He pointed his sword at the Third Hokage, and Sasuke's right hand, holding Kusanagi, began to tremble violently. His expression twisted and sometimes grimaced. Kaoru understood that Sasuke's inner pain was now beyond imagination.
"Bastard!" he suddenly shouted loudly. Sasuke swung down his Kusanagi, slashing directly at the Third Hokage's wooden table, splitting it in two.
"Bastard!" he shouted again. Sasuke swung his sword, smashing the table in front of the Third Hokage into two.
"Why are you all so obsessed with protecting Konoha?!" Sasuke roared wildly. "Itachi did this, and you, you old man, are doing the same. All of you talk about dying for Konoha, acting so righteous! I only want my parents alive, I only want my brother alive. What did I do wrong?! I don't care about Konoha!"
His anger grew more and more intense. The Third Hokage's whole body began to tremble as he heard Sasuke's words. His words became heavier, and the impact on the Hokage's heart was even more severe.
However, Sasuke's furious roar also attracted the two ANBU guards outside.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!!" Next moment, heavy knocking sounded at the door, and outside, the voices of the two ANBU members calling out.
"Lord Hokage, what's going on?!"
"Lord Hokage, please let us in!"
Hearing the voices, the Third Hokage immediately spoke to stop them. "It's nothing serious. Just keep guarding outside."
"Really...? But I hear sounds inside..." one of the guards said hesitantly.
"Are my words not working?" The Third Hokage's voice was deep. "Now, immediately, go back outside and keep watch!"
"Alright..." The two guards could only nod helplessly and then left.
"Good. Sasuke, tell me your decision," Kaoru said after the guards left.
The Third Hokage stared at the floor, waiting for Sasuke's answer. "Sasuke, whatever decision you make, I won't blame you."
"Hmph, just words that sound nice..." Sasuke snorted coldly, then sheathed Kusanagi.
"Lord Hokage, do you really think I'm a fool? If I kill you now, I probably won't survive either!" Sasuke said fiercely.
Hearing Sasuke's words, the Third Hokage was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "That was my oversight. I didn't consider this aspect. In that case, I'll write a will now, letting the ninja of Konoha no longer trouble you after my death."
"Stop pretending. Can a letter really solve killing the Hokage?" Sasuke coldly said. "No need for your trouble—I won't kill you. For me, killing the Hokage in Konoha, alone, is basically digging my own grave."
At this point, Sasuke put on his cloak again, wrapped his headband, and looked ready to leave.
"Lord Hokage, what do you plan to do? Are you just going to let Sasuke leave like this?" Kaoru, however, did not rush to leave. Instead, he looked at the Hokage and asked.
"Let Sasuke go. The mistakes he made, I truly cannot make up for," the Hokage said with deep exhaustion on his face.
"Then I'll take Sasuke away first," Kaoru nodded, then stood up.
"Let's go, Sasuke," Kaoru nodded and opened the door of the hut.
"Wait a moment," at this point, the Hokage spoke again. "Kaoru, how did you learn the truth about the massacre?"
Kaoru turned to look. He saw suspicion flickering in the Hokage's eyes. This old man didn't look as weak as he seemed.
"I was told by Itachi," Kaoru answered. That was the best answer. Now that Itachi was dead, there was no evidence to contradict him.
Earlier, he told Itachi that the truth about the massacre was told by the Third Hokage. Now, in front of the Hokage, he said it was Itachi. Both lies were very well crafted, with no flaws.
"I see..." The Hokage sighed deeply, hanging his head and no longer speaking.
Next, Kaoru and Sasuke once again left the place where the Third Hokage was hiding.
"Alright, you heard what the Third Hokage said. Now, what do you want to do?" Kaoru asked. He and Sasuke now stood at the foot of Hokage Rock, looking up at the Hokage statue carved into the stone.
"I want to leave Konoha," Sasuke answered. His face showed less hesitation and more relief. "Now I've finally let go of the long-standing burden in my heart. But now, another burden has appeared. Honestly, I don't have the same love for the village as Itachi did. If this village is what Itachi wanted to protect, then I can't let his efforts go to waste. Otherwise..."
Hearing Sasuke's words, a faint smile appeared on Kaoru's face. "So, you're willing to protect Konoha?"
"Not exactly protect. But I want to kill someone first," Sasuke replied.
"Who?"
"Uchiha Madara!"
"Uchiha Madara?"
"That's right. The same bastard who joined with Itachi to slaughter the Uchiha clan!" Sasuke gritted his teeth.
"Transfer your hatred onto Tobi, then," Kaoru analyzed his mindset. After learning the truth about Itachi, Sasuke's hatred for him had decreased considerably, and he had shifted that hatred onto Konoha. But Konoha was the thing Itachi loved most and protected with his life. To avoid making Itachi sad, Sasuke couldn't attack Konoha. So, finally, he transferred his hatred to Tobi...
"Uchiha Madara, huh? I also have something to tell you about him," Kaoru said. "Your brother set a sealing jutsu in your eyes—an illusion called Tsukuyomi—that activates when you make eye contact with the Sharingan, burning the other person to death. That's also why I haven't used my Sharingan until now."
"Did Itachi also do such things...?" Sasuke softly whispered, gently touching his own eyes.
"But Madara Uchiha is still beyond your ability to handle. I advise you to be more cautious," Kaoru continued.
"No, I must do this. Even if I don't succeed, maybe I can, like my brother, become a... spy beside Madara Uchiha!" Sasuke said, clearly having thought this through.
"Spy...?" Kaoru furrowed his brows noncommittally, then spoke: "Your life is up to you. But before that, I want to show you something."
"Something? What is it?" Sasuke was stunned.
"The gift that Itachi left for you in his final moments. Come with me," Kaoru said with a wave of his hand, then took the lead and walked forward.
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