bdsm-fiction Chapter 133 Danzo: "This is the Hokage's seat! This is the seat Hiruzen once sat in!"
Chapter 133 Danzo: "This is the Hokage's seat! This is the seat Hiruzen once sat in!"
Chapter 133 Danzo: "This is the Hokage's seat! This is the seat Hiruzen once sat in!"
Konoha Village.
Uchiha clan.
The streets that used to be bustling with people and filled with laughter now appear somewhat desolate.
There were few pedestrians, and most of them walked hurriedly, their expressions solemn, with a lingering gloom and weariness between their brows.
The war brought not only casualties on the front lines, but also increasingly sharp contradictions and suspicions in the rear.
As the Konoha's security force, the Uchiha clan undertook heavy tasks of village security, maintaining order, and eliminating spies during the war. They were known for their strict style, becoming even more aggressive during wartime, leading to frequent clashes with some villagers and other ninja clans.
In addition, the front-line battle was unfavorable, with one defeat after another, and its main force was composed of the Uchiha clan!
Rumors spread quickly, with many attributing part of the defeat to the Uchiha clan's incompetence. The Uchiha clan, having suffered heavy losses due to successive defeats and even losing its clan leader, became even more aggressive in handling matters.
As time went on, the conflict between the two sides was further intensified!
The Uchiha leadership was aware of this, but there was nothing they could do about it.
now.
Deep within the Uchiha clan's territory lies the clan head's residence.
Compared to the desolate and oppressive atmosphere on the streets, the atmosphere inside the mansion was even heavier, as if an unyielding sorrow had been frozen in the air. Inside the mourning hall, incense and candles burned quietly, and Uchiha Fugaku's portrait hung in the center, his face serene and dignified.
Five-year-old Itachi Uchiha, dressed in black mourning clothes, knelt before the memorial tablet. Although his face was calm, there was an indescribable sadness and emptiness deep in his dark eyes.
He has been holding this position for a long time.
After his father's possible death in battle, he was sent back to the village by Uchiha Kindai ahead of time. Later, after it was confirmed that Fugaku had died in battle, the war was lost, a funeral was held, and he kept vigil.
During this process, this precocious child demonstrated a maturity and restraint far beyond his years!
He never shed a single tear in front of his mother.
But the more this is the case, the more heartbreaking it is.
"Itachi".
A gentle voice came from behind.
Uchiha Shisui walked to Itachi's side, squatted down, and gently placed his hand on Itachi's thin shoulder.
As the most brilliant genius of the Uchiha clan in this generation, one of the younger generation most valued by the late Fugaku clan head, and also someone Itachi regarded as an older brother and role model, Shisui has been staying by Itachi's side these past few days.
He witnessed firsthand how the child remained silent amidst extreme grief, and how he processed the pain of losing a loved one in an almost self-destructive way.
"Brother Zhishui."
Itachi's voice was soft and slightly hoarse.
He didn't turn around; his gaze remained fixed on his father's portrait.
"Yes, I'm here," Zhishui said gently. "If you're tired, go and rest for a while. I'll keep watch here."
Itachi remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
"I'm not tired."
He paused, then finally turned his head to look at Zhishui.
Those once clear and pure black eyes now seemed to be shrouded in a layer of gray mist, churning with complex emotions that a five-year-old child shouldn't have.
"Brother Shisui, what exactly is war?"
"Why must there be war? Why must people hurt and kill each other? Why—why did Father die?"
A series of questions, like fine needles, pierced Zhi Shui's heart.
Looking into Itachi's eyes, where the pain and confusion were unfathomable, he was momentarily at a loss for words.
Yes.
What exactly is war, and why does war happen?
War is a struggle for interests, a clash of ideologies, and a continuation of hatred!
It's a cruel game where countless children like Itachi lose their fathers, mothers, homes, and futures!
But these words are too heavy and too pale for a five-year-old child who has just lost his father.
"War was the wrong choice, Itachi."
Zhi Shui carefully chose his words before slowly saying, "It is because people, for various reasons, have given up on communication and understanding, and have chosen the worst way to solve problems."
"If it's a wrong choice, why does it continue to exist?"
Itachi pressed on, his eyes fixed intently on Uchiha Shisui, who now only had one eye left.
"Why didn't anyone stop it? Why did everyone continue even though they knew it was wrong!"
"because--"
Speechless.
He remained silent for a long time before finally speaking.
"—Because nobody knows the answer."
