"This brat…!" Danzo was shocked. He hadn't expected Natsuhane to dodge his attack so effortlessly.
In his intelligence reports over the past six months, Natsuhane was merely training with Sasuke for an hour each day, throwing kunai and practicing basic moves, showing no significant improvement. But the nimble actions before him told a different story.
No time to dwell on it, Natsuhane launched his counterattack.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
The massive fireball, resembling a small meteor, appeared once more.
"!!!"
Everyone present was stunned.
It was Natsuhane who created this fireball!
They had initially thought it was the work of the "intruders."
Asuma Sarutobi exclaimed, "Is this really the same perverted Natsuhane we knew?"
Kurenai Yuhi added, "He's... he's amazing. His previous frivolous behavior was all an act. Standing up to such power, this transformation is captivating…"
Asuma Sarutobi responded with a puzzled look, "???"
Inoichi Yamanaka observed, "No doubt about it. I can clearly sense that this chakra is Natsuhane's. However, the sheer volume of his chakra is unbelievable…"
Hiashi Hyuga concurred, "Indeed. Through my Byakugan, I can see that Natsuhane's chakra is astonishingly vast. I've never seen such a quantity of chakra before!"
Choza Akimichi suggested, "The fireball is enormous. Lord Danzo may be powerful, but he's also aged. We should assist him!"
"No!" Shikaku Nara immediately rejected the idea. "Our priority isn't to protect Danzo. What's more important is the truth. Natsuhane might be the catalyst to reveal the truths that the higher-ups have been hiding…"
Inoichi and Shibi Aburame shared the sentiment. Just days ago, Danzo had forcibly demanded a member of the Yamanaka Clan to join Root. Inoichi, under pressure, had reluctantly sent the young Yamanaka Fu. Similarly, Danzo had eyed Shino Aburame from Shibi's clan, but Shino's companion had volunteered instead to protect Shino.
All the clan leaders harbored silent resentment towards Danzo.
As the fireball emerged, Danzo understood why his subordinates had failed to assassinate Natsuhane and why he could withstand the assault of over thirty Root ninjas.
Natsuhane's power was terrifying.
In desperation, Danzo gathered a large amount of chakra in his throat:
"Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!"
A high-pressure wind bullet, akin to a rocket, collided with the Great Fireball.
Might Guy was confused, "What is Lord Danzo thinking? Wind strengthens fire! Using wind against a fire jutsu will only make the fireball bigger!"
Kakashi quickly realized the problem, "No! Lord Danzo is trying to deflect the fireball away from himself, not extinguish it! Guy, we need to put out that fireball before it causes any damage to the village!"
"Damn it!"
Seeing the danger, the other ninjas quickly moved to extinguish the fire.
Meanwhile, the standoff between Natsuhane and Danzo continued.
Natsuhane taunted, "Old geezer, you're really willing to do anything to save your skin, even if it means endangering innocent lives!"
Danzo, his previous disdain replaced with serious focus, retorted, "Hmph, the fireball is your doing. If anyone gets hurt, it's your fault!"
Natsuhane spat, "Shameless! I've never seen anyone so thick-skinned!"
"Enough talk!" Danzo, relying on his battle experience, noticed Natsuhane's chakra and jutsu were formidable but his movements seemed unrefined.
To win, close combat was the best choice.
Danzo formed a wind blade with his chakra, appearing behind Natsuhane and thrusting it towards his back.
However, as if anticipating the attack, Natsuhane leapt into the air, dodging Danzo's strike perfectly.
"What? How is this possible!" Danzo was baffled. He couldn't understand how Natsuhane could so easily read his moves.
Standing on another rooftop, Natsuhane's eyes opened slightly, revealing the glowing red Sharingan.
"Sharingan! You... you've awakened it!"
The three-tomoe Sharingan was unmistakable.
Danzo was shocked once again.
Today had brought him more surprises than he had ever experienced.
He had always thought Natsuhane was a mindless reproductive machine, lacking even the skills of a genin. Half a year ago, his eyes were only good for attracting women.
