Chapter 230 : Hysterical Danzo!

Sasuke wore a look of surprise.

But it wasn't over yet; Itachi then turned his back and squatted down.

The river wasn't deep, just up to Sasuke's waist, so the footing wasn't uncomfortable.

Sasuke burst into tears and silently climbed onto his brother's back.

Itachi straightened up, gazing at Kisame on the shore, and spoke with a smile:

"Want to join us?"

Kisame shrugged.

"Of course."

"Why, are you going to push me away?"

"How could you..."

Boom!

At that moment, a massive explosion erupted in the direction of Konoha, accompanied by a blaze of bright fire.

Itachi and Kisame exchanged glances, each seeing the surprise mirrored in the other's eyes.

Something had happened in Konoha!

And just as the video cut off!

Almost instinctively, it must have something to do with the truth revealed in the video!

"Mr. Itachi, do you think it was that old hag Hokage who took out Danzo?" Kisame speculated.

"If it's true, it seems the lady still has some anger and courage!" Itachi remarked.

Itachi pondered for a moment, then addressed Sasuke, who lay on his back:

"Let's go check it out. If it's indeed Tsunade besieging Shimura Danzo, then we're not in any immediate danger and can intervene."

"If not, we'll retreat."

In truth, the entirety of Konoha might not be as dangerous for him now, except for only the Toad sage Jiraiya who was also rewarded!

And if Tsunade had indeed targeted Danzo, then the two were on the same side.

Sasuke's mind, of course, wasn't slow, and he grasped the crux of the matter.

Why should he refrain from seeking vengeance? If there's an opportunity, and it's not excessively risky, it's certainly advantageous.

"I stand with you, brother," Sasuke murmured.

A few moments later, the trio reached the outskirts of Konoha Village.

"This is Root's headquarters!" exclaimed Kisame.

However, what they encountered was a scene of chaos. Ninjas were locked in combat, among them were several Root members, now completely under some sinister influence, while others like Sai had been subdued and restrained.

What caught Itachi off guard was the sight of the Third Hokage, bound and standing next to Tsunade with a sorrowful expression.

Meanwhile, a fierce battle raged between Jiraiya in Sage Mode and Danzo.

Five lives had already been claimed in the skirmish by the opposing side.

The arrival of the trio drew the attention of all present. The Third Hokage's expression remained complex, while Danzo's face twisted in alarm.

"Fifth Hokage, I will join the fray," declared Itachi, handing Sasuke over to Kisame.

Tsunade wasted no time, simply nodding in agreement. "That's more than welcome."

"And now that the truth is revealed, I hereby revoke your traitor status," she added, addressing Itachi.

Itachi didn't say much, but his gaze lingered on Sasuke, conveying a silent message.

In the next moment, Itachi leaped into action. Chakra surged around him, coalescing into a colossal skeletal figure – Susanoo.

With the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, his vision remained unaffected as he unleashed a torrent of black flame arrows, targeting Danzo attempting to flee.

Amaterasu's flames engulfed Danzo, who perished amidst agonized screams. Yet, he reappeared atop a crumbling rooftop, employing Izanagi to cheat death.

"You still have a dozen Sharingans on your arm. You can still use them a few times," sneered Jiraiya, a sense of satisfaction washing over him.

He had been waiting for this moment for far too long.

"Dammit! How could you treat me like this? Everything I did was for Konoha! I am the root in the darkness of Konoha!" Danzo raged, his voice filled with desperation and indignation.

Killing a few roots with ease, he spoke at the same time:

"If you hadn't spread the rumors about the Nine Tails being controlled by the Uchiha, causing the village to despise the Uchiha clan, and pushing the Uchiha to the outskirts, they wouldn't have reacted so strongly!"

Danzo's face contorted:

"That's the arrogance of you Uchiha!"

"And as for the decision to marginalize the Uchiha, Sarutobi shares the blame too!"

Danzo pointed at the Third Hokage, who, with bowed head, held his bound hands, indicating his submission to whatever judgment awaited him.

Danzo Continued in a cold tone:

"And the attack on Shisui, the transplanting of Sharingan, the assassination of Hatake White Fang, collusion with the Land of Rain, plotting against the head of Konoha Orphanage, lurking during the Nine Tails incident, collaborating with Orochimaru for human experimentation, attempting to assassinate the Third Hokage, and so on."

"Guess how much of your secrets I've extracted from Orochimaru through my illusions within Akatsuki?"

These words were like daggers, piercing Danzo's resolve.

The ANBU Ninja, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Sasuke, and Kisame present were all shocked by these revelations.

Where lies the root of Konoha's troubles?

At this moment, a malignant growth festers on the leaf's foundation!

There's no denying that the other party has committed shameful acts for Konoha, bearing its darkness.

But how much was truly for Konoha, and how much for personal gain, remains uncertain.

Moreover, such deeds were to be expected to be carried out by the ANBU of other hidden villages!

But the actual executor of such tasks was Root in Konoha.

Itachi addressed the Third Hokage bluntly:

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, the establishment of the Root lies more on your shoulders. You have failed as Hokage!"

"Your incompetence has empowered and emboldened Shimura Danzo!"

"So, not only did you acquiesce, but you're also complicit in his other nefarious deeds!"

The Third Hokage sighed heavily, closing his eyes as his already frail form slumped further.

The videos streamed down, revealing the bloody truth of his essence.

With a stoic resolve, Konoha still held the prime place in his heart; thus, he offered no resistance, merely awaiting the impending judgment.

Aware of the futility, Danzo harbored no illusions of the Third Hokage resisting or defending himself.

With a venomous glare at the motionless Third Hokage, Danzo surveyed the scene, surrounded by countless condemning eyes. His voice cracked with bitterness as he bellowed unwillingly,

"Ever since that damning video surfaced, did you think I didn't anticipate this very moment?"

"Did you think I'm unprepared to retaliate?"

"Who am I? I am the root, the mastermind behind every strategy, the one who sacrifices all for the sake of Konoha!"

"Wishing to end me!?"

"Ha! Only a fool dreams such dreams!"

****

Support me on my ko-fi account and read upto 15 early chapters,

https://ko-fi.com/aayume