"Actually, gaining any benefits from my confrontation with the Hokage isn't that important."
"Those two forbidden jutsu were just a matter of circumstance."
"Whether I actually get them or not, I don't really care."
"The important thing is, I must agree."
"Always remember that in a confrontation between two forces, the most important thing is to try to hide yourself and expose your enemy as much as possible."
"Just like this situation, I could indeed choose not to agree."
"But if I don't agree, can I avoid their schemes?"
"No, I cannot!"
"Even if I hide in the Clan compound forever, the Hokage will still find ways, doing his best to scheme against me."
"But if I agree, it's different; the positions of offense and defense are reversed."
"I've probably guessed how the Hokage plans to scheme against me, so I'll naturally be careful when I act, and naturally, I'll gain the upper hand in our mutual struggles."
"This way, my chances of winning will be greater!"
"Conversely, if you hide in the Clan compound, you'll never know how the enemy will scheme against you or what their next move will be."
"In that case, we'd be in the open, and Sarutobi Hiruzen would be in the shadows."
"I would need to guard day and night against the Hokage's potential schemes and attacks."
"Remember one thing: the best defense is offense!"
"Drag your enemy into the battlefield you've set, maximize your initiative, and never let yourself fall into a passive position."
"Agreeing to Sarutobi Hiruzen, that is the fundamental reason."
"Under this premise, taking some benefits along the way is naturally a matter of course."
"Itachi, do you understand?"
Uchiha Jin's voice was low.
Yes.
This was also his true thought.
Sarutobi Hiruzen would not let him go; he would definitely find a way to kill him.
This much was certain.
But how would the other party scheme? From where would he attack? When would he attack?
These were all unknown.
Passive defense is always the most foolish, so in this situation, actively entering the game is the best strategy.
Not to mention.
From Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, he could basically determine the means by which the Hokage faction intended to deal with him.
It was nothing more than trying to lead him into a trap, then providing his location to enemy Ninja Clans, so that both sides could collaborate to kill him directly.
Having read the original work, and especially being familiar with Danzō's character.
Guessing these things was standard procedure!
Most people who are schemed against and fall into traps are usually caught off guard.
But since he was prepared, the other party's schemes and plots were largely nullified.
Not to mention.
He could also get two forbidden jutsu in the process; that was an unexpected bonus.
Actually, to be honest.
He was most interested in the Impure World Reincarnation, the Reaper Death Seal, and other major sealing arrays.
But, similarly.
He also knew that Sarutobi Hiruzen would absolutely not agree to forbidden jutsu of that level.
More importantly.
He didn't need to bother the village for such things.
He had enough confidence that he could exchange for them from Orochimaru in the future.
So.
Being able to obtain the Spirit Transformation Technique and the Eight Gates Release Formation, Uchiha Jin was already quite satisfied.
Especially the Spirit Transformation Technique!
This was one of the few ninjutsu that involved the soul.
"So, that's how it is!"
Itachi's brows furrowed slightly as he fell into thought.
After a moment, he couldn't help but ask, "Then, regarding your enemy, Elder Uchiha Setsuna, do you think the same way?"
"Actually, I always thought before that you didn't retaliate against him out of magnanimity."
Yes.
Regarding Uchiha Setsuna, Itachi had also thought about it before.
He had always believed that it only proved his teacher's magnanimity.
Although there had been some past grievances, they both belonged to the Uchiha Clan, so his teacher couldn't be bothered to stoop to his level.
After all, with his teacher's strength, there were too many ways to make him disappear completely.
But, now it seems.
That's not the case!
Uchiha... Setsuna?
Uchiha Jin was startled by the question.
Then he couldn't help but shake his head with a smile, and then said meaningfully.
"Itachi, you're wrong."
"Your teacher is not a magnanimous person. Let me teach you a principle of life."
"To repay evil with kindness, how then do you repay kindness? Repay evil with justice, and repay kindness with kindness!"
"I am a person who clearly distinguishes between gratitude and grudges. I will deal with Uchiha Setsuna sooner or later, but it absolutely cannot be now!"
"Firstly, killing him is not difficult."
"But, then what?"
"The Uchiha's biggest enemy right now is the faction led by the village elders."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen has the Sarutobi Clan, the Anbu, the Hokage Guard Platoon; Danzō has the Shimura Clan, Root; and there are also the Elder Council members like Torifu Koharu and Mitokado Homura, as well as the Ninja Clans behind them."
"There are also the Hokage's disciples, the Konoha's Sannin, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru."
"Tsunade comes from the Senju of the Forest. Even though the Senju have disbanded, her influence in the village is still very strong."
"Although Tsunade has some grievances with Sarutobi Hiruzen regarding the destruction of the Senju."
"But if she had to choose between Sarutobi and the Uchiha, Tsunade would definitely still choose to stand with Sarutobi Hiruzen."
"Although Jiraiya 697 rarely stays in the village, he is also firmly on Sarutobi's side. Jiraiya himself is a Kage-level expert, and with the help of those toads, he can temporarily enter Sage Mode."
"Orochimaru, needless to say."
"As a strong contender for Fourth Hokage, in addition to his own Kage-level combat power, he also has a large number of supporters behind him."
"And these Konoha's Sannin have an even more terrifying aspect."
"Behind them stand the Three Great Sage Locations."
"Tsunade's Shikkotsu Forest Slug Sage, Jiraiya's Mount Myōboku Toad Sage, Orochimaru's Ryūchi Cave White Snake Sage."
"Besides that, there's also the faction of the 'Yellow Flash', Namikaze Minato."
"And Ninja Clans like Ino-Shika-Cho..."
"Without even mentioning the neutral Ninja Clans, Sarutobi Hiruzen alone has such a massive force supporting him."
"What will the Uchiha fight with?"
"The Uchiha are already in an extremely disadvantaged position. Even if Uchiha Setsuna is a scoundrel, he is at least a member who is hostile to the village."
"From this perspective, that makes him a friend!"
"I might kill him in the future, but it absolutely cannot be now."
"If I were to kill him now, on one hand, it would weaken our own forces, but more importantly, the village elders would probably be overjoyed."
"And, there's one more thing."