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Mastermind of the Akatsuki 378
🕑 Added 2025-04-18 16:00:07 +0000 UTCChapter 378: The Third Hokage Falls
Faced with the Third Hokage’s interrogation, Shisui didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he asked in return, "Third Hokage, does my true identity matter? What’s more important is, who do you think I am?"
The Third Hokage’s expression grew darker. He understood that the other party had no intention of revealing the truth. If that was the case, then there was only one way to get real answers, through battle. Though he was old, dealing with these faceless schemers was still well within his ability.
Wielding his staff, he swung it with chakra-enhanced strength, sweeping across the entire alley.
The walls and houses along the way crumbled like brittle twigs under the force of his strike, turning into ruins in an instant.
Just as the Third Hokage was about to strike again, Shisui activated Susanoo, effortlessly blocking the attack.
Staring at the emerald-green Susanoo, the Third Hokage froze in place, then shouted in shock, "Susanoo…! Are you the masked man who launched the Nine-Tails attack?!"
Shisui shook his head slightly and then, in a voice the Third Hokage found eerily familiar, said, "Hokage-dono, how pathetic. You can’t even tell the difference between my voice and that masked man’s? I am the spy you sent into the Uchiha clan, Shisui Uchiha."
The Third Hokage hesitated for a moment at the name, then furrowed his brows and said, "You can’t be Shisui. The Shisui I remember would never ally with enemies, nor would he betray the village."
Shisui released his transformation jutsu and sighed. "That’s true. Shisui has been dead for a long time. The one standing before you is, well, the Uchiha Danzo, everything I’ve done is for both the clan and the village."
Seeing Shisui’s face, the Third Hokage took a deep breath, his tone calmer as he asked, "So it really is you. But why disguise yourself as Danzo? Why hide your identity? And why join forces with Orochimaru to attack the village? If you were still alive back then, the Uchiha Massacre would never have happened."
At that moment, as if realizing something, the Third Hokage abruptly turned to look at the surrounding Root members. Through their masks, a series of scarlet Sharingan eyes gleamed ominously.
All of these Root members… had awakened the Sharingan.
When had Root been completely taken over?
As Hokage, he hadn’t even noticed it. No wonder, back during the Uchiha Massacre, Danzo was the first to enter the clan district. He had assumed it was because Danzo coveted the Uchiha’s bloodline.
But in reality, Root was Uchiha, and Uchiha had become Root. In a short span of time, their roles had swapped, pushing the Uchiha into the shadows.
Then… when exactly did Shisui become Danzo?
As if reading the Third Hokage’s thoughts, Shisui let out a mocking laugh. "Hokage-dono, you seem quite shocked that I became Danzo. To be honest, I was just as surprised myself. Do you remember the day I voluntarily informed you about my dojutsu? That very afternoon, Danzo came to see me.
For the peace of the village, for the unity of the Uchiha and Konoha, I was even willing to reveal my Sharingan’s power… but in return, Danzo ambushed me. Do you know what jutsu he used?"
Under Shisui’s intense gaze, the Third Hokage slowly shook his head.
Shisui continued, "It was the Uchiha’s forbidden technique, Izanagi. Danzo used a technique given to him by the Uchiha elders to try and kill me. Don’t you think that’s laughable? Well, after turning the tables and killing Danzo instead, I inherited his identity and became the leader of Root."
The Third Hokage let out a heavy sigh. He had never imagined events would unfold this way. After a moment, he said, "After taking control of Danzo, you shouldn’t have become the new Danzo. You should have come to me. I would have handled it properly."
"Handled it properly?" Shisui sneered. "You mean, raising a glass in self-punishment and then letting Danzo go back into hiding?"
Shisui sneered dismissively. "If I had reported this to you, the Uchiha would have faced even tighter surveillance. The tensions would have escalated into conflict, leading to an all-out civil war in Konoha."
The Third Hokage pondered for a moment before saying, "You should have trusted my judgment, or at least trusted Itachi. If not for you, he wouldn’t have had to go that far. With your strength, becoming Hokage wouldn’t have been difficult."
At the mention of Itachi’s name, the expressions of the Uchiha present instantly darkened, their eyes brimming with killing intent.
