Chapter 51: I’ll Deal with the Uchiha Clan

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Meanwhile.

Hokage’s Office.

"Hokage-sama."

Uchiha Itachi, dressed in his ANBU uniform, entered the Hokage’s Office.

Seeing the grim expressions on Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō, he felt a sense of unease.

Hiruzen didn’t speak.

Danzō spoke instead.

"Uchiha Itachi, you’re the Konoha ANBU member responsible for monitoring the Uchiha clan.

"So answer me!

"Is your Uchiha clan planning to release the Tailed Beast, control it, and launch a coup?"

Hearing this, Itachi’s pupils contracted slightly before he slowly lowered his head.

Hiruzen and Danzō’s gazes immediately sharpened.

As expected!

Danzō demanded loudly,

"Uchiha Itachi!

"Why did you conceal the Uchiha clan’s plans? What exactly are you plotting?!"

"Hokage-sama, Lord Danzō, the Uchiha clan doesn’t possess the ability to release the Tailed Beast, nor do we possess the ability to control it.

"The ones who proposed this were merely arrogant clan members.

"Their proposal was never approved by the Uchiha clan.

"So I took the liberty of concealing the information."

Itachi still held out hope that the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha could be repaired.

If he reported the information, there would be no way to reverse the consequences.

So he had chosen to conceal it.

He simply hadn’t expected that Konoha’s higher-ups had already learned about it.

And now they were suspicious of him as well.

"Just because the Uchiha clan doesn’t have the ability to control the Tailed Beast, you chose to conceal it?"

Danzō scoffed.

Then he stared intently at Itachi and questioned him again.

"Answer me!

"Does your Uchiha clan possess another Mangekyō Sharingan?"

This was Danzō’s test.

He wanted to determine whether Shisui was still alive!

Hiruzen frowned but didn’t interrupt.

Naturally, he didn’t believe the Uchiha still possessed another Mangekyō Sharingan.

Since Konoha’s founding, the only Uchiha known to have awakened one was Uchiha Shisui.

How could awakening one be so easy?

(The Uchiha Juri from the anime-original material is far too exaggerated, so she isn’t part of this novel’s setting.)

But what if there really was another one?

Itachi’s eyes flickered.

What does this mean?

Do Konoha’s higher-ups already know that I’ve awakened it?

Itachi sighed inwardly.

So it has finally come to this...

Itachi knew that once information about his Mangekyō Sharingan became public, Konoha’s higher-ups would no longer trust him.

He was different from Uchiha Shisui.

He was the heir of the Uchiha clan.

His identity was far more sensitive.

Shisui’s predecessor, Uchiha Kagami, had been a disciple of the Second Hokage.

He had also been a classmate of the Third Hokage and the three Konoha advisors.

Because of that relationship and the bond between them, Hiruzen was willing to trust Uchiha Shisui.

Even after Shisui’s death, Hiruzen had been willing to trust Itachi partly because of his connection to Shisui.

But once the existence of another Mangekyō Sharingan was exposed, the final thread of trust would also be severed!

Konoha’s higher-ups would never allow someone capable of controlling a Tailed Beast to exist.

Especially not someone from the Uchiha clan!

Seeing Itachi fall silent, Danzō thought to himself,

As expected!

Hiruzen’s expression also changed.

There really is another one?

Itachi had concealed the Uchiha clan’s plans.

And now he had concealed the existence of another Mangekyō Sharingan.

Uchiha Itachi was no longer trustworthy!

Itachi slowly raised his head.

The three tomoe in his eyes spun rapidly before transforming into a pair of crimson Mangekyō Sharingan.

Danzō and Hiruzen’s pupils contracted violently!

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes and secretly prepared himself as he asked,

"When did you awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan?"

"When Shisui died."

Itachi no longer concealed anything.

Hiruzen continued,

"Why did you conceal Shisui’s death back then?"

Itachi had never reported Uchiha Shisui’s death.

Until today, it had remained an unsolved mystery.

Itachi answered,

"Shisui’s death would become the spark that ignited everything. I didn’t want to deepen the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha."

Danzō’s eyes flickered.

Could Shisui really be dead?

Who killed him?

The mysterious person?

Or did Itachi kill Shisui in order to awaken his Mangekyō Sharingan?

Of course, Danzō didn’t completely believe Itachi’s explanation.

He still harbored doubts.

Noticing his friend’s abnormal expression, Hiruzen glanced at Danzō and sighed inwardly.

Everyone has been hiding things from me...

But he didn’t question Danzō about it.

Danzō wasn’t the focus right now.

Hiruzen continued,

"Since you awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, why did you hide it?"

"I was worried about the suspicion of the village’s higher-ups."

"And now? You’re no longer worried? Or you no longer need to be?"

"No. Hokage-sama, please believe me."

"How can you expect me to believe you now?"

The two continued questioning one another.

The atmosphere gradually became oppressive.

Even the ANBU hidden in the shadows secretly drew their kunai, watching Itachi vigilantly.

Danzō’s eyes narrowed.

He questioned Itachi,

"Uchiha Itachi, since you want us to believe you, then answer me this!

"Will you stand with the Uchiha clan and oppose Konoha?

"Or will you stand with Konoha and help us exterminate the Uchiha?"

Hiruzen frowned slightly but didn’t object to Danzō’s words.

Since Itachi had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, this was no longer the time for mercy!

If the Uchiha really managed to release the Tailed Beast, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Itachi’s pupils contracted.

He suddenly raised his head.

"Exterminate the Uchiha?"

Danzō replied,

"That’s right!

"To protect the village, we must suppress the situation before the coup can happen!

"You should understand that even after awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, you cannot possibly contend with the entire Konoha!

"The downfall of the Uchiha is already inevitable.

"As long as you’re willing to help us exterminate the Uchiha, we are willing to continue trusting you.

"We can even spare your younger brother’s life.

"So, Uchiha Itachi, what is your choice?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, and the hidden ANBU all stared intently at Itachi.

The moment he made any suspicious move, they would immediately subdue him!

Itachi slowly exhaled.

It was as though he had finally made a decision.

"Then I’ll deal with the Uchiha clan myself."

...

Meanwhile.

Ninja Academy.

The dismissal bell rang.

"Students, I have good news!

"A Konoha jōnin will be coming to the Ninja Academy shortly to teach everyone about surviving in the wilderness at night. Aren’t you excited?"

Iruka had just stepped outside when he received the notification.

He immediately blocked the classroom entrance and announced the good news.

"What?!"

"Teacher, I’m hungry!"

"Teacher, my mother is coming to pick me up today!"

The students immediately began complaining.

Shikamaru Nara, who had just finished packing up his desk, frowned.

The Ninja Academy couldn’t possibly add an extra class so suddenly.

Something must have happened in the village!

Iruka clapped his hands.

Once the students quieted down, he said,

"Don’t worry. The school will provide everyone’s dinner tonight. It’s free!

"There are also teachers stationed at the Ninja Academy entrance to pass along the notices.

"For any students whose parents don’t come, the teachers will personally notify your families.

"So there’s no need to worry!"

"Teacher, I need to use the bathroom."

Naruto, who already knew what was happening, raised his hand.

"Alright, go ahead! Be back in the classroom by six o’clock."

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