Malphegor
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HSU: Ch. 209
🕑 Added 2025-03-01 17:49:44 +0000 UTCItachi moved forward with his team.
Their target was a man with significant status in the daimyō's government.
To put it bluntly, the reason this man had dared to get involved in such matters without fear was precisely because of his position.
For a samurai family with a small estate in the countryside, the only way to rise in status was to become a retainer of a high-ranking noble, and serving the daimyō was the ultimate choice.
Becoming a daimyō's retainer meant a chance to completely change a family's fate.
During peacetime, civil positions were favored, with most aiming to govern a region or secure a high-ranking central role, usually starting as a deputy official.
In times of war, however, the goal was to acquire land.
The target of Itachi was someone who had aimed too high yet achieved too little.
As for why the person got involved in this situation, the reason was simple: money.
By stirring up tensions, both Suna and Konoha would be forced to stockpile supplies, allowing him and his associates to profit.
He never considered that his actions might backfire. After all, the Land of Fire was the strongest nation, and even the government could benefit from this situation.
He believed he had balanced personal gain and national interests—there should be no issue.
What he hadn't expected was that the ninja villages were taking things so seriously this time. In the end, even an entire ninja village had stepped in.
He wanted to run, but with all the rogue ninjas in the Land of Rivers being wiped out, escape was no longer an option.
These ninjas were crazy. If he stayed put, at least there was a slim chance of survival.
Even Konoha wouldn't dare storm into the daimyō's residence to capture or kill him, right?
This was the daimyō's domain, not some backwater region.
If Konoha caught him, the daimyō would intervene—he still had a way out. After all, they were part of the same system, and he had spent years currying favor with the right people.
He had worked his way up from the countryside to the daimyō's court through years of effort. Even if he had no great achievements, he had at least worked hard for it!
In a study, this so-called "hard-working" official was contemplating how best to plead his case to the daimyō when urgent footsteps echoed from outside.
"The Konoha ninjas have entered the city!" A servant burst through the door, scrambling in a full prostration at his feet.
"What…" The official's thoughts were interrupted. He was about to curse, but the news hit him like a hammer. "They… how are they this bold!?"
"The leader has gone to the daimyō's hall, but our house is surrounded by ninjas! There are bugs swarming outside the walls!"
A chill ran down his spine, but he forced himself to stay calm. "Don't worry! I hold an official title granted by the daimyō himself. How dare some ninjas be so disrespectful!?"
Bug manipulation was a well-known technique of a prominent clan in Konoha. The fact that such an influential clan had taken action meant there was no room for negotiation.
But even though he was born into a humble samurai family, he had managed to secure an estate within the daimyō's residence. That was no small feat. He knew very well that the daimyō and the Hokage never interfered in each other's internal affairs, and he was an official directly under the daimyō's jurisdiction.
All his hopes rested on the daimyō now.
As a high-ranking official, even if he were to be executed, it should not be at the hands of Konoha's ninjas.
Just as he was thinking this, a loud crash came from outside.
"What happened? Go check it out!" He kicked the servant.
Though terrified, the servant didn't dare disobey and ran toward the door with trembling steps.
The next moment, a flash of steel.
His head rolled to the ground, blood spurting violently, staining the doorway a striking crimson.
A young ninja stood there, his blood-red eyes revealing his identity.
"Uchiha…" The official collapsed onto the floor, muttering, "Impossible… the daimyō wouldn't allow this."
"You are Takakura Daisuke?" Itachi stepped into the study, his sword still dripping with fresh blood.
"Who… who are you?"
"You shouldn't have orchestrated attacks against Konoha's ninjas." Itachi's voice was emotionless. "People like you disrupt the peace of this nation."
"Lies!" Daisuke roared in anger. "You ninjas are the true source of chaos!"
Itachi had no interest in arguing. The target was confirmed. He raised his sword, ready to strike.
"Itachi, wait a moment!" Another Konoha ninja rushed in. "Masashi-sama's orders haven't arrived yet. This one needs to be taken alive."