Shisui raised a hand, signaling them to remain calm. He then turned to the Third Hokage with a faint smile. "I never had much interest in becoming Hokage, but I also didn’t want my clan to waste their lives chasing that title."
"As for Itachi Uchiha… he is no longer one of us. You’d do well not to mention him."
The Third Hokage locked eyes with Shisui. "If you don’t seek the Hokage seat, then why are you aiding Orochimaru in attacking the village?"
Shisui looked at him with mild surprise. "Third Hokage-dono, wasn’t it you who let Orochimaru go? I haven’t betrayed the village, I just thought I’d arrange a little reunion between you and your former student. However, I didn’t expect Orochimaru to be this pathetic, though. He actually let you escape all the way here."
After a brief pause, Shisui continued, "Originally, I planned to clean up the mess after your death. But since you’ve managed to get away, I’ll have to send you off myself. Can’t have you interfering with my plans, now, can we?"
The Third Hokage wasn’t surprised at all by Shisui’s intention to kill him. What concerned him more was what Shisui and Orochimaru were truly planning.
"Shisui, what exactly is your goal with Orochimaru? Is it simply to kill me and destroy your own home?"
Shisui shook his head. "Our only objective is to remove you from power. When this is over, I will still be Danzo, and Orochimaru will still be a rogue ninja. But Konoha… Konoha will undergo a transformation."
The Third Hokage’s expression dimmed. "So, I’m the one standing in the way of Konoha’s future. But entrusting the village’s fate to the likes of you and Orochimaru… I can’t say I feel at ease with that."
With that, he launched another attack, his staff moving in an impenetrable flurry of strikes.
Shisui charged forward, unfazed, using Susanoo to block the onslaught. Then, under the Third Hokage’s stunned gaze, he activated Wood Release.
"You really are the masked man?!" The Third Hokage was horrified.
Shisui continued his pursuit, manipulating wooden tendrils. "Don’t lump me in with that beast. This is a combination of Orochimaru’s and Danzo’s research, I’m merely making use of their leftovers."
Before Yamato became widely known, there were almost no recorded users of Wood Release in the ninja world. But as the research advanced, more and more shinobi acquired Wood Release.
The Uchiha were particularly compatible with the technique, boasting a high success rate when receiving Wood Release transplants.
The Third Hokage found Shisui’s explanation difficult to believe, but at this point, the truth hardly mattered.
If he couldn’t defeat Shisui Uchiha here, then both he and the village were doomed.
Forming hand seals, he summoned four shadow clones and prepared a powerful combination technique.
"Five Style Great Consecutive Bullets!"
A massive surge of chakra erupted as five different elemental attacks were unleashed simultaneously, colliding in a brilliant explosion.
A towering mushroom cloud rose into the sky, drawing the attention of the Konoha villagers. Fear gripped their hearts as they turned to see the battle’s epicenter.
At that moment, Root operatives appeared among them, swiftly evacuating the civilians from the area.
At the same time, the Root operatives also prevented Konoha's shinobi from rushing in to provide assistance.
Shisui endured the full impact of the Five Style Great Consecutive Bullets using his Susanoo, but beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He couldn't help but acknowledge the Third Hokage’s strength.
Even after more than a decade without actively taking on missions, Hiruzen Sarutobi still maintained the combat prowess worthy of a Hokage. His chakra reserves were astonishing, almost comparable to Shisui himself, who had Hashirama’s cells implanted.
Taking him down would be no easy feat.
However, if the Third Hokage managed to escape, both the Uchiha and Root would be hunted down like rats, unable to remain in Konoha any longer.
The Third Hokage, too, was drenched in sweat. He hadn’t expected Shisui to be this powerful, so strong that conventional ninjutsu had little effect on him.
Even the special techniques he had prepared in advance weren’t particularly useful against him.
The Reaper Death Seal was indeed the strongest sealing technique of the Uzumaki Clan, but its effectiveness against living enemies was limited. Moreover, even if he took Shisui down with him, Orochimaru would still be a looming threat.
With no way to ensure mutual destruction, his only option was to escape.
If he could regroup with the main forces, then with Jiraiya’s help, he could put an end to this Konoha Rebellion.
Just as the Third Hokage was making his desperate retreat, two figures appeared in his path.
