The hypocrisy of Hiruzen Sarutobi—Kaede had truly seen it all today.
He clearly could have used Konoha's full might to suppress him with force, but instead, out of fear for his life and reputation, he wanted to negotiate?
No wonder Konoha was in decline.
And with Danzo and those two elders by his side…
Tch, even the gods wouldn't be able to save this place!
Such a wonderful "Hokage"… how did he die just four years later? He should have lived for another dozen years to really make Konoha interesting!
"You want to negotiate with me?" Kaede sneered.
Hiruzen remained calm and instead tried to "sincerely" reason with him:
"It's not negotiation—it's about minimizing losses on both sides."
"It's an undeniable fact that the Uchiha intended to start a rebellion. Danzo's approach may have been extreme, but given your clan's reputation in the village, many would support such actions!"
"I know you've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, and your talent even surpasses that of Uchiha Madara in his youth!"
"But against the entire strength of Konoha, you'll never create the storm you're imagining."
"If this battle continues, Konoha will suffer heavy losses—but the Uchiha will be wiped out. Surely you understand that."
As he spoke, Hiruzen watched Kaede, who did not interrupt him.
Good—he's listening.
After the stick, time for the carrot.
A smile crept onto Hiruzen's face. "In this matter, both sides have made mistakes."
"I'm willing to punish Danzo for his extremism. I'll even open up positions in the Anbu for your clan. And your district can be relocated to the center of the village!"
He began sweet-talking, even looking genuinely relieved as he spoke.
"Thankfully, things haven't escalated beyond repair. The Uchiha haven't suffered major losses, while Danzo's Root unit has taken a heavy blow."
"We can resolve this misunderstanding."
"Kaede, you're a genius even more exceptional than Itachi. I believe Konoha will grow stronger with you in it!"
"You may be impulsive now, but it's because you're trying to protect your people."
"And that—that is the Will of Fire passed down in Konoha for generations!"
He stared seriously at Kaede. "You have the potential to be Hokage!"
The area fell into silence.
Fortunately, Danzo was unconscious, and Fugaku and Itachi were locked in fierce combat.
Otherwise, everyone would've witnessed just how shameless Hiruzen truly was!
Kaede, meanwhile, was barely holding back laughter.
Trying to tempt him with the Hokage's seat?
Hiruzen was really something!
Kaede smiled faintly and replied:
"Hokage? Tch, tch, tch… what a tempting offer."
Seeing this, Hiruzen felt a flicker of hope.
If he's tempted, that means he's willing to talk!
Once tonight was over, he'd have plenty of time to prepare and crush the Uchiha. He just needed Kaede to play along for now.
Hiruzen grinned. "Since you agree, have your clansmen stand down."
"Root has already lost many. I imagine your people's anger has been satisfied."
Kaede casually twirled his sword, Mirror Flower, Water Moon.
"You want my clan to stand down? Sure."
He narrowed his eyes. "But I have one condition."
Hiruzen frowned slightly. Was he trying to push further?
But with success within reach, agreeing to one more demand was worth it.
"Speak. I'll do everything I can."
Kaede pointed his sword at Danzo. "I'll be borrowing his head."
"I believe once they see his corpse, my clansmen will gladly stop fighting."
Hiruzen's face instantly darkened.
"Are you mocking me?!"
Kaede looked innocently surprised.
"Hokage-sama, from the start, you've been the one doing all the talking."
"I just figured it was rare for an old man like you to have so much saliva to spit, so I didn't interrupt."
"But I don't recall ever agreeing, did I?"
Those words made Hiruzen tremble with fury.
In all his years as Hokage, this was the first time he'd been humiliated like this!
He had negotiated in good faith, offered generous terms—
And Kaede treated it all as a joke?
Hiruzen roared:
"Kaede! Are you truly determined to drag the Uchiha into the abyss with no return?!"
Kaede dropped his mocking tone and sneered coldly:
"The ones who dragged us here were the Second Hokage, you, and that rat Danzo!"
"You gave us the police force not as an honor, but to make us the scapegoats for Konoha's hatred while you sat back and enjoyed the peace we kept!"
"Then came the Nine-Tails incident, full of conspiracies, and you pushed us to the outskirts of the village, stole our land and resources!"
"Hiruzen, did you really think you could control everything?"
Kaede raised his blade and pointed it directly at him.
"Today marks the fall of Konoha!"
At that moment, Hiruzen gave up all pretense of peace.
Kaede's actions had reignited the old ambitions buried beneath his dusty heart!
He stared coldly at Kaede. "For the sake of Konoha's stability, I'll have to crush you!"
Kaede scoffed. "Tch. After so many years of sitting in comfort, how much strength do you even have left?"
[Name: Hiruzen Sarutobi
Kekkei Genkai: None
Abilities: Master of all five elements, Shiki Fūjin (Dead Demon Consuming Seal), Summoning Jutsu: Enma…
Overall Power: Upper Kage-level (weakened due to age; declining physical condition)]
Kaede glanced over Hiruzen's stat panel and lost interest.
"Heh, looks impressive on paper."
Decades as Hokage hadn't seen Hiruzen fight much, but he had certainly learned plenty of jutsu.
No wonder they called him the "Professor of the Ninja World."
But in Kaede's eyes, that was all he was worth.
…
Meanwhile, the battle between Fugaku and Itachi was also nearing its end.
Itachi may have awakened his Mangekyō, but he lacked the experience and mastery his father possessed.
He was completely on the back foot.
During the fight, Itachi had used Tsukuyomi twice—
But Fugaku also had Mangekyō Sharingan, and one of his abilities was genjutsu-based.
He could break free at critical moments, and Tsukuyomi couldn't change the tide of the fight.
Fugaku, on the other hand, dominated both in experience and jutsu.
One of his Mangekyō techniques could summon black flames that couldn't be extinguished, further worsening Itachi's position.
Most critically, Fugaku could use Susanoo to shield himself.
Itachi's few sneak attacks were all blocked.
Another blow from Fugaku sent Itachi flying.
Blood welled in Itachi's throat.
Fugaku, relentless, had his Susanoo raise its arm for another crushing blow.
Seeing the descending fist, Itachi felt a wave of despair.
'Maybe… letting Father kill me, this unfilial son, is better…'
BOOM!
The ground split apart. Fugaku's strike flattened everything in a ten-meter radius.
Itachi lay at the center of the crater, no longer able to rise.
…
(End of Chapter)
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