Chapter 47: Uchiha Itachi: No One Understands the Hokage Better Than I Do!
"Why the sudden urge to leave Konoha?"
Byakuya looked somewhat puzzled.
Because of his influence, Orochimaru had never successfully placed the curse mark on Sasuke.
Sasuke hadn't had much contact with Orochimaru either.
So…
There shouldn't be any reason for him to leave the village.
"I want to get stronger—fast!"
Sasuke pressed his lips together, his face full of determination.
"That's why I want to go search for White Zetsu!"
"…"
Byakuya was instantly rendered speechless.
He'd just thrown out some random nonsense back then, and this second pillar actually took it seriously!
No choice but to admit…
This really was someone completely blinded by hatred!
"Do you think you can even find him?"
"If I don't look, how will I know I can't?"
Sasuke stared straight at Byakuya, still utterly resolute.
The reason he'd made such an unreliable decision…
was mainly because, after Kakashi left earlier today, he'd gone alone to the clan shrine.
He stood there for a long time, thinking about many things.
And inevitably, his thoughts drifted back to the man who had massacred his entire clan.
Right now, his mind was filled with nothing but hatred.
"Besides, I feel like I'll have much greater room for growth outside the village."
"Then let me tell you something."
Byakuya shook his head. "You're overthinking it.
We're in a time of peace.
The outside world isn't actually that dangerous.
Trying to raise your strength this way is really unreliable.
Not to mention, it's extremely risky.
Don't forget—you're an Uchiha.
How many people out there have their eyes on your Sharingan?!"
Byakuya's fundamental goal was to earn plot points.
While letting major characters die could grant huge amounts of plot points…
it would also cause massive changes to the storyline.
Which in turn would eliminate many future opportunities to gain plot points.
So…
He absolutely wasn't going to just sit back and watch Sasuke walk out of the village like this.
"I know you're desperate for power.
So…
I can point you toward a better path."
"What path?"
Sasuke's eyes immediately lit up.
"Train the way Lee does, and take on missions constantly.
Meanwhile, I'll keep teaching you new techniques that suit you perfectly.
I can guarantee your strength will skyrocket!"
"Deal!"
Sasuke thought it over for a moment, then gave a firm nod.
Watching Sasuke being successfully steered back onto the right path, Byakuya finally broke into a grin.
"I really didn't expect…
that casual bluff I tossed out back then would end up having such a huge effect.
Heh~"
...
However, what Byakuya didn't know…
was that the White Zetsu issue itself wasn't the real problem.
The organization's stated purpose—the one he had casually mentioned to Izumi—
had actually created some unimaginable, massive consequences.
...
"So the Black-Robed Organization's goal… is something like this…"
In a certain hidden corner,
Black Zetsu spoke slowly. "This really is unexpected…"
"Yeah…"
White Zetsu chimed in. "We are both angels and demons, for we shall reverse the torrent of fate, resurrect the dead, and overturn destiny!
Resurrecting the dead, overturning fate…
It's really hard to imagine…"
"According to the intelligence we've gathered,
Uchiha Izumi—who had already died—has been revived.
Uzumaki Kushina—who had also died—is alive again too."
Black Zetsu's tone was extremely grave. "From this, it's clear.
Bringing ordinary people back to life is child's play for them.
And they can even directly cultivate super Kage-level shinobi.
Therefore…
the strength of the Black-Robed Organization is utterly terrifying.
The people they want to revive… must also be terrifying.
Who could it be?"
Black Zetsu's eyes flickered.
There was one secret.
Known only to him.
And that was…
he was not a manifestation of Uchiha Madara's will, but a product of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's will!
His true purpose was not to revive Uchiha Madara and have him cast Infinite Tsukuyomi.
His true purpose was to resurrect Ōtsutsuki Kaguya!
"Could it be…
that the Black-Robed Organization's goal is to revive Mother?"
The moment Black Zetsu thought of this, he couldn't help feeling a surge of excitement.
"It's a pity… I can't contact them right now.
At the same time, I can't be sure whether these people actually intend to revive Mother.
If they don't…
any secret approach on my part might expose me.
So…
for now, I'll just watch and wait…"
...
Meanwhile.
In Konoha Village.
In order to conceal the existence of the Black-Robed Organization from the people and prevent panic and unrest if such a mysterious group were exposed,
Sarutobi Hiruzen had decided to seal away news of his recovery.
At the same time, he would hold his own funeral, then step back into the shadows.
"Reviving the dead, extending life…
both are things that inspire terror and longing in equal measure…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen gazed out the window and let out a long sigh.
"We are both angels and demons, for we shall reverse the torrent of fate, resurrect the dead, and overturn destiny…
Just what exactly does this organization want?"
"A Hokage holding his own funeral… I'm probably the first one in history, huh?"
Thinking of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a self-deprecating chuckle.
...
Before noon,
the news of Sarutobi Hiruzen's death was officially announced.
The villagers of Konoha weren't particularly surprised by the announcement.
Even Uchiha Itachi—who hadn't ventured far from the village—felt no surprise.
"Itachi.
You're saying the Third Hokage isn't dead!?"
Kisame stared blankly at Itachi.
They had just received intelligence not long ago.
Saying the Third had been given more life by the Black-Robed Organization.
And then the very next moment, Konoha issued an obituary.
This made Kisame doubt the reliability of the information.
But Itachi felt no doubt about the intel.
Nor any surprise.
"But they've already started preparing for the funeral!"
"They want to hide the existence of the Black-Robed Organization."
Itachi slowly stood up.
He felt that no one understood the Hokage better than he did.
Everything a Hokage did was for the stability of the village.
No matter who had to be sacrificed, the village's peace must be protected!
The village's stability must be maintained!
"Let's go. We're leaving."
"Not chasing Uzumaki Naruto anymore?"
"He has Jiraiya and Kushina protecting him.
We have no chance."
Itachi shook his head.
"If it were only Jiraiya, we could manage.
We could exploit his weakness for women and lure him away.
But…
Kushina is with him too.
In that case…
even if the woman falls under genjutsu, Jiraiya still wouldn't leave her side.
The Uzumaki clan's sensory abilities are troublesome.
Jiraiya specializes in offense, Kushina in sealing.
If we went, we probably wouldn't make it back.
Besides…
whether Naruto is the Nine-Tails jinchūriki is basically confirmed now.
With Kushina by his side,
he has to be the Fourth's son—and the Nine-Tails jinchūriki!"
Itachi gazed into the distance.
At this moment,
he was thinking about one thing.
"How exactly… can I make Sasuke kill me without getting my blood on his hands?
This is giving me a headache…"