Shisui crouched down next to Itachi, bringing his gaze level with that of the five-year-old child.
The candlelight flickered in the mourning hall, casting dappled shadows on the two people's faces. Fugaku Uchiha's portrait stood silently in the center, watching everything as if he had never left.
"Don't you know either, Brother Shisui?"
"have no idea."
Shisui did not avoid Itachi's gaze, nor did he brush it off with something like "You'll understand when you grow up."
He looked intently at this precocious child who was heartbreakingly intelligent, at those dark eyes that should have been carefree, but now bore too much confusion and sorrow.
"I don't know why there has to be a war, I don't know what those who died—your father, my clan, and countless people in Konoha and Kirigakure, whether we knew them or not—what did their sacrifices ultimately bring?"
"I don't know when the next war will come, or who it will take away."
Itachi didn't speak, he just listened quietly.
His small hands gripped the fabric on his knees tightly, his knuckles turning white.
"But Itachi."
Shisui gently placed her hand on his tightly clenched hand: "I know something."
"What?"
"It is precisely because I do not know the answer that I must continue searching."
"If we give up the search just because we can't find the answers, then the war will never end! We may not believe it, but we cannot do nothing. Even if it can only change things a little, even if it can only postpone the war by one day in our lifetime, and reduce the death of one person."
"Was it worth it?"
"That's worth it," Shisui nodded. "Because there are always people who uphold peace in the darkness. Even if no one knows their names, even if their sacrifices are forgotten."
"This is what makes a ninja."
The weasel's pupils contracted slightly.
He looked at the still water in front of him, and something was subtly changing in those dark eyes.
"Brother Zhishui."
"Um?"
"What do you think your father was thinking in his final moments?"
Zhi Shui's fingers tightened slightly.
He did not witness Fugaku's death firsthand, but based on the battle reports sent back from the front lines, he could fully imagine what had happened.
Whether Makoto Karatachi was lying or not, Fugaku's death was inextricably linked to him, as was his Mangekyou Sharingan.
If it weren't for Makoto Karatachi, probably no one in this world would know that the Fugaku clan chief had developed the Kaleidoscope!
The man who spent his entire life enduring, weighing options, and worrying about the taut string between the Uchiha and Konoha, chose to remain hidden until the very last moment of his life.
It's not that I'm afraid.
No, it's not possible.
After his death, the clansmen learned that the clan chief possessed a kaleidoscope. This news was like a stone thrown into stagnant water, without causing any ripples.
Because the person is already dead.
Anger, regret, and grief could not bring him back to life.
Shisui looked at Fugaku's portrait and spoke slowly, his voice very soft.
"The clan leader must be thinking that Itachi should grow up well—he must be proud to be your father."
Itachi's shoulders trembled violently.
But he didn't say anything.
The candlelight flickered, and time flowed slowly in the silence.
Then Shisui saw it.
Something suddenly broke through those dark eyes that had always been restrained and patient.
It wasn't tears.
Itachi Uchiha did not cry.
Deep within those black pupils, a touch of scarlet, like an ink drop falling into clear water, suddenly spread out.
A magatama.
Single-tomoe Sharingan!
Zhi Shui's breathing paused for a moment.
Five years old.
Uchiha Itachi, five years old.
He had witnessed the awakening of countless geniuses within the clan, each hailed as possessing extraordinary talent. But five years old—in the entire history of the Uchiha clan, Shisui had never seen anyone earlier!
It wasn't anger, it wasn't hatred.
It is the ultimate sorrow, and the ultimate restraint.
This child locked all the pain in his heart, not allowing himself to break down or become weak, simply because it would add burden to his mother, his clan, and his still young brother.
Then, at the moment when the Heart Lock was about to break but did not, this power transformed into the Sharingan.
"Itachi—just then."
Du, du.
A soft knock came from outside the mourning hall, interrupting Zhishui's words.
A Chunin dressed in Uchiha police uniform stood outside the door, his expression respectful yet slightly tense.
Behind him was another person dressed in the uniform of the Dark Guard.
"Shisui, Itachi!"
"Uchiha Shisui, acting Hokage requested!"
Before the Uchiha Chunin could say anything, the Anbu ninja beside him spoke up.
At the same time, their gazes fell almost simultaneously on Itachi's blood-red eyes.
The Uchiha Chunin stared wide-eyed, almost unable to believe his eyes. He rubbed his eyes and, after confirming that he hadn't seen wrong, his breathing suddenly became rapid.