But now, he had grown so powerful in such a short time.
Something was off.
This guy was off.
"The Uchiha Clan, truly mysterious!"
A wicked thought filled Danzo's mind.
He wanted to capture Natsuhane alive and force out the secret of his rapid growth.
Danzo shouted to the onlookers, "Are you just going to watch? This pervert has caused harm to many women in the village, leaving many young men single. Now he slanders the Konoha leadership and dares to resist! His crimes are punishable by death!"
"Help me capture Natsuhane! If we let him go, the village will be destroyed!"
Natsuhane sneered, "Turning the tables, huh? I've been telling the truth all along. Danzo's overreaction clearly shows he wants to silence me!"
"Moreover, calling me a scourge is inaccurate. I married them honorably, it was consensual, and I take responsibility! How is that persecution? Danzo, you're the one defaming me!"
Natsuhane suddenly smirked and whispered to Danzo, "Your young wife gave birth a few days ago, right?"
Danzo was taken aback, "How... how do you know?"
"Heh... Of course, I know! Because it's my child! Danzo, you really thought you were still virile? 'Five-second man'... your young wife gave you that nickname, not me."
"!!"
Danzo was livid, his face red with fury. He wanted to unseal his right arm and use the Sharingan to instantly kill Natsuhane.
However, his remaining sanity reminded him not to do so.
Panting heavily, Danzo recalled that the newborn indeed resembled Natsuhane more than himself.
"Damn it! Natsuhane, once I capture you, I'll make you wish you were dead!"
"What are you all standing around for? Help me kill this evil Uchiha! Hiruzen, are you just going to stand there?"
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. The situation had escalated beyond his control.
Natsuhane's revealed strength was astonishing, but attacking him outright seemed unreasonable. Hiruzen knew Natsuhane was telling the truth, yet he couldn't find a solution that satisfied everyone.
As Danzo pressed him, Hiruzen decided to side with him, as they were both implicated.
"Everyone, assist Danzo! Remember, capture Natsuhane alive. He doesn't deserve death. We'll discuss the rest later."
Morino Ibiki added, "Lord Hokage, I've sent people to the hospital to verify Natsuhane's claims. It's true that he was attacked while waiting for his wife to give birth. He's telling the truth, and those attackers might really have been after him!"
Hearing this, the other jonin and Anbu hesitated.
Hiruzen, closing his eyes briefly, opened them and commanded, "I said capture Natsuhane alive! If he and Danzo continue fighting, the village will be destroyed! Think of the greater good. Move!"
Ninjas, trained to obey orders, had no choice.
Seeing himself surrounded by familiar and unfamiliar ninjas, Natsuhane's expression darkened. He sighed coldly and disappointedly, "Can't you see my innocence? Can't you hear my truth? The massacre, now this unjust siege... Can Konoha truly not tolerate the Uchiha Clan?"
Shikaku Nara tried to persuade, "Natsuhane, we have no choice. Come with us. Trust me, I will do my best to uncover the truth. Lord Hokage is also considering the village's safety. Please understand…"
"Understand my ass!"
Surrendering now meant certain death at Danzo's hands.
With things as they were, Natsuhane decided to fight back.
Seeing Natsuhane's sudden surge in aura, the ninjas charged at him.
"Don't let him form seals! Capture him quickly!"
Natsuhane's sealing speed was not fast. Halfway through his seals, the ninjas had surrounded him from all directions.
"Damn it! These bastards!"
"I'll have to use a substitution jutsu!"
Just as Natsuhane was about to use the substitution jutsu, a mystical voice echoed in his mind:
[Ding! Uchiha clan member +1, comprehensive potential rating SSS, special reward: upgrade host's three-tomoe Sharingan to Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan!!]
"!!!"
Natsuhane was ecstatic!
"Wow!"
The reward for an SSS-level offspring skipped the Mangekyou stage and went straight to the Eternal Mangekyou!
Akishime, our child must have been born safely!
I can't waste time here…
"Perfect Susanoo, activate!"
In the next moment,
A blue chakra entity quickly enveloped Nats