"There won't be any issues on his side. Waiting too long might let him escape." Even so, Itachi withdrew his sword and turned to leave.
"He's yours. I'll handle the rest."
Only then did Daisuke realize that he had barely escaped death. But at the same time, he understood exactly what this ninja intended to do next.
"My family is innocent! Innocent!" he screamed in terror. "I'll confess everything, just spare my family!"
Itachi didn't even spare him a glance. He vanished with his sword in hand.
Daisuke momentarily forgot his fear and hurriedly tried to get up, only to be immediately immobilized by a sealing technique from another ninja in the room.
"Stay put, Daisuke. Don't make things difficult for me."
This ninja was from the Aburame clan. While he didn't fully agree with Itachi's methods, he had no intention of stopping him either.
After all, by the time Itachi entered the mansion, he had already killed many people—and he had perfectly fulfilled Masashi's orders: no one had made a sound.
Though this might not have been the exact intent of the order, the result was... the same?
Itachi had inherited nearly all of Shisui's skills—his standard genjutsu, Fire Release, and taijutsu—but he was far more ruthless in action than Shisui ever was.
When it came to combat, he rarely left survivors.
In fact, his approach was much more similar to how Masashi had been in his younger days.
By the time Masashi arrived at the mansion, he could already see the collapsed outer walls and the severed heads littering the ground from a distance.
"Who the hell did this? Didn't I just say to be mindful of how we handle things?"
Goddammit.
He had just reassured the Fire Daimyō that they would be careful with their actions, and now someone had gone ahead and set up a massacre like it was some kind of barbecue festival?
If word got out, wouldn't that make it seem like he didn't keep his promises?
Glancing around, he noticed that a crowd of civilians had already gathered nearby, drawn by the commotion.
"Block off the area," he ordered. "Use Earth Release to cover up the walls. Don't let the people see inside."
Then, without wasting another second, he dashed into the courtyard at full speed.
A quick scan of the scene revealed that not all of the dead were combatants.
But the method used was unmistakable—he knew exactly who had done this.
Itachi.
In a way, he had become the sharpest blade of the Uchiha clan. Among the new generation, he stood head and shoulders above the rest, undoubtedly the strongest rookie in Konoha.
But his killing intent was overwhelming.
Especially after unlocking his Sharingan during a mission.
Now, he no longer struggled between choosing the village or the clan. He also didn't show any signs of extreme ideology that viewed Konoha and the Uchiha clan as separate entities. But when it came to his mission targets, he truly showed no regard for human life.
When Itachi was on a mission, he and the Itachi that existed outside of missions seemed like two entirely different people, despite sharing the same face.
Masashi frowned and made his way toward the inner courtyard.
As he stepped into the courtyard, the air felt much fresher.
However, occasionally, he could see people who had been cut down—each slain with a single stroke.
Half were ordinary people, while the other half were not.
Itachi's chakra was quite "conspicuous," making it easy for Masashi to locate him. Just as he arrived, he saw Itachi swinging his blade at a woman.
Her attire made it clear that she was a family member.
Seriously?
Masashi used the Body Flicker to instantly appear between them, grabbing Itachi's descending blade.
"Itachi, have you lost your mind from killing?" Masashi casually snapped the blade in half and tossed the broken piece to the ground. "This is the daimyō's residence—watch how you operate."
"Masashi-nii, one must remove the roots when cutting the weeds."
"Look carefully—that's a baby! Your killing intent is too intense. Adjust yourself properly."
"Understood." Seeing Masashi's firm stance, Itachi did not argue. He simply sheathed the remaining half of his broken sword.
"Where's the main target? Don't tell me you already cut him down?"
"No, he's in the study."
Good, at least he knew not to kill the main target recklessly.
Masashi nodded in satisfaction.
Then, he turned to the woman who had just shielded the baby in her arms, prepared to take the strike herself.
"Who are you?"
The woman looked at him in terror and stammered, "My husband is Daisuke. I can give you money. He has a lot of money—he can ransom us."
