Senju Haruto believed that one of the main reasons the Uchiha clan had grown arrogant and dismissive of others was because of their bloodline.
As long as one parent was an Uchiha, their children would inherit the Sharingan — that formidable kekkei genkai.
The Senju clan's blood, by contrast, was far less dominant. Aside from the legendary Senju Hashirama, almost no one awakened the Wood Release kekkei genkai.
That was one of the reasons why the Senju had grown so scarce in the village, to the point that during the Great Ninja Wars, they were barely seen at all.
The Uchiha, on the other hand, were the complete opposite — their genetic strength was overwhelming.
In truth, the Uchiha didn't outright reject marriage with outsiders. Take Uchiha Izumi, for example: her father wasn't Uchiha, and yet when she moved into the clan compound, no one shunned her.
This was proof enough that the Uchiha could accept marriage beyond their own clan.
Haruto even suspected that one reason the Konoha leadership had pushed the Uchiha to live on the village outskirts was precisely because of this — though, of course, that was only his personal guess.
After casting a genjutsu that sent Kakashi and the others into a deep sleep, Haruto and Uchiha Itachi carried them to the medical ward to rest.
"If nothing unexpected happens, they shouldn't wake for at least five days," Haruto said casually.
"What exactly is your plan?" Itachi asked, glancing at Kakashi and the others.
Earlier, outside, Haruto had hinted at something, but with so many eyes on them, he hadn't gone into detail. First, they had to secure Kakashi and the others.
Most importantly, since Haruto had been able to cast Shisui's genjutsu, he could also dispel it — yet he hadn't. That alone made Itachi suspect this tied into Haruto's greater plan.
Now, with the room secure from eavesdropping, Haruto finally spoke.
"What do you think caused Shisui's failure?"
"What are you implying?" Itachi frowned. Could Haruto be suggesting that Shisui's downfall was solely because of Danzo's interference?
If that were the case, Itachi thought, Haruto would be missing the bigger picture. Even without Danzo, Konoha's upper ranks would have simply produced another 'Danzo' in a different guise.
"Then I'll be blunt," Haruto said. "Shisui failed because he was a pawn. A pawn planted in the Uchiha by the Third Hokage, and at the same time a pawn in Danzo's schemes for power."
"Shisui was merely caught between the Third and Danzo, maneuvering to buy time and find a peaceful path for his clan."
"He believed he could use Kotoamatsukami to rewrite everything, to erase the clan's intent to stage a coup… but in reality—" Haruto shook his head. "Danzo never cared whether the Uchiha staged a coup or not."
"Even if the Uchiha had remained completely docile, Danzo would have found excuse after excuse to target them until they were nothing more than a memory in Konoha's history."
"That was Shisui's failure: he was a pawn, not a player. He might have made a brilliant move with sheer willpower, but he could never change the board itself."
Itachi's eyes fixed on Haruto, and in his mind flashed the image of Shisui's final moments — that smile as he entrusted everything to him.
If possible, Itachi too wanted to protect his clan, his family… his younger brother, Sasuke.
But the reality was…
The deeper he became entangled between these three forces, the more powerless he felt.
The Third Hokage could never produce a practical, decisive plan. Danzo sought only the Uchiha's destruction.
And his own clansmen… kept perfecting their coup preparations.
Itachi couldn't bring himself to stand beside his father. If forced to choose between the two sides, he believed he would choose Konoha.
But now, Haruto had given him a new idea.
If Shisui's fate as a pawn was doomed to fail, then why not become a player?
If he could enter the very center of Konoha's power, perhaps he could change everything.
"Turning from pawn to player… that's easier said than done." Itachi's mind was as sharp as any. Following Haruto's line of thought, he quickly saw the sheer difficulty.
From the Third Great Ninja War to the night of the Nine-Tails' attack, the Uchiha had produced heroes — but none with enough political clout. Neither the Third nor Danzo would ever allow an Uchiha into the village's highest decision-making council.
And without a seat in the council, there was no becoming a player.
"I'll be the one standing in Konoha's sunlight," Haruto said, resting a hand on Itachi's shoulder. "And you… you'll be the roots buried deep underground."
"In three days, I'll be accompanying the Third Hokage as a bodyguard to the Land of Iron, to meet with the Raikage. Tell me — who do you think will be running things in the village during that time?"
"Danzo?" Itachi's brows furrowed. While elders Koharu and Homura were formidable, something told him Haruto was referring to Danzo.
"Exactly." Haruto nodded.
The Third had said they'd 'deal with Danzo after returning,' but that was only a verbal promise.
Once both Haruto and the Hokage were away from the village, Danzo would almost certainly make his move.
And with Kakashi, Tenzo, and the rest of the top-tier ANBU locked under Haruto's genjutsu, Konoha's upper ranks would be at their weakest.
"Danzo must die."
Haruto's voice was low, steady. "Once Danzo is gone, one of the loudest voices against the Uchiha in the council will be silenced."
Hearing the plan, Itachi's eyes widened. His gaze shifted to Kakashi, Tenzo, and the others.
They were the ANBU directly responsible for guarding the Hokage. If the Third left for the Land of Fire, they would be reassigned to protect Danzo.
"So you understand now, Itachi."
"But don't worry — I won't have you do this alone. I'll leave a shadow clone with you." Haruto's tone was resolute.
In truth, this wasn't simply to 'help' Itachi assassinate Danzo.
Haruto had already confirmed that Danzo possessed Izanagi as his trump card. If Itachi made even a single mistake and Danzo rewrote his own death, things could become troublesome.
A clone was insurance.
Itachi now fully understood Haruto's intent: use this opportunity to eliminate a political enemy, then stir a war between Konoha and the Cloud to make himself famous across the shinobi world — laying the groundwork to become Hokage.
This man…
"Itachi, I believe the world can be changed. That life can start anew. That destiny can be seized by one's own hands. That fate belongs to me, not the heavens."
"Itachi — will you stand with me and witness it?"
Haruto extended his hand toward him.
Itachi looked at the man before him, certain of one thing.
This guy…
…was even crazier than Danzo.