Evil Uchiha Itsuki

"What a strong reason!"

Itachi was left speechless.

And the words felt very familiar.

It could only be said that some of Danzo's words and actions had already spread throughout the entire ninja world.

Itachi could only leave in silence.

Itsuki watched his back and smiled helplessly.

In reality, what happened with Kakashi was truly an accident.

He never intended for Kakashi to become Hokage; he was just reminding him that Sakumo Hatake's death was primarily the fault of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura.

One wanted to completely disgrace Sakumo.

The other wanted him dead.

Shouldn't he, his son, consider avenging his father?

At the same time, he told Kakashi that the best revenge would be to take away the most precious thing from his enemies.

Who knew?

His original plan had been to target Konohamaru!

Of course, he wasn't telling Kakashi to kill Konohamaru, but rather to kidnap him or something similar.

At that time, Hiruzen Sarutobi's emotions were already at their breaking point. A little push would have been enough to make him explode.

If Konohamaru disappeared for a few days, with Sarutobi's state of mind, there's no telling what he might do.

But who could have expected this?

Kakashi ended up becoming Hokage, and he even succeeded!

Although Itsuki Uchiha had some credit for this, Kakashi Hatake's methods couldn't be ignored either.

Itsuki frowned slightly.

The war between the Cloud and Leaf has thrown the ninja world's balance into chaos.

Indeed!

When the ninja villages heard that Konoha had annihilated over 4,000 Cloud ninjas in one decisive battle, they all fell silent.

Even Iwagakure stopped their movements and silently observed.

Lately, Konoha's bizarre strategies had been looked down upon, not just by the major villages but even by the smaller ones.

But this battle reminded them... the top dog is still the top dog.

No matter how weakened Konoha had become, it was still one of the top six ninja villages.

If you dared to provoke them, they'd wipe you out!

Back in Konoha, Kakashi sat in the Hokage's chair.

Feeling triumphant?

Not at all.

His dead-fish eyes and the lifeless aura around him remained unchanged.

But!

At this moment, who dared to ignore him?

A major victory had restored Konoha's standing in the ninja world.

At the same time, the ninjas of Konoha could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

The pent-up frustration that had almost suffocated them was finally released.

Many of the Jonin looked at Kakashi with fiery admiration.

This is what a Hokage should be!

This is what a Hokage should do.

They turned and cast emotionless glances at the Third Hokage and his companions.

Once admired, now despised.

Sometimes the Jonin would even wonder: Why wasn't the Third Hokage the one who died during the Nine-Tails' attack?

If the young and energetic Fourth Hokage had survived, would things have been different?

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his heart sink.

He keenly sensed a bad vibe spreading.

He couldn't possibly imagine that the people around him were wondering when he would die.

Although he couldn't pinpoint their thoughts, he could sense the change in the atmosphere.

Konoha's mood had completely shifted.

Many ninjas were starting to hesitate before following his orders.

Some of the stronger Jonin were even beginning to disregard him.

Was their time truly coming to an end?

Kakashi calmly began to arrange the next steps, not making a big deal out of their victory.

"This victory was expected," he said simply.

One sentence filled the room with excitement.

Of course!

They were from Konoha!

In every ninja world war, Konoha had emerged victorious!

Winning against the Cloud was only natural.

Had they gone to war sooner, they could have avoided much of the humiliation.

Once again, many people turned their gazes to the old elder.

Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."

Danzo Shimura: "..."

Koharu Utatane: "..."

Homura Mitokado: "..."

Torifu Akimichi: "..."

They could feel it—Kakashi wasn't targeting them specifically, yet there was an overwhelming amount of hostility directed at them.

When you dislike someone, everything they do feels wrong!

Exactly!

Faced with this situation, Sarutobi and the others could only stand there, humiliated.

When a victorious Hokage speaks, you can't silence him just because of his age.

At this moment, if they tried to shut Kakashi up, there would be ninjas stepping forward to silence *them* instead!

And if that happened, they'd be finished.

Their only option would be to retire.

So, they remained quiet.

Quiet.

All they could do was listen as Kakashi handed out orders, silently waiting.

"Send emissaries!" 

At the end of his arrangements, Kakashi suddenly paused before slowly adding, "Send them to the Hidden Fire Village!"

