The next day, Danzō was dead.
The news spread like a silent wind, quickly reaching every corner of Konoha.
Some breathed a sigh of relief, while others remained silent.
And for more people—especially those ninjas who had been monitored and oppressed by “Root” for a long time—a faint glimmer of hope ignited in their hearts.
His body was personally buried by the Third Hokage.
Although Danzō’s actions were despicable, he was still his old friend of decades.
The Third Hokage still wanted his old friend to be buried in Konoha.
As for the cause of Danzō’s death, everyone assumed it was personally killed by the Third Hokage.
However, the higher-ups quickly sealed the information.
After all, if it were known that Naruto had dealt with Danzō, his current life would be even more difficult.
And with Danzō’s death, the “Root” organization he led was officially disbanded.
Most of the members, due to long-term brainwashing, had an unimaginable loyalty to Danzō.
At the moment of Danzō’s death, they committed suicide.
The remaining members were placed under the direct supervision and treatment of the Third Hokage’s ANBU.
Thus, the entire structure of Konoha quietly changed.
And this news was undoubtedly a turning point for the Uchiha clan.
Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha stood in the underground secret room of the Naka Shrine, the dim torchlight illuminating the ancient clan crest on the wall.
Before them lay several corpses.
Judging by the wounds, these individuals had all committed suicide.
Shisui and Itachi were both familiar with these individuals.
They were the war faction of the Uchiha clan, radical and angry, who had repeatedly shouted “rebel against Konoha” at clan meetings.
“As expected…” Itachi said in a low voice, the three tomoe in his scarlet Sharingan slowly rotating.
Shisui crouched down, his finger gently pressing on a deceased person’s forehead.
Blue chakra flickered slightly.
After a moment, he withdrew his hand, his expression solemn.
“Their brain chakra flow is abnormal. Someone has been interfering with their thoughts with high-level genjutsu for a long time.”
Itachi closed his eyes, recalling the anomalies within the clan over the past few years.
Those passionate speeches, that unreasonable hatred, even the hostility of some clan members towards their “moderate faction”…
So that’s how it was.
“Danzō,” Itachi’s voice was icy.
“No, it couldn’t be him,” Shisui shook his head.
“Genjutsu of this level requires at least Mangekyō Sharingan to cast.”
Sensing Itachi’s silence, Shisui looked up at him.
“Who are you thinking of?”
Itachi stroked his chin, thinking carefully.
“Besides the ancestor in Naruto’s body, I think there’s one other person who’s suspicious.”
“The masked man who made me awaken my eyes back then.”
The two then fell into silence.
With the core figures of the war faction eliminated, the atmosphere within the Uchiha clan underwent a subtle change.
Fugaku still sat at the head of the table, but his eyes were no longer as gloomy as before, now carrying a hint of complex emotion.
“Konoha has relaxed its surveillance on us recently,” a Jōnin said in a low voice.
“Most of the ANBU have withdrawn, and even their patrol routes have been adjusted,” another added.
Fugaku did not respond immediately, slowly rubbing his teacup.
After a long while, he spoke.
“…Let’s observe for now.”
Due to Konoha’s inaction in the past, Fugaku still couldn’t let go of his guard.
However, compared to a coup, he hoped for a peaceful resolution where both sides could come to an understanding.
Meanwhile, Sasuke walked along the Uchiha streets and suddenly stopped.
…It seemed like something was different.
In the past, whenever he entered the clan grounds, he always felt an invisible pressure, as if the air was thick with an unsettling restlessness.
But now, that feeling was gone.
The clan members on the street no longer hurried, and some even nodded in greeting.
This was almost impossible in the past.
He looked up at the sky.
The afterglow of the sunset shone on the Uchiha clan crest, reflecting a warm orange-red hue.
However, beneath the surface calm, undercurrents still surged.
In a dark underground cave somewhere, Zetsu slowly emerged from the ground.
His hoarse voice carried a hint of playfulness.
“Danzō is dead. Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha sensed something was wrong. Those tools are useless now… The plan is disrupted.”
In the shadows, Tobi’s mask rotated slightly, the patterns of his Sharingan glinting coldly in the darkness.
“It doesn’t matter,” his voice was low and calm.
“They were just pawns. We’ll find new ones.”
White Zetsu chuckled in agreement.
“Humans are always full of hatred anyway. A little provocation, and they’ll start fighting amongst themselves~”
Tobi didn’t reply, merely gazing silently at the distant village of Konoha.
The afterglow of the sunset spilled onto the stone path of the Uchiha compound.
Naruto walked forward slowly, hands in his pockets, kicking a small stone.
Damn it…
Why did I have to come here!
He scratched his head, feeling extremely annoyed.
Although Madara had said during the last destruction of the Uchiha compound that no one was harmed, he hadn’t had time to confirm Sasuke’s condition due to being busy afterwards.
So, after things settled down, Naruto rushed over immediately.
But if he had to say “I came to see you,” he’d rather die.
“Hey, dead last.”
A cold voice came from behind him.
“Whoa!” he yelped, jumping back.
“W-why did you suddenly appear!”
Sasuke crossed his arms, his brow furrowed.
“This is the Uchiha compound. What are you doing lurking around here?”
“Who’s lurking!” Naruto immediately bristled.
“I… I was just passing by!”
“Passing by?” Sasuke sneered.
“From the Ninja Academy to the Uchiha compound, you walked halfway around Konoha?”
Naruto’s face flushed, and he retorted stubbornly, “I like it! What business is it of yours!”
Sasuke said no more, simply looking at him with that “you’re such an idiot” gaze.
Silence spread between them, the atmosphere growing increasingly awkward.
Tch, what is this guy even doing here?
Naruto scratched his ears, fidgeting.
After a long pause, he finally managed to squeeze out, “…Is everything okay with your clan recently?”
Sasuke’s eyes narrowed.
“What did you hear?”
“Huh? Nothing!” Naruto quickly waved his hands.
“Last time, last time I lost control, right? I didn’t mean to cause trouble at your place… so… so…”
Sasuke’s expression instantly turned cold.
“It has nothing to do with you.”
“Who’s worried!” Naruto’s temper flared.
“I was just asking casually!”
“Then go ask someone else.”
“You—!” Naruto clenched his fists, then suddenly relaxed them, gritting his teeth.
“…Forget it! There’s no talking to you!”
He turned and left, his back a picture of indignation, like a ruffled fox.
Sasuke stood in place, watching his figure disappear around the street corner, but a warmth spread through his heart.
Naruto had destroyed quite a few buildings in the Uchiha compound when he lost control, and Sasuke knew that.
But no one was harmed during the entire process.
Therefore, Sasuke didn’t blame Naruto.
Moreover, after learning that there was a monster within Naruto’s body, he felt a sense of awe.
After all, if Naruto hadn’t served as a vessel for that monster, who knows how many people would have died.
Therefore, he actually felt a little grateful to Naruto in his heart.
But if Sasuke were to say these words, it would be easier for him to die.
____________________
Update: “Monday to Friday – Update 3 Chapters a Day”
“Saturday and Sunday – Off”