Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 448 The Transformation of a Filial Son

"Don't worry, everyone has finally agreed to the timber deal."

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't want to accept the gifts they sent, but doing so would put the other families at ease.

After seeing the four people off, he picked up a pen and began to review the documents. The first document was about the treatment plan for the roots.

"Yakushi Nonou, along with his adopted son Yakushi Kabuto, has disappeared without a trace." Hiruzen underlined this line and wrote: "Keep a close eye on them; there may be hidden dangers. They must be apprehended."

He knew Yakushi Nonou as a very nice girl, but unfortunately she was tricked into joining Root by Danzo.

He had already planned to use a conciliatory policy and try to accept them, but some people were ultimately ungrateful; perhaps they were also die-hard elements of Danzo.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't want to delve into trivial matters, nor was he willing to. In his view, they were ultimately insignificant ninjas.

Personal honor, disgrace, grievances, and injustices are insignificant in the face of the life and death of the ninja world, because they are unimportant.

The second document concerns the Root orphans who were taken in.

Among them was a boy named Sai, who was very good at drawing. Hiruzen thought for a moment and wrote a note next to the name: Arrange for him to enter the Ninja Academy and have him secretly looked after by a trustworthy teacher.

The third document concerns the resettlement plan for the Uchiha survivors.

The nine people were temporarily housed in a secluded mansion on the edge of the village, under the covert protection of the secret police.

At the same time, necessary medical and psychological counseling is provided.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the words and gave a wry smile.

Psychological counseling?

How could that be? Some wounds can never be healed in a lifetime.

Three days later, Konoha held a belated mass funeral.

Banners fluttered in the breeze, and mournful music played softly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on the high platform, dressed in black mourning clothes, with hundreds of newly erected tombstones in front of him.

In his address, he said, "We have lost many outstanding ninjas who gave their lives to protect Konoha. Let us remember their sacrifice, carry on their legacy, and protect our common home."

"I just didn't expect the accident to happen so suddenly. The plague brought by the summoning insects has caused heavy losses to the powerful clans of Konoha. Here, I urge everyone to reduce the use of summoning insects as much as possible. It's also a contribution to protecting Konoha."

He didn't mention Danzo, nor did he mention the Uchiha internal strife. However, some things are better left unsaid; justice will prevail.

In fact, rumors of the insects being harmful had already spread through the streets many days earlier. After that, many people in Konoha stopped using insects, but soon found that they could not live without them. So they began to pay attention to the quality of the insects, keeping the qualified ones and discarding the unqualified ones.

Below the stands, Fugaku Uchiha stood in the front row, with Itachi Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha beside him.

Itachi Uchiha remained expressionless, while Sasuke's eyes were red and swollen, clearly indicating that he had just been crying.

Fugaku Uchiha didn't cry. He just stood there quietly, looking at the tombstones, lost in thought.

After the funeral, Fugaku Uchiha did not return to his ancestral home, but went directly to the Hokage Building.

He came to apply to leave Konoha because Hiruzen Sarutobi had been acting too domineeringly lately, to the point of near madness.

He thought Hiruzen Sarutobi might have gone mad.

Inside the office, only he and Hiruzen were present. "Third Hokage, I've come to resign."

"Resignation?" Hiruzen put down his pen and looked up at him.

Fugaku Uchiha spoke frankly, "Because Konoha is no longer a suitable place for the Uchiha to live."

His voice was calm, as calm as a stagnant pool. "So, I want to take the rest of my people and leave to make a living elsewhere. I hope the Third Generation will set us free."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression shifted between light and shadow. "Where do you want to go?"

"The Land of Waterfalls," Fugaku Uchiha answered truthfully. "They're short of people there and don't care about backgrounds. If we go there, they should be able to take us in."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his fingers lightly on the table, as if he were enduring something.

"Fugaku, do you know how dangerous it is outside?"

"Know."

"Do you remember what I told you a few days ago?"

"Remember."

"You still insist on doing this!" Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his voice.

Fugaku Uchiha said, "Lord Sarutobi, I've always found that guy, whoever he is, highly suspicious. Perhaps things aren't as bad as you think. Or have you ever considered that maybe your life's course of action was a mistake from the start..."

"Shut up!" Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly stood up and shouted, but quickly realized he had gone too far and sat down steadily again.

He barely suppressed his anger and, after clarifying his needs, said, "I'll think about it some more, and I'll give you an answer later."

Fugaku Uchiha bowed his head again and pleaded, "Then please give me your answer as soon as possible, Lord Sarutobi."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Hiruzen turned around, looked at the closed door, and sighed deeply.

In the corridor outside the door, Itachi Uchiha walked out from around the corner.

He watched his father walk out of the Hokage Building and heard the Third Hokage's last words in the office.

The thought of betrayal, like a thorn, pierced his heart as his father planned to take everyone away.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not strengthen his will, but simply explained the situation to him: "The outside world is fraught with danger. The remaining less than ten Uchiha are like lambs to the slaughter, not to mention that they also possess the Mangekyou Sharingan."

Uchiha Itachi knelt on one knee and said, "I will persuade Father not to let him leave."

He knew all too well that leaving Konoha meant the Uchiha would lose all protection. Nine survivors, including young Sasuke—where could they possibly go?

But what good would staying do? Would Konoha still trust the Uchiha? Could the Uchiha survive in Konoha?

Uchiha Itachi suddenly realized that he was standing at a crossroads, with no end in sight on either side.

After leaving the office, Itachi Uchiha walked alone to the small river at the edge of the village. The river water was crystal clear, reflecting the clouds in the sky and his face.

He looked at his reflection in the water, at those black eyes that had regained their calm, and suddenly realized that the person in the water was unfamiliar; he felt that he was no longer himself.

"Thinking?" Black Zetsu's voice came from behind.

Itachi didn't turn around, nor did he enter a fighting stance. After several encounters with this strange creature, he had become accustomed to its sudden appearances.

"What exactly do you want?"

"I want to help you." Black Zetsu poked half his body out from the tree trunk, his clear black and white eyes looking at him. "Itachi-kun, do you know about the Savior?"

Black Zetsu lowered his voice: "In the distant past, two great powers were reincarnating. One was called Indra, and the other was called Ashura. And your younger brother Sasuke is the reincarnation of Indra, one of the future saviors."