"Hokage-sama!" 

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally saw his chance and stepped forward. "Many of our comrades have died at the hands of the Hidden Fire Village. Are you really planning to form an alliance with them?"

Kakashi's dead-fish eyes stared at Sarutobi as he slowly replied, "The Hidden Fire Village looks down on us."

One sentence shut Sarutobi up completely.

He had prepared himself for any reason Kakashi might give, even planning his rebuttals, but he never expected Kakashi to deliver such a devastating blow!

An alliance?

Konoha wasn't worthy!

The Hidden Fire Village simply didn't care enough about them.

Sarutobi's face turned red with embarrassment.

Once again, many hostile gazes fell on him.

It's all your fault!

If not for you, Konoha wouldn't have fallen this far!

A newly established village now looked down on them.

And they couldn't even argue!

Every time they had fought, Konoha had lost.

Although they had just wiped out 4,000 Cloud ninjas, the number of Konoha ninjas who had died at the hands of the Hidden Fire Village was far greater.

The mere thought of it was painful!

All those lives lost were unnecessary.

There were so many other ways to deal with the Uchiha, and why even target them in the first place?

The Uchiha weren't asking for much!

Damn Danzo!

Damn Hiruzen!

Damn Koharu!

Damn Homura!

Damn Choza!

Torifu Akimichi: "..."

He could feel it—lately, he'd been getting cursed out a lot more often.

"Hokage-sama!" 

Shikaku Nara hurried forward to shift the conversation, asking, "If we're not forming an alliance, what are we going to the Hidden Fire Village for?"

"To have them keep an eye on the Hidden Sand Village," Kakashi replied calmly.

"The Sand Village?" 

Danzo couldn't help but sneer, "Hokage-sama, you might not know, but the Kazekage of the Sand Village is working with the Uchiha…"

Danzo didn't finish his sentence.

That's because countless ninjas were now looking at him like he was an idiot.

"I know!" 

Kakashi rubbed his forehead, seeming exasperated, "Of course I know. That's why I want the Hidden Fire Village to monitor the Sand Village. As long as Itsuki Uchiha guarantees it, the Sand Village won't act recklessly. Understand, Elder Danzo?"

Danzo's face turned bright red as he resentfully stepped back.

Why didn't you just explain it earlier? Were you deliberately waiting for me to embarrass myself?

Kakashi continued, "Once the Hidden Fire Village is watching the Sand Village, the Cloud Village won't dare attack us for a while. All we need to focus on is Iwagakure, understood?"

"Yes!"

Everyone responded in agreement and then left one by one.

After they had all gone, Kakashi walked over to the large floor-to-ceiling window, glanced at the map of the ninja world on one side, his gaze lingering on the Hidden Leaf Village for a moment before shifting to the Hidden Mist Village.

Frowning, he murmured, "Hidden Mist, it's been so long. Why haven't you made a move yet?"

...

"Whoosh!"

Itsuki, who had been resting, suddenly opened his eyes and gently moved away from Anko and Kurenai by his side.

Sitting up, he channeled chakra into his ring and connected with Konan and Nagato.

"Masked man, still no movement lately?"

"That's right!"

Nagato's voice was filled with anger as he said, "Even though he has space-time ninjutsu, I'm certain he's no longer in the Hidden Rain Village. Did he escape?"

"Damn it!"

Itsuki muttered to himself.

"What's wrong?"

Konan asked hurriedly.

"Hidden Mist!"

"Hidden Mist?"

"I suspect the masked man went to the Hidden Mist!"

Itsuki got up and started gathering his gear.

"That's a very closed-off village," Nagato said coolly. "If the masked man is hiding there, he can't stay hidden for long, even with space-time ninjutsu. Unless he stays out of sight forever. But if he doesn't show up, why would he go there?"

In such a secluded village, an outsider would stand out like a light in the dark.

Blindingly obvious.

Itsuki stayed silent, quickly packing his things.

For most people, this was true, but for Obito, that might not be the case.

The Hidden Mist had already been manipulated by Madara Uchiha and Obito Uchiha.

The Third and Fourth Mizukages were mere puppets in their hands.

So, if anyone knew the Hidden Mist inside and out, it would be Obito.

Hiding there would be way too easy for him.

"Mei, please be safe!"

