"Ah?"
The Chunin examiner was startled by Uchiha Sasuke's politeness.
No...
What is going on?
Why is he thanking me?
"..."
Uchiha Sasuke extended his palm, gently touching his eye socket, his gaze slowly sweeping over the present ninjas.
Every ninja caught by Uchiha Sasuke's gaze instinctively wanted to avoid it, their eyes filled with a mixture of fear and unease.
This kind of gaze...
This fearful gaze...
It's not because of me, it's because of my surname!
My surname is Uchiha!
Most of the Konoha ninjas fear the Uchiha!
Uchiha Sasuke quickly understood everything. The reason Akihara Kagura managed to gain the trust of Konoha's leaders is because his exposed power stemmed from the First Hokage's Wood Release Bloodline, yet he never used the Uchiha clan's Sharingan!
Moreover...
Akihara Kagura's Sharingan is not low, even of a higher level than his, yet before his true identity was exposed, he had never used the Sharingan in Konoha's public setting...
Part of it is because Akihara Kagura's power is already sufficient, another part is because Akihara Kagura always knew Konoha's attitude towards the Uchiha. It's impossible that he hadn't considered this!
The Uchiha bloodline...
In the eyes of Konoha's leaders, it's original sin!
When Uchiha Sasuke thought of this, his gaze turned somewhat cold, his heart completely frozen like a block of ice. He knew he couldn't gain Konoha's leaders' trust like Akihara Kagura, so he had to use some other means...
After all...
Leaving Konoha is impossible.
Leave a place just because you're uncomfortable? Konoha still has his companions Naruto Uzumaki and Kakashi-sensei! Uchiha Sasuke instinctively recalled what Akihara Kagura had done. If an environment is uncomfortable, then make the environment comfortable for yourself!
If these Konoha leaders don't trust me...
In the future, just replace them with a new batch of Konoha leaders, right?
The example of Akihara Kagura, skilled in political struggles, is right there. He manipulated political warfare to eliminate all of Konoha's top leadership, first taking out the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzo, then inciting political struggle between Root and the Hokage, effectively forcing the two Hokage advisors to step down, thus making the Fifth Hokage a puppet to control Konoha...
However...
The situation in the world isn't quite the same...
When Akihara Kagura dealt with the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzo, he was already the leader of Root himself. Before dealing with the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzo, I must first become the leader of Root. This task is a bit challenging.
As Kabuto said...
Shimura Danzo wouldn't hand over the position of Root leader; even killing Danzo is to no avail; controlling him with Genjutsu can't earn the recognition of others in Konoha...
My today's performance will definitely attract Shimura Danzo's recruitment. However, how to usurp Danzo's position after joining Root still requires careful thought...
"!!!"
Uchiha Sasuke suddenly thought of a possibility.
Wait...
It seems there is a way...
Back then, Akihara Kagura created a batch of rumors in Konoha, claiming that his brother, Uchiha Itachi, and he were always competing for the future leader of Root, leading many in the village to believe that Shimura Danzo was planning to relinquish power and retire...
Indeed...
One can always find a way from that guy!
Akihara Kagura's existence is a treasure trove; there are so many things on him worth learning!
"Sasuke, thank you just now..."
Just as Uchiha Sasuke was contemplating how to delve deeper into learning from Akihara Kagura, Karin's voice interrupted Uchiha Sasuke's thoughts.
Karin looked up at Uchiha Sasuke, her face slightly flushed with shyness: "But, if you killed him, I might not be able to return to Kusagakure..."
"Settle down in Konoha for now..."
Uchiha Sasuke wasn't short on funds; he had just robbed the wealthy merchant Caddo from the Land of Waves not long ago, more than enough to help Karin prepare a house. As for the procedures for Karin to enter the village, let Kabuto handle them.
"After the Konoha matters are settled..."
"I will take you back to Kusagakure."
Uchiha Sasuke recalled the scenarios he had seen in a Kusagakure ninja's memory, gently comforting Karin, whose face showed fear: "However, when I take you back, I'll bring them death and pain..."
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Wishing everyone a Happy New Year (blessings for free)!