The number of participants, each participant's name, the route of action, the prepared armaments, including how to use the Jinchuriki, control the Tailed Beast to cause riots, and finally how the beheading action will proceed, and how to handle post-war matters, all have been thoroughly planned by those orchestrating the Uchiha Clan's coup d'état.
Those shocking preparations were now handed over by Itachi to the upper echelon, including the Hokage and the other three.
Holding the information collected by Itachi, they felt the contents were extremely glaring.
"It seems there's no way to tolerate them any longer. If they intend to seize power through a coup, we can only treat them as rebels and eliminate them."
The one speaking was Utatane Koharu.
"Koharu, don't be impulsive; there's still a chance for reconciliation... don't make a premature decision."
Hiruzen organizing the emotional Utatane Koharu.
"Hiruzen, don't hesitate any longer; the situation with the Uchiha Clan is beyond control. For the sake of the villagers in the village, we must take the initiative and end the turmoil early."
"Don't say such things in front of Itachi, he's still just a child."
Hiruzen rebuked Utatane Koharu.
Utatane Koharu let out a slight grunt of dissatisfaction, but ultimately the initiative was in the hands of the Hokage.
Itachi half knelt in front of the four, head lowered, wearing a fox mask on his face, with unknown thoughts swirling inside.
"We cannot easily wage civil war with the Uchiha Clan, there must be other ways to stop it."
Hiruzen still held firmly to his conservative strategy.
"Then unite Anbu and Root temporarily, and before the Uchiha Clan explodes, stop them, conduct a raid, and it can be done effortlessly to take down the Uchiha."
The crux of the matter lay in whether Itachi was willing to act as their guide.
Danzo's statement made Hiruzen frown.
"The Uchiha Clan is also part of the village, they should not be judged by force. Let me think again, there's got to be a way."
In Hiruzen's hesitation, the meeting about the Uchiha ended in discord once more.
◎
Root Headquarters.
Itachi arrived here, standing in front of the man in the dark ninja garb.
Beside him were two Root Jonin, if at this moment, he took action, he could quickly kill those two Jonin, then swiftly strike at Danzo, with a high probability of successfully assassinating him.
But reason told Itachi, he couldn't do that.
After killing Danzo, there was no way he could leave the Root Base alive.
Here, Root Ninjas were innumerable, he alone could not be a match for them, only to be besieged and killed.
Moreover, at that time, he would be labeled a renegade ninja, guilty of attacking the top brass, unforgivable.
"Hiruzen is a hypocritical man, he keeps saying he wants to consult with the Uchiha, but not once has he actually consulted with the Uchiha Clan. So, don't believe what he says, at the critical moment, the first to strike at the Uchiha will absolutely be him."
Danzo said to Itachi, his tone flat.
"Is that your reason for attacking Shisui?"
Itachi asked unwillingly. He still couldn't let go of Shisui's death.
"So you know? But killing Shisui was not my intention, it was his existence that would cause the village's balance to be lost. In other words, for the village's peace, he had to be sacrificed. But even in death, the power he left behind will become the cornerstone for Konoha's strength, protecting Konoha."
"Shameless reasoning."
Danzo slightly curled the corner of his mouth.
"But everything I do is for the good of Konoha. Because the Uchiha Clan's current state is the result of Hiruzen's indulgence, and so is Shisui. He is not fit to be the Hokage, only I am worthy of holding the position of Hokage."
After hearing these words, Itachi felt that compared to the Third Hokage, Danzo's existence truly resembled a twisted maggot, ugly and dark.
If he hadn't been obstructing all along, the negotiations between the Hokage and the Uchiha Clan should have reached an agreement long ago, and things wouldn't have escalated to this point.
"So, the only choice left is to eradicate the Uchiha Clan."
Danzo's expression turned cold.
Itachi's body tensed up, though he had anticipated it, hearing this order still brought a sense of sadness.
The Uchiha Clan, with a history stretching thousands of years, was to be annihilated here; no matter how you looked at it, it was tragic.
The Senju Clan, at least passed on their will.
And the Uchiha Clan...
Itachi's heart was suddenly filled with a dark thought to destroy everything.
At this moment, Danzo's face once again showed a cunning smile.
"However, your brother Sasuke seems to be unaware of the coup d'état. If you can carry out this mission, your brother will live because of your choice."
Given a dead end, yet also given a path that barely resembles survival.
But it was like the last straw for a drowning man, clinging to for dear life.
Itachi gazed at Danzo with blood-red eyes, expressing his anger.
"Calm down. Think carefully, isn't this the ideal you've always pursued? Just think, if the Uchiha Clan's coup succeeds, Konoha would suffer greatly, is that the scenario you wish to see?"
Danzo asked loudly.
Itachi's head buzzed and trembled.
Yes, if the Uchiha coup succeeded, the tragedy of war in the Ninja Realm would continue to play out.
If he gave up his ideal, then what would all the efforts he made up to now mean?
Wouldn't that be utterly ridiculous?
"Sacrifice a clan to save the village, now is the time for you, in pursuit of your own ideal, to make a choice."