Shisui frowned and waved the hilt of his sword irritatedly, flinging the corpse dozens of meters away. Looking at the disappearing figure, Shisui sighed helplessly.
The enemy had escaped again.
What was the origin of that guy? The ability to manipulate the Sharingan seems to belong to the Uchiha clan, but in Shisui's memory, he had never seen such a tricky character.
"Let's go. First, return to Konoha. I'll verify it later."
After saying that, Shisui turned around and wanted to lead the way. However, his eyes inadvertently noticed Temari and Gaara hesitating behind him.
"What's the matter?"
"Aren't you going to kill us? Is it really okay to take us back to Konoha like this? We are the culprits who attacked Konoha."
Shisui looked at the two children in front of him. As a ninja, he had always longed for peace, especially during the decades of upheaval between the Uchiha and the village.
All this was to prevent children of his own age from rushing to the battlefield prematurely and let the unbloomed flower of their life wither prematurely.
"Although I'm very angry about Sunagakure's betrayal of tearing up the peace treaty this time, it seems that there's someone else behind this. I'll take you back to Konoha and keep a close watch on you. When everything settles down, the Hokage-sama will decide your fate. For now, come back to Konoha with me. It's not safe here."
Shisui stepped forward and helped up the still-weak Gaara from Temari's hands.
"This kid is really heavy. You also seem to be seriously injured. I'll carry him."
.................
Meanwhile, the battle between the invading Sunagakure and Sound Ninjas in Konoha had come to an end. The various clans in Konoha had fought bravely against the enemies to defend their homeland and finally won the victory.
On the high building, the seriously injured Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had a dazed look in his eyes. Even though the medical staff were treating him, the blood from his abdomen still gushed out steadily.
"How's the old man's condition?"
Jiraiya looked solemn as he saw the seriously injured Third Hokage. Seeing his teacher like this, his heart was also extremely sad.
The once-kind teacher was no longer as heroic as before. With gray hair, lying on the ground looking as if he could die at any moment, Jiraiya also understood that even if his teacher was cured later, it would be very difficult for him to take on the role of Hokage again.
He looked up into the distance, with a solemn expression between his eyebrows. He had to find the next Hokage for Konoha, so at that moment, he also understood what he had to do.
.................
Sasuke followed Shisui's figure to the high building of the Third Chunin Exams. He nervously looked around, searching for Itachi's figure.
Although he knew in his heart that his aniki would never lose to someone like Orochimaru, but considering his brother's health, Sasuke still couldn't help but feel a flutter in his heart.
"Father!"
Sasuke spotted Fugaku Uchiha in the distance. For some reason, his tall father seemed to be a bit hunched at the moment. He kept his head down, making his expression unclear.
"Sasuke."
"Father, where is my brother? When I was in pursuit of the enemy, I saw him fighting with the enemy on this tall building. Why can't I see his figure now?"
Seeing his father hesitate to speak and his body trembling slightly, Sasuke seemed to understand everything. He couldn't bear to let his father worry about him anymore.
"Father, which hospital is my brother in? I'll go and see him."
Fugaku looked up at his sensible son, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings. He didn't know when it started, but he felt that Sasuke had suddenly grown up. He had become very powerful and sensible, and no longer had the simplicity and happiness of a child.
Once, he thought this was his good son and the future leader of the Uchiha clan. But when neither Itachi nor Sasuke had their innocence anymore, he regretted it.
Fugaku clenched his fists tightly. It was only at this moment that he understood that as a parent, as long as his sons were healthy and happy, he would be content...
"Konoha Hospital. Go and have a look there."
"Okay, I'm leaving."
............
In the hospital, Itachi was lying unconscious on the hospital bed. Through the glass, Sasuke saw that his body was full of various tubes, and he was also wearing an oxygen mask on his nose. With his weak breathing, the transparent mask became foggy.
"Are you a family member of Itachi Uchiha? Although the external injuries on his body are not very serious, he has a disease. The disease he has is the real reason for his current unconsciousness."
The doctor stood outside the glass, looking at the various test indicators in his hand. Then he shook his head helplessly.
What a shame! The gods envy the talented!
How could such a young child get such a terminal illness? The doctor could only sigh helplessly and leave silently.
Sasuke looked at the weak body through the glass and murmured to himself.
"Itachi, don't worry. I will never let you die like this!"
.............
Three days later.
The figure of a messenger ninja rushed quickly across the buildings in Konoha. His figure was agile, and in a few breaths, he arrived at the reporting hall.
"Report! My lords, news has come from Sunagakure. They found the long - deceased body of the Fourth Kazekage in the wild and realized that it was all Orochimaru's doing. Now they want to surrender to Konoha completely in exchange for the Sunagakure Ninjas detained in Konoha."
After the messenger ninja finished reporting, he looked up. The intense and powerful pressure in the reporting hall made him involuntarily swallow his saliva, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
This is way too exaggerated!
Fugaku Uchiha, the captain of the Konoha Police Force, Hiashi Hyūga, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, etc. Today, the leaders and high - ranking officials of various clans in Konoha had gathered together. This pressure was really beyond what an ordinary person could bear.
"What a joke! They colluded with Orochimaru to turn Konoha into what it is now. They think they can end it with just a few words. Absolutely impossible! We must fight them to the end!"
The radical faction in Konoha strongly expressed their dissatisfaction. How could they just slink off after losing a battle? Not to mention, releasing all the captives intact!
Among them were several good prospects. Letting them get away like this will surely be a headache for Konoha if they grow up in the future.
"I've got a bad feeling. Konoha's current situation is far from optimistic. The Third Hokage is still in critical condition. With Konoha leaderless, deciding who will take over is our top priority!"