**Chapter 73: Not Even as Good as Danzo**

"You, you all… you're not ANBU? No, no… you are ANBU!"

The ANBU squad captain stared in shock at the three who had just killed their comrades.

The ANBU had their own unique codes, frequently updated. The captain was certain that these three were indeed ANBU members.

Could it be true that ANBU members had betrayed Lord Hokage and sided with the Uchiha? How could that be possible?

The captain's mind was spinning. During his time with Konoha's ANBU, there had never been a case of an ANBU member betraying the village.

And yet!

Uchiha? The Uchiha clan had managed to sway members of the ANBU? One was the Hokage's archenemy, and the other, the Hokage's enforcers. The two should clash upon meeting; peaceful coexistence was out of the question.

How could this be happening?

"You seem surprised."

Itsuki grinned, his tone mocking. "Why are you so shocked? Didn't expect the ANBU to side with the Uchiha? Come on, the world is changing, and people change too. Understand?"

When Itachi was in the ANBU, he was turned against his own family by Sarutobi and wielded the blade that would cut them down. After arriving in this world, Itsuki made a decision: to win over some ANBU members, by any means necessary.

Take Uzuki Yugao, for instance—an ideal candidate.

Don't say it's impossible!

If the Third Hokage could make Itachi kill his own parents, why couldn't Itsuki do something similar? ANBU members aren't like Danzo, with extra eyes scattered over their bodies.

And so, Itsuki gained a few ANBU under his command—not just one!

Although ANBU identities and missions are confidential, Itsuki was someone who had seen the original story.

Moreover, he held considerable influence within the Uchiha clan.

Getting information on some ANBU members was easy for him.

His teacher being Orochimaru didn't hurt either.

A key point: when Orochimaru learned that Itsuki wanted to go after the Third Hokage, he was so thrilled that his neck extended several meters, and his tongue twisted around it.

Itsuki seized the opportunity to request some classified files, and Orochimaru gladly handed them over.

"So, if you had already turned the ANBU, why…"

"Why did I keep you alive until now?" Itsuki asked, scratching his head. "Because I want the information in your brain!"

"Hahaha!"

The ANBU captain was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Uchiha Itsuki, have you lost your mind? You think you can get the secrets in my head? Keep dreaming."

He looked at Itsuki with disdain.

"Seems like you're confident in your mind."

Itsuki shrugged. "I know you've been conditioned—if someone tries to access your mind, there's a good chance you'll explode with a bang!"

The smile on the ANBU captain's face froze.

"You know?"

"Don't forget about Itachi's position. He was your equal in the ANBU."

"Damn Uchiha, you're all bastards!" The captain cursed furiously.

…

In the village, Itachi suddenly lifted his head, feeling a strange sensation in his heart, as if something had just happened. He thought about it for a while but couldn't figure it out, so he returned to his paperwork.

…

"Hehe!" Itsuki smiled, a wicked grin on his face.

Another little trap set for the dutiful son. Whether it would be useful or not was beside the point.

Doing it or not doing it was the difference in attitude.

Itsuki continued, "So, I've been controlling you with genjutsu all this time."

"Kid, you have to understand!"

"Just because your mind is locked doesn't mean it can't be opened. Keys aren't always necessary."

*Snap!*

Itsuki snapped his fingers.

Suddenly, a strange scene unfolded.

The eyes of several ANBU members began to change. One eye was filled with confusion, while the other was consumed by fear.

Their mouths began to move uncontrollably, revealing secrets they desperately wanted to keep hidden.

They spoke of their personal secrets and secrets concerning their missions and the village—information that should never be spoken.

The ANBU members struggled desperately, but it was no use. The clear eye in each of them grew increasingly frantic.

Itsuki stood by, smiling as he listened, silently committing their secrets to memory.

"Why?" one of Itsuki's ANBU, surprised, asked, "Why didn't their 'locks' activate?"

"Because the 'locks' are also under my genjutsu," Itsuki replied calmly.

ANBU: "..."

Could something like that even be possible?

Itsuki smiled at him, "Although it was troublesome and took some time, I'm very powerful."

This was why he ordered his ANBU to 'rescue' the squad captain. When the captain saw someone saving him, he wouldn't commit suicide, giving Itsuki enough time to cast his genjutsu on the 'locks.'

Proudly, Itsuki thought to himself: He, Uchiha Itsuki, was the greatest genjutsu master in the ninja world. Not even Madara, or Indra resurrected, could challenge that.

Now, he ordered the ANBU, who were still conscious, to reveal their own and the village's secrets, aiming to shatter their spirits.

Once a person was broken, they could be better controlled.

The three ANBU under Itsuki's command felt a bit uncomfortable witnessing this.

"Sir, should we really be hearing all this?" one of them asked.

"What does it matter?" Itsuki replied casually, "I trust you all completely."

Even though Itsuki wasn't known for being serious, these words warmed the hearts of the three ANBU.

They removed their masks.

One was Moonlight Hayate, whose name sounded like it belonged to a protagonist.

The second was Uzuki Yugao, who looked like a heroine but was, in fact, a supporting character.

The last person—when the squad captain saw his face, he froze in shock.

It was someone he never expected!

"Yamato!"

Even within the ANBU, he was a classified individual.

Wood Release, Tenzo! Codename: "A."

How could it be him?

How could it possibly be him?

The Hokage had never taken his eyes off him due to his unique abilities. Danzo had also tried to take him. Orochimaru, too, had been secretly watching him, waiting for an opportunity.

The Hokage checked on Yamato's status almost every few days. How could someone like him have had the chance to betray?

"Surprised?" Yamato asked the squad captain, smiling. "It's actually quite simple. You treat ninjas like tools. Though you're also a ninja, some people don't view ninjas as tools."

The squad captain struggled even more fiercely.

Yamato's voice remained calm, "I'm deeply unhappy with how you treat ninjas as tools. Don't you understand? When I took on the name Yamato, I became a true person!"

"I'm not living alone!"

Recalling the bright young girl in his memories, his eyes became even more determined.

He would carry this name and live as a person.

Once, he thought the Third Hokage was different, but sadly, during his time in the ANBU, he realized…

The Third Hokage was, in some ways, even worse than Danzo!

(End of Chapter)