They wore the same masks as the Root operatives, yet their strikingly vibrant red hair set them apart.
Though it was only the two of them standing there, it felt as if they commanded an entire army behind them.
Faced with these mysterious women, the Third Hokage halted his steps.
He glanced behind at Shisui, who was still in pursuit, then turned back to the two unknown kunoichi. He wasn’t sure whether they were enemies or allies.
Shisui, too, grimaced at their sudden appearance.
At that moment, one of the mysterious women spoke.
"Shisui Uchiha, send your men to repel Orochimaru’s attack. It’s time to put an end to this farce."
Shisui was momentarily stunned, then seemed to realize something. Without hesitation, he ordered his men to reinforce Konoha’s defense forces.
There were only a handful of people who could identify him at this moment, and aside from Byakuya himself, only his closest confidants could do so. Moreover, he recognized the emblem of the Uzumaki Clan and knew of Byakuya’s connection to them.
With the Root operatives gone, the three of them encircled the Third Hokage.
Hiruzen still wanted to resist, but golden chains suddenly materialized from the air, blocking his path.
He had confidence that he could shatter these chakra-forged chains, but he no longer felt the will to fight.
The golden chains, Adamantine Sealing Chains, were an unmistakable mark of the Uzumaki Clan. This was a secret technique exclusive to them, one that only Uzumaki shinobi could wield.
Adding that to Shisui’s Sharingan and Wood Release…
The Third Hokage suddenly found himself questioning everything.
Had I truly made a mistake somewhere?
Otherwise, why would a group of shinobi, possessing the powers of the Senju, Uchiha, and Uzumaki, all stand against me?
With a heavy clang, the Third Hokage let go of his staff.
As the staff hit the ground, it transformed back into Enma, who appeared at Hiruzen’s side with a confused expression.
"Hiruzen, why are you giving up? We can still fight!"
The Third Hokage shook his head, his voice quiet but firm.
"There’s no need to fight any longer. The shinobi standing before me are not enemies… they are comrades of the village. Shisui is Kagami’s grandson. Orochimaru is my student. The Uzumaki Clan has always been Konoha’s ally."
"And… haven’t you noticed?" His voice grew heavier. "I’ve been fighting here for so long… yet Konoha’s elite jonin still haven’t arrived to support me. That means they, too, have abandoned me. Since everyone believes I can no longer be Hokage, there's no reason for me to keep fighting. By letting go now, I can minimize the village’s losses. I trust they won’t harm Konoha, one sacrifice is enough."
Hearing this, Shisui sneered.
"Your final words sound far more pleasant than Danzo’s. That fool still believed he was right even after his defeat. Utterly hopeless."
"Oh? Then I suppose I’m still better than Danzo, after all."
The Third Hokage chuckled softly, then turned his gaze toward the two mysterious kunoichi nearby.
"Shisui’s identity has already been revealed. What about you two? Can’t you at least tell a dying man who you are?"
Kushina shook her head, and Karin answered in her place.
"Apologies, Third Hokage. Orochimaru has just used Edo Tensei, we can’t afford to reveal anything. In this world, not even the dead can keep secrets."
With that, Kushina and Karin moved in unison, their Adamantine Sealing Chains binding the Third Hokage.
Shisui stepped forward, casting a genjutsu that sent him into unconsciousness, stripping him of any further ability to resist.
Once he had collapsed, Kushina removed her mask and turned to Shisui.
"Shisui, what do you plan to do with him? He made a lot of mistakes, but once… he was a good Hokage."
Shisui glanced at Kushina, immediately recognizing her identity.
The woman who was believed to have died when the Tailed Beast was extracted from her… was now standing before him, alive and well.
But to him, it was hardly shocking anymore. If he himself had faked his death and survived, then why couldn’t Kushina?
Even if she had truly died, he believed Byakuya-sama could bring back the dead. In his eyes, Byakuya was no different from the Sage of Six Paths, a walking god in the shinobi world.
After a brief moment of silence, Shisui answered.
"I’ll send the Third Hokage to accompany Danzo. Byakuya-sama already decided this long ago. What about you, Lady Kushina? What do you plan to do next?"
He paused before asking,
"Are you planning to step into the light and control Konoha as the Hokage’s wife?"
