For some reason, a sense of unease filled the Third Hokage's heart.
"Could something have gone wrong with Danzō's side?" he wondered to himself.
Because the plan involved Root sealing off the Uchiha clan's compound with a barrier, the Third Hokage couldn't receive any news from inside until the plan was completed. He could only wait for Danzō's report.
He picked up the pipe on his desk and started puffing away. This was the only way he could ease his anxiety.
"It seems I'm truly getting old! Even a foolproof plan makes me restless."
Sarutobi sighed, attributing his anxiety to his old age.
"Who's there!"
At that moment, the Third Hokage suddenly sensed a strange chakra presence.
Dozens of crows suddenly flew in through the window of the Third Hokage's office, slowly coalescing into two figures—Yusuke and Itachi.
Actually, the Third Hokage had already sensed something was wrong when he saw the crows. After all, crows were one of the symbols of the Uchiha clan.
Because the plan to eliminate the Uchiha clan was highly confidential, the Third Hokage had already dispatched all the Anbu who usually protected him, as he was waiting for Danzō's report. In Konoha Village, he believed no one could do anything to him.
Seeing Yusuke standing before him, the Third Hokage, although he remained calm, couldn't help but dilate his pupils for a moment, betraying his inner thoughts.
"Huh? Yusuke, weren't you on a mission? Why did you suddenly come back? And Itachi too. What urgent matter brings you to the Hokage Tower at this time of night that needs to be reported to me?" the Third Hokage said calmly.
Looking at the Third Hokage, who was calm and composed, as if he knew nothing about what had happened tonight, Yusuke couldn't help but admire him. He was truly a remarkable old fox.
But this was exactly the kind of reaction Yusuke had hoped for. After all, the Third Hokage was still the actual ruler of Konoha. If he ripped off the mask with the Third Hokage here and now, things would spiral out of control!
This was the ugliness of politics. As long as the last shred of decency remained, there was always room for negotiation and compromise.
"Third Hokage-sama, something major happened tonight. I wonder if you've received any news." Yusuke said sternly, his face grim.
He wasn't here to compromise today, but to secure political benefits for his clan. As the victim, he had to be firm.
The Third Hokage seemed to ignore Yusuke's disrespectful behavior. He frowned slightly, looking puzzled, "I wonder what major event you're referring to, Yusuke?"
Yusuke snorted coldly and described Root's actions. In his account, Shisui, as a traitor to the Uchiha clan, had been killed by him, and his body had been turned to ashes.
Yusuke said this to make the Third Hokage think that Shisui's eyes had been destroyed.
The Third Hokage didn't doubt this. He didn't know the conditions for upgrading the Mangekyō Sharingan to the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. He believed the value of Shisui's eyes lay solely in the "Kotoamatsukami" ability.
However, in the Third Hokage's understanding, Yusuke didn't know about Shisui's "Kotoamatsukami" ability. Therefore, it was normal for him to destroy Shisui's eyes when he killed him.
After Yusuke finished speaking, he gestured to Itachi behind him to place a package the size of a human head on the Third Hokage's desk. He then opened the package, revealing Danzō's head inside.
Looking at the ferocious and resentful expression on Danzō's face, the Third Hokage used all his strength to maintain his composure. The owner of this head was his childhood friend.
Taking a deep breath, the Third Hokage slammed his fist on the table, "Root has become too powerful. They dared to do something so outrageous behind my back. Root no longer has a reason to exist!"
The Third Hokage said this simply to make a statement. He knew that since Yusuke and Itachi were here and Danzō had been beheaded, Root had probably been wiped out.
"But Yusuke, weren't you on a mission in Amegakure? How did you suddenly appear in the village?"
After angrily condemning Danzō and Root, the Third Hokage asked Yusuke. This was the question that concerned him the most.
Yusuke said, "Of course, Danzō wouldn't have thought that I could return to my clan at any time if I wanted to!"
Yusuke's words were a bluff, giving the Third Hokage the impression that he could return to his clan at any time.
Yusuke changed the subject, his eyes flashing with murderous intent as he looked at the Third Hokage, "But this mission to Amegakure was arranged by you, Third Hokage-sama. Could it be that you were also involved in Danzō's conspiracy?"
Facing Yusuke's eyes filled with killing intent, the Third Hokage couldn't help but feel a sense of "invincibility."
"What kind of strength does he have now?"
While thinking to himself, the Third Hokage showed a look of self-reproach on his face, "Sigh! The ninja assigned to this mission was originally a Root informant. I thought it was just an ordinary mission. I never imagined it was Danzō's conspiracy against you!"
"But luckily, you didn't encounter any accidents and managed to return in time to save the entire Uchiha clan."
After shifting the blame, the Third Hokage said softly, "After such a major incident, and with Fugaku's sacrifice, you should go back to the clan and calm everyone down."
"Tomorrow morning, I'll announce Danzō's crimes and give the Uchiha clan an explanation. At that time, I'll also go in person to represent the village and compensate the Uchiha clan for their losses."
Hearing the Third Hokage's attempt to simply sweep this matter under the rug, Yusuke naturally wouldn't agree.
Yusuke said coldly, "Third Hokage-sama, this is a matter of life and death for my Uchiha clan. You wouldn't want to simply brush it aside, would you?"
At this time, the Third Hokage also put on a stern face. He looked directly at Yusuke and said in a low voice, "Then what else do you want to say?"
Looking at the aggressive Yusuke, the Third Hokage knew that he was about to negotiate.
Yusuke said slowly, "Of course. If there isn't a sufficient explanation, the entire Uchiha clan will not let this go!"
"Then what kind of explanation do you want?" the Third Hokage asked.
Looking at the Third Hokage, Yusuke slowly presented his conditions.
"First, the Uchiha clan's current compound is very unsafe. It gave Danzō and Root this opportunity. Therefore, we must move back to our original location."
"Second, for every Uchiha clan member who died tonight, we must be compensated according to the village's highest level of compensation standards."
"There were also many buildings that were destroyed in the battle, but considering that the clan will be moving back to its original location soon, it has saved the village a lot of money."
These two conditions were merely basic requirements. Yusuke believed the Third Hokage wouldn't refuse.
But the remaining two conditions were Yusuke's real goals!
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