Chapter 6: There Are Villains Beside the Hokage
"Hokage-sama, you've finally arrived."
For the first time since the confrontation began, Uchiha Douhuan finally spoke.
"Douhuan, what exactly happened?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked after a brief glance at the half-corpse of Danzo lying on the ground.
"This morning, we received a mission from the village," Douhuan said calmly. "However, we were ambushed along the way."
"After eliminating all the attackers, we discovered that Danzo-sama's corpse was among them."
"You're lying!" Mitokado Homura immediately shouted. "Danzo would never ambush you!"
"Regardless, the fact remains," Douhuan replied without a hint of emotion. "During our battle, he revealed his arm full of Sharingan. Assuming him to be a thief desecrating our clan's bloodline, we eliminated him… only to realize afterward that he was, in fact, Elder Danzo."
"Don't believe his nonsense, Hiruzen!" Koharu Utatane interjected. "This is nothing but the Uchiha clan framing Danzo after murdering him!"
"The Uchiha do not desecrate their own kin's remains!" an elder of the Uchiha clan snapped, his voice brimming with anger.
"Besides," Douhuan added, completely unfazed by the accusations, "what we found was not just Sharingan."
Without hesitation, he began removing the Sharingan from Danzo's arm, one by one.
Then, he lifted the seals that had been suppressing the arm's chakra.
Instantly—
The arm began mutating uncontrollably, as Hashirama's cells erupted, consuming the remains and transforming into a twisted wooden growth.
"That's… Wood Release?!"
The older ninja present immediately recognized what they were seeing.
At the same time, Douhuan gestured for Inaho to toss down the restrained shinobi he had been carrying on his back.
"In our battle, we also discovered this ninja—who can use Wood Release."
His piercing gaze locked onto Hiruzen.
"I think you already know what this means."
"You… defiled the remains of the First Hokage?!"
This time, the outrage didn't just come from the Uchiha, but from one of their more moderate elders, a man who had always respected Hashirama Senju.
Even among the Hokage's loyal shinobi, visible expressions of discomfort spread through the ranks.
Danzo's actions—this wasn't just a crime.
This was a blasphemy.
Even for those who had once trusted Danzo, this was an unforgivable act—like someone had taken a dump on their beliefs.
Hiruzen knew he could not remain silent any longer.
"Everyone—I will personally investigate this matter."
He raised his voice, commanding authority.
"I will ensure that justice is served. But for now, I ask for your patience."
"Don't trust him!"
A radical Uchiha elder stepped forward, shouting—
"Douhuan! Lead us in rebellion! You've awakened Madara-sama's eyes! You can lead us to glory!"
Shisui and Itachi froze in horror.
Their worst fear was coming true—
If this escalated, it would erupt into civil war.
Both steeled themselves, preparing to do whatever was necessary to prevent bloodshed.
But then—
"Enough!"
Douhuan's booming voice silenced the entire Uchiha clan.
The radical elders stared at him in shock, unable to believe what they had just heard.
Douhuan's Mangekyō Sharingan spun viciously in his eyes as he coldly reprimanded them—
"Are you all blind?!"
"Konoha was built by the First Hokage and Madara-sama together! This is our home! We were born here, raised here!"
"We drink from the same Naka River, we eat from the same fields—we are a part of this village!"
Shisui and Itachi were stunned.
Was… Douhuan really not planning a rebellion?
"Clan Head," Douhuan turned his gaze toward the silent Uchiha Fugaku.
Fugaku stared at him for a long moment—then stepped forward.
He gave a deep bow to Hiruzen.
"Douhuan is right. My clansmen acted too emotionally. Please forgive us, Hokage-sama."
The radical elders still looked like they wanted to object, but when they met Douhuan's piercing gaze, they fell silent.
"Understandable," Hiruzen replied, sighing inwardly at the de-escalation. "Even I would have been furious if my clan's remains were treated in such a way. Fugaku, please have your clansmen return home. I will personally ensure a fair investigation."
"However…"
Douhuan suddenly spoke again.
"Before we leave, we require an explanation."
From his cloak, he produced a mission scroll.
"This morning," he said, holding it up, "I received this mission—stamped with the Hokage's seal."
He smiled as he locked eyes with Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama, did you issue this mission?"
Hiruzen's eyes flickered.
"Douhuan… I never issued any such mission. And there is no record of it in the mission office."
"Then," Douhuan's smile deepened,
"This was all Danzo's doing, wasn't it?"
Forgive me, Danzo.
Hiruzen felt no guilt as he silently cut ties with his old comrade.
"Yes," he stated.
"All of this was Danzo's own actions."
"Unforgivable!"
Douhuan immediately slammed his fist into his palm, as if enraged.
"Hokage-sama dedicates himself to protecting the village every day, but there are those who act out of selfish ambition and endanger Konoha!"
His sharp gaze swept over Homura and Koharu.
"There are villains beside the Hokage!"
Both elders flinched.
"Douhuan, I understand your concerns," Hiruzen interjected, trying to defuse the situation.
"I assure you, I will investigate this thoroughly."
"Hokage-sama!"
Douhuan suddenly bowed deeply.
"The Uchiha clan pledges our support in assisting you."
Hiruzen tried to brush it off—
But when he looked up, he saw—
Douhuan's Mangekyō Sharingan… spinning slowly.
A cold sweat dripped down Hiruzen's forehead.
At that moment, he finally understood.
This…
This was Douhuan's true objective.
Hiruzen had thought Danzo was the only rat in the shadows.
But now—he realized.
Douhuan was far more cunning than any Uchiha before him.
He sighed heavily.
"Very well," he relented.
"This matter is in your hands now."
As Hiruzen spoke, Douhuan's Mangekyō Sharingan slowly dimmed.
A small smile formed on Douhuan's lips.
"Understood."
Then, he turned back to his clansmen.
And with one final command—
"Uchiha Clan—salute the Hokage!"
Douhuan raised his right hand to his forehead—
"Loyalty! Devotion!"
The entire Uchiha clan, including Fugaku, followed.
"Loyalty! Devotion!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched in silence.
And for the first time in his life—
He felt true fear of an Uchiha.
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