The Third Hokage ignored whatever Danzo was thinking and continued his performance. He spoke with a heavy heart:
"Itachi… as the inheritor of the Will of Fire, you surely don't want such a thing to happen, do you?"
Itachi kept his head lowered, making it impossible to read his expression.
After a long silence, he finally said in a hoarse voice:
"I understand, Lord Third. But the promise you made me before…"
"Rest assured!"
Before he could finish, Hiruzen interrupted him, his face filled with sincerity:
"After this mission is completed, you'll be a hero of Konoha."
"I guarantee your brother, Uchiha Rukawa, will be safe in Konoha!"
"In fact, if his talent is great enough, I'll take him as my personal student—personally teach him ninjutsu and train him to be a fine shinobi!"
"If Rukawa's abilities prove to be strong enough, he may even become Hokage someday!"
To ensure that Itachi carried out tonight's mission, Hiruzen started drawing big promises.
Whether or not they worked, he had to show sincerity—only then would subordinates willingly give everything for him.
Unlike Danzo, who didn't know how to inspire, only control people with his "Tongue Curse Seal."
Once again, Itachi fell silent. After a while, he said:
"I hope you won't break your promise, Lord Third."
Then—
Mangekyō Sharingan: Activated!
Itachi raised his head sharply. His eyes turned scarlet, spinning into the complex pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Hiruzen's sudden advancement of the Uchiha extermination had ruined the preparations Itachi had put in place.
When he was first assigned the mission, a mysterious man claiming to be Uchiha Madara approached him and offered a deal.
The agreement:
After slaughtering the Uchiha, Itachi would join an organization called "Akatsuki" and serve them.
In exchange, the mysterious man would secretly protect Rukawa, in case Hiruzen or Danzo tried to assassinate him quietly.
But now that the mission was moved up, that contingency had failed.
He had no way to contact the masked man—only the man could contact him.
Thus, to make up for the lack of his backup plan, Itachi revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan as a deterrent.
Hiruzen acted as if he hadn't noticed Itachi's Mangekyō and continued with his solemn vow:
"I swear on the honor of the Sarutobi clan: Uchiha Rukawa will be protected!"
"And you, Lord Danzo—I want your promise as well!"
Itachi turned to the other side of the room, locking eyes with Danzo.
Danzo stared deeply at those eyes. His remaining eye gleamed with pure greed.
Another Mangekyō. Another Mangekyō!
I MUST have it! Danzo roared in his mind.
He had already transplanted Shisui's Mangekyō and knew just how powerful it was—its ultimate illusion, Kotoamatsukami, the strongest genjutsu.
And now, he wondered with twisted excitement—what ability does Itachi's Mangekyō hold?
"Ahem!" Hiruzen cleared his throat.
Danzo snapped out of it.
"Hmph!"
He scoffed and said disdainfully:
"He's just a brat who hasn't even graduated ninja academy yet. I'm not interested in such a kid."
"Very well. I trust you both to keep your word," Itachi said and deactivated his Mangekyō.
"Time is of the essence. Go carry out the mission, Itachi—for the sake of Konoha!" Hiruzen declared solemnly.
"For the sake of Konoha!" Itachi replied firmly.
So fake.
Danzo cursed in his heart but, seeing the two stare at him, he begrudgingly added:
"For the sake of Konoha."
After Itachi left, Hiruzen's expression turned cold.
"Danzo, find an opportunity to eliminate both Itachi and Rukawa. The Uchiha bloodline is too dangerous to be allowed to continue existing in the shinobi world."
"Heh, Hiruzen—you're still as fake as ever. But even if you hadn't said it, I'd have done it anyway."
Danzo sneered in his heart.
He had to get Itachi's Mangekyō, and he was still curious about the terrifying power hidden in Rukawa's body.
He would take them both—alive or dead.
Hiruzen glanced at Danzo from the corner of his eye.
This old partner… he knew all too well. One look and he could tell what the bastard was thinking.
But that's fine. Let Danzo handle the dirty work and exhaust himself.
In the end, Hiruzen would claim the credit—after all, he was the Hokage.
Danzo, meanwhile, sneered as he watched Hiruzen leave.
"Hah… you think you can outplay me? Not a chance."
Then he turned and approached a shadowy wall.
He pressed a hidden panel.
Click—
A secret passage opened.
Danzo didn't light a lamp. He walked forward in total darkness, following the familiar path.
At the tunnel's end, he pushed open a wooden door.
Creak—
The dim room inside was filled with experimental equipment. A faint light flickered, illuminating a shadowy figure seated in a tall chair, busy working on the console.
Hearing the door open, the figure stood and spoke in a magnetic, raspy voice:
"Danzo. I told you—unless it's time to wipe out the Uchiha, don't bother me."
Danzo ignored him and walked straight in.
The man also stepped forward, finally stepping into the light.
He had long, sleek black hair, purple markings down his nose, golden snake-shaped earrings, and a thick rope tied in a bow at his waist.
Orochimaru.