Chapter 70

Fugaku: "It might be unsafe for Itachi to be in the Anbu lately; Itachi should stay away from the Anbu for the time being!"

Itachi immediately frowned, "Father, if I don't go, the Hokage and Danzo will certainly become suspicious."

"Besides, I can gather more intelligence while I'm there."

Fugaku hesitated upon hearing this, but seeing the stubborn look in Itachi's eyes, he ultimately agreed.

He patted Itachi on the shoulder, "Itachi, be careful. I'll have to rely on Itachi for intelligence on the Konoha upper echelons."

Itachi lowered his head, "It is nothing."

……

After leaving the Uchiha clan grounds.

As a guard for the Hokage, Itachi immediately entered the Hokage Building to meet alone with the Third Hokage, who was in a meeting with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.

Although he knew the situation was already spiraling out of control, he still wanted to gauge the Third Hokage's attitude to see if there was any room for maneuver.

"Lord Hokage, the Uchiha clan..."

Itachi knelt on one knee and respectfully reported all the intelligence, then waited in silence.

The Third Hokage, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado exchanged glances, their expressions extremely grave.

"Shi Yuan can actually allow the Uchiha to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan? What a monster!"

Although they were deeply shocked by this fact.

They were even more concerned about the Uchiha's movements—they were actually planning to awaken more Mangekyo...

And Uchiha Fugaku had already awakened the Mangekyo!

"Lord Hokage, what do Itachi intend to do?"

Itachi asked in a low voice.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado signaled the Third Hokage with their eyes.

The Third Hokage gazed at Itachi with deep, inscrutable eyes, sighing inwardly.

At such a critical moment, with such a complex situation, he dared not trust Itachi easily.

"Rest assured, as long as Konoha's strength continues to grow, the Uchiha will not dare to act recklessly."

"Return to the Uchiha clan for now and continue to collect intelligence on them."

Itachi's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this.

He knew the Third Hokage no longer trusted him.

But he said nothing, respectfully withdrew, and stood at the entrance of the Hokage Building, looking back with a complex expression.

"It seems this battle is unavoidable."

……

The Hyuga clan.

After returning to the clan, Hiashi Hyuga immediately convened a clan meeting to explain the situation to the elders of the main branch.

However, a fierce argument broke out during the meeting.

For the most conservative main branch of the Hyuga, they would never allow the clan's secret techniques to be leaked.

They even scoffed at the idea of the improved secret techniques Hiashi Hyuga mentioned.

Hiashi Hyuga was furious, but he had no choice but to accept the clan's decision.

"Itachi will regret this!"

……

The Nara clan.

The clan meeting convened by Shikaku was much calmer.

Their clan was mostly composed of intelligent people; after hearing Shikaku's words, they understood that Shi Yuan was the trend of the times.

"Judging by Uchiha Fugaku's performance, he likely contacted Shi Yuan before us, and was very likely beaten into submission!"

Shikaku analyzed calmly.

However, some were still hesitant about handing over the clan's secret techniques.

"The Uchiha clan's situation is different from ours; they are already being pushed to the brink."

"But we are not in such a rush. Besides, we don't know what Shi Yuan's conditions are yet, so let's wait a bit longer."

Shikaku frowned upon hearing this.

"Shi Yuan is a smart man; perhaps only the first clan to strike a deal with him will be valued."

"If we aren't the first, even if we hand over our secret techniques, the conditions likely won't be as good."

"I'm afraid that while we are still hesitating, someone else is already preparing to do it."

At this, the elder who had just spoken began to hesitate again, "Clan leader, Itachi make the decision."

……

Early the next morning.

Shi Yuan looked at the figures appearing before him with some surprise.

Kurenai Yuhi, and his senior sister, Anko Mitarashi, who was also a disciple of Orochimaru!

"Itachi are Orochimaru's disciple?"

Anko looked at Shi Yuan with a very complex expression.

She was the only disciple Orochimaru had taken in, and she worshipped him immensely.

Even after Orochimaru defected from Konoha, this yearning remained in her heart; she even resented Orochimaru for not taking her with him and abandoning her.

So, upon learning that Shi Yuan was Orochimaru's disciple, Anko felt a bit jealous.

"Itachi must be Senior Sister Anko."

Shi Yuan raised an eyebrow and smiled.

He had almost no feelings for anyone in this world, with Orochimaru being the only exception.

So, he was quite happy to see Anko.

"I am no longer a disciple of that traitor Orochimaru."

Anko said huffily, glaring at him with her large eyes.

Shi Yuan saw through her insincerity at a glance and couldn't help but find it amusing.

How old was she, still acting like a child.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, "Teacher has improved the Cursed Seal quite a bit recently, and even said he wanted to find an opportunity to perfect it for Itachi."

"Really?"

Anko asked hurriedly, then snapped back to reality and pouted, "Who cares."

"Itachi should be able to see Teacher before long."

Shi Yuan said with a smile.

Anko's expression shifted slightly, showing some worry.

After all, Orochimaru was still a missing-nin of Konoha.

Shi Yuan said no more.

He knew that everyone in Konoha ignored this fact when interacting with him, but it was an unchangeable reality.

However, he knew Orochimaru's strength was currently advancing by leaps and bounds; it probably wouldn't be long before he no longer feared Konoha.

When that time came, Orochimaru would inevitably return to Konoha.

"I wonder what business Itachi have coming to find me?"

Shi Yuan's gaze shifted to Kurenai Yuhi, who was standing to the side with a gentle smile.

"Lord Hokage sent us to invite Mr. Shi Yuan to reside in Konoha, saying this is Konoha's sincerity."

Kurenai Yuhi said hurriedly.

Her gaze fell on Shi Yuan with curiosity and shock.

Especially when thinking of the intelligence the Third Hokage had mentioned, she found it hard to associate it with the handsome and gentle young man before her.

They were not just two people; two squads of Anbu were following behind them.

As Kurenai Yuhi spoke, these people kept their eyes fixed on Shi Yuan, observing him constantly.

Shi Yuan smiled faintly upon hearing this, "Then let's go."