Chapter 68: Playing Yourself, Isn't It?

"It seems you've made the right choice," Smith said, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen with satisfaction. "He who knows the times is a hero. I'm pleased with your performance. As a politician, I believe you understand how to cooperate with me in the future, correct?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face darkened. He could sense that Smith was implying something about him, but what could he do at this point? He felt utterly powerless.

It seemed that no matter how he looked at it, he couldn't win against Smith. Smith was likely on a level comparable to the First Hokage, especially in terms of physical prowess. Even if Sarutobi used the Eight Gates to their fullest extent, he doubted he could defeat him.

"Do you have anything else to say?" Smith asked, pointing toward Shimura Danzo, who was completely bound by vines at that moment. He turned his gaze to Nagato.

Nagato hesitated for a moment. If it were up to him, he would want to deal with Danzo himself, but he knew that doing so would be too much. For Danzo Shimura, becoming a traitor was a fate worse than death.

"You should be aligned with those who helped Konoha seal the Nine-Tails last time, right?" Nagato finally spoke, his voice filled with a hint of curiosity. "If I want to unify the ninja world and destroy Konoha in the future, will you still come after me?"

Smith responded calmly, "Why would you stand in my way? The current system of the ninja world is flawed—whether it's the system of the five major nations or the rule of the daimyo and the ninja villages. Why should a group of useless daimyo control all the resources? Their exploitation and wars have left the common people in misery. The essence of war is scarcity of resources. So, why do the daimyo control such vast wealth?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but exclaim, "How is this possible? The daimyo are descendants of the gods!"

"Descendants of gods?" Smith scoffed. "Don't you realize that the Uzumaki, Uchiha, and Senju clans are all descendants of the Sage of Six Paths? Yet, when faced with these clans, you kill them without hesitation. But when it comes to the daimyo, you kneel before them. I don't even know how to describe you."

Smith's tone became increasingly disdainful as he walked toward Shimura Danzo. As he approached, a powerful rock element began to radiate from his body, sealing Danzo completely.

"Is that so?" Nagato muttered, seemingly understanding Smith's point. "I get it now. Well, goodbye then." Nagato turned and left, satisfied that Konoha's power had been significantly weakened and that Danzo's death was now inevitable. Although he hadn't personally killed him, he knew his actions had contributed to it. Nagato also felt that he had found his own path forward. As long as he resurrected the Ten Tails, he would be invincible.

Smith turned his attention back to Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Next, you need to cooperate with me, Third Hokage," he said meaningfully. "Consider this the price for our help in saving Konoha. This is our true performance."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, his face complicated, met Smith's gaze. He understood what Smith was after—he wanted to take control of the Uchiha clan. But at this point, could he really refuse? If he angered Smith, Konoha would likely be doomed.

Though the Uchiha clan had suffered heavy losses in the war, they could no longer remain in Konoha. Hiruzen knew he had no choice but to allow Smith to take them away.

"Huff... Huff..." Uchiha Itachi, blood and tears staining his face, looked at the situation unfolding. All his efforts seemed in vain. After this event, Sasuke could no longer remain in Konoha. He might even die. What was wrong with using the lives of the entire Uchiha clan to save Sasuke's?

"It was Konoha that betrayed the Uchiha clan first," Uchiha Fugaku gritted his teeth. "If Konoha doesn't have the Uchiha, then Konoha no longer has a reason to exist."

Uchiha Fugaku, now controlling Susanoo, attacked his son, Uchiha Itachi, who was also wielding Susanoo in defense. The battle was fierce, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The Uchiha clan, along with Konoha's Anbu and the Root, were severely depleted.

"Lord Smith, the Akatsuki members are gone. What should we do next?" Ganyu approached Smith, her question sharp.

"You need to find the hidden members of the Uchiha clan—those who are old, weak, women, and children—and inform them that their plans have failed. If they follow us, they can leave Konoha. In return, they must work for us," Smith ordered without hesitation. "Make sure to distinguish between those who are sincere and those who are not."

Ganyu, already familiar with the situation, replied, "Do we need to eliminate the unstable elements?"

Smith thought for a moment before responding. "Actually, it's not a huge issue. As long as the contract is signed, Morax will handle it." He paused, then added, "But their treatment will differ in the future."

"Understood." Ganyu nodded. With Morax's witness, no one could break the contract, making it a solid arrangement.

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched in astonishment as Ganyu worked with such speed and precision. He couldn't help but wonder how many powerful individuals were part of this group.

"Alright, it's your turn now," Smith said, glancing at Uchiha Fugaku, who was still fighting fiercely in the distance with his Susanoo.

"Understood!" Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't even hesitate. Despite his reservations, he couldn't refuse Smith. The Nine-Tails were under control, and the threat of the Samsara Eye had been neutralized. Though the Uchiha clan would soon be taken away from Konoha, the trade-off seemed worthwhile.

Sarutobi quickly entered the battlefield and struck Uchiha Fugaku's Susanoo with a powerful blow, damaging it severely with a single hit.

Little did Sarutobi know, Smith's true plan was far more ambitious than simply removing the Uchiha clan from Konoha. Smith intended to take the Book of Seals and the Nine-Tails with him as well. Had Sarutobi been aware of this, he likely would not have agreed to cooperate so readily.

As the battle continued to unfold, it became clear that Smith's influence over Konoha was growing, and soon, there would be no turning back.

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