Becomes a Rebel Ninja After Annihilating the Hyuga Clan

Chapter 15

The young man had sword-like brows and starry eyes. The tear troughs extending from his nose made him look somewhat gloomy, no matter his expression. His straight black hair hung on both sides, and he knelt on one knee, fist pressed to the ground, his ANBU mask hanging at his side, and a standard short blade strapped to his back.

Under his dark grey-brown tactical vest, a red and white fan pattern was visible—the emblem of the prestigious Uchiha clan of Konoha.

"Hokage-sama, you called for me," Itachi said, his eyes lowered, staring at the floor.

"Takizawa Minoru is dead. He used to be your subordinate," the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood with his back to Itachi, looking out at Konoha's streets. Smoke from his pipe drifted through the window cracks and rose to the ceiling. "Some say he was killed because he stumbled upon the Uchiha clan's conspiracy. What do you think?"

"I don't know."

Hearing this answer, the Third turned to face the young man. His expression was a mix of disappointment and relief. He shook his head:

"I've said before that you have the ability to view everything from the perspective of the Hokage. You do have that capability… but don't burden yourself with so much pressure. I trust you. There's no one else here. You don't need to hold back. Now, tell me your true thoughts."

"Although the Uchiha clan has always harbored ill will towards the other ninja clans of Konoha, regarding this matter… it was a frame-up." Itachi slowly lifted his head.

Since he had informed Konoha's high command of the Uchiha clan's conspiracy, Itachi had acted as a double agent, gathering intelligence from within the Uchiha clan. Only he could provide the most accurate answer regarding whether the Uchiha killed Takizawa Minoru.

"I think so too… Even in the tense situation between Konoha and the Uchiha, someone is fanning the flames from behind." The Third Hokage put down his pipe and sighed.

Eliminating the possibility that the Uchiha killed Takizawa Minoru was undoubtedly a relief. It meant that the Uchiha clan hadn't reached the point of no return, and there was still a chance for peace between Konoha and the Uchiha.

However, it also meant the culprit behind the incidents involving the Hyuga branch families hadn't been found. The killer of Takizawa Minoru was still lurking, trying to ignite the powder keg between Konoha and the Uchiha.

Even with his deep strategic mind, the Third Hokage was annoyed by the chaotic situation. If he hadn't known that Hiashi Hyuga planned to hold a clan meeting next week to discuss countermeasures, he would have dragged Hiashi over to reprimand him.

What kind of clan leader are you, Hiashi?

Are the Hyuga branch members, not people?

So many incidents, and you did nothing?!

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"Who do you think the killer might be?" the Third Hokage asked.

Itachi glanced at him, then silently lowered his head.

"Is it Hyuga Neji again?" the Third Hokage caught on, then shook his head slightly.

Itachi had previously submitted a report identifying Neji as the prime suspect in the murders of Hyuga Tokuma and other branch family members. If Takizawa Minoru wasn't killed for stumbling upon the Uchiha conspiracy, it must have been while investigating the Hyuga branch cases.

Did Takizawa Minoru find some crucial evidence?

"Reasons?"

The office was quiet for a long time.

There were no reasons.

It was just a continuation of previous suspicions.

The Third Hokage took a light puff from his pipe, not showing his disappointment. Itachi was now fully committed to monitoring the Uchiha, having no further interaction with Neji, and naturally couldn't offer any speculation. The Third didn't pursue this topic further and returned to the main issue:

"So."

"Is there still a chance to mend the rift between Konoha and the Uchiha?"

Can it still be mended?

Itachi closed his eyes.

The situation seemed unchanged, whether with Shisui two years ago or now. The Uchiha clan had rich emotional spirits, but this wasn't a blessing.

Hatred was spreading, the Uchiha clan's ambition was growing, and the clansmen would shout about destroying Konoha over any slight. The accumulated resentment was like a volcano ready to erupt, one day destroying all of Konoha.

Standing at the volcano's edge, Itachi could most clearly foresee this scene.

Therefore, the answer he could give had never changed since two years ago:

"It probably… cannot."

…

After explaining to the Hokage why the Uchiha clan's rebellion had reached the point of no return, the elder who had overseen Konoha for over a decade remained silent for a long time. In the end, he made no statement and simply waved Itachi away.

Although Itachi was highly pessimistic about the situation's future development, this wasn't the first time he had expressed such pessimism to the Third Hokage. The Uchiha clan hadn't yet reached complete unification, and the situation didn't seem dire enough to make a decisive move.

So, in Sarutobi's view, they could wait a little longer.

Itachi returned to the Uchiha district in the afternoon.

The Uchiha district was located in the northwest corner of Konoha. For the once most prominent ninja clan of Konoha, being relocated from the village's core to such a remote corner was seen as a humiliation by most Uchiha.

Exclusion from Konoha's high command wasn't limited to geographical marginalisation; it also manifested in exclusion from the power structure.

The Uchiha clan, once one of Konoha's founders, had been reduced to having seats only in the Konoha Police Force. They were shut out of the decision-making circle, and even the ANBU, which accepted all sorts of people, quietly rejected many Uchiha applications. In recent years, only a few, like Itachi and Shisui, passed the exams and integrated.

Isolation was comprehensive.

That feeling of being inexplicably distanced from everyone, surrounded by hostile gazes, was pushing most Uchiha into a state of agitation and frenzy.

Walking through the Uchiha district, Itachi could sense this boiling kettle-like tension growing more intense.

"Hey, Itachi."

Uchiha Inabi and others blocked Itachi's path, asking coldly.

"Where were you today?"

Itachi calmly looked at them.

These people were blinded by hatred and couldn't see the road ahead.

Shaking his head, he walked around them and continued forward.

"Did you go to snitch?"

"Hey, I'm talking to you!"

When he got home, he didn't see his father but found his 7-year-old brother, Sasuke, running over when he heard the door open, clinging to his leg.

"Brother, I got an A in today's Ninja Academy test," Sasuke said excitedly, showing him the paper. You promised to play with me if I got an A!"

Itachi smiled, placing his index and middle fingers on Sasuke's forehead.

The boy fell to the ground with an "ow."

"Next time, I promise."

He turned and left Sasuke at the entrance, holding his forehead, pouting in frustration.

"You always say next time…"

…

Using some small tricks, Itachi learned from Inabi about the secret gathering place of the clansmen. When he arrived, Uchiha Fugaku was speaking, and his position allowed him to eavesdrop clearly:

"… When the Hyuga clan holds their clan meeting, Konoha will lack Byakugan surveillance, making it a perfect time to launch an attack!"

Itachi's mouth opened slightly.

Then he clenched his fist.

…

So.

Is there still a chance to mend the rift between Konoha and the Uchiha?

…

No.

The volcano has decided to erupt.