Chapter 172 : Itachi's Decision!!

Hokage's office.

"Hokage-sama."

Uchiha Itachi silently appeared, watching Sarutobi Hiruzen speak a few words, but then remain silent for a long time.

Itachi looked at Hiruzen, his expression serious.

Uchiha Itachi was waiting for an answer.

"Itachi, you're here?" Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Even Itachi couldn't decipher the expression on Hiruzen's face, nor could he understand the Third Hokage's thoughts.

However,

He had a faint, ominous premonition that perhaps the Third Hokage was also planning to take action against the Uchiha clan.

"Mm," Uchiha Itachi nodded, but continued, still looking at the Third Hokage. "Tonight, Danzo came to see me. He..."

"I've already spoken with Danzo about this. I am considering it. Recently, the Uchiha clan has been too restless!" Sarutobi Hiruzen, watching Itachi, who still seemed hesitant, cut him off directly and got to the point.

What?

Danzo had already spoken to the Third Hokage?

A light flashed in Itachi's eyes. He didn't know if this was the Third Hokage's plan or Danzo's.

"Did you send him to find me?" Itachi asked, his eyes fixed on Sarutobi Hiruzen, seemingly trying to see through him. But he was disappointed.

Right now, he couldn't see through this old fox.

"No, Danzo came to talk to me today," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, taking a deep breath, but his gaze remained stern. "However, I believe Danzo is right. The Uchiha clan is too unstable."

"So, you also want to... eliminate the Uchiha clan?" Itachi gritted his teeth as he said the final words. He had always trusted Sarutobi Hiruzen the most, but now, the Third Hokage seemed to be turning against the Uchiha clan.

Eradicate!

"I've considered it," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied, meeting Itachi's gaze. "But if you want to leave, take your brother with you, and I'll allow you to leave."

It was a retreat for a greater purpose. He believed Itachi would follow his lead.

"Is there no other way?" Itachi furrowed his brow and asked again.

"No," Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head. His eyes locked with Itachi's, his expression heavy. "Konoha is everyone's Konoha. I won't allow something like the Nine-Tails Incident to happen again."

At this moment, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

The Nine-Tails Incident!

Uchiha Itachi's pupils contracted when he heard these words.

The Nine-Tails Incident was the pain of the Uchiha clan, but it was well known that the Uchiha clan had been wronged, yet no one could defend them!

"But... do we really have to destroy the entire Uchiha clan?" Uchiha Itachi's gaze landed on Hiruzen Sarutobi. He wanted to argue, "There are many innocent people!"

"Innocent? If Konoha acts against them, it might spark resentment from other clans!" Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Uchiha Itachi, his aging face showing sharpness. 

"This time, we must eliminate this hidden danger. Konoha does not need the Uchiha clan. They are too unstable!"

"Konoha cannot bear the Uchiha rebellion right now!"

For the first time, Sarutobi Hiruzen showed his sharp edge, deciding to wipe out the entire Uchiha clan! This was the best opportunity.

Uchiha Itachi's body turned cold. He realized that Sarutobi Hiruzen had seemingly made up his mind to destroy the Uchiha clan!

It seemed like the Uchiha clan was doomed.

There was no hope left.

"Is the Uchiha clan really going to be destroyed?" Uchiha Itachi frowned, his voice tinged with despair.

Even in his heart, he was thinking that the Uchiha clan was too restless. 

Even if all the people involved in this coup were eliminated, the remaining ninjas, especially those in the Merchant Association, wouldn't stay quiet!

Even half of the Uchiha clan had considered defecting from Konoha, and some were even vying to become the Hokage!

Indeed, from the Third Hokage's perspective, his decision wasn't wrong: destroy the Uchiha clan to eliminate future threats!

"Itachi, the next step is up to you. If you don't want to help me, then take your brother and leave Konoha. I won't let anyone stop you!" Sarutobi Hiruzen said, his voice filled with emotion, as if letting Itachi and Sasuke go was a difficult decision.

Leave Konoha with Sasuke?

Itachi felt a bitter pang in his heart. Without Konoha's protection, where else could they go? Even if he could leave, could Sasuke endure the hardship of wandering? They would likely face endless pursuit.

No. Sasuke was still so young; he shouldn't have to endure this!

"No, I won't leave!" Uchiha Itachi stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi. His gaze, which had been hesitant at first, became resolute. "I can help Konoha eliminate the hidden threat of the Uchiha clan and bear the shame of exterminating my own clan, but... I hope Lord Hokage will agree to one condition!"

"What condition?" Sarutobi Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, suppressing his joy, and asked in a deep voice.

His expression seemed to doubt that Itachi would actually make this decision.

"I can help Konoha wipe out the Uchiha clan, but after the massacre, I will defect from Konoha. I hope," Itachi looked at the Third Hokage and said in a low voice, "that Sasuke can grow up safely in Konoha, without anyone causing him harm!"

This time, he had made up his mind.

He would help Konoha wipe out the Uchiha clan to ensure Sasuke could grow up peacefully in the village.

"Oh?" Hiruzen furrowed his brow, not agreeing nor refusing. He seemed to be contemplating the possibility of this plan.

"After I defect from Konoha, I will still act as an inside agent, infiltrating forces targeting Konoha and gathering intelligence," Itachi added, watching Hiruzen's hesitant expression.

For Sasuke, he was willing to bear the shame!

"Alright... But are you sure you want to bear the shame of exterminating your clan?" Hiruzen repeated, looking at Itachi again.

"Since I have already made this decision, I won't change it!" Itachi nodded seriously. "For Konoha, I am willing to bear this shame!"

"Good. In that case, I will agree to your request. Sasuke will grow up safely in Konoha," Hiruzen finally smiled and said. "How many people will you need to carry this out? I will have Danzo arrange it!"

"I want the Root ninjas to surround the Uchiha clan from the outside. As for the extermination itself, there is no need for Konoha ninjas to be involved!" Itachi smirked. "Since I need to infiltrate certain forces, now is the time to have them assist me!"

Now, he was already calculating against Tobi... no, he was now plotting against Obito!

"Like this?" Sarutobi looked at Itachi for a moment, then nodded. "In that case, when would you like to carry it out?"

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