"We are Konoha ninjas, acting on the orders of the Fire Daimyō to capture a criminal." Masashi pointed to his combat uniform and showed her the "authorization permit" strapped to his arm. Seeing the disbelief on her face, he continued, "Your husband made money he shouldn't have—he's as good as dead. You'd best prepare to remarry."
Daisuke was doomed. However, this world did not practice collective punishment, so his wife and child would be completely fine. In fact, they would inherit all his wealth—except for his land, which would be confiscated.
Such was the privilege of the nobility.
Masashi was quite familiar with noble circles.
For a noblewoman with a child, remarriage was no issue—simply adopting the new husband's surname for the child would suffice.
This woman was quite beautiful, and with Daisuke's considerable wealth, finding a new husband wouldn't be difficult.
But finding real love? That was hard to answer.
As for Daisuke's land, it would undoubtedly be reclaimed by the daimyō.
Even during the feudal era, such things were common—noble territories were not set in stone.
If a noble fell from grace, their land would be confiscated, while meritorious nobles would be granted new fiefs.
Although commoners had no way of entering the ruling class, the noble ranks were constantly shifting internally.
Only the daimyō, as the ally of the Hidden Village, maintained absolute dominance over the other lords through a mutually beneficial system.
Since the Fire Daimyō and Konoha were on the same side, they had to respect each other's customs. Conducting a massacre at the daimyō's residence was absolutely unacceptable.
That would be completely disrespectful to an old ally.
Masashi gripped Itachi's shoulder firmly as they walked through the corridor.
"What do you think the Fire Daimyō would say if he learned Konoha ninjas were slaughtering entire families in his residence?" Masashi asked, his eyes fixed forward.
"The target—"
"The target is Daisuke," Masashi cut him off. "Not his wife, not his child."
Itachi's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes reflected a hint of stubbornness. "Leaving loose ends is dangerous. Even family members can seek revenge."
"And what happens when word spreads that Konoha ninjas slaughter noble families, including women and children?" Masashi stopped abruptly, forcing Itachi to face him. "Think beyond the mission. The daimyō allows us to operate because we maintain certain standards."
They resumed walking, passing the bodies of guards Itachi had dispatched.
"Our village needs the daimyō's financial support," Masashi continued. "Each time you cross a line, you risk not just today's mission but tomorrow's resources. Resources that keep our village secure."
Itachi absorbed this, his pace slowing slightly. "I had not considered the political implications."
"Politics is just another battlefield. One where killing is usually the worst strategy." Masashi lowered his voice as they approached a corner. "The strongest ninja isn't the one who kills most efficiently, but the one who knows when killing is unnecessary."
A servant scurried past, eyes downcast, terrified. Masashi waited until they were alone again.
"You're brilliant at combat, Itachi. But brilliance becomes dangerous when wielded without wisdom." He tapped his temple. "Start fighting with this more than with your blade."
"The mission parameters stated elimination of the threat."
"The threat is Daisuke's schemes, not his infant child," Masashi said sharply. "When you eliminate everyone connected to a problem, you create ten new problems. That's not efficiency—it's shortsightedness."
Itachi's eyes widened slightly, the closest he came to showing surprise.
"The Hokage trusts you with missions because of your skill," Masashi said. "But if you want to truly serve the village, you need to understand the consequences of each death. Each death sends ripples through the village, through the country. Some ripples strengthen us, others weaken us."
"You have the potential to be more than just the clan's prodigy. But only if you learn when to sheathe your sword."
Itachi nodded once, processing the lesson in his methodical way. By the time they reached the study, the murderous intent that had surrounded him earlier had dissipated, replaced by a more measured focus.
He didn't have many friends within the Uchiha clan. His cold demeanor and high standards made it difficult for him to connect with others. However, he wasn't like this with everyone—Masashi was one of the few people who could keep him in check.
Upon entering the study, he saw an Aburame ninja he had assigned to watch the target. As expected, Daisuke was there, frozen in place like a human statue.
"This is Daisuke?"
