129. The Blame and Negotiation!

The war with the Hidden Cloud Village had been won?

Uchiha Itachi, Momochi Zabuza, and Haku moved carefully through the bustling streets of Konohagakure, their black cloaks carefully concealed beneath ordinary traveling clothes.

Hearing the joyful sounds of villagers celebrating and discussing the recent victory, Uchiha Itachi quickly understood what had transpired in his absence.

"If it's Shihouin Naraku leading the forces, then victory was only natural," Itachi thought to himself, his expression remaining carefully neutral.

Memories of his previous battle with Shihouin Naraku surfaced unbidden, bringing with them a deep sense of respect and wariness. That encounter had left a lasting impression on the former Konoha prodigy.

This was precisely why Uchiha Itachi had waited until now to return to the village, even after learning about Orochimaru's failed invasion during the Chunin Exams.

If Shihouin Naraku had remained in Konoha Village, Itachi genuinely wouldn't have dared to come back, regardless of his mission.

Even though his status as a double agent had been confirmed by the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen himself, everything depended on whether Shihouin Naraku would be willing to give him a chance to explain his actions.

What made the situation even more complicated was that Sarutobi Hiruzen had died during the invasion, making any explanation infinitely more difficult to provide or verify.

So Itachi had waited patiently until news arrived that Shihouin Naraku was leading the main ninja forces at the front lines before finally embarking on his dangerous journey back to the village.

"The Third Hokage died in battle, but where is Shimura Danzo?" Itachi wondered silently.

According to Itachi's understanding of Danzo's ruthless ambition, if the Third Hokage had fallen in battle, Danzo would definitely have stepped forward immediately to compete aggressively for the position of Hokage.

But Danzo had not appeared publicly at all, and Tsunade had unexpectedly become the Fifth Hokage instead!

Itachi didn't believe for a moment that Danzo had suddenly become honest or given up his political ambitions. The old war hawk must be planning something significant in secret.

Unable to suppress his desire to return home any longer, and driven by concern for his younger brother's wellbeing, Uchiha Itachi had finally come back!

This time he had returned with two specific purposes: to investigate what had happened to Shimura Danzo and to check on how his younger brother Uchiha Sasuke was progressing.

"So this is Konohagakure," Zabuza Momochi murmured quietly, while he and Haku observed everything in the village with intense curiosity. The scenes before them were unlike anything they had ever experienced.

"There's no oppressive fog hanging over everything, no wary looks between people, and no invisible barriers separating communities," Haku observed with wonder.

"Konoha Village and Kirigakure are truly worlds apart," Zabuza agreed grimly.

"This peaceful atmosphere makes it almost impossible for anyone to summon any murderous intent!"

Although Zabuza Momochi had attempted to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage Yagura, and while it might have seemed like personal ambition, in truth he had always been motivated by his desire to improve conditions for his village and country.

Kirigakure, which had maintained an isolationist policy for many years, had avoided attracting external troubles from the outside world. However, the internal fighting and bloodshed within the village had become even more terrifying and destructive.

Zabuza couldn't understand why Yagura had been perfectly reasonable before becoming the Fourth Mizukage, but after assuming that position, he had begun implementing increasingly severe, terrifying, and bloody policies within their own village.

It was simply incomprehensible!

Especially now, seeing the peaceful and almost intoxicating atmosphere of Konohagakure before him, Zabuza felt more convinced than ever that his actions had been justified.

Although he was currently bound by his obligations to the Akatsuki organization, he promised himself that one day he would return to Kirigakure and completely destroy that bloody and ridiculous system!

Gathering Intelligence

The three Akatsuki members found seats in a quiet corner of a popular restaurant, preparing to enjoy a meal while gathering information.

"By the way, wasn't Shimura Danzo supposed to be a very powerful person? Why did the Fifth Hokage specifically announce news of his death?" one customer was asking at a nearby table.

"I'm not entirely sure, but he seemed to be a high-ranking official in the village. It's a shame that he was killed by enemies from Sunagakure," another replied.

"Tsk! It's not a shame at all. You don't know the real story. Let me tell you what really happened back then..." The first speaker leaned in conspiratorially.

The voices of the surrounding guests dropped to whispers as the man's companions moved closer to hear what seemed to be secret information.

"No way, is that actually true?"

"Don't you know my older brother is a ninja? Of course it's true!"

"If that's really the case, then his death isn't a loss at all."

"Exactly, back when he was in power..."

"Keep your voice down!"

"Oh, right, I understand."

