I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 75 Kakashi's Wavering Heart

Leaves, roots.

In the dark environment, the base, as its name suggests, was built deep underground. Within the huge pit, there were bridges connecting the structures, crisscrossing like the roots of a tree.

"Lord Danzo, the police department's Uchiha Yoru is being very cautious and has not found any relevant clues."

Upon hearing Kakashi's report, Shimura Danzo, leaning on his wooden cane, nodded slightly, but a hint of displeasure appeared in his single exposed eye. He said in a deep voice, "Kakashi, since nothing has happened and there is no important information, you only need to maintain covert contact with Root. Don't let anyone discover you."

Danzo was also somewhat dissatisfied. He thought, "You, Kakashi, didn't find anything, so what are you talking about with Root?"

However, at this moment, Kakashi, who was kneeling on one knee, had a flash of crimson light in his left Sharingan and said in a deep voice, "But the Third Hokage asked me to secretly investigate Uchiha Tsuchi, Uchiha Kotsukasa, and Uchiha Kaze among the Uchiha clan."

When Kakashi uttered three names in a row, Danzo Shimura's pupils suddenly flashed with a sinister light. He gripped his wooden staff tighter, and, suppressing his nervousness, asked in a hoarse voice, "Why is the Third Hokage investigating these three?"

Although Kakashi didn't see Danzo's expression at that moment, he did see the way Danzo gripped his staff tightly when he heard those three names. At that moment, he seemed to have found the answer in his heart.

Kakashi, kneeling on one knee, respectfully reported in a deep voice: "The Third Hokage feels that there are some problems with the deaths of these three people. Although all three sacrificed themselves in the course of a mission, they all lost their Sharingan. Although it seems that they destroyed themselves before their sacrifice, there are many questions surrounding their deaths."

Upon hearing Kakashi's report, Danzo Shimura's eyes were instantly filled with raging fury. "Sarutobi, you still say you haven't planted any spies in Root! Damn it, you're still the same despicable monkey you always have. No wonder you discovered my Wood Release ninjas in Root. You even managed to find clues about my secret theft of the Sharingan. Nobody would believe you didn't have any of your people in Root."

At this moment, Danzo was filled with rage. He wished he could go back and wipe out the Root organization right now. Sarutobi had gone too far! But he still managed to hold back.

"Kakashi, the Uchiha clan is an inherently evil clan, and the Sharingan can control the Nine-Tails' calamity. Therefore, I need you!"

At this moment, Danzo Shimura revealed a sinister look on his face, and at the same time, he began to bewitch Kakashi in a hoarse voice. Normally, since the Nine-Tails' attack had just occurred, Kakashi wouldn't necessarily be bewitched, but at the very least, he wouldn't have any objections to Danzo.

After all, the Sharingan in Kurama's eyes was real, and it was only natural for the higher-ups to be wary of the Sharingan and investigate. Kakashi was politically aware of the need for some necessary sacrifices.

However, with his preconceived notions, Kakashi was filled with disgust. He even had a terrible thought: if Danzo and other Konoha leaders really stole the Sharingan, wouldn't that prove that the Uchiha clan was not the only ones who could control the Nine-Tails?

"Kakashi, the evil of the Uchiha clan... therefore, I need you to keep a close eye on this evil clan."

At this moment, under the extremely infectious and seductive influence of Shimura Danzo's hoarse voice, Kakashi, who was kneeling on one knee, seemed to be increasingly brainwashed. Danzo became even more smug at this scene. Sarutobi, Sarutobi, you planted spies in my roots, then I will plant spies next to you, hmph!

Kakashi, emerging from the Root, gazed at the Hokage's office building with a complex mix of emotions. He seemed to want to know the truth, yet also felt fear. In the end, however, he made up his mind and ran towards the Third Hokage's office with a determined look in his eyes.

The Hokage's office.

"Lord Hokage, Elder Shimura Danzo of the Root Clan recently ordered me to secretly investigate information about the Uchiha clan's ninjas with the three-tomoe Sharingan."

Kakashi then changed his story, recounting how Danzo Shimura had tricked him into joining Root and how he had been tricked into secretly investigating the movements of the Uchiha elites with the three-tomoe Sharingan.

As expected, upon hearing Kakashi's report, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, unusually fell silent. The only sound in the oppressive office was the Third Hokage puffing on his pipe.

The rich aroma of tobacco lingered in the office until the tobacco in the pipe burned out. The Third Hokage lowered his Hokage hat and let out a soft sigh, a sigh that contained a great deal of emotion.

At the same time, the Third Hokage looked at Kakashi in front of him, and a hint of relief appeared in his eyes. Kakashi was even more outstanding and loyal than he had imagined.

"Kakashi, are you aware of the two great bloodline limits that allowed them to control tailed beasts at the beginning of Konoha?"

At this moment, Kakashi, who was kneeling on one knee, was silent for a moment and was about to respond when the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sighed as usual and began to speak in a reminiscing, melancholic tone.

"Konoha originally possessed the First Hokage's Wood Release and the Uchiha clan's Sharingan, both of which were considered two major bloodline limits for controlling tailed beasts. After the First Hokage's death, the village lost Wood Release. Later, under the pressure of war, the village had no choice but to take the risk of secretly conducting Wood Release experiments... The losses from this experiment were enormous, and the village subsequently sealed off the experiment."

It must be said that the Third Hokage's language is extremely captivating, as if it transports you to that dangerous and war-torn era, where the village was forced to do these things for the sake of peace.

Listening to the secrets told by the Third Hokage, Kakashi Hatake remained silent. His future as the Sixth Hokage might have been aided by luck, but it was definitely inseparable from his political acumen. Kakashi did possess a certain level of political acumen, although he was still quite naive at the moment.

But Kakashi has come to understand some things. For the sake of peace, some sacrifices are inevitable. He would even make such a decision if sacrificing a small part could save a large part, such as killing Rin!

Kakashi has had this political spirit of sacrifice since childhood; it's innate and has nothing to do with strength.

The Third Hokage looked at Kakashi's silent appearance with great satisfaction. He had originally wanted to painstakingly bring Kakashi back on track, but he didn't expect Kakashi's understanding of the Will of Fire to be so high that he didn't have to put in any effort.

"Kakashi, perhaps the Wood Release experiment failed, and then the Nine-Tails disaster happened. Danzo wanted to take a risk to master the Sharingan, all for the sake of Konoha."

At this moment, the Third Hokage was filled with a spirit of dedication, but he was also furious. Danzo! How dare he secretly conduct Sharingan research behind his back? Didn't he know how serious the consequences would be if this got out?

However, Kakashi's beliefs wavered at this moment, or perhaps he felt terrified and suffocated by the darkness in Konoha.

The Third Hokage did not strongly object, but spoke of it all in a tone that suggested it was necessary to sacrifice for the sake of Konoha. If that's the case, it's possible that the Third Hokage and Danzo were secretly researching the Sharingan, and that both sides even knew about it.

Otherwise, the Third Hokage wouldn't have said that. He could understand the research on Wood Release, since the Third Hokage was already dead, but what about the Sharingan? No bloodline clan in the entire ninja world has ever allowed others to research their bloodline.

Thanks to: Brother '命少' for the 100-coin reward, Brother '奥克绿皮爱抖露' for the 100-coin reward, Brother '佑十五' for the 100-coin reward, and Brother '换元仙人' for the 100-coin reward.

Thank you to all my brothers for your support.

(End of this chapter)