"Captain Kakashi, I know that the ANBU's duty is absolute obedience to orders," said Uchiha Itachi. "Since the Hokage has issued a command, we are bound to follow it without question."
"If you know that, then why act in a way that displeased the Hokage?" Kakashi asked, puzzled. "Dealing with those rioters shouldn't have taken more than a single slash."
"It's true, Captain Kakashi, that you and I both understand what today's events were really about," Itachi replied. "We can carry out orders, but when it comes to the precision of our targets, that choice is mine alone."
"The Hokage ordered me to kill."
"I did. The fallen Root members and corpses on the ground stand as proof."
"But some of the villagers were innocent."
"If we knowingly kill civilians who rose up in anger over what they believe is tyranny, then we are in the wrong."
"In the ninja world, beyond orders, there is still such a thing as conscience."
"When orders conflict with conscience, I personally believe that conscience should take precedence—not blind obedience."
"Respect for life, in Konoha and across the ninja world, is a universal principle."
"No one should use 'just following orders' as an excuse to overstep moral boundaries and decide who lives and who dies."
"Unless someone truly deserves death, I will never hesitate to strike—but only then," Itachi explained with a calm, reasoning tone.
"Sorry, that was all too complicated for me," Kakashi shook his head. "All I know is this: as an ANBU, I follow orders. If the Hokage tells me to kill someone, I'll do it. Even if it's a path through fire and blades, I'll walk it without hesitation."
Itachi gave a faint smile. "You're not wrong. ANBU should be loyal to their mission."
"But my logic is based on one thing—strength."
"If it were anyone else, hesitating might get them killed."
"After all, if you let a snake live, it may bite you later."
The ANBU nearby: "…"
That felt like an insult.
"You're right," Kakashi nodded, then leaned in and whispered, "But why did the Hokage assign just the two of us to lead this mission?"
"Wouldn't it make more sense for him to lead the charge himself?"
"Does he really think the two of us can take down Orochimaru and Danzo?"
"I've fought Orochimaru before—I'm not his match. I might last a few moves, but that's it."
Suddenly, a thought occurred to Kakashi. His expression turned odd. "Could it be... the villagers are right? Is the Hokage actually weak, and that's why he doesn't dare to fight?"
The ANBU: "…"
We heard that.
And now that they thought about it—they couldn't recall ever seeing Hiruzen fight.
Could the rumors be true? Was his strength all talk?
Doubt began to creep in.
"You're overthinking it," Itachi replied. "If Danzo dared to make a move, it means he's confident he can deal with the Hokage."
"And if the Hokage still chose to act—knowing what Danzo was capable of—then there's only one explanation."
"He knows Danzo isn't at the Root base."
"Otherwise, he'd be leading the team himself."
No one understood Danzo's current whereabouts better than Itachi.
After all, Itachi's own physical clone—disguised as Orochimaru—was right now outside the village, inside the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Storage Temple, plotting the "Hiruzen Collapse Plan" with Danzo.
If not for that time gap, how could Root and the protestors under Itachi and Shisui's genjutsu appear at the academy at just the right moment?
How could the villagers "coincidentally" witness Yamato using Wood Release?
Because it was all orchestrated by Uchiha Itachi.
Even the intel on Hiruzen being at the ninja academy—that too had been leaked by Itachi to Root and the protestors.
His goal was simple: ignite both sides' fury, make reconciliation impossible.
Itachi hadn't killed civilians because they were innocent—just caught up in the chaos.
If they hadn't been, he wouldn't have hesitated.
As for the dead, they were already under genjutsu—controlled by Itachi and Shisui.
For instance, during the previous ANBU assault on Root, where the entire team was wiped out—Itachi and Shisui were the masterminds.
Even the Root ninja who had just attacked Naruto had been under Shisui's control, as planned by Itachi.
Coincidence? Hardly.
Now both Root and ANBU had casualties. With blood already spilled, war was inevitable.
At the same time, the leaders of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio received reports from their clans and frowned.
"The path of righteousness is clear. Evil will never triumph over good," Nara Shikaku read aloud.
"All who love this village must stand together, united against the enemy's sinister plots hidden beneath a noble guise. We must oppose and resist violence, speak out for justice, and restore peace, stability, and prosperity to Konoha. Let this great ship of ours continue sailing steadily across the seas of the ninja world."
Shikaku narrowed his eyes.
That doesn't sound like something Danzo would say.
"If he had that much political wisdom, he would've become Hokage long ago," Akimichi Choza remarked.
"There'd be no need for Minato," Shikaku added with a frown.
"If that's the case, then maybe someone powerful is advising him from the shadows?" Yamanaka Inoichi suggested.
"Seems likely," Shikaku replied, scanning the latest intelligence. "Danzo is deliberately appearing weak to win sympathy—only to strike back harder."
"He's playing the victim to throw blame onto the Hokage."
"It's honestly brilliant."
"Not only has he cleared himself of suspicion, he's rallied his supporters, branded himself as righteous, and gained the villagers' praise."
"It's a masterstroke—four birds with one stone."
"Whoever's behind him... is no ordinary strategist."
The more Shikaku analyzed, the more he realized how terrifying Danzo's new advisor must be.
"So what you're saying is—Danzo has the upper hand for now?" Choza and Inoichi exchanged glances.
"On paper, yes," Shikaku nodded, not fully committing either way.
"Then should we deploy some of our branch families to support him?" they asked.
"Not yet," Shikaku said.
"You have to understand—Konoha's highest authority is still the Hokage. As long as he's alive, Danzo can't take the throne."
"Let's wait and see how the other clans move."
He grabbed another report.
The Hyuga Clan had closed its doors to all visitors—clearly taking a neutral stance.
The Uchiha Clan...
Shikaku froze.
"Konoha Police Force is now recruiting auxiliary officers."
"Konoha Police Force partners with the Inuzuka Clan—each officer will be paired with a ninja hound."
"Uchiha Itachi, heir of the Uchiha Clan, proposes the establishment of the Konoha Police Academy. Enrollment now open to all across the ninja world."