Koharu Utatane broke the silence, her voice tentative. "Hiruzen, about the choice you gave Danzo... was that real?"
The Third Hokage shot her a sharp glare. "Do you think I'm joking?"
Startled by his tone, Koharu quickly fell silent, inwardly warning herself to stay away from Shimura Danzo to avoid being dragged into his mess.
Meanwhile, Danzo had returned to his secluded courtyard, shutting himself off from the world. There was no way he would accept the humiliating punishment of cleaning public toilets. Absolutely not! he vowed.
Outside the Hokage's office, Koharu hesitated, her gaze darting toward Mitokado Homura. She opened her mouth several times, unsure whether to speak. Finally, Homura gave her a cold look and broke the silence.
"Haven't you figured it out yet?" Homura asked, his voice sharp.
Koharu faltered, "I…"
"Humph," Homura snorted, cutting her off. "Hiruzen is solidifying his position. Shinki isn't a threat to him anymore. He's already won that battle. As for Danzo, he's the sacrificial pawn for his clan. You'll see soon enough."
Homura paused before continuing, his tone grim. "Danzo's ambition to become Hokage has never died. If he were forced to accept something as degrading as flushing toilets, it would only spell disaster—for him and his clan."
Koharu stood on the street in stunned silence as Homura walked away, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Three days passed quietly. During this time, the Hokage sought out Shinki for advice, but Shinki ignored him, refusing to be involved further.
On the third day, Anbu escorted Uchiha Fugaku back to the police department. Upon his return, Fugaku wasted no time dismissing every Shimura clan ninja in the department, showing no leniency. Those who had followed Danzo's orders and caused trouble faced serious disciplinary action.
"We're being expelled?"
The Shimura clan members were stunned. They had assumed that with Uchiha members returning to work, things would settle down. Instead, they found themselves abruptly dismissed.
"Shimura clan members, pack your things and leave voluntarily," Fugaku announced coldly. "If you force us to remove you, Anbu will take over. If you aren't afraid of Anbu's prisons, feel free to make a fuss."
Returning to his office, Fugaku swiftly drafted an official notice explaining the decision. When the Shimura clan members read it, they were furious.
The notice stated that their dismissal was a punishment for following Danzo's orders to disrupt the police department. Furthermore, it clarified that the Shimura clan members were dismissed because Danzo himself had avoided punishment.
The Shimura clan erupted into chaos. Their family members were jobless, their actions condemned, and worse, their clan was now under surveillance by both the police and Anbu. The message was clear: We're watching you.
For the first time since the village's founding, an entire clan was being monitored so openly. Clan elders and leaders demanded answers, marching to the Hokage's office for an explanation.
The Third Hokage was ready for them. "Why were they expelled? Go ask those who were dismissed. As for the surveillance, that's unrelated to their dismissal. It's my decision. Go home."
His anger was still simmering, and he seized the opportunity to drive a wedge between Danzo and the Shimura clan. He wanted to isolate Danzo, forcing the clan to turn against him.
For the Shimura clan, the situation was dire. The dismissal of their members cut off vital income streams, and the surveillance painted them as untrustworthy in the eyes of the village. The clan's reputation was in tatters.
Making matters worse, Danzo had shut himself away, refusing to address the clan's concerns. The man who had led them into trouble had abandoned them, leaving the Shimura clan to fend for themselves. Their disappointment turned into anger.
Danzo's choice to protect his pride while sacrificing the clan left many questioning his loyalty.
"Will this spiral out of control?"
Tsunade voiced her concerns as news of the Shimura clan's turmoil spread.
Shinki, however, seemed unconcerned. "Don't worry. Hiruzen knows what he's doing. He wants to break Danzo's grip on the Shimura clan. By isolating them from each other, he can control Danzo more effectively, keeping him in the shadows where he's most useful."
>>>>>
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[Naruto: Maelstrom Of the Uzumaki]