"What?!"
In the middle of the night, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been suddenly called by Anbu, was wearing only a single layer of clothing as he hurried out of his room.
Upon seeing Uchiha Shisui kneeling in the courtyard, he was met with terrible news.
He stared with disbelief, "Danzo is going to raid the Uchiha? And he attacked you first?!"
Such a major decision, even he, the Hokage, wouldn't dare to make it on his own. Yet someone actually dared to act independently?
But then he thought of Danzo... it was indeed possible.
At this thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression instantly turned serious. He bent down to help Uchiha Shisui, who was half-kneeling on the ground, his expression solemn:
"Shisui-kun, please rest assured."
"Regarding this matter, this old man will certainly get justice for you."
"Furthermore, the Uchiha Clan is also a part of the Village. If Danzo truly dares to act, then he will be the culprit who ignited Konoha's civil war."
"I will never allow such a thing to happen."
"Thank you, Third Hokage!"
Uchiha Shisui knelt on the ground, tears of gratitude streaming down his face.
As of today, even Itachi-kun had distanced himself from him, and there was no one in the entire Uchiha he could rely on.
Only the Third Hokage could be trusted.
Now it seemed, it was as expected.
Only the Third Hokage truly understood him.
"Tell me in detail, how did Danzo take your eye?" When this topic came up, Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone became noticeably more solemn.
If a Dōjutsu like Kotoamatsukami fell into Danzo's hands, things would truly be dire.
Uchiha Shisui dared not hesitate and immediately described the events of the night in detail:
"...After this struggle, as I was about to be caught by Danzo, I had no choice but to use the Kotoamatsukami Dōjutsu on him."
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils constricted, and his fists instinctively clenched.
"The specific commands were 'Loyalty to Konoha,' 'View the Uchiha objectively,' and 'Obey your orders, Hokage-sama.'"
However, as the next sentence fell, Hiruzen Sarutobi's fists slowly unclenched, and even the tense expression he had maintained since earlier gradually relaxed.
At the same time, he also roughly understood why Kotoamatsukami had no effect.
After all, they had known each other for many years. If he hadn't known that Danzo was indeed protecting Konoha in his own way, he would have long ago eliminated this scoundrel who dared to oppose him and even attempt to assassinate him.
Absolute obedience to the Third Hokage's orders.
Very good.
Shisui should have done this sooner.
As if recalling the scenes of his past clashes with Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but show a relieved smile on his face.
Shisui truly was a good child.
But soon, seemingly realizing that the young man in front of him still had one empty eye socket, Hiruzen Sarutobi inadvertently reined in his smile, resuming his previous serious demeanor, and said earnestly:
"I am fully aware of what happened tonight. Danzo Shimura dared to privately use Root to deal with a fellow villager, and this is something I will never allow."
"Shisui-kun, please put your mind at ease and go treat your injuries first."
"I will immediately dispatch Anbu to stop Danzo Shimura's actions and absolutely not let his ambition succeed."
"Yes!"
Uchiha Shisui bowed sincerely, "Thank you, Third Hokage."
After Uchiha Shisui was led away by a Medical Ninja, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood in the courtyard, gazing at the Hokage Rock on the distant cliff, and let out a long sigh.
After all this commotion, the situation was indeed a bit difficult to handle.
However, since Uchiha Shisui was still alive, that eye absolutely could not remain in Danzo's hands. His danger level was far too high compared to Shisui's.
The only question was what to do after getting that eye back.
"Kotoamatsukami..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was hesitant.
Should this eye be returned to Shisui, or should he use Danzo as an excuse to keep it for himself?
As a creature of pure power, it was clear that Hiruzen Sarutobi also couldn't resist the temptation of the 'mind-bending' ability.
"Sigh."
"Let's make Danzo suffer a bit more."
...The next morning, Danzo Shimura was called to the Hokage's Office.
Uchiha Shisui, who had completed his treatment, stood beside Hiruzen Sarutobi with one eye covered, his gaze coldly fixed on his former superior.
Due to the unique nature of this incident, even the Anbu who usually guarded the Third Hokage were kept outside, leaving only three people in the room.
"Bang!"
A large, bony hand slammed heavily on the table, making a pile of documents jump. Hiruzen Sarutobi was furious:
"Danzo!"
"I've heard everything from Shisui-kun about what happened last night! Now with both human testimony and physical evidence present, do you still dare to deny it?"
"Do you know what a serious crime it is to attack a comrade?"
"Now hand over that eye!"
Danzo Shimura, however, sat calmly opposite him, his tone indifferent: "I said I don't have it, and that's that. As for what happened, I've already written everything in the report."
"All of this is nothing but a scheme concocted by that young man beside you."
Saying this, he swept a dagger-like gaze over Uchiha Shisui, who stood by, and let out a heavy snort.
When he saw that messenger crow last night, how could he not know what was going on?
He had been played by this kid!
That eye was clearly deliberately thrown to him by the other party, leaving an accomplished fact.
All for the purpose of making Hiruzen pressure him and sow discord between the two of them.
Danzo was an extremely shrewd man; he saw through Uchiha Shisui's little trick at a glance.
However, the fact that he took Shisui's eye was also true, and Hiruzen wouldn't let him off so lightly without getting the eye back.
Danzo Shimura was now stuck between a rock and a hard place. Even if he told the absolute truth, no one would believe him, effectively trapping himself in this incident.
Uchiha Shisui truly had a deep scheme.
—These inherently evil Uchiha!
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his stubborn denial and thought that Danzo was indeed still Danzo, and their tacit understanding was still there.
However, at this moment, he still turned his head and inquired in Uchiha Shisui's direction: "Shisui-kun, did you leave any means on your eye?"
Uchiha Shisui was now completely bewildered.
What messenger crow?
What about the eye flying away on its own?
If you, Danzo, are going to lie, at least come up with something more believable!
Now, he felt that this guy was simply treating him and Hokage-sama as fools, and anger welled up in his heart. He immediately knelt down and said:
"Third Hokage, I have never left any seals or summoning traces on my eye!"
"However, as long as I get within a certain range, I can sense the corresponding Chakra fluctuations myself."
"I ask the Third Hokage to allow me to lead a team to search Root!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded steadily, then turned to look at the opposite side of the table and said calmly:
"Danzo, you heard him."
"If you hand over Shisui's eye now, there might still be some room for negotiation, but if Shisui finds it himself, your position as Root Commander will be over."
Danzo Shimura was furious, slamming the table: "That is the truth, what more can this old man say?"
"I, Danzo Shimura, am innocent!"
"On the contrary, Hiruzen."
"These inherently evil Uchiha must never be trusted!"
"After all these years, do you still not understand this, Hiruzen?!"
Hearing the words 'innocent' and 'Danzo' linked together, both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Uchiha Shisui had constipated expressions.
However, seeing his unyielding attitude, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally felt relieved.
It's good that he knows how to keep a trick up his sleeve.
Only his face remained heavy: "Since you still won't admit it, I can only temporarily strip you of all your positions."
"Shisui-kun, this investigation will be led by you."
"Yes."
Uchiha Shisui nodded emphatically.
Danzo Shimura stood up, leaning on the table, and coldly snorted:
"This old man's loyalty is all for Konoha."
"What can a search possibly uncover?"
"Hiruzen, you are the Hokage."
"Root is also a part of Konoha. From now on, you decide such matters yourself; you don't need to tell me."
"?"
Upon hearing this, a question mark instinctively popped up in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind.
But looking at Danzo striding out the door, he habitually darkened his face:
"Danzo, you will regret this!"
"Bang!"