"Yes, Masashi-sama."
Hearing the name "Masashi," Daisuke's already immobilized body trembled. His eyes widened in fear.
"You've gotten yourself into a real mess, Daisuke," Masashi remarked as he casually dispelled the binding jutsu. "Relax, your family is safe. Rules are rules—this matter has nothing to do with them. Only you have to die."
Freed from his restraints, Daisuke immediately fell to his knees with a thud, tears and snot streaming down his face as he bowed his head to Masashi. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
A moment ago, he had truly believed that the ninjas would slaughter his wife and child.
By comparison, his own life no longer mattered.
If the White Ghost had spoken, then it was trustworthy. His family would live well.
However, the moment he heard Masashi's name, he knew he had no hope of survival.
Masashi was a top-tier ninja and a world-renowned figure with close ties to the Fire Daimyō.
Although Daisuke was an official of a province, he lacked any significant family backing. To the daimyō, he was entirely expendable.
"You are a minister of the Land of Fire, so you will be granted the dignity you deserve. Your execution is the daimyō's prerogative. Of course, you already understand your fate. Please come with us."
"I understand. Thank you for protecting my family."
"No need to thank me. Rules are rules. In your next life, remember to follow them."
Signaling the Aburame ninja to take away their final target, Masashi turned to leave.
At the door, he glanced back at Itachi.
"Your mission is over. Come with me."
What a walking time bomb.
He had almost made things difficult for him in front of the Fire daimyō.
If he had actually succeeded in wiping out the entire family, how would he ever be able to ask the daimyō for favors in the future?
Hearing his name called, Itachi, still reeling from the earlier scolding, obediently followed.
Although Masashi had never taught him a single jutsu, he considered him his true teacher.
After all, he had proven through his actions that Itachi's past beliefs were flawed.
To Masashi, he was completely convinced.
Watching him stride forward confidently, Itachi had a sinking feeling that the lecture wasn't over yet.
Leaving the mansion, Masashi took a deep breath. Their mission was complete, but the teaching moment wasn't over.
"You know," he said, glancing sideways at Itachi, "even with everything I said earlier, I don't think you fully grasp how this works."
Itachi's eyebrows lifted slightly.
"The daimyō isn't just some abstract figure," Masashi continued. "He's a person with pride, with a public image to maintain. When we operate under his roof, we represent him."
"I acted according to what I believed was best for the Land of Fire's security," Itachi said, though his usual certainty had diminished.
"And that's exactly the problem." Masashi stopped walking and turned to face him directly. "You believed. You didn't know. You didn't consult. You just decided."
Itachi fell silent, considering.
"Look, actions have consequences beyond the immediate goal. The daimyō relies on his reputation. If word gets out that families are being slaughtered in his residence on his orders, what do you think happens to that reputation?"
"His enemies would exploit it," Itachi acknowledged.
"And his allies would distance themselves. Governors would hesitate to report problems. Merchants would avoid his territory." Masashi counted on his fingers. "All creating new security threats far worse than one corrupt official."
"But that man was a threat to the Land of Fire's peace," Itachi argued seriously. "The daimyō would surely understand."
"Understand? The Land of Fire's stability depends on both us and the daimyō doing our jobs and cooperating. If you humiliate him, that threatens stability. Sure, you get to feel satisfied in the moment, but the daimyō will be pissed for years. Long enough for you to get married and have kids."
Itachi opened his mouth but hesitated. He wanted to say that the daimyō surely wouldn't be that petty.
But then he thought about Masashi, who was notoriously petty. And considering how well he got along with the daimyō…
Itachi suddenly understood.
"So, you finally get it." Masashi nodded approvingly. "That's right. You're already a key figure in our clan. You need to think before you act. Killing isn't always the answer. Information gathering applies to all situations, not just combat."
"I understand, Masashi-nii," Itachi responded with a firm nod.
"Good. Later, you're coming with me to meet the daimyō. This one is actually easy to talk to—as long as you show respect, he'll be even more respectful to you."
