Just as Sasuke was about to depart, Shimura Danzo's words caused him to come to a halt once more.
"Sasuke, do you really believe Haruno Sakura is a good person?"
Upon hearing this, the boy stopped in his tracks and glanced back at the man who called himself the leader of the village's underground "Foundation."
"Deeply influenced by Hiruzen's teachings, Haruno Sakura has inherited all of his ambitions."
"Though she is your teammate, I regret to inform you that everything she has done was with an ulterior motive."
"She was already an ANBU Captain at the age of twelve. Why would she lower herself to join a squad with you and Naruto?"
"Have you never stopped to consider the reason behind that?"
The night wind tugged at the hem of the boy's clothes. Sasuke stood silently in place, motionless.
Sakura...
Sasuke had indeed pondered the reasons behind it, but in the end, those thoughts had always led nowhere.
Did the man before him know the answer?
Shimura Danzo, of course, knew.
It was to handle the Chunin Exams. That old fool Hiruzen had shamelessly shoved Haruno Sakura into a Genin team specifically to suppress the Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone villages.
But he couldn't say that.
"Uzumaki Naruto's true identity is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—the host of the most powerful Tailed Beast."
"And you, the last survivor of the Uchiha, are the perfect pawn to keep Uchiha Itachi in check."
"As long as she controls the two of you, Haruno Sakura's path to becoming Hokage is guaranteed."
"The title of Hokage will continue to be inherited through Sarutobi's lineage."
"Let me think... according to Hiruzen's logic, who would become Hokage after Haruno Sakura? Perhaps Sarutobi Konohamaru?"
"From the very beginning, Haruno Sakura approached you with other goals in mind."
"She is the successor to Hiruzen's ambitions, a fuse for a Great Shinobi World War. Since she was a child, she has harbored unbelievable ambition."
As he listened to Shimura Danzo's words, Sasuke's mind couldn't help but drift back to that day in the Land of Frost.
He had been severely wounded by Darui of the Hidden Cloud.
It was Sakura who had carried him on her back the entire way, using her words and Medical Jutsu to keep him alive.
If all of that was part of Sakura's "ambition"...
Then what would it matter if he gave his life to her?
His only regret would be failing to kill Uchiha Itachi with his own hands.
"Sasuke, you must understand, Haruno—"
A cold light flashed, and lightning roared!
The scarlet eyes in the boy's sockets spun rapidly.
A thick killing intent erupted from his body as his lightning-coated blade was once again pressed against Shimura Danzo's neck!
"From the very beginning..."
"You've done nothing but speak ill of Sakura."
"Don't you know... I've been putting up with you for a long time now!"
Shimura Danzo looked at the boy before him in silence, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Even so, you still choose to defend Haruno Sakura?"
Sasuke's answer was an unhesitating, "Yes!"
"It seems Hiruzen has succeeded."
"Pretend I was never here tonight..."
Shimura Danzo shook his head helplessly. Without a glance at the blade at his throat, he turned and walked away.
Damn it!
What kind of spell did that brat cast on this boy?!
Even a speech as brilliant as mine couldn't move him. Even when he accepted the possibility that the pink-haired girl had ulterior motives, he still defended her wholeheartedly?!
This cursed "love-brain"!
The plan to use this boy to control Uchiha Itachi has failed. I need a new plan.
The seat of Hokage must belong to me!
Only I can lead Konoha back to the era of the First Hokage, when the village stood at the pinnacle of the world!
Sasuke watched the man leave with a cold gaze before sheathing his sword.
Had the man not claimed to be the village's underground "Foundation," Sasuke would have already apprehended him.
"Bravo!"
Hikari, who had appeared out of nowhere at some point, sat on a nearby rock and clapped in praise.
She hadn't left at all; she had heard everything from start to finish.
"You didn't leave?"
Sasuke glanced at Hikari and spoke with a hint of annoyance.
"If I had left, wouldn't I have missed such a great show?"
Hikari tilted her head, acting as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Sasuke remained silent at her words and simply began walking back the way he came.
"Hey, what are you going to do next?"
Hikari caught up to him, asking curiously.
While none of this truly concerned her, these were the paths Sasuke had to walk.
"I'll find Sakura and ask her everything," Sasuke replied calmly.
"Sakura, Sakura, Sakura! Is she the only thing you know?!"
"How boring!"
"Can't you use your own brain for once?!"
Hikari gritted her teeth as she looked at Sasuke, who only seemed to think about asking Sakura.
What's so good about that pink-haired girl!
This "evil Uchiha" brat has to ask her about every little thing!
"Uh..."
Sasuke looked at the frustrated Hikari, feeling a bit bewildered.
What's wrong with her?
The problem is, asking Sakura really is the fastest way to get answers, isn't it?
If there's an easier way to get the truth, why go through the trouble of figuring it out yourself?
If he didn't ask Sakura, who else was he supposed to ask?
Sasuke stopped in his tracks, lost in thought.
Hikari's words were a bit unreasonable, but she had a point.
Was he relying too much on Sakura?
If he went to Sakura for every little thing, wouldn't he look like a brainless brute?
Sasuke rubbed his chin, feeling conflicted.
Maybe... I'll go ask Kakashi tomorrow?
If Kakashi didn't know anything, then he would go to Sakura.
Besides, it had been quite a while since he had seen Kakashi.
He wondered what Kakashi had been up to lately...
"Hey!"
"Hurry up and move!"
Walking ahead, Hikari looked back at the dazed Sasuke with annoyance.
"Oh, coming..."
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