Chapter 145: The Convergence of the Red and White Torrent

The words of Itachi Uchiha exploded in the hearts of the Uchiha Clan ninjas like a bolt from the blue!

That's right, the Third Hokage is a Hokage, but does that mean the Fifth Hokage, Orochimaru, who is taking office, isn't a Hokage?

Orochimaru serving as the Fifth Hokage and Minato Namikaze serving as the Fourth Hokage are two completely different matters.

Orochimaru has his old subordinates, his confidants, his students, the support of many commoner ninjas, and the support of many ninja clans.

Even the power base of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, aside from the Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado clans, is actually also Orochimaru's power base.

As long as the Fifth Hokage, Orochimaru, is willing, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, will be rendered a figurehead!

Furthermore, Orochimaru's disciple, Yamanaka Chujiu, has a close relationship with Itachi Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha, and they have privately formed a small group called the "Rising Sun" organization.

Doesn't this mean that we Uchiha are members of Lord Orochimaru's camp?

What is there to hesitate about?

The Uchiha ninjas became excited, and all eyes turned toward their clan head.

Uchiha Fugaku remained indecisive.

Even though he was so anxious that his forehead was covered in sweat, he simply could not make a decision.

"Clan Head! Say something!"

"Clan Head!!"

Uchiha Fugaku was pushed to the edge and stammered, "But, but the Third Hokage's prohibition..."

"Father!"

Itachi Uchiha roared, "Father—!"

"Did you not hear what I said?"

"After stumbling over Shimura Danzo's prohibition, are you going to stumble over Hiruzen Sarutobi's prohibition again, causing the entire clan to die together, before you are finally satisfied?"

"The Third Hokage's prohibition?"

Itachi Uchiha sneered, "What is the situation in Konohagakure now? It is a civil war!"

"Lord Orochimaru and Yamanaka Chujiu led people to fight bravely to protect Konohagakure, defeating Kumogakure and Kirigakure, and saving the lives of countless Konoha Ninja."

"But what is the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, doing? To maintain his authority and family interests, he ignores the safety of Konohagakure, ignores the lives of other clans, and indulges Shimura Danzo in his reckless actions!"

"I bet that the battle at the East Gate right now was caused by Shimura Danzo!"

"Is such a Third Hokage truly the Hokage of our Konohagakure?"

"Is there any need for us to obey the Third Hokage's prohibition?"

The gazes of the Uchiha ninjas shifted from Fugaku to Itachi.

Regardless of the fact that he was still a five-year-old child, and regardless of the clan head's face, which was as dark as the bottom of a pot, the Uchiha shouted, "No! We do not need to obey the Third's prohibition!"

Itachi Uchiha recalled hearing Yamanaka Chujiu's assessment of Hiruzen Sarutobi, and his respect for the First Hokage and Second Hokage, within the Rising Sun organization.

He raised his head, imitating Yamanaka Chujiu's manner, and looked firmly at all the Uchiha ninjas present.

His voice was young and clear, but extremely powerful: "The ideal of the First Hokage in establishing Konohagakure was to allow all ninjas to live together as equals, regardless of clan, regardless of status, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi has deviated from this ideal, turning Konohagakure into a tool for the three major clans to seek profit."

"Today, we can see the First Hokage's Wood Release appearing outside the East Gate; it is the horn of destiny!"

"The Third Hokage's corrupt rule is about to end, and we, the Uchiha Clan, are the meritorious founders of Konohagakure; we must not remain silent any longer!"

"We must make the voice of the Uchiha heard!"

The Uchiha were fired up, raising their hands and cheering, "Let the voice of the Uchiha resound through the sky of Konohagakure, and make the Uchiha great again!"

Uchiha Fugaku shouted, "Nonsense!"

"How can you listen to the ramblings of a five-year-old child!?"

"The Third Hokage has great strength, and the support of the Sarutobi, Utatane, Mitokado, and Shimura clans, as well as the support of the Ino-Shika-Cho, Aburame, Inuzuka, and other ninja clans; we Uchiha are simply no match for them!"

"If we defy the Third Hokage's prohibition and head to the East Gate to participate in the operation, the Uchiha Clan will surely face total annihilation after failure!"

Itachi Uchiha held his head high and puffed out his chest: "What is there to fear?"

"With Lord Orochimaru's support, the Ino-Shika-Cho-Aburame, Inuzuka, and other ninja clans will not firmly stand on the opposite side of us."

"We Uchiha are the number one noble clan of Konohagakure; are we afraid of some Sarutobi or Utatane?"

"In the past, we were suppressed for many years because we respected the Hokage's rules and could not show our true strength."

"Today, we Uchiha are following Lord Orochimaru's orders, complying with the will of the First Hokage, ending Hiruzen Sarutobi's illegal rule, and fighting for a fair future for the Uchiha Clan and for all the ninjas of Konohagakure!"

"We are on the side of justice!"

"For justice, for Konohagakure, even if we have to pay the price with our lives, we will not hesitate!"

Upon hearing Itachi Uchiha's words, the Uchiha ninjas present completely cast their clan head to the back of their minds, their fighting spirit unshakeably firm.

Having been suppressed by Hiruzen Sarutobi for many years, the Uchiha were already filled with dissatisfaction.

Now that Itachi Uchiha had pointed out that they were not fighting alone, but were paving the way for Orochimaru, and using the First Hokage's ideals as their banner, the Uchiha no longer wanted to remain silent.

They drew their weapons, held them high above their heads, and shouted, "Follow the young clan head! Head to the East Gate! End the corrupt rule! Realize the First's ideals!"

"Good!"

"Very spirited!"

Itachi Uchiha nodded with satisfaction and waved his hand, "All Uchiha ninjas, listen to my command: everyone between the ages of twelve and fifty-five, head to the East Gate!"

"The remaining ninjas, stay on high alert to prevent sneak attacks from the Sarutobi, Shimura, and other ninja clans!"

"Our goal is not slaughter; it is to end Hiruzen Sarutobi's corrupt rule and to protect the future of Konohagakure!"

"Move out!"

"Yes!"

All the Uchiha ninjas responded in unison, their voices echoing throughout the entire clan grounds.

Not a single person looked at Uchiha Fugaku again.

Subsequently, the small-statured Itachi Uchiha took the lead, heading the two hundred Uchiha ninjas as they advanced rapidly toward the East Gate with a menacing momentum.

A large group of Uchiha, their eyes glowing red, marched in formation through the streets of Konohagakure like a magnificent torrent, drawing the gazes of countless Konohagakure villagers and ninja.

Halfway there, the Uchiha collided with another white torrent, which was none other than the Hyuga Clan ninja led by Hyuga Hiashi.

Upon seeing the Uchiha procession, Hyuga Hiashi shouted loudly: "I, the Hyuga Clan, support Lord Orochimaru and oppose the restoration of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen!"

"What are you Uchiha trying to do?"

The Uchiha all felt a lingering fear: even the conservative Hyuga Clan had taken action; if they had waited any longer as their clan head intended, wouldn't they have lost face to the point of no return?

No, this clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, must be removed!

Thus, several Three-Tomoe Uchiha Jonin lifted Itachi Uchiha up: "Our Uchiha Clan, under the leadership of our new clan head Itachi Uchiha, will end the illegal rule of the Third Hokage and support Lord Orochimaru to become the Fifth Hokage!"

Hyuga Hiashi was dumbfounded, stuttering as he said: "Ah, good, then, then let's go together..."

Itachi Uchiha shouted: "Hyuga and us Uchiha together! Move out, move out!"

The red and white streams of people merged into one, charging together toward the East Gate.