Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 488 Konoha F3 Gradually Enters Darkness

Just then, a white Zetsu suddenly appeared in the office and threw Hyuga Neji in front of them.

The two elders reacted immediately and drew their weapons, but before they could launch an attack, Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted, "Stop! He is a White Zetsu, a tool for spreading information within the organization."

"What do you mean? Hiruzen, what are you hiding from us? And what's the deal with these Hyuga clan children? Why aren't there any Caged Birds?"

The absence of a caged bird implies he might be from the main branch of the Hyuga clan, yet the main branch clearly doesn't have a boy like that. So, is the Hyuga clan engaging in double-dealing, even going against their ancestral precepts to oppose Konoha? Who gave them this courage?

At this moment, White Zetsu revealed another shocking piece of news, making Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression even more grim and uncertain: "Lord Hiruzen, Lord Nagato and Lord Konan have been killed, and the Rinnegan has been taken by Obito Uchiha. Also, Lord Black Zetsu told me to tell you that the Hyuga clan is not stable, and to give them a warning."

"Is there anything else, Lord Sarutobi? If not, I'll be taking my leave now."

Seeing that Hyuga Neji was about to awaken, Hiruzen Sarutobi instructed White Zetsu, "Go to the Hyuga clan and summon their head."

"Won't we give ourselves away?"

"It doesn't matter anymore at this point." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. Ever since Itachi Uchiha's crow suddenly went berserk and self-destructed, all the insects around that could sense their conversation had received all the information.

So it doesn't matter anymore to keep it a secret; he is a member of the Akatsuki.

Bai Jue nodded, turned around, and disappeared underground.

At this moment, two elders immediately stepped forward and surrounded Hiruzen Sarutobi, questioning him, "Hiruzen, what exactly happened? Nagato and Konan, aren't they Jiraiya's disciples? How did they become adults? And when did the Hyuga clan start hedging their bets on both sides? What exactly is that thing?"

At this point, they felt completely disconnected from the core leadership. When did Hiruzen become connected with these strange individuals? How could they have been completely unaware?

What's terrifying is that they had no idea when these monsters appeared or what they were.

I'm living in a dream, completely kept in the dark!

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked the two of them to sit down and calm down before saying, "It seems I have to tell you everything. Yes, just as you saw, I joined the Akatsuki."

"It's not just me; the Third Tsuchikage and the Fourth Raikage have also joined Akatsuki and become its members. The reason we've united is to fight against the greatest darkness in the ninja world, Aburame Shisei!"

"You're getting senile. No matter how powerful Aburame Shisei is, Konoha isn't going to take him lying down," Mitokado Homura said indignantly. "If they want war, I'll personally lead the charge this time. Our Konoha ninjas aren't as few as they used to be; we now have a full 2."

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi only found his old friend ridiculous, and couldn't help but feel a little sad.

Sadly, these two old friends are still stuck in the previous era in terms of their thinking and minds!

Watch more TV when you have free time, don't get trapped in your narrow mindset.

"Things have changed. Mitokado Homura's power is now so terrifying that numbers can't compensate for it. We must unite to have any chance of survival. Otherwise, not only Konoha, but the entire ninja world will face an epic disaster."

The two were still skeptical, but soon, White Zetsu brought the Hyuga clan before him.

Hiashi Hyuga looked at Neji lying on the ground, then knelt down abruptly. "Lord Sarutobi, please give our Hyuga clan another chance."

"I gave you a chance, I've already given you a chance." Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his head, his face showing no mercy. "Now hand over the Hyuga clan and control of the Caged Bird Seal."

Upon hearing this, Hiashi Hyuga's expression instantly turned grim. "Lord Sarutobi, the clan rules cannot be changed; only members of the Hyuga clan are permitted..."

"Your Hyuga clan is no match for us. You are descendants of the ancient Otsutsuki clan. Black Zetsu is Otsutsuki Hamura, the younger brother of the Sage of Six Paths. In a way, we are protecting your Hyuga clan and your Byakugan. Aburame Shisei is too evil. If your eyes fall into their hands, who knows what kind of monsters they will be bred into."

"I..." The Hyuga clan felt utterly humiliated, but in the end they obediently handed over control. If they didn't, their clan might face annihilation.

"Go, carve a caged bird for your nephew yourself; after all, he's also a member of a separate family."

"Yes." Hiashi Hyuga had no choice but to comply. He crawled on his knees to Neji Hyuga and finally apologized.

But Hyuga Neji had actually been awake for a long time. He had tears in his eyes, but he kept pretending to be asleep. He didn't blame you, he didn't blame his uncle!

As the caged bird was carved, Hyuga Neji fainted again.

"Sarutobi-sama..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand and said, "Very good, take him back and let him rest well. After all, he's still a child and needs to be properly nourished."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said something caring, but his words were like plain water, tasteless and even had a strong, unpleasant smell of disinfectant.

Hiashi Hyuga, carrying Neji Hyuga, bowed deeply and slowly retreated from the office building, displaying utmost humility.

He didn't ask about his brother's whereabouts because he knew his brother was probably dead.

After the two left, the room became lively again.

The two elders began to inquire about more details, and after some discussion, they ultimately chose to join the Akatsuki organization to contribute their own strength to the peace of the ninja world.

However, at that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned again: "The most important thing now is that Itachi Uchiha has lost control. I just received news that Itachi Uchiha has left the Akatsuki organization. He is now aimlessly chasing after Obito Uchiha."

"Hiruzen, this isn't your fault," Koharu Utatane comforted her from the side.

"No, it's all my fault. The fault doesn't lie with the Uchiha clan, it's with me." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled bitterly, stubbing out the cigarette in his hand. "I trusted my judgment too much, and relied too much on Itachi's loyalty. I thought that using Sasuke as a bargaining chip would stabilize everything, but I never expected..."

"It's pointless to talk about this now."

Mitokado Homura interrupted him, saying, "The question is, what will Obito Uchiha do next? He has already obtained Nagato Uzumaki's Rinnegan, and now he has taken Sasuke away. His goal is definitely not just simple revenge."