Chapter 32: Complete Reversal
The root of the Uchiha massacre lies in the Nine-Tails attack.
The Uchiha seem to exist independently outside the village.
These two sentences bounced repeatedly through Tsunade's mind. A chilling thought sprouted like a seed before breaking through the soil.
If it's really like that... the Uchiha... were they... by Konoha... heh!
BANG!
Tsunade shoved open the Hokage office door, a cold smile still hanging on her face.
"Old man, let's chat about the Uchiha?"
What topic is most sensitive?
For working people, it's salary deductions.
But for the Third Hokage, it was discussing the Uchiha.
Sarutobi Hiruzen remained silent for quite a while before finally speaking. "The Uchiha problem... it's a long story."
Tsunade pulled over a chair and sat down, propping her legs on the desk. "Perfect. I've got plenty of time."
Sarutobi Hiruzen lit his pipe and took a deep drag. A sigh mixed with smoke drifted out.
"Three years ago, the Nine-Tails suddenly broke free from its seal and attacked Konoha. That night, many people saw... the Sharingan in the Nine-Tails' eyes."
"Then Danzo immediately led Root to control the Uchiha clan. Only after the Nine-Tails attack was quelled did Fugaku cooperate with Anbu to investigate within the Uchiha compound, preliminarily clearing suspicion."
Actually, you just couldn't find any evidence.
Tsunade's brow furrowed tightly. "Meaning the person controlling the Nine-Tails wasn't Uchiha?"
"We don't know," Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head. "We don't know who he was or even what actually happened that day."
"Kushina's delivery location was arranged outside the village with barrier protections. Anbu guards stood watch outside while Biwako and Minato were inside. But the Nine-Tails had already appeared for some time before Minato finally arrived late and sealed it."
"The only thing we can confirm is that the Sharingan appeared in the Nine-Tails' eyes, and the Sharingan is the Uchiha's unique bloodline limit. After village reconstruction work, we jointly decided to relocate the Uchiha compound from the village center to the outskirts."
I see.
Kiyonari didn't understand the Nine-Tails attack. His impressions of the Uchiha all came from his own daily observations. Of course, he hadn't said anything wrong.
It's just that before the Nine-Tails attack, villagers' negative emotions toward the Uchiha leaned more toward silent resentment. But after the Nine-Tails attack, seeing the Uchiha isolated and helpless, villagers' suppressed dissatisfaction exploded—even reaching a rebound from rock bottom.
Moreover, this grudge directed at the Uchiha because of the Nine-Tails—Kushina's child shouldered part of it due to "demon fox" rumors.
But regardless, as one of Konoha's two founding clans, villager attitudes could at most affect Uchiha reputation but absolutely wouldn't reach the point of clan extermination.
The root of extermination ultimately remained as the drift bottle stated—because the Nine-Tails attack caused the Uchiha and Konoha to grow apart, finally sliding into the abyss of completely shattered trust.
"Old man, based on mere suspicion, you drove the Uchiha to the village edge?" Tsunade expressed her dissatisfaction.
Really, it was originally one-track, but this decision blocked both ends.
"Suspicion is the strongest enemy." Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice seemed to carry countless helplessness.
She could understand the old man's situation then. The Fourth Hokage couple died in battle, the Sannin left the village, even Sensei... he had to shoulder the burden again. Successive blows made his nerves sensitive and fragile—difficult to trust the Uchiha again.
But understanding was understanding. As Hokage, allowing the situation to develop to today was his responsibility.
"The Uchiha feel they've been unjustly treated, feel the village is full of prejudice toward them. Meanwhile, villagers carry wariness and fear toward the Uchiha because of the Nine-Tails attack's shadow."
"Give me a break," Tsunade snorted, mercilessly exposing him. "Old man, still using 'villagers' as cover?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen found himself at a loss for words, could only skip this sharp question and continue. "And now, a dangerous idea has emerged within the Uchiha clan. They're attempting to use drastic measures to change the status quo—seizing the Hokage position through a coup. Fortunately, some rational people still exist within the Uchiha clan."
He paused, some relief floating in his eyes. "Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi—these two young people haven't been blinded by prejudice. They're still willing to serve as a bridge of communication between the Uchiha and Konoha."
"Shisui is immensely powerful, known as Shisui of the Body Flicker. He deeply loves the village and his clan, constantly working to reconcile contradictions between the two, hoping to find a peaceful resolution."
"And Itachi," Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression grew complex. "He's even more special. Though young, his thinking is abnormally mature. He can transcend clan limitations, viewing problems from higher perspectives with a Hokage's mindset."
Personally, Sarutobi Hiruzen appreciated Uchiha Itachi most.
Because if the situation truly reached an irredeemable point, Uchiha Itachi was the one who could truly make up his mind and stand on Konoha's side.
What he craved wasn't clan gains or losses, but Konoha's peace—even the shinobi world's peace.
Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi.
Tsunade noted these two names. She wouldn't trust Sarutobi Hiruzen's word alone, even if he was Hokage.
Moreover, within the Uchiha clan, these two weren't the only ones seeking other paths. Didn't Uchiha Fugaku attend the banquet she'd held?
As clan head, he definitely didn't want the Uchiha and Konoha reaching the point of crossed blades. Once force was used, clan members would inevitably die. But if it truly reached that point, as clan head, Fugaku would definitely firmly support the coup.
Yet the old man never mentioned Fugaku, meaning trust couldn't be established between them. But Fugaku was willing to trust her, even proactively extending goodwill. She should find an opportunity to chat privately with Fugaku.
Tsunade sighed deeply, lowering her feet from his desk. "Old man, you've really given me a difficult problem."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe before urging again. "Tsunade, time is truly running short. After handling the Uchiha matter, succeed me as Fifth Hokage."
Tsunade didn't answer directly, instead continuing to grab onto the Uchiha topic. "The Uchiha issue fundamentally comes down to trust. Expecting those proud people to lower their heads first? The village must show sincerity first."
With that, she turned and walked away. But in that instant, Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand gripping the pipe jolted sharply. He slowly set down the pipe and called out to Tsunade.
He looked at her, lips trembling, something seeming to block his throat. For a long while, he couldn't speak.
Finally, he raised the hand holding his pipe and pointed at her, his arm trembling from excessive agitation.
"The... the Cloud Village might... give us an opportunity!"
War!
No one excels at war more than the Uchiha!
***
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