The lights of the Hokage Building remained bright in the night.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had hastily eaten a few bites of dinner and was preparing to return to his office to deal with documents—he really had no appetite lately.
He sighed; the workload of the Hokage was still immense, but more than physical exhaustion, it was the troublesome matters concerning the Uchiha Clan that wore him out.
Not long ago, Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi, both Konoha Anbu, brought unsettling news: within the Uchiha Clan, some were planning to use Satsuki's close relationship with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to lure Naruto to the Uchiha Clan Estate, attempting to control the Nine-Tails and stage a coup.
Although it was still in the planning stage, this news already kept the Third Hokage awake at night.
Through his Telescope Jutsu, he had personally witnessed the deepening bond between Naruto and Satsuki.
If he were to forcefully separate them now… that child, who had finally started to feel a sense of belonging to Konoha, would probably revert to his former lonely state as the "demon fox."
Just as he was in a dilemma, Shisui proposed a shocking suggestion—he revealed his Mangekyo Sharingan's genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami, the strongest genjutsu capable of silently altering another's will.
Silently altering will…?
At that moment, the Third Hokage could hardly believe his ears.
He knew all too well what such an ability implied.
But ultimately, his indecisive nature prevailed.
He convinced himself with the reason that "Shisui is a descendant of Uchiha Kagami," agreeing to Shisui's plan for him to correct the will of the hawk faction at the clan meeting.
However…
On the day of the operation, Shisui mysteriously disappeared.
No body, no trace.
The Third Hokage vaguely had an answer in his heart—his old friend, Danzo Shimura, had probably made a move against Shisui.
How to deal with Danzo?
The Third Hokage fell into deep conflict.
Konoha could not be without its "Root," and even though Danzo had once plotted to assassinate him, he ultimately chose to forgive him…
The Third Hokage pushed open his office door, but what he saw instantly tensed his nerves.
In the dimly lit room, on the Hokage's chair that should have been empty, sat a chilling figure.
"You're back, Third Hokage."
A hoarse voice was particularly grating in the darkness.
By the moonlight filtering through the window, Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized the iconic attire—a dark robe and an eerie fox mask.
The leader of [Jhin]… Menma!
This man before him had single-handedly defeated the Kumogakure envoy, severely injuring the Fourth Raikage to the brink of death, a terrifying figure with the power to destroy all of Konoha.
Of course, this was just a Shadow Clone.
"Lord Menma…" The Third Hokage's voice remained surprisingly steady, "I believe Konoha has not had any diplomatic affairs with your organization recently.
If a messenger had been dispatched in advance, Konoha would be delighted to host an official visit from [Jhin]."
Though polite, the subtext was clear—are you here as a guest or an invader?
Menma suddenly chuckled softly.
"Don't be so tense, old man."
He casually rotated his wrist, "I'm not some madman who kills indiscriminately.
I'm here this time… to help you."
"Help?"
"Your old friend's actions…" Menma's fingertips lightly tapped the armrest, "have gotten a bit too big.
Thanks to him, tonight the Uchiha Clan… was annihilated.
Since you can't bring yourself to do it, I'll help you cut off Konoha's rotten roots."
The Third Hokage's body visibly stiffened for a moment.
"I can slowly explain the whole story to you here… but on one condition—you are not to go anywhere.
After everything is over…"
A cruel arc formed at the corner of his mouth beneath the mask.
"…you can go collect your old friend's corpse."
— — — — — —
Menma walked slowly along the forest path, moonlight filtering through the leaves, dappling the glass jar in his hand.
Inside the jar, a pair of scarlet Mangekyo Sharingan floated in nutrient solution.
This thing… was thanks to Shisui's reminder.
He gently shook the jar, and the eyeballs slowly rotated with it.
If not for Shisui's suggestion, he might have truly overlooked this detail—Uchiha Itachi, if she learned that Fugaku had not died from Amaterasu, might worry about her father's Mangekyo Sharingan becoming a variable in the plan, and return to silence him.
To be safe…
Menma had already used Gold Experience's ability to reshape a pair of ordinary eyes for Fugaku, and after that, a warning to Uchiha Itachi should ensure she wouldn't harm her parents.
The night wind blew, and the leaves rustled.
Menma's thoughts drifted further.
Actually… letting Itachi's plan proceed was beneficial to him.
According to the original trajectory, if he directly eliminated the Uchiha hawk faction as [Menma], there would be only two outcomes—either Satsuki would hate this identity of his to the bone, or the entire Uchiha Clan would be branded as "traitors."
Since Uchiha Itachi was determined to execute the clan annihilation plan… this blame, I'll entrust it to you.
Coincidentally, the [Jhin] organization currently lacked reliable combat power.
And the rescued Uchiha clansmen, whether out of gratitude or disappointment with Konoha, were highly likely to become new blood for the organization.
Shisui, as a genius of the Uchiha Clan and a former direct Konoha Anbu, held significant sway within the clan.
With him to appease them, convincing the clansmen to join would not be difficult.
I hope Shisui can keep them steady…
Menma stopped, looking up at the night sky.
Stars dotted the sky, and moonlight was like water.
My apologies, Clan Head Fugaku… I'll borrow these eyes for now.
I will achieve true peace… so, Satsuki's childhood, which should have been lonely…
I entrust you to accompany her.