Five years old.
Itachi is only five years old this year!
A five-year-old with a single tomoe Sharingan!
This is unprecedented in the entire history of the Uchiha clan!
At the same time, the eyes beneath the mask of the ANBU member beside him suddenly narrowed.
The Sharingan at age five.
This talent, this potential—
"Acting Hokage?"
Shisui stepped forward, blocking Itachi's path, and cautiously glanced at the ANBU ninja. "When did the village get a new acting Hokage?"
"The Third Hokage is going to the Land of Waves to discuss peace with the Hidden Mist Village. Before leaving, he has entrusted all matters concerning Konoha to Lord Danzo and appointed him as the Acting Hokage."
Such a thing is unbelievable!
Uchiha Shisui frowned deeply: "What does Lord Danzo want with me?"
"The situation on the front lines has changed, and you are required to carry out a special mission immediately. Lord Danzo will personally explain the details."
"Please wait a moment, I have a few words to say."
Shisui, holding Itachi's hand, nodded to the Uchiha Chunin before walking through the side corridor of the funeral hall and into a secluded Japanese-style room.
The door was slightly ajar.
Shisui crouched down, bringing his line of sight to Itachi's.
"Itachi, what you just did—"
"I know."
Itachi blinked, and his eyes turned blood red again.
"My Sharingan has awakened. I won't tell anyone."
The water-stopping nozzle moved slightly.
This child is always like this, frighteningly perceptive, and heartbreakingly sensible.
"I'm not telling you to hide it," Shisui said gently. "I'm telling you—not to be afraid."
Itachi was slightly taken aback.
"The Sharingan isn't a curse." Shisui looked at him earnestly. "It's part of your own power, proof that your heart is strong enough to bear this power. Many people can't awaken it in their entire lives, but you did it at the age of five."
"The Sharingan is the eye that reflects your soul; it reveals what you truly want to protect in your heart."
"You are the son of Chief Fugaku, the future hope of the Uchiha clan. I believe in your future, and I believe you can better protect the village and the Uchiha!"
"Um!"
Itachi nodded emphatically, and Shisui smiled as well.
He gently tapped the weasel's little head.
"When I get back, I'll teach you how to use the Sharingan!"
"Thank you, Brother Zhishui!"
The Hokage's office building.
The power center of Konoha was shrouded in an unusual atmosphere.
There were noticeably more ANBU ninjas in the corridor. Although their clothing styles didn't seem to have changed much, Shisui could clearly sense that these ANBU members were not the familiar faces who had been directly under the Third Hokage in the past.
root!
Shisui felt a chill run down his spine.
It seems Danzo is indeed acting as Hokage, but replacing all the Anbu in such a short time is a bit too fast.
He followed the ANBU ninja who was leading the way through the corridor and arrived at the Hokage's office.
The heavy doors shut out all outside noise.
The person in the shadows stepped aside and gestured for the other person to come in.
Zhi Shui pushed open the door and entered.
The layout of the office was not much different from when the third patriarch was in power, but the atmosphere was completely different.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, liked to place potted plants by the window and water them himself every morning. There was always a pot of freshly brewed green tea on his desk, and the room was filled with a faint fragrance of tobacco and herbs.
The potted plants had been moved to a corner, and the tea set was gone from the table, replaced by layers of scrolls and intelligence documents.
At the window, an elderly man with his right eye and right arm wrapped in bandages stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the street scene of Konoha.
Danzo Shimura.
He didn't turn around immediately, but just looked quietly out the window, as if he was thinking about something.
"Lord Danzo." Shisui knelt on one knee according to etiquette, his voice steady, "Uchiha Shisui has come as ordered."
Danzo did not respond.
The silence, like an invisible pressure, slowly spread throughout the room.
A moment later, Danzo turned around.
That single eye, sharp as a hawk's, scrutinized the kneeling Uchiha genius from above.
Zhi Shui remained calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Rise, there's no need for such formalities."
"Yes."
Zhi Shui stood up and stood with his hands at his sides.
Danzo walked slowly to the desk, picked up a scroll, but did not open it immediately. Instead, he stared at Shisui with his single eye.
"Uchiha Shisui, a Jonin of Konoha, is the youngest genius of the Uchiha clan. His Body Flicker Technique is renowned throughout the ninja world. He awakened his Sharingan at the age of seven, became a Chunin at ten, and a Jonin at thirteen. He is currently fifteen years old."
