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"We pay, they contribute, and neither side defaults. There's no need to understand them."
It had to be admitted—Sarutobi Hiruzen was genuinely moved by Shimura Danzō's proposal.
If resolving the Uchiha crisis required only financial compensation and avoided direct bloodshed within the village, he might have nodded in agreement—even if the resulting purge was cruel.
But under the influence of Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen never treated the Uchiha clan with true impartiality. Otherwise, he would've taken a different path from the Second Hokage's systematic distrust.
[I lack the talent…]
"So it begins."
At the same time Hiruzen and Danzō concluded their secret discussion, Ye Dou sat atop a tall tree behind the Ninja Academy. He lowered the binoculars in his hand, his gaze retreating from the Hokage's office window.
In his palm, a sound transmission talisman inscribed with the kanji for "yin" dissolved into golden light and vanished into the air.
This was another oddity from the Equivalent Exchange space—once activated within a certain range, it allowed temporary surveillance on a designated target.
It wasn't something he had planned ahead. The mongoose companion had simply detected the passing chakra of Uchiha Itachi nearby, which prompted Ye Dou to explore his inventory. That's how he found the eavesdropping talisman.
A perfect case of serendipity—a willful act born of coincidence.
"So... the Uchiha clan's annihilation had Akatsuki's involvement?"
The mongoose had heard it too. But even by this point, neither Hiruzen nor Danzō had fully uncovered Akatsuki's identity. Still, some preliminary contact had occurred.
Although the massacre of the Uchiha clan is well-known, the Naruto manga left much of the operation's specifics deliberately vague. Even in the later Itachi Shinden, only a brief meeting between Itachi and Obito (then going by "Madara") was shown. Itachi had merely asked for assistance.
"The Uchiha are Konoha's strongest clan. You're telling me two people wiped them out in one night?"
Ye Dou remained calm, but internally, he found it unbelievable. Itachi was undeniably strong—wielding the Mangekyō Sharingan and capable of activating Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, and even the skeletal form of Susanoo.
But manpower was finite.
The Uchiha weren't some declining branch family. Despite political suppression, they remained a potent force. Conservative estimates placed their population above 600.
Slaughtering that many trained shinobi in a single night, silently, without alerting the rest of Konoha? Susanoo couldn't be used freely—it would've lit up the sky. And Amaterasu would draw too much attention from Konoha's sensory division and ANBU.
[Demonic farce.]
The idea that two people could do all that? It didn't sit right with him.
"I wonder… who will Akatsuki send this time?"
Even with Danzō and Hiruzen's caution, if they were hiring Akatsuki, they'd never bring the full force. A small elite squad—three to four at most—was more plausible. Too many would risk suspicion. And politically, Konoha couldn't admit it had outsourced slaughter.
"But Sarutobi Hiruzen hasn't even agreed to Danzō's plan. You sound so confident."
"Hiruzen will agree. And even if he doesn't… Danzō will make him agree."
Danzō viewed Shisui's Kotoamatsukami—a genjutsu so powerful it could rewrite thoughts—as an intolerable threat. Such power didn't belong to the Uchiha in his eyes. Not unless it was under his control.
Shisui was destined to die. Whatever plan he had made with Itachi… it would never come to pass.
"He was too naïve," Ye Dou muttered. "To reveal that kind of ability to others… foolish."
Kotoamatsukami was a literal cheat code. A genjutsu that could alter a person's will with just a glance—without them even realizing it.
And Shisui… refused to use it unless it was absolutely necessary. Worse yet, he trusted others with that knowledge.
How could he hope to rewrite an entire clan's will with just one eye?
He should've gone directly to the Third Hokage. Maybe—just maybe—there would've been a chance.
"There you are!"
Hyūga Hanabi (nicknamed "Kahuo" here) popped out from nowhere, grabbed his sleeve, and tugged him toward the academy gate.
"Iruka-sensei wants everyone at the training field! We're practicing shuriken today!"
"I can walk on my own."
Ye Dou waved her off and walked ahead, cutting through the school building to arrive at the open playground.
It was no different than usual. Outdoor classes were always a hundred times more exciting to most students.
Ye Dou quietly blended into the crowd as Iruka began roll call. Around him, the other kids buzzed with anticipation, eager to show off their throwing skills.
He said nothing.
He silently instructed the mongoose to keep a close watch, scanning for hidden ANBU or unfamiliar chakra signatures.
If none were present, it meant Konoha hadn't acted yet. But if there were watchers, it would confirm his fear:
The Uchiha clan's end was imminent.
After all, when the Nine Tails attacked Konoha, some clearly saw a masked man with the Sharingan. If Konoha's leadership was planning another operation, they would undoubtedly ensure the protection of Naruto—the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki—to prevent a repeat.
His turn came.
Ye Dou stepped forward, took the shuriken, and threw.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Three sharp bursts in the air. Only one hit the target—and it landed far from the bullseye.
"Two misses and one on the second ring? Man, what bad luck!"
"Haha! I thought I was the worst in class, but this guy's worse. Guess I won't get chewed out by my dad after all!"
"Tch… and he's always acting cool with his taijutsu. What's the point? A ninja who can't throw a proper shuriken is useless!"
A few classmates whispered mockingly. His aloof face, confident gait, and general indifference had earned him more than a few haters.
Now that he looked foolish, they couldn't help but gloat.
Ye Dou ignored them. He calmly walked to a nearby tree and leaned against it, eyes closed, resting.
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