"Do you have any basis for saying this?"
Danzo Shimura's visible eye narrowed sharply as he looked at Naoya Shimura. The claim that Uchiha Fugaku could possess Kage-level strength startled him, forcing him to take the matter seriously.
Naoya, still nursing bruises from his recent capture, hesitated before organizing his thoughts. "The one who captured me today was Uchiha Yakumi, one of Fugaku's subordinates. He subdued me alone, without any assistance."
Danzo's grip on his cane tightened. "Just him?"
Although Shimura Naoya was not the most skilled shinobi, his elite jonin status was still significant. That Uchiha Yakumi could single-handedly defeat him implied a strength far surpassing the average jonin—possibly nearing Kage level.
"Yes, only him," Naoya confirmed, his tone solemn. "From what I observed, Yakumi's strength must be close to Kage level."
Naoya continued, his voice grave. "The Uchiha are proud by nature. Even if Fugaku is the clan head, he wouldn't command Yakumi's loyalty unless he was unquestionably stronger. The fact that Yakumi has followed Fugaku faithfully for over a decade proves that Fugaku's strength surpasses his."
Danzo frowned deeply, considering Naoya's logic. As much as he despised the Uchiha, he couldn't deny the sense in Naoya's argument.
"You may be right," Danzo admitted after a pause. "I've underestimated Fugaku. If we follow through with the original plan, the chances of failure are indeed high." His tone darkened, and murderous intent seeped into his voice. "However, if Fugaku truly possesses Kage-level strength, it only solidifies the need to eliminate him. A hostile Kage-level threat cannot be tolerated."
Danzo's face hardened, and his presence grew oppressive. "I will handle this myself. Uchiha Fugaku will not survive. I will strike him down in one decisive blow."
Naoya breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that the responsibility had been shifted away from him. "You are indeed wise, Danzo-sama."
"Enough," Danzo snapped, waving his hand dismissively. "Leave."
Naoya bowed deeply and quickly exited, his mind racing. That was too close. I nearly got dragged into a death trap.
A few nights later, under the cover of darkness, Uchiha Fugaku left a spore clone in his place to maintain appearances. Using the Mayfly Technique, he moved silently through the ground, traveling undetected toward the Hoshino family estate.
His target was Atsumi Hoshino, the head of the Hoshino clan—a staunch ally of the Shimura family. Fugaku's plan was precise: eliminate Atsumi and two other clan heads allied with Danzo in one night, leaving no room for suspicion to spread before he struck again.
Slipping into the estate undetected, Fugaku infiltrated Atsumi's private quarters. His movements were like shadows, his aura suppressed completely by the Mayfly Technique.
In the bedroom, Atsumi Hoshino sat on her bed, dressed in a sleek black nightgown. Her long legs stretched out as she read over a document. Her aura was that of a strong and capable woman—a fitting leader of a clan, though her allegiance to the Shimura family marked her as a target.
Eliminating her silently won't be easy, Fugaku thought. Atsumi was no ordinary shinobi; as an elite jonin, she was formidable, and any slip-up could lead to an alarm being raised.
Deciding on a more calculated approach, Fugaku retreated from her quarters and entered another bedroom down the hall. Inside lay a man fast asleep—Atsumi's husband, Hoshino Kura.
Without hesitation, Fugaku summoned a sharp wooden branch with his Wood Release ability. Covering Kura's mouth, he stabbed him directly in the heart. The man died instantly, unable to make a sound.
After ensuring the kill, Fugaku activated his transformation technique. His appearance shifted, his facial features and body shape morphing until he was indistinguishable from the late Hoshino Kura.
Satisfied with his disguise, Fugaku left the bedroom and approached Atsumi's quarters. Knocking softly, he imitated Kura's voice perfectly. "Atsumi, open the door. It's me."
The door creaked open, and Atsumi stood there, her expression cold. "What is it, Kura? I'm busy."
Fugaku feigned hesitation. "I was just thinking... perhaps we could spend some time together tonight."
Atsumi's expression darkened, her tone icy. "I'm not in the mood. Go back to bed." She began to close the door.
In that instant, Fugaku's eyes shifted into the Mangekyō Sharingan. The intricate tomoe pattern spun as he cast a powerful genjutsu, ensnaring Atsumi before she could react. Her body froze, her mind trapped in an unbreakable illusion.
Fugaku stepped into the room and closed the door silently behind him. Using his Wood Release, he summoned sharp wooden branches that pierced Atsumi's body in multiple places, including her head. Her lifeless form collapsed onto the floor, blood pooling around her.
One down, Fugaku thought as he examined the scene. The wounds were unmistakably caused by Wood Release techniques, furthering his false narrative that a Wood Release shinobi was targeting Danzo's allies.
In addition to Atsumi Hoshino, there is also Kazushi Takasaki and Yu Iwasaki.
He planned to eliminate the three family heads who had close relations with the Shimura family in one night.
The reason why it has to be completed in one go is that if only one person is killed, the other two will inevitably be alert and the success rate will undoubtedly be reduced.
(End of Chapter)