Everyone present stared fixedly at Danzo.
Plotting to steal a Kekkei Genkai and secret techniques was a strict taboo among all shinobi clans!
If what Uchiha Setsuna said was true, then…
A chill shot up their spines, leaving every clan head with a tingling scalp.
Danzo enunciated every word, “I.
Did.
Not!” “Since you didn’t, then why don’t you dare unwrap your bandages?” Uchiha Setsuna immediately retorted.
Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed heavily, successfully drawing everyone’s attention.
“The reason Danzo is wrapped in bandages is related to a secret technique of the Shimura clan.” ‘The situation is developing exactly as that brat Senya predicted!’ Uchiha Setsuna rejoiced inwardly.
He pressed his advantage, giving Danzo no room to breathe.
“Third Hokage, if what is hidden beneath Shimura Danzo’s bandages is truly related to a Shimura clan secret technique, we can accept the use of an amnesia jutsu.” “How insolent!” Another advisory elder, Utatane Koharu, stood up indignantly.
“Is this how your Uchiha clan treats the village elders?” “The other advisory elders should refrain from changing the subject.
Elder Shimura Danzo, if you didn’t steal Shisui’s eyes, why don’t you dare unwrap your bandages!?” Why didn’t he dare?
All the clan heads stared at Danzo.
They wanted to know the answer too.
Sarutobi Hiruzen realized he couldn’t let the situation escalate any further.
He had to step in.
Even if it triggered a crisis of trust, it was better than an immediate bloodbath!
“Enough!” Sarutobi Hiruzen’s cloudy eyes turned incredibly sharp, his usually peaceful face now stern and imposing.
His voice was like a freezing wind from the extreme north, capable of turning a person into an ice sculpture.
“Uchiha Setsuna has listened to rumors and baselessly slandered an elder.
Uchiha Fugaku, I believe you should take him away immediately.
Until you have handled this properly, the negotiations are temporarily suspended.” “Hahaha!
Rumors?” Uchiha Setsuna acted as if he had heard the greatest joke in the world, laughing so hard that tears welled up in his eyes.
His gaze swept across everyone like a drawn blade.
“Today, the Konoha higher-ups can use ‘rumors’ to persecute our clan and plot for our Kekkei Genkai and secret techniques.
Tomorrow, they might just use the exact same excuse to target all of you!” His old, hoarse voice struck the hearts of the clan heads like a tolling bell, making them shudder in realization.
“Uchiha Fugaku, did you not hear my order?” Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at Fugaku, his voice cold.
The development of the situation had exceeded Fugaku’s expectations.
Worried that pushing too hard would lead to even more severe consequences, he whispered, “Elder Setsuna, let’s head back first and discuss whatever issues we have later.” Uchiha Setsuna ignored Fugaku.
He straightened his frail, aging body and glared at the Konoha higher-ups.
“Third Hokage, Shimura Danzo, you can certainly try to send assassins after me just like you did to Shisui.” “But right and wrong!
Justice!!
These things cannot be killed!!!” With that said, he glanced at Fugaku and sneered in disdain, “What a disgrace.” Then, he turned and left the room with his trusted guards.
Uchiha Fugaku followed behind, his face flushing with humiliation.
The clan heads exchanged awkward glances, forcing dry smiles as they stood up to take their leave.
Everyone realized that an unprecedented storm was brewing within Konoha!
Perhaps it would suddenly erupt and destroy everything.
Or perhaps it would quietly dissipate, leaving everything as usual.
Danzo looked at the suddenly empty conference room, his face livid.
“Hiruzen, we must eliminate the Uchiha clan immediately.” Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Danzo.
“The plan will not change, but it cannot be now.” “That old fool Uchiha Setsuna is trying to detonate the Uchiha bomb early!
The village cannot bear such a cost.” Shimura Danzo had a point.
Not long after the end of the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha had suffered the Nine-Tails incident, which inflicted severe trauma on the village.
A massive number of elite Jonin and Chunin had died in battle, to the point where Konoha still hadn’t fully recovered to this day.
