Chapter 86: The People Who Knew the Truth - Part One

"Hmm?"

"Lord First Hokage! I genuinely didn't know about these events. If I had known that Danzo was targeting the Senju and Uchiha clans, how could I have stood by and done nothing?" Hiruzen Sarutobi declared, his tone resolute and face earnest.

"Danzo's character is well known to everyone now. Throughout his life, he always wanted to overthrow me and become Hokage. I forgave him for the sake of our childhood friendship, hoping he would change, but who could have imagined he would only become more audacious in secret…"

"This… perhaps it was my negligence. I accept this blame, but I refuse to be equated with Danzo!" Hiruzen's words rang out firmly, his expression transparent.

"The Senju clan has always been a threat to Danzo. He feared that if I retired, an outstanding ninja from the Senju clan would become his rival…"

"So, he indirectly eliminated many Senju clansmen through the research of Hashirama cells and the previous two wars. The only remaining Senju, Tsunade, was spared because she had no interest in becoming Hokage and was my disciple…"

"As for the Uchiha clan, eight years ago, when the Nine-Tails rampaged, Danzo believed it was the work of the Uchiha's Sharingan, though no evidence was found afterward…"

"I thought the matter would end there, but I never imagined Danzo would secretly conspire with Uchiha Itachi to massacre the Uchiha clan!"

"When the truth came out, Danzo claimed it was for the sake of Konoha, but I knew he was just trying to amass power to challenge me!"

"Danzo not only transplanted multiple Sharingan into his own body but also implanted Lord Hashirama's cells. These are all his crimes!"

"If I had known about these actions in advance, I would never have allowed him to proceed! Lord First, Lord Second, please believe me…"

Seeing Hiruzen's steadfast expression, Hashirama Senju pondered for a moment before asking, "You truly didn't know about any of this?"

"Of course! You both know my character. As the Hokage of Konoha, how could I harm the villagers?"

"Hmm…" Hashirama nodded. "It seems you truly were unaware. I wrongly accused you, Hiruzen."

"No, Lord First. Ultimately, the blame lies with me…" Hiruzen sighed deeply, finally relaxing his grip on his Hokage hat.

He thought the matter had been settled.

At worst, he would be accused of negligence, and even then, it was unintentional. This shouldn't affect his position significantly.

But Natsuhane wasn't about to let him off so easily.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ruin Hiruzen Sarutobi's reputation, and he intended to seize it.

Natsuhane slowly walked to the window, opened it, and waved his hand.

"Natsuhane, what are you doing? This is my office, and I won't tolerate your impudence!" Hiruzen Sarutobi was furious.

The cunning old man had already deduced that his current predicament, being questioned by the long-dead Hokages, was due to Natsuhane's scheming to seek justice for the Uchiha clan.

He had planned to eliminate all threats today, but instead, he had unwittingly resurrected two more formidable ancestors.

If the two legendary Hokages weren't here, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have already taken action. He struggled to suppress his murderous intent.

"Close the window immediately! This is my office!"

"Hehehe, just a moment. The person I'm waiting for will arrive soon. You know him as well…"

As he spoke, the sound of crows cawing came from outside the window.

"Caw~ Caw~"

A black crow flew into the room and transformed into the figure of Uchiha Itachi.

"Itachi!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was shocked to see Itachi. He never expected Natsuhane to still be in contact with Itachi.

"Oh? Another Uchiha?" Tobirama Senju squinted his eyes. "This seems… not to be his true body."

"Hmm," Hashirama Senju agreed. "This special crow is a unique medium of the Uchiha clan, mastered only by the most gifted among them. I saw it once in my youth, used by a Uchiha clansman, but only that one time."

Uchiha Itachi, seeing the distinguished figures present, was momentarily stunned before quietly asking, "Natsuhane, what is the meaning of this?"

Itachi's crow had been stationed in the village as a means for Natsuhane and Itachi to communicate. Whenever Natsuhane summoned, the crow would fly to him.

Initially, Itachi had wanted to implant the crow inside Natsuhane for more convenient communication, but Natsuhane had vehemently refused.

"In the presence of the previous Hokages, reveal the truth, Itachi…"

"The truth of the massacre two years ago…"

Hearing Natsuhane's words, Itachi glanced around, noting Hiruzen Sarutobi's stern gaze, then turned back to Natsuhane, questioning, "Are you serious?"

Natsuhane nodded. "Yes… Don't worry. Speak freely. Sasuke will be safe. Trust me, everything I do is for your brother's future. You don't need to hold back."

Uchiha Itachi's eyes narrowed. After a moment's thought, he said, "In that case, let me show you directly. Everyone, I will use a genjutsu. Please do not dispel it with chakra. I mean no harm."

As soon as he finished speaking, Itachi's eyes turned crimson.

In an instant, everyone was drawn into Itachi's genjutsu world.

Within the illusion, scenes of Hiruzen Sarutobi's secret meetings with Uchiha Itachi, Itachi's undercover role, his alliance with the masked man to massacre the Uchiha clan, and the root and ANBU's involvement were revealed in detail.

The truth of Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions was laid bare.

Although it seemed like a long time had passed in the genjutsu, only a few seconds had elapsed in the real world.

As their consciousness returned to reality, everyone was stunned by what they had witnessed. They couldn't believe that the person Hiruzen Sarutobi had blamed for collaborating with Uchiha Itachi was actually himself!

Hiruzen Sarutobi was genuinely panicking now.

"Don't believe what you saw! It's all fabricated by Itachi!"

"Itachi! Why would you do this to me?"

Jiraiya was also at a loss, the experience too vivid and too convincing to dismiss. Combined with everything else, it all made perfect sense.

"Sensei, is it true? Are you the one orchestrating all of this from the shadows?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi barked angrily, "No, it's all lies, Jiraiya! How could you not believe me?"

"Natsuhane, enough with your baseless accusations!" Natsuhane was fed up with Hiruzen's deceit and prepared to play his final card.

"Let's go to the cemetery. Once we summon Danzo, everything will be revealed…"

"!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was horrified, suddenly remembering the existence of the Impure World Reincarnation.

This is bad…

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a deep sense of dread.

Natsuhane turned to the shocked Hashirama and Tobirama, urging, "Let's go, my lords."

"Wait!"

Tobirama raised his hand, his expression grave. He glanced at his brother, Hashirama, who returned the same serious look.

"Did you notice in the genjutsu?" Tobirama asked. "The masked man claimed to be Uchiha Madara!"

"Madara… is still alive???"

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