"Although he lost his left eye in the battle with Makoto Karatachi, Hiruzen highly recommended you to me before he left the village. He said that Uchiha Shisui was a true Uchiha who inherited the Will of Fire and was a pillar of society who could be entrusted with important responsibilities."
"Similarly, you are also—Mirror's grandson."
Zhi Shui did not respond.
Danzo paused for a moment, then continued, "Do you know the latest situation at the front?"
"I've heard about it," Shisui said in a deep voice. "On the eastern front, regarding the war with Kirigakure—Konoha has taken the initiative to seek peace and is currently holding peace talks in the Land of Waves. On the Iwagakure side, the two sides are still locked in a standoff on the border of the Land of Grass, with both sides launching attacks and defenses."
"Both sides have their own offenses and defenses?"
Danzo sneered and threw the scroll in his hand onto the table with a dull thud.
"That old fox Onoki, taking advantage of the fact that Konoha and Kirigakure are both exhausted, is pressing forward step by step on the front line of the Land of Grass, breaking through the defenses one after another. Now Hiruzen has set off for the Land of Waves, Kumogakure has begun to press in with a large army, and Iwagakure is taking advantage of the situation to launch a fierce attack."
"Huang Tu's elite troops have already reached the northwestern border of the Fire Kingdom!"
Zhi Shui frowned deeply.
He knew the battle was going badly, but he hadn't expected it to have deteriorated to this extent.
"Hiruzen's peace talks with Kirigakure will likely come at a considerable cost," Danzo said slowly. "However, at least the east has stabilized somewhat, but the threat from Onoki is far too great. If we don't stabilize the situation quickly, our losses will inevitably increase further, and the entire Hidden Leaf Village may even be in danger of collapse!"
Danzo had been in charge of the Kirigakure battlefield. After withdrawing from the front lines, in addition to recuperating from his injuries, he continued to keep an eye on the situation in Kirigakure, fearing that they might make any unusual moves and continue their attacks, endangering Konoha.
But he never expected that the battle on the Iwagakure side would escalate to this level!
Not only did Onoki personally attend the battle, but two Jinchuriki also joined the fight. With such a terrifying lineup, it's no wonder that Hiruzen personally came to the Iwagakure battlefield, even transferred Orochimaru there, and directly agreed to Kirigakure's various demands, choosing to surrender.
The pressure from Iwagakure is simply too immense, so immense that if Konoha were to be careless in the slightest, the situation would collapse!
Even with Hiruzen Sarutobi's constant maneuvers, Danzo believed that the Konoha front lines still might not be able to hold.
He had to do something.
As the acting Hokage, he has to do something!
"I need you to go to the Land of Rain."
"The Land of Rain?"
Shisui was taken aback.
"good."
Danzo took out a scroll, placed it on his desk, and spoke in a deep voice.
"Hanzo the Salamander, leader of Amegakure, revered as a 'demigod' in the ninja world. He ruled the Land of Rain for many years, maintaining a delicate balance between the three great nations. He was incredibly powerful, pragmatic, and believed only in strength and self-interest."
"During the Second Shinobi World War, although Konoha had some conflicts with Hanzo, they later reconciled and cooperated with each other."
Zhishui quickly scanned the contents of the scroll, and his mind gradually became clear.
"You want me to persuade Hanzo to send troops against Iwagakure?"
"It's not about sending troops."
Danzo shook his head: "It's a check."
"There's no need for Hanzo to engage in a direct battle with Iwagakure. All he needs to do is create enough pressure on the Amakusa border to prevent Onoki from fully committing to the Kusanagi front."
"Of course, Iwagakure's supply lines also pass through the border of the Land of Rain. If Hanzo could cut them off, that would be ideal. Even if he doesn't cut them off, just making a show of it would be enough to distract Iwagakure!"
"this."
Shisui hesitated, not understanding why Hanzo would take this risk.
Since the Second Shinobi World War, the Land of Rain has gained a transcendent status in the shinobi world. Even though the Third Shinobi World War was in such a state, the Land of Rain was not involved. The reason for this is that it had this demigod protecting it.
With the situation in the ninja world becoming increasingly chaotic, Hanzo has no reason to abandon peace and get involved in this mess!
"Because he had no choice."
Danzo sneered, "Once Iwagakure defeats Konoha, their next step will inevitably be to bring the Land of Rain under their control. Hanzo knows Onoki's ambition better than anyone. Helping Konoha is helping himself."
"and."
"He's no longer the demigod Hanzo he once was!"
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