They couldn’t afford the heavy toll of a civil war with the Uchiha.
Sarutobi Hiruzen rebuked him in dissatisfaction, “Because of your stupidity, we are now in a very passive position.
Every single move we make will be infinitely magnified by the others.
We can move against the Uchiha clan at any time!
But not now!” “Are we just going to sit back and watch?” The Third Hokage didn’t want his old friend to make the situation even worse, so he explained, “I will stabilize the Uchiha clan through Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Itachi to lower their guard.” “Hiruzen, the longer we drag this out, the more variables there will be.” “Moving against them now will only make things worse!” All the shinobi clans were keeping a close eye on the Uchiha.
Regardless of whether they succeeded or not, the mere act of moving against them would trigger a chain reaction.
Konoha was a political system formed by the alliance of multiple shinobi clans.
It was very similar to a tribal coalition; while the Hokage held great power, it didn’t mean the clan heads were mere pushovers.
Unless Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo were willing to let themselves and their respective clans be buried alongside the Uchiha.
Otherwise…
Konoha wouldn’t be far from total collapse.
Danzo fumed in impotent rage.
“Sarutobi Hiruzen, you will definitely regret this!” “I’d only truly regret it if I let you act!” Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at his old friend coldly.
“Until you receive my order, no one is allowed to touch the Uchiha!” After catching Sarutobi Hiruzen’s meaningful glance, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura tacitly stood up and chased after Danzo to offer him some soothing words.
Once they left, the Third Hokage summoned an Anbu.
“Go and investigate the exact reason why Uchiha Setsuna attended the meeting.” Meanwhile, inside the interrogation room.
“I’ve thought it over,” Genno raised his head, staring fixedly at Senya.
“As long as you are willing to let me blow up the Hokage Rock, I will hand over the control method for the explosive tag array.” Senya rejected his condition.
“I will blow it up, but not now.” Blowing up the Hokage Rock right now would negatively impact his upcoming plans.
“Actually, our stances are fundamentally aligned.” Senya revealed a warm smile.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” “The ones who ordered the attack on Kagerou Village back then were Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo.
They are your true enemies.” “They are your enemies, and they are our enemies as well.” Genno remained stubborn.
“No matter what you say, I must see you blow up the Hokage Rock first.
Otherwise, even if I die, I won’t hand over anything.” He could sense Senya’s urgency regarding the explosive tag array, and he believed the other party would make the right choice.
Senya was about to say something else when Uchiha Hikura, who had been guarding outside, pushed the door open, walked in, and whispered a few words into his ear.
Senya’s pupils shrank, and the corners of his mouth curled up involuntarily.
He now knew the outcome of the meeting.
Without ‘collecting’ suitable evidence of their crimes, it was highly likely that Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn’t make a move against the Uchiha clan.
The night of the massacre had been temporarily delayed!
The change in Senya’s expression didn’t escape Genno’s observation.
A bad premonition welled up inside him.
Sure enough, Senya’s next words confirmed his fears.
“Unfortunately, Genno, you are no longer of much value to us.” Genno didn’t know exactly what had happened, but he could feel that Senya truly didn’t need the explosive tag array anymore!
“Wait, I am willing to cooperate with you.” “Negotiations require capital.
It can only be called cooperation when both sides are on equal footing.” Senya’s attitude was unyielding.
“Genno, it’s obvious that you are no longer qualified to negotiate terms with me.” “Cooperate with us, and I will let you and the survivors of Kagerou Village live, and I’ll even let you witness a grand fireworks display.” “Refuse to cooperate,” Senya’s clean, clear eyes reflected Genno’s aged appearance as he spoke cruel words in a gentle tone, “and we will completely erase every last trace of Kagerou Village before our decisive battle with Konoha even begins!” “Not a single one will be left.” Genno fell silent for two seconds before saying, “I will only tell you.” “Acceptable.” Senya breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.
Acting in front of a double agent was still quite challenging.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly.
The second trump card was secured!