Switching Identities

"What are your thoughts on the Uchiha Clan tragedy?"

The Third Hokage looked visibly older, and with a trace of fatigue, he raised the question at the jonin council meeting.

Other than the few high-ranking figures in Konoha and the Root members completely controlled by Danzo who had participated in it, no one knew the truth behind the Uchiha Clan massacre.

The other jonin had all found the explosive news impossible to believe when they learned of it the next day.

"I think there must be something wrong here. How could Lord Yue possibly do something like this?"

Kakashi was the first to step forward, his face full of disbelief.

Might Guy followed right after him. "I agree with Kakashi. Lord Yue would never betray youth!"

Thud!

Danzo’s cane struck the ground heavily, his expression cold and sinister. "But facts are facts. That Wood Style forest that still hasn’t dissipated at the scene is the best proof! The Uchiha Clan corpses hanging from it, with all their life force drained away, are the best evidence!"

To be honest, Danzo was gritting his teeth as well.

He had already decided to make some concessions to Uchiha Yue. As long as the other party gave up the position of Hokage—and better yet, supported him—he could accept taking a loss.

But in the end, aside from the few Sharingan his men had collected when they first joined the battle, every other Sharingan in the entire Uchiha Clan had been swept up by him!

It was utterly insane!

His mentality had exploded!

Yet considering the strange relationship between them now, he could only swallow it.

That Wood Style which had yet to dissipate was also a warning to him.

Its scale was simply too terrifying, far surpassing the Wood Style Yue had used against the Nine-Tails back then!

It had drained not only Chakra, but even life force.

And there was no sign of it fading away at all, just like the First Hokage’s Wood Style!

Naturally, this filled Danzo with deep apprehension.

He had once thought that as long as he was not caught in a sneak attack, he had nothing to fear. Now he realized that he truly might not be Yue’s match…

At this point, hearing Kakashi and Guy still trying to defend him was more than Danzo could tolerate.

No matter what, Yue’s reputation had to be ruined!

"Since such a major crime has been committed, there must be a pursuit team. I want to join it."

"Me too!"

Kakashi and Guy still did not believe it. They had to see the truth with their own eyes.

Just as Danzo was about to say something, the Third Hokage spoke first. "In that case, you may go. According to the intelligence, he and Itachi fled southwest…"

"Hiruzen, you!"

Danzo shot the Third Hokage a vicious glare, but the latter ignored him completely.

After the massacre, both Itachi and Yue had met with him. Itachi was already preparing to infiltrate that mysterious organization as a spy.

Meanwhile, Yue would be taking on an unseen role in Konoha while traveling the ninja world to gather intelligence.

Since he would still hold a position in Konoha, there was no harm in letting Kakashi and Guy, who were close to him, know about this.

Both of them were trustworthy successors.

Besides…

These young people did need to learn about the Dark Side of the ninja world ahead of time…

Being too righteous and kind was also an original sin in the ninja world…

Elsewhere, in a forest not far from Konoha, Itachi was intercepted by two Root members.

"Captain, after causing such a huge incident, we have to put on a show of pursuing you."

"Please go easy on us."

Their voices were cold. Then, they attacked Itachi at the same time.

Though they claimed it was only for show, every strike was lethal.

Even though he had not fought his father, he had still expended a great deal of strength. He was not particularly skilled in Chakra reserves or endurance to begin with, and at only thirteen years old, Itachi could only keep dodging under their assault.

"So this is what you call putting on a show?"

Even now, Itachi remained calm, without the slightest hint of anger.

"Give it up, Captain."

"We won’t look into your eyes."

Before the two could finish speaking, they realized that the targets they had stabbed were actually their former comrades.

They had no idea when they had fallen under an Illusion Technique!

"I thought I’d have to step in."

As the bodies of the two Root members, their eyes full of disbelief, fell to the ground, Xu Yue appeared beside Itachi like a phantom of bubbles.

"I planted a suggestion through an Illusion Technique during our first meeting. The moment they attacked me, it would trigger."

Itachi still looked calm.

"A double agent, huh? That must be rough. You don’t have it as easy as I do."

Xu Yue looked up with what seemed like a sigh, then continued, "What, that guy didn’t come to pick you up?"

"We agreed on a meeting place. Is Senior coming too?"

Itachi caught the Ration Pill Xu Yue tossed him and swallowed it, his expression still barely changing.

"Not this time. We’ll talk when there’s another chance. I still have another identity I can use. Be careful, especially around my teacher. That technique of his should be complete by now…"

Xu Yue shrugged with a smile, seemingly unconcerned.

He had only followed this time because he was worried those Reincarnators might refuse to give up. He had come to protect Itachi just in case.

But it seemed he had worried too much. The Wood Clone had apparently hit them harder than expected, and they had abandoned the pursuit.

There was another reason as well. With Xu Yue’s assistance, Orochimaru’s progress was much faster than in the original course of events. Although Uncle Snake was naturally countered by the Sharingan, Xu Yue still needed to give Itachi a warning to keep him from getting himself killed.

"Alright, you should go first. Someone’s coming to find me."

Xu Yue then waved to Itachi and looked toward the two figures speeding over from Konoha.

"Take care, Senior."

After saying goodbye, Itachi vanished from the spot amid a swirling fallen leaf.

"Yue!"

"Uchiha Yue!"

Kakashi and Guy arrived one after the other. Xu Yue merely removed his face-concealing mask and smiled at them.

Very few people in Konoha knew what he looked like beneath the mask.

Aside from the two before him, the rest were those who knew about the Uchiha Clan massacre.

So he had no intention of hiding it from them.

The old Third Hokage must have sent them here with that intention as well.

Giving your values a little adjustment in advance would be good for you.

At the very least, it would make you more cautious, so you would not get tricked one day and end up as Kakashi’s Sharingan hanging in an auction house…

"Ah, we’re back in Konoha again."

After switching places with the Wood Clone and returning to the merchant caravan’s carriage, Xu Yue got down when they reached Konoha’s entrance, his tone somewhat wistful.

"Something big seems to have happened in Konoha. Our timing is rather unfortunate."

Unlike the oblivious transport workers and Chinese laborers, Mei Terumi was clearly far more professional.

From the solemn expressions of the ninjas at the gate and the atmosphere around them, she could tell that today was different from usual.

"What major event could possibly happen here? This is Konoha, the strongest ninja village among the Five Great Nations."

Xu Yue curled his lip, looking unconvinced.

Before long, however, they learned from the passing crowds that the Uchiha Clan had been massacred.

Such news could not possibly be concealed, and Konoha had no intention of concealing it.

Mei Terumi’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief when she heard the news.

Konoha was the greatest village in the ninja world, at least for now.

And the Uchiha Clan was its foremost noble clan!

Yet they had been massacred overnight?

She had previously received intelligence that Konoha’s atmosphere had become tense and heavy, but she had never imagined something so serious would happen!

After the Nine-Tails incident, no one had dared provoke Konoha. Now that its foremost clan had been massacred as well, someone would probably test the waters.

Unfortunately, the Land of Water was still in constant turmoil. Otherwise, they could have done something…

"Is that you?"

Just as Xu Yue and the others were registering to enter Konoha through the usual procedures, a voice came from the side, surprising Xu Yue slightly.

He initially thought it was someone who knew his appearance, but then he realized it was Qi Xieyuan watching him from the other end of the street before walking over.

He was even wearing a green ninja flak jacket.

Oh~

So he was still in Konoha and even had an official ninja identity. That wouldn’t do. If he wanted to make good use of him, he would first have to strip away that layer of skin…