"Yes."
"As for Orochimaru... this organization, Jiraiya has also investigated it. Orochimaru is in this organization that specializes in absorbing S-class renegade ninja, his partner is a Puppet Master whose strength is comparable to Orochimaru. You have to be especially careful in this organization."
"I see. Well then, I'll entrust Sasuke's matter to you."
Itachi didn't expect one of the Sannin, Jiraiya, had already started investigating this organization. It seems that the village isn't entirely without a sense of crisis.
No wonder Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, hasn't returned for so many years, acting outside instead of the Anbu, gathering intelligence for Konoha.
Given this, could it be that Tsunade, another of the Sannin who also chose to remain outside for a long time, is carrying some confidential mission, which is why she hasn't returned to the village?
Thinking this way, Itachi felt that Konoha wasn't entirely without a chance of success.
"Go. The codes and routes to enter the village will remain unchanged. If you want to come back, you can visit Sasuke anytime."
After listening, Itachi didn't say a word and disappeared from behind Hiruzen.
◎
"The Uchiha... just disappeared like that..."
The development of events was too simple.
So simple that it seemed ridiculous to Rika.
No matter how mighty they usually claimed to be, since they dared to stage a coup, their vigilance in Konoha was too low.
Knowing that someone's stance was ambiguous, yet not changing the coup time promptly, was indeed too arrogant.
Did they really think a coup... was such a simple matter?
Rika was certain that the successful coup by Karatachi Yagura of Hidden Mist Village was planned in secret for at least five years, gathering a large number of people in secret. After defeating the Blood Mist Faction, he could seize power in the village without facing the villagers' rejection.
Even if the Uchiha Clan succeeded in taking power in Konoha, with their lack of social connections, they would eventually be overthrown, with no possibility of success in sight.
Lack of preparation, not gathering enough allies, relying solely on force to maintain power, thinking it could suppress everything...
Without realizing, this was the greatest folly and arrogance.
The past Uchiha Clan feared not the formidable force of the God of Ninja, but the political intellect of the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama.
That was the true invisible blade.
A single word from Senju Tobirama could make the Uchiha Clan struggle to move an inch in Konoha.
This is the power of 'people.'
Behind Senju Tobirama stood not only the major Ninja Clans but countless civilians, who were the true source of Senju Tobirama's power.
In winning over the people, the Uchiha had long fallen behind the Senju Clan, which was the fundamental reason for the Uchiha's failure in Konoha's political struggles.
Without the foundation of 'people,' the power maintained was just a momentary brilliance, extinguished in an instant.
And the foundation of 'people' had long been divided among the successors of Senju, becoming the supporters of Senju.
In Konoha, refusing to abandon political struggles with the higher-ups, possessing strong military power, disobedient, and without grassroots support, whether the Uchiha succeed in a coup or not, it all led to a dead end.
This is why the Uchiha Clan must only expand outward.
In the vast forest outside Konoha Village, Rika stopped, turning to look in the direction of Konoha Village.
Shadows flickered out, standing a short distance ahead of Rika.
Leading them were Gozu and Mezu, with their scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan, faces obscured by masks, followed by four Root Ninja, glaring menacingly at Rika with cold eyes.
Rika exhaled softly, glancing at Gozu and Mezu.
"As expected, not only Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui, but there are other informers in the clan as well. And surprisingly, they've joined Danzo's Root."
Uchiha and Root could be said to have irreconcilable grievances.
In Danzo's Root, the appearance of Uchiha Ninja was even more surprising than the appearance of Hyuga Clan Ninja.
"Where did you send those missing children?"
Gozu said coldly.
There were a total of thirty-seven... Just thinking that thirty-seven had escaped Root's assassination made Gozu and Mezu panic.
In ten years, when these Uchiha children grow up, they will undoubtedly become a significant headache for Konoha.
Thirty-seven, even if a quarter awaken the Sharingan in the next ten years, it is already a formidable force.
If the ratio were to reach half or more, it would be even more terrifying.
Rika smiled slightly, saying nothing, looking at Gozu and others as if they were idiots.
"Looks like we'll have to capture and interrogate you."
In the team, there was precisely a Yamanaka Clan ninja. Once they captured Rika, they could uncover all the secrets in his mind.
Whether it was the escape route of those children, the contact person meeting with Rika, or unknown hidden passages in Konoha, they could all be known clearly.
"All together, don't give him time to struggle."
Time was running out.
Gozu and Mezu charged forward first, quickly rushing toward Rika. The four behind them didn't hesitate, advancing together with Gozu and Mezu to subdue Rika.
Rika's smile became twisted, and with a tearing sound, his chest was exposed.
Revealing the innerwear woven with Explosive Tags.
The eyes of Gozu and Mezu immediately shrank, attempting to retreat.
"Traitors, let's go together."
The explosive flash instantly swallowed all the sounds and sights around, as well as life.
A terrifying storm was stirred up, with the trees in the forest center blown into oblivion. The flames surged into the sky, becoming a brilliant and dazzling pillar of fire.
Giant clouds of smoke lingered in the forest.
Over hundreds of meters of ground turned white, leaving only a pile of charred human remains scattered on the ground, with a burnt smell.