The flowers bloom at both ends, each showing a branch!
At this moment, the combat members of the Uchiha clan gathered one by one. The Radical faction were full of fanaticism, while the Supporting faction were secretly worried.
"Family head, the mobilization of personnel is complete. Please give the order!"
The Fourth Elder said excitedly. As a Radical faction, this was a scene he had dreamed of.
The Fifth Elder, who had always opposed him, couldn't say a word at this moment. The clan was under attack; if he continued to block the clan's actions, he would be condemned by the entire clan.
Although the fact that Shisui was hunted down had not been confirmed yet, no one doubted that Yagami would joke about it. To become a Jōnin at a young age required caution and skill.
"We'll talk about it when Yagami and the others return."
Fugaku returned to his usual serious expression, thinking that the village must have already begun to take action.
······
"Lord Hokage, the Uchiha clan suddenly halted their clan meeting, and the combat members are gathering. Before this, seven Uchiha Jōnin left the clan grounds and disappeared. Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi did not appear in the assembly."
An Anbu reported, and before the Third Hokage could respond, Danzo's voice came from outside the door.
"Hiruzen! There's no time to delay! The evil Uchiha clan has bared its fangs! I told you long ago that this clan cannot be trusted!"
Danzo rushed into the Hokage's office, barely concealing his satisfaction. He had just acquired Shisui's eyes, and now the Uchiha were giving him such an opportunity. It seemed tonight he would gain even more Sharingan.
The Third Hokage did not speak but sighed slightly, tearing off the Hokage robe to reveal the combat uniform beneath.
The only likely explanation for the Uchiha's movement was that Shisui had failed. As Hokage, he had to prepare for the worst.
"Notify everyone—Konoha has entered a state of emergency. Have the Jōnin and Elite Jōnin from the major clans surround the Uchiha clan!"
······
In an instant, Konoha's peaceful night was shattered. Shinobi were running across rooftops while civilians pretended to sleep in their rooms.
The gate of the Uchiha clan grounds was brightly lit, with members from all major clans gathered. Standing before them were the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura of the elder group, as well as Shimura Danzo.
The entire clan was surrounded by three layers of Konoha shinobi, all with solemn expressions.
The Uchiha clan's reputation in Konoha was poor, but their strength was undeniable. Each member was a versatile shinobi, and once provoked, they would not hesitate to kill…
After a while, the gate of the Uchiha compound opened, and hundreds of Uchiha members walked out under Fugaku's leadership, stopping at a distance from the Third Hokage and the others with a subtle air of confrontation.
Seeing that their own clan was surrounded, the Uchiha members murmured uneasily but soon fell silent.
Fugaku looked directly at Danzo, standing beside the Third Hokage, and ignored the Third Hokage's gaze as he asked:
"I would like to know, Lord Hokage, what the meaning of surrounding the Uchiha clan tonight is."
The heads of the major ninja clans looked at Fugaku in surprise, unable to understand his newfound boldness. They knew Fugaku had not acted this way before.
"Fugaku! You suddenly gathered so many Uchiha shinobi—what are you planning?"
The Third Hokage asked sternly. The sight of the Uchiha standing united behind Fugaku added to the tension. They had considered the possibility of Uchiha taking a firm stance, but they hadn't anticipated such overwhelming support from the clan.
Just then, a messenger bird landed on Fugaku's shoulder. After reading the message it carried, a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.
"Lord Hokage, I must ask you—Uchiha Shisui has been missing since you summoned him this afternoon. We received word earlier that he was being hunted. My clansmen, who went searching for him, reported back that Shisui was gravely injured and in danger. I ask that Lord Hokage provide an explanation."
"Nonsense! I haven't seen Shisui at all today. You evil Uchiha clan—I want nothing to do with you!" Danzo retorted coldly, though he felt uneasy. He had been certain that what he did to Shisui would remain a secret. How could anyone know?
"Oh, really? Then, Lord Hokage, can you recognize these people? Are they from your Anbu or Root?"
Yagami, who had just arrived, interrupted Danzo's denials, mocking him. Yagami had assumed Danzo would stay hidden within Root, yet here he was, still scheming against Uchiha.
Hearing this, the Third Hokage and others turned to look. Yagami led the way, and two others behind him were carrying a stretcher.
"Fugaku! What does the Uchiha clan mean by this? How dare you attack Konoha shinobi!"
The Third Hokage questioned with a dark expression.
"Third Hokage, you ask what the Uchiha clan means, but I, too, would like to ask what Lord Hokage's intentions are! The leader summoned Shisui in the afternoon and took his Sharingan. Now, we demand an explanation! Because our clansman went missing, the entire clan searched for him—is that an issue?"
As the Uchiha clan head, Fugaku held his ground and faced the Third Hokage with unwavering determination. Yagami observed him, wondering if Fugaku's newfound resolve was a means to boost his standing within the clan, as Fugaku had a firm approach to clan matters but was somewhat lacking in politics.
A stir spread among the surrounding shinobi as they saw Shisui's injuries and noted the empty sockets where his eyes should have been.
"Lord Danzo took Shisui's eyes!"
"Impossible! Danzo is Hokage's assistant. He's always despised the Uchiha, but would he really steal a Sharingan?"
"Quiet! Such words are not to be spoken…"
Shisui struggled to sit up and spoke weakly:
"Lord Third Hokage, Danzo summoned me this evening. He took my Sharingan while I was reporting, and his Root shinobi hunted me down. Had my clansmen not arrived, I would be…"
Shisui trailed off, but everyone present was an elite shinobi. Given Shisui's current condition, it was clear that without the Uchiha's intervention, his fate would have been sealed.
Instantly, all eyes turned to Danzo.
The Bloodline Limit is highly sensitive in the ninja world, whether to a clan or a village; it is a matter of life and death. Stealing another's Bloodline Limit was a grave offence—especially when committed by a high-ranking village official.
Danzo's face darkened, and the confidence he had initially vanished. Standing beside the Third Hokage, he seemed lost in thought.