The customers' conversation became very quiet, but it certainly couldn't be hidden from the enhanced hearing of Uchiha Itachi and his companions.

Momochi Zabuza and Haku listened to the gossip from the neighboring table, raised their eyebrows simultaneously, and looked questioningly at Uchiha Itachi.

As for Itachi himself, his heart was in complete turmoil. What exactly had happened in Konoha Village during his absence?

Shimura Danzo's death was apparently an established fact!

The older generation of ninja were certain that it had been Shihouin Naraku who killed Danzo, but after careful consideration, no one dared to openly oppose him.

When Tsunade succeeded as the Fifth Hokage, responsibility for Danzo's death was officially placed on enemy ninja from Sunagakure.

As this official story spread throughout the village, many long-hidden accusations began surfacing against Shimura Danzo!

The tragedy of the forbidden Wood Style experiments, the destruction of the Uchiha clan, and numerous other dark incidents were all being blamed on Danzo's manipulations.

Tsunade's political strategy was crystal clear. Since Danzo was dead anyway, she might as well make good use of the situation and transfer all the blame for incidents that the village had previously covered up onto his shoulders.

From this point forward, Konoha Village could completely rid itself of the darkness that had been buried deep underground and move forward with a clean conscience.

Everything that had happened in the past would be forgiven, and the older generation of ninja wouldn't have to worry about being held accountable for their previous actions.

Once people heard this new narrative, there were no more complaints.

Those who had originally been upset about Shimura Danzo's death now happily helped bury his reputation even deeper.

This was why Uchiha Itachi felt so shocked by what he was hearing.

Originally, he had expected to bear the full guilt for the Uchiha clan's extermination for the rest of his life. But now Shimura Danzo was posthumously taking on a significant portion of that responsibility.

Itachi frowned slightly in confusion. Could it be that his identity as a double agent had been revealed to Konoha's leadership by the Third Hokage, which was why they were able to develop such whitewashing rhetoric?

Although this news was indeed beneficial for his reputation, Uchiha Itachi had no desire to be cleared of his crimes!

As long as he continued to bear the sin of slaughtering his own family, Itachi would never let himself off the hook.

When his only remaining concern, Uchiha Sasuke, finally inherited his Mangekyou Sharingan, Itachi planned to die while carrying all the sins, pain, hatred, and disgust that his actions deserved.

Unexpected Encounter

Just as Uchiha Itachi and his two companions were lost in their thoughts about these revelations, a familiar greeting was heard from outside the restaurant.

"Hey, Kakashi! Aren't you supposed to be getting ready to depart for the front lines? What are you doing hanging around here?"

"Now that Naraku has achieved victory, there's no need to be in such a hurry," came the lazy reply.

Hatake Kakashi was leaning casually against the wall outside the restaurant, one hand tucked in his pocket while he read from the newest edition of his beloved Icha Icha Paradise series that had been released recently.

Might Guy approached with his characteristic enthusiasm, but was surprised when Kakashi gave him a meaningful, serious look.

That particular expression immediately put Might Guy on high alert, his instincts as an elite jonin kicking in.

When Guy glanced toward the restaurant window, he noticed that the three suspicious figures who had been sitting inside just moments before had completely vanished.

"Pursue them!" Kakashi commanded quietly.

Strategic Planning

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, an important meeting was taking place.

Tsunade, Shihouin Harumoto, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura were gathered around the conference table, discussing the implications of the recent victory.

The other council members had now learned the full details of how Shihouin Naraku had led the Konoha forces to their overwhelming triumph.

Everyone was actively discussing what course of action to take next.

Shihouin Harumoto technically had no official right to attend such high-level meetings, but he was present as Shihouin Naraku's designated representative.

"According to the intelligence reports sent by Naraku, there's no need to send large numbers of additional ninja to the front lines," Tsunade explained, glancing at the two elder advisors. "We only need some Chunin teams to assist with support tasks such as intelligence transmission and supply transportation."

She continued, "The major support force that was originally planned to reinforce Naraku will be temporarily canceled. Some of the Chunin teams will be assigned to Naraku's command, while the remaining ninja will be sent directly to support Jiraiya's mission."

"That sounds reasonable," Mitokado Homura nodded in agreement. "This request came from Shihouin Naraku himself - he doesn't want additional support forces. The specific tactical situation on the front lines should be decided by the Supreme Commander. That settles it."

Utatane Koharu then raised the crucial strategic question: "So what happens next? Should we continue our offensive against the Land of Lightning? Or should we send diplomatic envoys to negotiate a peace treaty with the Hidden Cloud Village?"

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