Chapter 84 Conspiracy Theory

He opened the folder and quickly browsed through its contents, his expression becoming more and more solemn.

"First, the document is marked with the word 'Root', and judging from the time, this 'plan' was implemented shortly before 'Root' was disbanded."

"'Root'?" Sasuke frowned and asked in confusion.

"It was that guy Danzo who secretly formed the Anbu organization. My father often complained about him in front of me."

Inuzuka Kiba nodded in agreement.

"I've heard my mother mention Danzo, but I've never met him in person. He seems to think of himself as the 'Shadow Hokage' and has been secretly controlling the village. The Sandaime Hokage used to turn a blind eye to him because he was an old comrade, but in recent years, the Sandaime Hokage has become increasingly dissatisfied with his actions, at least on the surface."

"You mean... they want to recruit Itachi? After the massacre?" Sasuke asked incredulously.

Shikamaru shook his head.

"The file didn't explain it in detail, so I did some research. Some records of the Root and Anbu's actions always disappeared inexplicably, so instead of investigating those that existed, it's better to investigate those that disappeared, such as mission reports with missing time records, patrols that never arrived at their destinations, and messages that fell into oblivion after being sent out... All the clues point to one conclusion: On the day when the Uchiha family was exterminated, something unknown must have happened in Konoha Village."

"So what do you think happened?" Sasuke asked, "besides the genocide itself?"

Naruto looked at Sasuke in surprise. He thought Sasuke would be more excited, but Sasuke was unexpectedly calm. He seemed to be able to look at the matter from a more rational and objective perspective.

Naruto silently leaned closer to Sasuke to show his support.

Sasuke gave him a grateful look and leaned his shoulder against Naruto's.

"I've considered many possibilities, and at the moment, there are three most likely possibilities." Shikamaru said as he placed the folder in his hand between the two of them. "The first, and most direct, is that Itachi became mentally ill due to something, such as the loss of a loved one, a failed mission, etc., which led him to take extreme actions."

"The second, and most likely, is that the whole thing is a conspiracy, and Itachi is just a tool being used."

"You mean, someone is behind all this?" Naruto said in disbelief, "Who would do such a thing? Why would they do this?"

"If it's just the village, there aren't many people who meet the criteria, but we can't rule out the possibility of external forces. Danzo is the biggest suspect, but we can't rule out the suspicion of the village elders. Moreover, no matter how powerful Itachi is, he can't kill the entire Uchiha family by himself. He must have helpers."

"Are there many people in the Uchiha clan?" Inuzuka Kiba asked curiously.

Sasuke nodded.

"There are two main branches of our family. My branch is the descendant of Indra, the eldest son of the Sage of Six Paths, and is responsible for leading the family. The other branch is the descendant of Ashura, the second son of the Sage of Six Paths, and is responsible for protecting the family. Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan was inherited from the guardian of the family."

"You said there were three possibilities." Naruto suddenly said, "What is the third possibility?"

Shikamaru took a deep breath and said slowly:

"The third possibility, which I think is the most likely one, is a combination of the first two possibilities. I've thought about it carefully, and I think Itachi is very likely being manipulated by someone. With the help of Kiba -" At this point, he gave Inuzuka Kiba a thumbs up, "I secretly checked Itachi's previous personnel files."

"So you asked me to seduce Ibiki for this matter that day?" Inuzuka Kiba couldn't help but complain, "If I had known this would happen, I would have rejected you directly."

Sakura's eyes widened in surprise, then she couldn't help laughing.

"It's a miracle that you're still alive!"

"As long as the reward is generous enough, Akamaru and I are very motivated." Akamaru, the ninja dog curled up in Inuzuka Kiba's coat, heard his name and shouted happily. Inuzuka Kiba continued, "However, the next day Ibiki came to apologize with a fruit basket. It's embarrassing to think about it."

"Did you accept the fruit basket?" Sakura asked curiously.

"Of course I accept it. I don't want to die young."

"Anyway," Shikamaru interrupted their chat, "according to my research, Itachi is a very good ninja. He is loyal to the village, obeys orders, and has no bad record, except..."

He said as he pulled out a stack of handwritten notes from the file and handed a few of them to Naruto and Sasuke based on the handwriting.

"Just before the genocide, Itachi was on a mission, but he returned halfway. His captain said that Itachi said he 'felt something was wrong'. I don't think these two things are coincidences. I think that mission is likely the key to Itachi's change of temperament."

Sasuke scratched his hair irritably and whispered:

"This can't be a coincidence, but why would the people in the village want to wipe out the Uchiha clan? This doesn't make sense..."

"I think I know the answer." Kyuubi's voice suddenly appeared in Naruto's mind, "Can I say a few words?"

"I'll ask them right now." Naruto said, interrupting Sasuke and Shikamaru's conversation. "Kurama seems to know something. Do you mind if I let him say a few words?"

Sasuke was stunned for a moment and asked:

"Can you get him to come out and talk?"

Naruto nodded.

"of course can."

"I don't care." Inuzuka Kiba agreed.

"That's fine with me," Sakura also said, "He talks a lot anyway."

"Okay." Sasuke nodded.

Shikamaru agreed.

"I also want to hear his opinion. After all, he is an old monster who has lived for thousands of years."

Naruto nodded, closed his eyes, concentrated, and communicated with the Nine-Tails in the sealed space.

The next second, Nine-Tailed Fox appeared in front of everyone.

It did not fully materialize, but appeared in the form of chakra, with golden chakra intertwined to form a huge fox outline.

Its size was much smaller than usual, only the size of a puppy, but its color was more solid, almost indistinguishable from a real entity.

The Nine-Tailed Fox lay on Naruto's shoulder like a furry shawl, and lazily swung its tail like a lazy cat.

"Long time no see, human, nice to meet you." Nine-Tailed Fox said lazily with a hint of teasing in his tone.

"Watch your tone!" Naruto tapped the Nine-Tails' head gently and reminded him.

"Okay, okay, for your sake, I'll just say hello to them reluctantly." Kyuubi muttered softly.

Shikamaru looked at the Nine-Tails in surprise, this was the first time such an expression appeared on his face.

"It's incredible..." he muttered to himself.

"So, you are the Kyuubi?" Sasuke looked at the Kyuubi and raised an eyebrow. "I thought you would be bigger."