"The Akatsuki have already lost four of their members to us. That must have dealt them a serious blow. Now, their focus will be on me and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki," Naruto said.
"I've faced the Akatsuki before. Their strength is manageable; they don't pose a real threat to me. But the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki… Jiraiya, you said he's a perfect Jinchūriki, right? Surely he's not weak," Naruto added, glancing at Jiraiya.
"Even so, we must remain vigilant. Don't forget, the Akatsuki still has someone with the Rinnegan," Jiraiya reminded, a note of concern in his voice.
The Akatsuki… were they really founded by Nagato? Why is it that someone named Pain possesses the Rinnegan?
And what about that wild Uchiha with the Mangekyō Sharingan? How did he become the true mastermind behind the Akatsuki? Could he have killed Nagato and taken his Rinnegan?
The thought made Jiraiya anxious. He was more eager than ever to go to the Hidden Rain Village to learn the truth about Nagato and the others.
"I will convene the Five Kage Summit. We'll unite the five great ninja villages to strike against the Akatsuki!" Tsunade nodded firmly.
After all, the Akatsuki have now attacked the Jinchūriki of multiple villages. They are the enemy of the entire ninja world.
Konoha cannot face the Akatsuki alone.
All the Konoha Jinchūriki remain free, and the intelligence is complete. Tsunade indicated that the others could leave and rest.
But Sasuke did not move.
Everyone's eyes turned to him.
"Is there something else, Sasuke?" Tsunade asked, raising her brow. Her expression remained calm, but a heavy feeling settled in her chest.
"Yes, there is one more thing," Sasuke said, his face darkening. He nodded slightly. "It's something I learned from Itachi's memories."
"There was another mastermind behind the Uchiha clan's annihilation besides the masked man," Sasuke revealed. His three-tomoe Sharingan glinted as a murderous intent shone in his eyes.
Seeing Sasuke's expression, raw with barely restrained rage, Tsunade's face stiffened. She clasped her hands under her chin and asked, "Who?"
"Danzo Shimura," Sasuke said through gritted teeth.
The name hit Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi, and Guy like a thunderclap.
Naruto narrowed his eyes.
"What did he do behind the scenes?" Tsunade asked, keeping her voice calm but tense.
"Shisui Uchiha! When Shisui activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, Danzo, greedy and afraid of Shisui's eyes, took advantage of a moment when Shisui was off guard and seized one of his eyes. He even sent people to hunt Shisui!"
"He was the one who severed the bridge of peace between the Uchiha clan and the village, driving Itachi to a dead end and pushing the Uchiha to desperation!" Sasuke's chest heaved, his Sharingan burning an intense scarlet. His rage was immense, though he kept it forcibly restrained.
Tsunade and the others exchanged glances. Tsunade could hardly believe what she had heard. "Danzo would really go that far?"
She knew Danzo was the foundation of Konoha, representing the village's darker side, but that didn't mean he could harm his own ninja!
The Root organization exists to protect Konoha's giant tree, not to rot it from the inside out.
"Kakashi, summon the Third Hokage immediately!" Tsunade ordered.
"Yes!" Kakashi understood the gravity of the situation. He wasted no time and went to fetch the Third Hokage.
Soon, the former Hokage, dressed casually, entered the office with Kakashi.
Seeing him now, he looked far healthier than during his tenure. Clearly, life without the burdens of leadership had suited him.
"What's going on? For Kakashi to rush me here, it must be serious," the Third Hokage said, eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at Naruto, Sasuke, and the others. He then turned to Tsunade.
"Wind Barrier!" Naruto whispered, and a gentle breeze immediately enveloped the office, sealing every sound inside.
"This matter concerns Danzo," Tsunade said softly to the Third.
The name caused the former Hokage's expression to freeze.
After hearing the story of how Danzo seized Shisui's eye and harmed him, the Third Hokage's face darkened. Danzo… why have you become like this?
Do you even remember your ideals? The Uchiha were our comrades, and this is how you protected them?
Out of greed and fear of Shisui's eyes, you killed him. Are you still the man I knew?
You have become a stranger to me!
The Third Hokage glanced at Naruto and Sasuke, both of whom were staring at him, waiting for his decision.
Sighing deeply, he understood. These two children respected his judgment. If not, Sasuke's temper would have already made him act.
Sasuke was willing to follow Naruto in everything, and Naruto the same with Sasuke.
"Danzo has committed a grave crime. Killing his own village ninja, even as an elder of Konoha, is unforgivable. There's nothing more to debate!" the Third Hokage said firmly.
Previously, Orochimaru had conducted human experiments on Konoha's ninja and civilians. The Third had personally led a team to stop him.
Though he had been lenient and Orochimaru escaped, he still became a rogue ninja.
Orochimaru was no exception, and Danzo will not be either.
This time, action will not be left to him.
Harming comrades within one's own village is a line the Third Hokage cannot tolerate.
"Do as you see fit. I have no objections," he said.
"But…" His face grew older as he continued, "For the sake of his past contributions to Konoha, grant him a dignified end."
He meant that Danzo should die but not be officially labeled a rogue ninja, allowing him to depart with some honor.
Sasuke lowered his eyes, thinking of Itachi. Why was Itachi branded a rogue? He had sacrificed so much for Konoha too.
"All right," Naruto nodded.
Sasuke looked at him.
"If we expose Danzo's deeds, the truth about the Uchiha clan's attempted coup will come to light," Naruto explained to Sasuke.
"Itachi acted to preserve the Uchiha's reputation. The Uchiha clan remains Konoha's noble family, not a disgraced traitor clan," Naruto continued.
Sasuke understood Naruto's meaning and silently nodded.
Let the darkness remain hidden in the shadows.
Itachi's sacrifice must not be wasted.
"Thank you," the Third Hokage said, bowing slightly to Naruto and Sasuke, grateful for their respect and for their bonds.
He turned to leave, but everyone noticed his back had bent slightly as he walked.
"Leave Danzo to you, Sasuke. But for the Root organization under him, I hope you'll show restraint if they don't resist. After all, they are Konoha's ninja too," Tsunade said gravely.
"I won't strike anyone who isn't blindly loyal to Danzo," Naruto replied calmly.
Sasuke quietly activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. The murderous intent began to radiate outward. He could no longer contain his urge to act.