manner. He was like an emotionless machine, his tone cold and rigid.
"I see..." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, offering no further explanation to Naruto. "Keep a close watch on the Uchiha Clan's movements. I feel that the time for them to launch a coup d'état is drawing near."
"Hokage-sama, I believe there is still a chance!"
"I know what 'chance' you are referring to." Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up from his chair. "It is nothing more than finding the culprit who murdered Uchiha Shisui and returning his lost Sharingan."
"But that is clearly impossible!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips moved as he took two puffs from his pipe. "Now that Danzo Shimura has joined forces with the remaining two Konoha Advisors, they have enough power to rival the authority in my hands. Even if I were willing to help the Uchiha Clan, do you think they would be of one mind with me?!"
Naruto naturally understood the subtext in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart: he could not take the field to help either side on his own authority. The main reason was that the power he wielded was insufficient to quickly suppress either the Uchiha or Danzo Shimura. His unauthorized intervention would likely lead to even greater upheaval in Konoha, and might even result in the extremely dire situation of Konoha splitting into three factions.
Naruto also clearly understood the subtext of Hiruzen Sarutobi's last sentence: compared to the life-and-death friendship he once shared with Danzo Shimura and the others, the Uchiha Clanheld no trust with him at all.
"Is it really impossible to stop or delay the Uchiha Clan's massacre?" Naruto felt very bitter. He wasn't planning to give up on completing the System's mandatory mission out of sentimentality.
It was just that during his years serving in the Anbu, Naruto had gradually come into contact with more of the Ninja World's secrets. He wanted to use his own efforts to delay the Uchiha massacre as much as possible, simply to stay longer in this life experience game.
Uchiha, Anbu Squadron Leader, and double agent—these three identities gave Naruto a massive advantage. He could already unscrupulously learn most of the secrets hidden deep within Konoha's high-level leadership.
This even included various experiments conducted by Orochimaru during his defection; Naruto already had the clearance to understand some of them.
What interested Naruto most was Orochimaru's research on Hashirama cells. Naruto remembered very clearly that among the several methods the Nine-Tailed had mentioned to him for prematurely Awakening the Sage Body or completing the fragmented uzumaki bloodline, Hashirama cellswere included!
Naruto had always spared no effort in increasing the strength of his original body, but the inertia of fate was powerful. Only now did Naruto belatedly realize that Uchiha Shisui's death was the primary trigger for the Uchiha massacre.
But when Uchiha Shisui died, Naruto had not only failed to stop it, but he had also personally delivered the final blow. Even Uchiha Shisui's remaining Mangekyo Sharingan was now in Naruto's possession!
In the two years following Uchiha Shisui's death, Naruto frequently moved back and forth between the Uchiha Clan and Hiruzen Sarutobi. Although he greatly softened Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude toward the Uchiha Clan, Danzo Shimura and the remaining two Advisors were truly beyond his reach.
"It seems it's time to activate my backup plan..."
After taking his leave from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Naruto returned to the Uchiha compound and dove straight into Uchiha Fugaku's study. His first words were a bombshell!
"Father, please give your Mangekyo Sharingan to me!"
"It seems a battle between the Uchiha and Konohais unavoidable..." Uchiha Fugaku said, answering irrelevantly before turning his back to Naruto. "Can I trust you, Itachi?"
"I cannot guarantee whether all the Uchiha Clanmembers will survive, but I have considerable confidence in protecting our Family and our lineage!"
"Has it already come to this?" Uchiha Fugaku said in disbelief.
"The Masked Man from the Akatsuki Organizationis very likely already in league with Danzo Shimura. There is a high probability he will take action during the war between our clan and Konoha, and..."
"And that group of Rogue Ninjas from the Akatsuki Organization will also be involved, right..." Uchiha Fugaku's figure suddenly slumped at that moment, his voice dry and helpless. "And Hiruzen Sarutobirefuses to take the field because he has too many concerns, right..."
"Yes!"
Naruto's answer was like a heavy hammer striking Uchiha Fugaku's heart, causing his last shred of hope to completely shatter.
The destruction of the Uchiha Clan was now a foregone conclusion!
"Why!" Uchiha Fugaku suddenly exploded in rage, turning around and kicking over the small wooden table behind him. "Danzo Shimura would rather collaborate with outsiders to destroy our clan, and why does that old fool Hiruzen Sarutobi allow Danzo Shimura to be so treacherous!"
"Perhaps after Uchiha Madara left Konoha all those years ago, the Uchiha Clan was already considered outsiders." Naruto stated his conclusion. "The outcome is decided. Father, have you made your decision?!"
"Itachi, tell me your specific thoughts!"
Uchiha Fugaku quickly calmed down. Since the outcome was decided, he could only try everything possible to minimize losses or leave some kindling for the Uchiha Clan.
"I will fuse your eyes to evolve mine into the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. After gaining absolute power, I will go to negotiate with Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
"That will only make Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitate for fear of the consequences and completely side with Danzo Shimura!" Uchiha Fugaku voiced his concern. "After all, you are an insider to all this and a member of the Uchiha Clan. Once you possess the power Uchiha Madara had back then, that old politician could never feel at ease with you!"
"Itachi!" Uchiha Fugaku seemed to find hope again. He gripped Naruto's shoulders tightly, looking at him with great expectation. "When you possess the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, with your strength, you should be able to lead the Family to greater heights and avoid the risk of the Uchihabeing massacred!"
"Father..." Naruto's face was full of guilt. "I know my own body. I don't have much life left. Even if we win this battle or our clan separates from Konoha, I won't be able to protect the Family for long..."
"It really is a dead end!" Uchiha Fugaku sat down dejectedly. "Your physical condition is due to excessively pushing your strength, isn't it?"
Naruto nodded without speaking, but in his heart, he silently apologized to Uchiha Fugaku.
He would not forget that this was just a virtual life within a life experience game he was pulled into by the System. He would never forget the ultimate purpose of participating in this dreamlike yet real life game.
That was to obtain as many resources as possible for the rapid growth of his original body, to unravel the various conspiracies surrounding him, and to track down the masterminds behind his parents' deaths one by one for revenge!
"So, forgive my selfishness. In my own original life trajectory, I will do my best to look after Sasuke. I promise!"
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