Kakashi didn't speak, although he was somewhat surprised, he remained calm.
It was just very strange, how could Itachi alone possibly destroy the Uchiha clan.
No matter how strong Itachi's power was, he couldn't possibly take on the Uchiha clan by himself, even if he launched a surprise attack and exploited his identity as a clansman, it couldn't be done.
Moreover, last night, the Anbu's area of activity intentionally or unintentionally avoided the Uchiha clan.
This inevitably made Kakashi think of some unpleasant things.
He just didn't expect... such a large Uchiha clan could be annihilated so easily.
The malicious nature of this event is no worse than that defection incident over a decade ago.
"That's the reality. After a meeting decision, we have classified Uchiha Itachi as a dangerous S-rank criminal... this information should be announced to all nations by your second squad. We hope to capture Uchiha Itachi soon to prevent causing great panic among the nations."
"Yes, I understand, Hokage-sama."
Kakashi nodded.
The Uchiha clan has always been a prestigious and influential clan in the Ninja Realm, with a thousand-year legacy.
Their history surpasses even the history of the Five Great Nations.
But now in Konoha, only a single heir of the Uchiha remains, which is rather lamentable.
I have to say, this... is truly an impressive 'move'.
Kakashi somewhat suspects if there are spies from the Land of Demons within the higher-ups of Konoha.
He left with Tenzo to handle the aftermath of Uchiha Itachi's defection.
Leaving the Third Hokage, who looked tired, to sit in his office, he picked up a smoking pipe and a bitter sigh echoed in the room.
◎
The next task is to intercept the Hidden Sand forces supporting the Land of Bear in the Land of Wind.
Ruri has now assembled several members of the Uchiha clan and thousands of elite ninjas from the Land of Demons, ready to set out.
Because over a month ago, the Land of Demons severed all commercial cooperation with the Land of Wind, causing the conflict between the two nations to escalate again.
The Shion Flower Merchants Association no longer provides any medicine, food, water, or other essential resources to merchants of the Land of Wind.
And they openly declared that only when the Land of Wind returns all debts to the Land of Demons, including interest, can the commerce between the two nations resume normally.
Although this doesn't make it difficult for the Land of Wind to sustain itself, it directly strikes against their dignity, publicly tearing apart their facade, causing Hidden Sand Village and the Daimyo of the Land of Wind to become enraged.
As the Daimyo of the Land of Wind's orders spread into Hidden Sand, a military meeting was immediately held within Hidden Sand to discuss whether to expand the conflict with the Land of Demons.
Although opinions were divided, more high-ranking members of Hidden Sand believed that if the situation escalated again, expanding the battle was inevitable.
Moreover, without any negotiations, the Land of Demons dealt a substantial blow to the commerce of the Land of Wind. Does this mean that, aside from commercial threats, the Land of Demons has no other options?
So far, at the border of the Land of Demons, investigations by Hidden Sand's sensory units show only scattered ninjas from the Land of Demons routinely patrolling.
It is estimated that the military of the Land of Demons is also very aware that in terms of military confrontation, they hold a significant disadvantage.
Though they can use special ninja tools to gain a certain advantage in the early stages, once Hidden Sand becomes familiar with their combat methods, they will quickly counterattack and invade the Land of Demons' territory.
Given this background, within the next week, Hidden Sand Village will once again send reinforcements to the Land of Bear area, increasing their military threat against the Land of Demons, which has become an inevitable trend.
Ruri's task is to wait for the conflict to erupt along the border between the Land of Bear and the Land of Demons, using the Hidden Star Village base as cover to cut off the supply routes from the Land of Wind to the Land of Bear, making the thousand Hidden Sand ninjas stationed in the Land of Bear completely isolated.
As for whether their identities will be exposed at that time, it becomes unnecessary to worry.
Just as Ruri was taking action, Hakushi found her, and before she could speak, Hakushi said with a heavy expression:
"Ruri, there's something you need to know. The Uchiha clan in Konoha was wiped out last night."
"!?"
Ruri's eyes widened slightly, her mind suddenly blank.
Because what Hakushi said was something that exceeded the scope of her instantaneous judgment.
Seeing Ruri seems a bit incredulous, Hakushi could only say:
"This information was passed on by Kakashi, and the other nations don't know yet. Kakashi wouldn't joke about something like this, there's a high chance this is true."
After speaking, he looked at Ruri with worried eyes.
The annihilation of the Uchiha clan in Konoha also shocked him greatly.
Such a large Uchiha clan, how could they be extinguished so easily?
When he was informed of this matter, it took him a great effort to recover, let alone Ruri, who shared the same roots with the Uchiha in Konoha.
"Was it Akatsuki?"
Ruri remained silent for a while before asking this question.
"It wasn't Akatsuki, it was Uchiha Itachi."
Hakushi sighed.
A thirteen-year-old child capable of such a grand act, regardless of his power level, killing so many of his kin, including his parents, it's terrifying that his mind doesn't collapse under the pressure.
"Uchiha Itachi?"
It's not that Ruri doesn't believe it, but this answer is rather far-fetched.