Reincarnated as Itachi Uchiha at the Start

"Then what's the plan?" Kakashi asked earnestly.

"It's said: a rumor eats the bones. Danzō and the Third value their reputations above all—so let's destroy them!" Itachi said, his eyes cold.

"How exactly?"

"It starts with Naruto. You know he's the Fourth Hokage's son, right?"

"I do." Kakashi remained silent for a moment. Seven years had passed without him visiting Naruto even once—whereas Mikoto secretly supported the boy with money. As Minato's student, he felt ashamed.

"Itachi continued: "And you know Konohamaru is Hiruzen's grandson?"

"Yes."

"Look at Konohamaru—whenever he goes out, he has someone accompanying him, secret guards protecting him, professional nannies and tutors. Now look at Naruto. As the son of the hero Fourth Hokage, his inheritance was confiscated, he was shunned since childhood, called a demon fox, humiliated and chased by others, even bullied at school."

"Indeed," Kakashi agreed.

"We need to expose it! Without comparison, no one feels the injustice. We'll let all of Konoha and the Land of Fire see how Hiruzen plays favorites. We can't let our hero's son bleed and suffer in silence!"

"We demand fairness! Real fairness!"

"Itachi, Shisui, and Kakashi chimed in, energized by the idea.

"And Danzō?"

"He's simpler. He's known for doing dirty work. We'll expose every shameful thing he's done."

"For example: his envy of White Fang's war record; the human experiments; his right eye is a Mangekyō Sharingan; his arm is grafted with Hashirama's cells."

"We'll leak it to the papers, plaster the town with bold posters—broadcast it across Konoha and the Land of Fire."

"If we can't find proof, we'll fabricate it."

"We'll rally public opinion to watch and report every Root member. Not everyone in Root can be upright—surely some will crack under scrutiny. The public's eye is sharp; they'll be our watchdogs!"

"The families of those human-experiment victims will support us too!"

"When it all goes public and the outrage reaches a boiling point, Hiruzen won't be able to ignore it."

"Then the Konoha Police Force stands with the public—and we'll have justification to go after Danzō. With righteous fury behind us, we'll expose him, avenge your father, and ensure justice for the Fourth Hokage! What do you think?" Itachi said with conviction.

"I'm in," Kakashi agreed.

"Good. Go to the press anonymously, plaster posters—that's where Shisui comes in. You're the ANBU captain—you can avoid the cameras," Itachi instructed, nodding to Shisui.

"Understood. I know Konoha's surveillance systems well. I'll leak to the press and paste posters without a trace linking back to us," Kakashi affirmed.

"Itachi nodded. "Then get going. Good luck."

"Right!" Kakashi said, spirits high.

The next morning, Danzo and the Third Hokage awoke to chaos. One bombshell after another rattled their world.

Report One: Late-night meeting—Uchiha Clan Head held secret talks with Nara and Akimichi clans, then quietly abdicated after rejection.

The Third and Danzo exchanged triumphant glances—sure enough, the Hokage lineage still won hearts. Uchiha were mere rubble.

Report Two: Itachi Uchiha (13) named new clan head. Several Uchiha left the Police Force due to health. Police Force opens membership to any shinobi—civilians or clan—promising preferential treatment.

The Third sighed relief: Itachi had defused the issue—though he wondered how many of those Uchiha were still standing; rumors suggested a bloodbath the night before. Danzo, however, scowled—another batch of Sharingan lost, weakening his grip. He wondered whether to strike and wipe them out completely.

Report Three: Stunning! Itachi donates 100 million ryo to rebuild the Konoha orphanage and visits injured shinobi—"heroes should not bleed or weep", says Nurse Nonou.

The Third raised an eyebrow—Uchiha wealth truly vast, casually gifting 100 million ryo. Itachi showed grand vision. Danzo scoffed: "100 million could've funded my assassination of Hiruzen. Donating it to orphans is wasteful!"

Report Four: Land of Fire Morning News: SHOCK—Naruto Uzumaki, despised throughout Konoha, is confirmed the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

Report Five: Naruto's orphan status—distortion of humanity or collapse of morality? Today, our reporter investigates the "true mastermind."

HIGHLY SENSITIVE INFO: Investigations suggest the Nine-Tails attack was orchestrated by a masked figure with one visible Mangekyō Sharingan. The only individual capable of wiping out the Third's ANBU, bypassing the village seal, unsealing and taming the Nine-Tails, and freely entering and leaving Konoha, aside from Madara, is a high-ranking Konoha official.

The Four Konoha Elders:

Retired Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi—ruled out (wife Biwako died, his ANBU were wiped out).

Advisors Koharu and Homura—ruled out (no Sharingan, weak).

That leaves only Danzo Shimura, Hokage Advisor.

Internal sources suggest Danzo's right eye is an Uchiha Sharingan, and his arm contains Hashirama cells. Is it true or false?

Root veterans whisper: Orochimaru's defection stemmed from experimentation, sponsored by Root—Root belongs to Danzo. Could Orochimaru be taking the blame?

"Kakashi! This info—" Hiruzen stared at Kakashi. He'd told him not to leak it—but by morning, the whole village knew.

"I didn't do it," Kakashi said calmly.

Hiruzen studied the paper, the soaked ink blotting his expression. He took a deep breath. If Kakashi said it wasn't him, he believed him. But Danzo—good luck washing off this nightmare.

"Damn it! Where did this paper come from?" Danzo roared. "Pull every copy! Bring me the editor—now!"

"Lord Danzo, the Land of Fire Morning News is outside Konoha's control," a Root assistant replied, voice shaking.

"Then sweep up every copy from Konoha!" Danzo growled.

"It's impossible," the ninja said softly. "Millions printed—prints are everywhere, even in neighboring lands."