Itsuki stood up, looking toward the Hidden Mist with a heavy expression.

Back when he had been with Mei Terumi, she had been young, in her early twenties.

Now, by his count, she must be around 27 or 28.

Don't be surprised, Itsuki genuinely didn't know how old Mei was.

For a woman, her age is the most confidential of information.

...You know too much!

"Damn!"

Itsuki certainly didn't want to think like that!

At this point, Itsuki could only hope that Mei Terumi had reached her thirties.

Because no matter how she looked, Mei definitely didn't seem to be over 30.

If she was in her thirties, her power should be nearing its peak.

Even facing Obito, with her two Kekkei Genkai, Mei wouldn't be too far behind in strength.

Plus, as the Mizukage, she had her own loyal team.

"I'll go check things out!"

Itsuki left a message for Itachi and then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave.

He had learned Flying Thunder God too late, so he hadn't had the chance to mark Mei Terumi. Otherwise, he could've just teleported directly to her side from the outskirts of the Hidden Mist Village.

Now...

Itsuki looked at the village shrouded in mist and furrowed his brows slightly.

What now?

"Mei, don't blame me!"

Itsuki sighed and said, "Everything I do is for the Hidden Mist!"

...

"Boom!!!"

A loud explosion rang out.

It was just before dawn, and most people hadn't gotten out of bed yet, but this loud bang startled them all awake.

Over 90% of the ninja quickly grabbed their weapons, assuming attack or defensive stances.

Seeing this, Itsuki felt a deep pang of sorrow.

Hidden Mist ninjas, what have you been through?

Don't worry!

Daddy's here to save you!

Itsuki was an excellent sensory ninja. He closed his eyes, sensing quietly for a while before detecting several strong chakra presences.

Of course!

Among them, there were also a few extremely unstable chakras.

Several of them were identical.

This pointed to one conclusion.

These individuals were the same person using water clones.

One name echoed in Itsuki's mind: Genshi!

A true old fox, the type who thinks a hundred steps ahead with every move.

He was the highest-ranking elder in the Hidden Mist, equal in status to the Mizukage, handling all the village's affairs.

Including Mei Terumi, the Fifth Mizukage, Genshi had lived through the reigns of five Mizukages.

That's right!

Five Mizukages!

This old guy was over ninety years old. He had been active since the founding of the village by the First Mizukage. He was truly one of the immortal figures of the ninja world.

Even Chiyo would have to call him a youngster in comparison.

His influence was everywhere around the Second Mizukage.

Of course, that Mizukage had nearly driven Genshi mad.

He had trained him to lead the Hidden Mist to greatness.

But who could have guessed? The Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hozuki, was so battle-hungry that he ended up in a mutual death match with the Second Tsuchikage!

Damn it!

Genshi had almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

After working so hard to groom him, was he really just going to kill himself?

For a long time, Genshi fell into despair.

During that time, Madara Uchiha swooped in and manipulated the Third Mizukage.

By the time Genshi realized something was wrong, it was too late.

He had tried to investigate several times but had achieved nothing and lost many of his subordinates in the process.

With no other option, he went underground.

Then came the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi!

He was also a manipulated Mizukage.

Fortunately, an unexpected event occurred midway, causing problems for the Fourth Mizukage and, seemingly, for the one behind it all too.

Seizing the chance, Genshi pushed Mei Terumi into the position of Fifth Mizukage!

But!

Recently, Genshi noticed something was off again.

There was a certain... smell in the air.

It was very similar to that person from back then.

...He's back!

The thought made Genshi both furious and terrified. He repeatedly warned Mei Terumi to be careful while constantly sending people out to investigate.

He himself also used water clones to explore the outside world.

But the results were not promising.

"Damn it, where are you hiding?"

Genshi muttered to himself.

"Yeah, that guy is hiding pretty deep!"

A frustrated voice sounded from right behind him.

Genshi's body froze. He slowly turned his head.

What met his gaze was a smiling face.

Upon seeing that face, Genshi stiffened even more.

Gritting his teeth, he growled, "Uchiha... Itsuki?"

"That's me!"

Itsuki smiled warmly and said, "Elder Genshi, you were hard to find. This is our second meeting, right? You were so impolite last time. How could you use a water clone to meet me?"

(End of chapter)