Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 198: The Sharingan is a Must!

Mito Homura and Koharu Utatane have extraordinary survival skills, given that they survived until the Boruto era. Hagoromo Gengetsu experienced this firsthand. 

He had sought them out during his recent visit to Konoha. Despite the village being on high alert, they remained hidden and did not appear, no matter where they were. Their ability to "stay calm" was truly impressive.

"Mito Homura... Koharu Utatane..." Sasuke thought silently.

Based on Hagoromo Gengetsu's recount, Sasuke primarily wanted to confront the two key planners and executors of the clan's massacre: the Third Hokage and Danzo Shimura. Unfortunately, Danzo was already dead at the hands of Hagoromo. As for the Third Hokage, who had died even earlier...

Sasuke's gaze turned cold as he recalled the Third Hokage's kind face, who frequently visited him when he was alone as a child. What should have been a fond memory now filled him with immense disgust. It was the Third Hokage who ultimately decided to annihilate the Uchiha clan. Sasuke's survival was a condition negotiated by Itachi, who acted as the executioner, not out of any mercy from the Hokage.

The true culprit behind the massacre had feigned ignorance post-massacre, presenting a facade of kindness and warmth to Sasuke. Did he not feel any revulsion at his own hypocrisy? Reflecting on the Hokage's fake concern back then now made Sasuke feel intensely uncomfortable.

Will of Fire? What a joke!

"There's one more person," Hagoromo Gengetsu added. "It wasn't solely Itachi who wiped out the Uchiha clan. Another Uchiha with the Mangekyō Sharingan assisted him—a man in an orange spiral mask who claimed to be Uchiha Madara. But he wasn't."

"So there was another Mangekyō Sharingan user after all," Sasuke mused. He had wanted to learn this from Itachi, who had remained silent on the matter, but now he knew from Hagoromo.

Hagoromo explained, "I'm telling you this now because you are finally strong enough to handle it. Telling you earlier would have only added to your troubles."

"I understand, Lord Hagoromo," Sasuke replied solemnly. "I will personally deal with Mito Homura, Koharu Utatane, and that other Uchiha with the Mangekyō Sharingan, bringing an end to the night of the Uchiha massacre."

Hagoromo Gengetsu smiled, "Perfect timing. We're about to meet that Uchiha. You might encounter him sooner than expected. Prepare yourself. But first, think about how you'll explain the truth to Uchiha Kagami and the others."

At this, Sasuke's determined expression faltered, remembering he had almost forgotten about this. He looked at Hagoromo for help, only to receive a pat on the back. Hagoromo Gengetsu wasn't skilled at this kind of emotional confrontation and preferred to avoid it.

In the end, Sasuke walked off the rooftop with a heavy heart. Despite his reluctance, he didn't want to hide the truth from the others. Soon after, Hagoromo Gengetsu, still gazing at the scenery, heard sounds of shock, anger, and questioning from below. He shook his head. This kind of emotional outburst was something he always avoided.

Half an hour later, Hagoromo Gengetsu, descending from the rooftop, joined the rest of the Uchiha. Observing the scene, he noticed that aside from Sasuke, everyone's emotions were somewhat altered, yet they treated Sasuke as they always had. Overall, things were fine. 

True to their character, the Uchiha wouldn't resort to tricks; if they were truly displeased, they would have fought it out. Hagoromo Gengetsu didn't probe further. Knowing these people well, he understood they wouldn't forgive Itachi despite learning the truth. Itachi had taken Konoha's side and executed the massacre on their orders.

Sasuke was internally conflicted too. How could he hate Itachi knowing he did everything for him? Yet, he couldn't accept that Itachi chose Konoha over their clan. This was something he would never understand or accept. 

Regardless, Itachi was dead. For Sasuke and the other Uchiha, this moment united them in their growing hatred for Konoha.

Without adding any more fuel to the fire, Hagoromo Gengetsu issued an order and led them on their way. They had set out as a group of two- and three-tomoe Sharingan users, but they returned with three Mangekyō Sharingan among them. 

As the Uchiha returned, reuniting with their long-time allies, the Hagoromo clan, the ripples of their actions spread across the ninja world. The news of Itachi's death, killed by his brother Sasuke and some unknown Uchiha ninjas, shocked many. The fight had occurred in Konoha, and the villagers' discontent with their leaders was evident.

This turmoil reignited the ninja world, which had been relatively calm for over a year. 

In a secret underground base in the Land of Rice Fields, Orochimaru, having been subdued for the past two years, played with a mask in his hand while reading the latest intel from Kabuto. His tongue flicked across his lips as he coldly laughed, "So Uchiha Itachi is dead."

Kabuto adjusted his glasses, "Yes, he was reportedly killed by Sasuke and some other Uchiha. I didn't expect there to be so many left."

"Still, Sasuke is the most outstanding. Especially now that he has Itachi's eyes," Orochimaru's face was a mix of greed and regret. He had been so close to obtaining Sasuke himself.

But with so many Uchiha survivors, it was still beneficial for him. Even if he couldn't get Sasuke, he could target others. His Living Corpse Reincarnation technique was nearly due.

Orochimaru looked at his hands, which now seemed as normal as anyone's. Having searched through various Uzumaki clan records, he had located the Shinigami mask just before Hagoromo Gengetsu could. With his soul restored and the good news of the Hokages' absence, he was back at his peak.

It was time to venture out again and find a new body. An Uchiha was always his first choice. The Sharingan was a must-have!