After the ninja world’s most filial son departed, Shimura Danzo emerged from the secret passage behind the wall.
“Hiruzen, the situation is spiraling out of control.
We don’t have much time left.” A dark shadow loomed over Shimura Danzo’s brow.
The Uchiha clan’s sudden stunt had instantly complicated matters.
He was willing to sacrifice himself for Konoha, but he refused to die in vain.
Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped the accumulated ash from his pipe, his expression stern.
“I will handle it.
Keep a low profile for now.
I’ll pacify the Uchiha clan first, and once they let their guard down, we will eliminate them in one fell swoop.” “Now that sounds like the Sarutobi Hiruzen I know.” Danzo’s gloomy expression softened slightly.
“I thought you were going to say, ‘Sarutobi Hiruzen, you will definitely regret this later,'” Hiruzen joked.
Danzo’s mouth twitched.
He wished he could immediately cast Kotoamatsukami on Hiruzen using Shisui’s Mangekyo.
“When are you going to use Shisui’s Kotoamatsukami on the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?” “We must wait a little longer.
There’s something off about the Uchiha clan’s sudden change.” Hiruzen dropped his smile and warned, “Keep your men in check during this time.
Do not provoke those lunatics.” “I understand.” Danzo was no brainless brute.
He knew exactly how terrifying the entire Uchiha clan could be if they went mad.
Konoha had suffered heavy losses during the Nine-Tails’ attack and still hadn’t fully recovered to this day.
Under these circumstances, clashing head-on with the Uchiha was absolutely out of the question.
There was no sense in risking precious assets in a reckless clash.
It wouldn’t be too late to strike once the Uchiha clan lowered their guard.
“Also…” Hiruzen hesitated for a few seconds before adding, “Since we have Uchiha Itachi on the inside, let’s temporarily lift the surveillance on the Uchiha clan.” Shimura Danzo refused.
“No, withdrawing the surveillance is too dangerous.
I must take responsibility for Konoha’s safety!” “It’s only temporary,” Hiruzen said calmly.
“With Uchiha Itachi there, we’ll be notified immediately if anything happens.” “I don’t trust him,” Shimura Danzo stated bluntly.
“I trust my own people far more than anyone from the Uchiha!” Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn’t angered by Shimura Danzo’s defiance, because…
He had said it on purpose.
As Danzo’s one and only designated closest comrade, no one understood him better!
If he had outright demanded the withdrawal of all personnel, Danzo definitely would have refused.
But by first making an impossible demand, waiting for the refusal, and then taking a step back to propose a compromise, Danzo would agree nine times out of ten.
“You have a point.
Then let’s withdraw the overt surveillance and just leave a few hidden sentries.
That should be enough.” Danzo gave a slight nod, signaling his agreement.
He then changed the subject, “What do you make of this Uchiha Senya?” “He’s likely just a puppet pushed to the forefront by that old relic, Uchiha Setsuna.” As longtime comrades, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew Shimura Danzo like the back of his hand.
He could read the man like an open book.
The Third Hokage asked directly, “Are you planning to eliminate him?” Danzo replied coldly, “Exactly.
Whether he’s Uchiha Setsuna’s puppet or not, the abilities this man has displayed are extremely dangerous.” Through the reports of the surveillance personnel, Danzo noted that Uchiha Senya possessed an extraordinary talent for incitement.
This trait put Danzo on high alert.
Having commanded Root for many years, his extensive experience made him acutely aware of just how terrifying the power of ‘incitement’ could be.
“Don’t do anything reckless, Danzo.
Now is not the time to strike,” Sarutobi Hiruzen warned.
“Rest assured, I will wait for the right opportunity.
With Uchiha Itachi’s cooperation, silently disposing of an Uchiha who just awakened his three-tomoe Sharingan will be child’s play.” Danzo had a strong premonition that Uchiha Senya was going to become a massive problem!
“Until you have my permission, you are not to touch him or anyone else in the Uchiha clan.” The current Uchiha clan was like a powder keg; even the slightest spark could set them off.
Besides…
he was just a young man with a silver tongue.
As long as things went according to plan, he wouldn’t be able to make any real waves.
In the ninja world, absolute power was the ultimate deciding factor!
Danzo didn’t lose his temper, well aware of the gravity of the situation.
“Hiruzen, hidden dangers like this are best dealt with as early as possible.” “I know what I’m doing.
If you have nothing else to report, step down for now.
The Uchiha clan will be here soon, and it would be troublesome if they saw you.” At the mention of this, Danzo’s mood plummeted like a roller coaster.
His face twisted as if he had just swallowed something foul.
Since when did he, the dignified leader of Root, have to scurry and hide like a rat?
It was an absolute disgrace!
Danzo scoffed coldly.
He lifted his cane and slammed it heavily against the floor with a dull thud to express his displeasure.
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Danzo’s figure disappear into the darkness and shook his head helplessly.
“Order all shinobi to stand down and not impede the Uchiha clan,” he commanded the Anbu hidden in the shadows.
“Go immediately and invite the heads of all the ninja clans in the village, big and small.” “Oh, and don’t forget to notify Might Guy.” Today, he had to put on another act to clean up the mess left by that fool, Shimura Danzo!
Sigh, being a qualified Hokage was truly difficult.
Why was there no one to help him share the burden?
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, tossing the thought to the back of his mind.
He felt he could still continue to shine in this position and make outstanding contributions to Konoha’s growth!
Upon receiving the Anbu’s notification, the first reaction of the clan heads was to stay indoors.
They had no desire to wade into these muddy waters.
But if they didn’t show up, they would undoubtedly offend Sarutobi Hiruzen directly.
That old man was no saint.
No matter how reluctant they were, the clan heads had no choice but to bite the bullet and come.
Compared to the clan heads, Might Guy was much simpler.
The moment he received the notice, he rushed over immediately.
“Lord Hokage, is the Uchiha clan planning to rebel?” Might Guy asked, his expression serious, his thick eyebrows knitted together.
The commotion caused by the Uchiha clan was too massive.
As long as a ninja wasn’t deaf or blind, they would have some idea of what was going on.
Guy had already thought it through on his way here.
Although the Uchiha shinobi were comrades of the village, if they truly intended to rebel, he would have no choice but to burn his youth to protect Konoha!
“Guy, there’s no need to be so serious.
The situation hasn’t escalated to that point yet,” Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled helplessly.
“However, just in case of any accidents, I’ll have to trouble you to stay by my side later.” “Rest assured, Lord Hokage!
As long as Might Guy still stands, I will never let anyone harm you!” Guy promised in a deep voice.
“Reporting to Lord Hokage, all the clan heads have arrived.” An Anbu squad captain returned and reported while kneeling on one knee.
“Should we bring them up, or have them wait downstairs?” “Leave them downstairs,” Sarutobi Hiruzen said as he rose from his chair.
He grabbed the Hokage hat from his desk and placed it on his head.
The white cloth draped down the sides, adding an air of distant authority.