“The Uchiha are rebelling!”
Danzo Shimura lay groggily at Hiruzen Sarutobi’s feet. As soon as he regained control of his chakra, he clung to Hiruzen’s leg and pointed wildly at Uchiha Jin, screaming deranged.
“Hiruzen, what are you waiting for? Kill these evil Uchiha!”
You fool!
Hiruzen felt a surge of anger and frustration towards Danzo. Couldn’t he read the situation?
Having just been blasted with accusations of weakness and cowardice, should he now turn and order the massacre of the Uchiha clan?
How many would follow such an order?
What kind of casualties would this battle cause?
Could he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, maintain his position in Konoha afterward?
Question after question raced through Hiruzen’s mind. But when he saw the gleam of satisfaction in Danzo’s eyes…
Damn it!
This scoundrel!
Even now, he’s trying to manipulate me!
Hiruzen felt utterly exhausted. His relationship with this “dirty work” comrade had always been one of love and hate, but now he couldn’t bear it.
“Arrest him!”
With a wave of his hand, two ANBU swiftly moved to detain the weakened Danzo.
However, knowing the intricate relationship between their leader and Danzo, they didn’t treat him harshly. Instead, they gently supported him as if assisting an older man.
“If only Danzo’s temperament could balance out with that of Homura and Koharu,” Hiruzen sighed internally.
The Shimura clan had grown somewhat because of Danzo, but they were initially a minor, almost insignificant clan.
Despite his powerful talent and courage, Danzo had reached his limits. His lack of political savvy meant he could never threaten Hiruzen’s rule. A mix of military power and political restraint was enough to keep Danzo in check.
What?
Danzo had once attempted to assassinate Hiruzen.
Nonsense!
That was just a little game to keep Danzo in line. Did he think it had any chance of success? Instead, it provided Hiruzen with a perfect opportunity to tighten his control.
Politics is the art of compromise!
As long as Danzo didn’t grasp this truth, Hiruzen could manipulate him at will, dealing with him whenever it suited him. Hence, his frequent indulgence of Danzo.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, though slightly less capable in combat, hailed from large ninja clans and were skilled in administrative duties.
If only Danzo could balance out with them… On second thought, it’s better this way!
When used correctly, Danzo was a sharp blade, but without control, he was liable to hurt the wielder.
He’ll need to be reprimanded later.
But for now…
Although Danzo had acted recklessly, Hiruzen believed he would quickly grasp the situation.
“Don’t listen to this Uchiha brat’s nonsense. You all saw the Sharingan in the Nine-Tails’ eyes during the attack, didn’t you?”
Indeed!
Though initially shaken by his rage, Danzo quickly regained his footing. With years of experience opposing the Uchiha, he knew how to rally Konoha’s forces against them.
Hiruzen felt a spark of hope. Danzo, this mad dog, was perfect for this kind of confrontation, ready to guide the conversation once more.
“Silence!”
But before Hiruzen could speak, Uchiha Jin had already commanded his clan.
Sharingan: Suppression!
The collective might of over a hundred Sharingan bore down, forcing Danzo and the two ANBU to hold him to their knees.
“Uchiha, you—”
Hiruzen began to reprimand them, but Jin’s response was swifter, bolstered by the combined pressure of the Uchiha’s Sharingan.
“The events of that time were long settled. The Nine-Tails’ attack had nothing to do with the Uchiha. We even relocated our clan as a sign of loyalty to the village!”
“If the Uchiha were truly behind it, how could a scoundrel like Danzo have stopped us?”
“Could it be that someone wanted to seize power, deliberately obstructing us from aiding the Fourth Hokage? Also, the Uchiha bloodline hasn’t remained entirely within the clan. Isn’t there an ANBU with a Sharingan?”
In the face of such low-level accusations, Jin’s heart remained unfazed. He easily implicated Kakashi and the Hokage faction in the mess.
“You’re lying! What’s your proof?”
Not only Danzo but also Hiruzen, Homura, and Koharu were alarmed.
The Nine-Tails’ attack was a cornerstone of their moral authority. If Jin had undermined this, it would have been easier to rally the village against the Uchiha.
“Kakashi only has a transplanted Sharingan, not enough to control a powerful beast like the Nine-Tails!”
Koharu quickly tried to assert control, her eyes fierce as she stared at Jin.
But Jin, unperturbed, chuckled and continued.
“And what proof do you have that the Uchiha controlled the Nine-Tails? Danzo stopped us from aiding the Fourth Hokage. Who else could control the Nine-Tails?”
Danzo knew the situation was dire. What should have been an unbeatable argument had been dismantled so easily.
“No proof is needed. Who knows what the Uchiha are hiding!”
With the escalating situation, Danzo didn’t hesitate to use every dirty trick.
But Jin’s smile remained, and he seemed unbothered by these meddlesome bugs’ antics. He spoke with unwavering confidence.
“I do know!”
“You’re lying!”
Danzo was desperate, ready to deny anything Jin might say.
Ignoring Danzo, Jin looked around at the clan leaders, finally settling his gaze on Hiruzen.
“The Uchiha have a clear conscience. Finding the truth is simple!”
“There are plenty of clans in Konoha capable of memory probing. If Danzo is willing to have his memories examined, I’m sure we can uncover the truth!”
Jin pointed at Danzo. But before he could finish, Danzo vehemently refused.
“Never! My memories are the village’s highest secrets!”
“Ha!”
Jin scoffed, continuing without acknowledging Danzo.
“The Uchiha are willing to prove our innocence. Clan Leader Fugaku and Elder Setsuna would not mind having their memories searched!”
Jin’s confident proclamation echoed, his sharp gaze sweeping the crowd.
My clan leader would dare to eat sht… No, wait… My elder would dare to eat sht… No, that’s not right…
My clan leader (elder) dares to have their memories searched!
The Uchiha fear nothing, not even the dirtiest of tricks…
And you?
(Far away in the Uchiha compound, the clan leader and elder sneezed: Achoo!)
(Why do I suddenly smell something foul? Is my high-quality tea spoiled?)
(Damn, some rogue must be plotting against me!)
…
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