How could a thirteen-year-old child possibly wipe out the populous Uchiha Clan within the vast confines of Konoha Village?
Even after the Third Ninja Realm War, the number of Jonin in the Uchiha Clan had been greatly reduced, but there were still quite a few remaining within the clan.
No matter how you look at it, such claims are too exaggerated.
"Yes. Now among the Uchiha in Konoha, the only surviving member is Uchiha Sasuke, Itachi Uchiha's younger brother. He personally confirmed that it was Itachi who killed the clan members."
Hakushi nodded seriously.
"Impossible. He couldn't have done it alone."
Ruri firmly believed in her deduction.
She understood well the power of the Sharingan possessed by the Uchiha Clan; it was impossible for Itachi Uchiha to wipe out the entire clan alone, especially under the noses of Konoha.
The surrounding Anbu and Konoha Jonin would not stand idly by, as they would certainly support the Uchiha Clan, even if there was a rift and conflict between them.
"If... Konoha provided an exploitable environment, then the nature of things would be different."
Hakushi spoke with hidden implications.
"What do you mean?"
"Some of Kakashi's guesses. On the night when the Uchiha was destroyed, the Anbu did not operate close to the Uchiha Clan, and the Uchiha clan grounds were unusually quiet, with no notable changes from usual. It was only the next day, when the Anbu went to patrol, that they discovered the abnormality of the Uchiha annihilation."
"Are you saying..."
Ruri's fist suddenly clenched, having also guessed some unsettling things, and her Three-Tomoe Sharingan surfaced with killing intent.
"After all, with such a large family being wiped out, being noticed only the next day seems very suspicious, doesn't it? Of course, these are just speculations; whether the higher-ups in Konoha participated is still unknown."
Without conclusive evidence, Hakushi could not make blind inferences.
No matter how logically the reasoning might fit, without evidence, it remains just a deduction.
And deduction alone cannot pin the cause of the Uchiha Clan's massacre onto the higher-ups of Konoha.
Yet Hakushi found that when aligning the truth of the Uchiha Clan's demise with Konoha's higher-ups, many incomprehensible aspects suddenly seemed less perplexing and rather rational.
This likely wasn't just an illusion on his part.
Ruri exhaled deeply, trying to calm her emotions.
Although she had long detached herself from the Uchiha system within Konoha, ultimately, blood is thicker than water.
She had once envisaged that if one day she confronted Konoha, how she would handle the Uchiha within Konoha...
Now it was clear, the problem that had troubled her for so long no longer existed.
However, the fact that the Uchiha was destroyed by one of their own, this result was something she absolutely couldn't accept.
Too disgraceful.
"I understand. Once things are settled on this side of the Land of Demons, I'll personally visit Konoha."
Ruri said.
"Are you going there to seek the truth?"
Hakushi asked.
If Ruri intended to do so, it would be very difficult.
Even if the Uchiha massacre was related to Konoha's high-ups, they would never admit it; they would only shift all the blame onto Itachi Uchiha.
If Itachi Uchiha had indeed signed some sort of 'contract' with Konoha's high-ups, this development was inevitable.
The development of events at this moment was somewhat beyond Hakushi's expectations.
Thinking of the place where he had lived for many years, now reduced to ashes overnight, evoked a certain sigh.
Ruri glanced at Hakushi and shook her head.
"No, I'm not that idle. I'm going there just to claim the inheritance that belongs to the Uchiha. Even if the Uchiha has fallen, no one else should lay a finger on it."
After speaking, Ruri left swiftly without hesitation.
◎
"Soon, the matter of you wiping out the Uchiha Clan and becoming a Konoha Renegade Ninja will be announced to the entire Ninja Realm by Konoha."
In the shadow of a cold, dark sky, the withered woods took on a murky hue.
Madara, wearing an orange spiral mask, spoke to Itachi thusly.
"This doesn't matter; I've already prepared."
Itachi coldly glanced at Madara.
This man must be vigilant.
"What about Danzo? He might not keep his promise to you."
"If he makes a move on Sasuke, I'll disclose a large amount of Konoha's secrets to enemy countries."
Itachi replied calmly.
Moreover, with the support of the Third Hokage, Danzo wouldn't dare act rashly.
As long as Danzo wishes to maintain control over him, he will ensure Sasuke's safety with all his might.
If Sasuke is lost, then Danzo loses his leverage over him.
In the event something unexpected happens to Sasuke, his stance, to Danzo, would be an unpredictable factor.
That kind of man in the shadows wouldn't be so short-sighted.
"Is that so? I somewhat regret signing a contract with you; Konoha... is quite a big hassle indeed."
Madara remarked.
Itachi narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Madara's Sharingan, estimating the truth behind Madara's words.
"For you, with the Uchiha gone from Konoha, it shouldn't pose much of a concern."
"No, isn't there your brother? His talent might even surpass yours. If controlled by Konoha, he could potentially become a major threat to our organization in the future."
Madara spoke as if not feigning.
"You're overthinking."
"The future is uncertain for anyone, but as you said, perhaps I am overthinking. I've been surviving in the shadows for so many years, I must become cautious. In dealing with Uchiha Ruri, I've already slipped up many times."