Board Thread:Fanon Canon 2/@comment-2185383-20140924182221/@comment-24384232-20140928000353

You're making an assumption about the priorities of a Kage on the verge of a possible civil war. You're also undervaluing why Itachi went ahead with executing his clan. Hiruzen did learn of their conspiracy to oust him, which is why he tried the diplomatic route with peace talks. That failed. Upon that failure, Danzo stepped forward and presented his plan to Itachi.

The Uchiha were committed he explained. And it was apparent that if they did fight, Konoha would be thrown into civil war. And if Konoha suddenly became weakened, other countries like Iwa and Kumo would have exploited that and raised the flags of war. The very reason Itachi agreed to execute his clan was because of he did not wish to see the Fourth Great Shinobi War. His actions adverted that. Its why he did it.