Reincarnated as Itachi Uchiha at the Start

Seeing the Third Hokage's silence, Itachi Uchiha knew he had no intention of sacrificing Danzo.

"Itachi, you still don't understand the core issue," Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply. "The enemy's goal is simple: to force me to push Danzo out."

"Whether it was the Nine-Tails' Attack or the human experimentation, if Danzo is implicated, it stains our entire leadership with an uncleanable mark—exposing corruption among the top brass."

"If we had disclosed it ourselves, the damage might be contained; but the fact that someone else is exposing us means Konoha is rotten, untrustworthy, willing to harm its own people, crippled by internal strife. What couldn't they do next? That breeds public distrust—and once the villagers lose faith in us, the village will collapse."

"In that scenario, Danzo has only one option: death by atonement. As for me, a single major mistake during my tenure would force me to resign again—exactly as our enemies intend."

"If Danzo isn't guilty, and we remove him anyway, it reveals our leadership is incompetent—and willing to compromise with criminals and hidden villains."

"And if we push Danzo out once, they'll come back a second time under a new pretext—maybe claim I'm guilty. Do we keep removing people just to protect ourselves?"

"So does pushing Danzo out solve anything? Does it calm the public?"

"No," Hiruzen answered himself. "What's unimportant now is whether Danzo did it. What matters is exposure—and that erodes our credibility."

"They've dredged up old scandals specifically to slap us in the face."

"They aim to destroy Danzo and me utterly."

"Now I see: the Nine-Tails' Attack and human experiments were just excuses. Their true goal is to destroy our reputation and tear Konoha apart."

"There's only one solution: uncover the real masterminds and bring them to justice. Only then can we truly resolve this."

"So we cannot compromise. I will not hand Danzo over!" Hiruzen declared firmly.

"Hokage-sama, your insight impresses me—my vision was too narrow," Itachi said. He's not as faded as they say—his analysis is still razor-sharp. Whether Danzo carried out human experiments doesn't matter now; exposure itself is the damage. Whether it was Orochimaru or Danzo—one a student, the other a close advisor—something this scandalous happening under his watch makes him equally guilty and defenseless. If you can't even control your disciple or advisor, how can the villagers believe in you? They wouldn't!

"Very well. You may leave now—I'm going to face the press," Hiruzen said, collecting himself.

"Understood," Itachi replied with a curt nod.

Watching Hiruzen walk away, Itachi's eyes narrowed. A cold light flickered within, and a sinister smile played across his lips. The trap is set—once they walk into this expecting reason, they lose. Let Hiruzen and Danzo taste the impact of smearing the White Fang of Konoha and the Uchiha clan!

As Hiruzen Sarutobi emerged, the crowd erupted:

"Lord Hokage, how do you respond to accusations that Lord Danzo—the Hokage Advisor—planned the Nine-Tails' Attack and conducted human experiments?"

"Was this done with your approval, or did you secretly order it?"

A reporter rushed forward, mic in hand, elbowing through the crowd.

Hiruzen: "My friend from the Land of Wind, do not believe or spread rumors—wisdom ends them. Everyone knows the Nine-Tails' Attack was carried out by a masked figure who took advantage of the Jinchūriki during childbirth. Konoha has pursued the real culprit for years. Accusing Danzo of being that figure is baseless. We reserve the right to pursue legal action."

"As for human experimentation, it was carried out by the rogue ninja Orochimaru—who was influenced by the S-rank Missing-nin Sasori of the Red Sand during the Fourth Hokage's time. That is an old matter. Konoha has pursued Orochimaru for years, and I promise the renegade will be brought to justice to answer for his crimes and give the villagers closure."

(Land of Wind reporter is stunned internally—Hiruzen is shifting blame toward their village as a warning, referencing their fallen Kazekage.)

"Lord Hokage, according to our findings, Naruto Uzumaki is the Fourth Hokage's son. After the Fourth died, his assets were confiscated, and he was raised in the Konoha orphanage—only to be bullied throughout his youth. This is not how the child of a hero should be treated! Meanwhile, Konohamaru, Hokage's descendant, has escorts, lavish tutors, and a gilded life! Why such disparity? Is it because Naruto is a Jinchūriki? Or is it true, as rumoured, that the Fourth Hokage was killed in a power struggle within your leadership?"

"It's said that after becoming Hokage, the Fourth intended to abolish the Hokage Advisor role and take direct control of Anbu. Is it because you couldn't give up power that you killed him during the Jinchūriki's birth? And why is this hatred now projected onto a child?" the reporter pressed, voice aggressive.

Hiruzen's face turned green—who leaked this stuff? Saying we killed the Fourth? That's slander! Oh, it's from the Cloud, no wonder he's brash. He'd just insulted Konoha and his lineage.

Hiruzen: "Friend from the Land of Lightning, this is all rumor. Our villagers are always kind and good-hearted—they would not harm one of their own. You've been misled."

"As for the Jinchūriki, that is a village secret. Asking such things in Konoha—is it possible you're a spy from the Land of Lightning?" His gaze turned icy.

Several ANBU swiftly apprehended the reporter:

ANBU: "Please cooperate with our investigation—we have reason to suspect you're a spy."

Other reporters gasped—this is a warning.

Land of Lightning reporter (shouting defiant):

"Hahaha, you've been caught, Hiruzen Sarutobi—too bold to act, too cowardly to confess!"

"Kill one of me, a thousand more will come!"

"As a reporter, I will expose you—come with me, I speak for justice!"

"Land of Lightning reporters never yield!"

"A true journalist fights for the truth! No revolutions succeeded without blood; a ninja world without sacrifice stagnates!"

Amid stunned silence, other reporters looked on with grudging admiration. Even the ANBU were taken aback—this reporter didn't cower. They wondered: Did Hiruzen or Danzo really kill the Fourth? Otherwise why is Naruto's life so miserable? We as Konoha shinobi can't bear this either.

Crowd murmurs of support:

"Well said!"

"Go with them!"

"If Hiruzen Sarutobi kills you, we will ensure what happened today spreads throughout the shinobi world!"

Hiruzen paled—these Cloud people never hold back! Just like their Raikage!

Hiruzen (coldly): "Next question?"

A reporter from the Land of Fire stepped forward—Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief.

Fire Country reporter:

"Lord Hokage, what is your view on Itachi Uchiha becoming clan head at thirteen, and on the Konoha Military Police Force's self-inspection drive?"

Hiruzen relaxed: I can answer that. But before he spoke:

Same reporter continued:

"I hear the Uchiha clan were driven from the village, oppressed by Konoha's leadership, and took heavy losses last night. Was this sanctioned by your high command? Is Itachi being puppeteered to control the clan?"

Hiruzen froze—How did it switch to Uchiha accusations? He frowned: If other nations stir up trouble, ok—but why is even the Land of Fire getting involved? Aren't they supposed to be our allies?

Has Hiruzen Sarutobi lost his nerve—or has the Daimyō grown too arrogant?