Hiruzen Sarutobi personally led the Shinobi Clans' allied forces into battle, which, for the Uchiha coup faction still fighting independently within Konoha Village, naturally brought about an overwhelming change.
Undeniably, the Sharingan possessed by the Uchiha was indeed a decisive force in small-unit combat.
But when the Byakugan and Shadow Paralysis Jutsu were used for reconnaissance and control, the insect and dog packs began their respective harassment, and finally, the remaining Anbu members launched a desperate attack, no matter what Uchiha, they couldn't withstand such a combination.
In just two or three hours, the sounds of battle throughout the Village gradually died down.
However, using this power was not without any cost.
Aizen stood atop the Hokage Rock in the night, quietly watching the scenes of battle extinguishing in the distance, a satisfied smile gradually forming on his lips.
Since he was to change this world, then naturally, it should begin with changing this Village.
"Aizen-sama."
Just as he was silently observing the curtain fall on this drama, Yakushi Kabuto appeared silently behind him.
The young man's face still bore that false smile as he softly said:
"Uchiha Fugaku's eyes have been recovered."
"However, Itachi-kun seems a little unhappy."
His tone was slightly playful, his arched eyebrows tilted slightly upwards, constantly observing Aizen's expression changes.
Inciting discord was an instinct for a spy.
However, Aizen Sōsuke's expression did not change in the slightest; he continued to gaze into the distance and said gently, "You've worked hard, Kabuto-kun."
"However, Itachi's emotions are still a bit unstable, so it's best not to deliberately provoke him."
Yakushi Kabuto's expression tightened slightly, and he quietly lowered his head.
Evidently, Aizen didn't even bother with his somewhat inferior rhetoric, only offering a slight warning in his tone.
What a terrifying fellow.
Yakushi Kabuto was not like Uchiha Itachi, who was kept in the dark from beginning to end, a fool who didn't even react to why his own Clan suddenly rebelled.
He had witnessed all of Aizen's manipulations.
The man before him was clearly the culprit who caused Uchiha Itachi's family to be destroyed, yet he still managed to gain the other's unwavering loyalty.
Such methods, such a mind... it didn't look like something an ordinary Ninja who grew up in Konoha Village could possess.
In front of this man, Yakushi Kabuto felt that he, who had experienced life and death, was as pure as a delicate white flower.
But the more this was the case, the more respectful his attitude became.
"Yes, Aizen-sama."
He said, taking out two eyes sealed in glass jars of solution from his Ninja tool pouch.
Even after death, Uchiha Fugaku's eyes still maintained their Mangekyo Sharingan state.
Aizen Sōsuke took out one vial, held it up to the moonlight, and narrowed his eyes.
Now, the entire process of Mangekyo Sharingan formation had been recorded.
Next, it was time to integrate this Yin Release evolution result into the sword blade.
He hoped to achieve a result that would satisfy him... "Bang!"
A heavy palm strike, infused with surging Chakra, fiercely struck the chest of the Uchiha Ninja in front.
The explosive penetrating force and bone-adhering Chakra rapidly surged in, causing the opponent to immediately spit out a large mouthful of blood and fall limply to the ground.
Hyuga Hizashi's expression remained unchanged; he wiped the blood from his cheek and turned to look around.
The veins on both sides of his forehead were still bulging, observing everything in detail.
The surrounding battles also gradually ceased, with only a few remaining holdouts stubbornly resisting.
Once he had observed enough, he stepped towards Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was standing in the center of the crowd, and said respectfully:
"Third Hokage."
"Everything has been dealt with."
Listening to his report, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression remained unchanged, and he nodded slightly.
Although he was dressed in military attire, from then until now, he had not made a single move, merely quietly monitoring the surrounding Shinobi Clans' Ninja.
It was not until the allied forces of the Shinobi Clans gradually gathered that he spoke calmly:
"The suppression of the Uchiha coup faction's rebellion today is a secret mission; no information is to be disclosed to outsiders."
"Rewards at all levels will be issued from the Hokage Building to each Clan's territory."
"After the Anbu recover all bodies and traces in a moment, please return home, everyone."
"Thank you for your hard work tonight."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's words were clearly meant to be comforting, yet his tone remained steady and calm throughout, without the slightest fluctuation in his voice.
Evidently, he was not very satisfied with the Shinobi Clans' performance today.
Everyone had anticipated this, but they didn't particularly care.
Just as the crowd was about to disperse, they heard him suddenly say:
"Oh, right."
"Jonin Hyuga Shinma, please come with me."
Hearing this, everyone present tensed up, unconsciously looking at him.
Hyuga Hizashi's expression didn't change much; after signaling to those around him, he quickly followed behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, returning to the Hokage Building under the escort of the Anbu.
"The nail that sticks out gets hammered..."
Nara Shikaku watched this scene, a slight sigh in his tone.
Without a doubt.
The Hokage Building would have to take drastic measures to quell the public opinion caused by the Uchiha rebellion.
He just wondered how much vitality this Village, which had just experienced such turmoil, would lose under these repeated blows.
However, unlike the severe criticism everyone present imagined.
After returning to the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi first sat down, then turned his head and, without any pretense, said to Hyuga Hizashi:
"Sit, Shinma-kun."
"Yes."
Hyuga Hizashi's expression remained calm, and his posture on the sofa was very respectful.
When only the two of them met, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have completely shed the solemn and dignified demeanor he had in front of others, instead resembling a kindly old man, chatting about everyday matters with him.
It wasn't until the atmosphere between them gradually eased that he slowly got to the point:
"The last time I saw you was three years ago. I am very pleased that the Hyuga Clan can contribute to the Village today."
"However, I wonder what Hiashi-sama's opinion is on the Uchiha matter?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind remained clear.
As a member of the Branch Family, Hyuga Shinma, though nominally the head of the Branch Family, was in reality merely a puppet manipulated by the Main Family.
Getting angry at him was pointless.
Moreover, after the Uchiha Clan's decline, the vast amount of property and interests they left behind would require enough allies to be smoothly distributed.
Politics has always been about mutual compromise.
"Third Hokage."
"The Clan Head believes that the Hyuga are also a part of Konoha."
"It is only right for us to contribute to the Village."
"However, with the successive declines of the Senju and Uchiha Clans, the Hyuga Clan's size among the Shinobi Clans has become somewhat too prominent."
"If possible, the Clan Head hopes to maintain a slightly lower profile."
"But, you saw what happened today..."
Hyuga Hizashi's words stopped halfway, and he looked at him quietly.
Leaving things unsaid was a very subtle technique.
It left infinite room for imagination while gently maintaining his stance as a Ninja Clan, easily pushing the choice to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
As for the actual facts, whether he, the head of the Hyuga Branch Family, actively took the blame for the Shinobi Clans and resisted the Hokage's orders, or was forced to step forward, it was irrelevant to them.
Evidently, Hiruzen Sarutobi understood this as well.
He looked at the somewhat unfamiliar middle-aged man before him, his mind filled with the scenes he had experienced today.
Whether it was the rebellion initiated by the Uchiha Clan, the depletion of the Anbu and Root forces, or the crisis brought about by the Shinobi Clans suddenly uniting to resist orders, all made him feel a strong threat.
Although the Third Ninja World War had not long passed, and Konoha's strength had not fully recovered, he couldn't help but feel a surge of killing intent.
More importantly, there was another matter.
He was getting old.
If Jiraiya were to become the Fifth Generation Hokage, could his level of skill truly keep these arrogant and fierce generals in check?
The more he thought this way, the stronger his resolve became, but the more benevolent his smile grew.
"I understand."
The Shinobi Clans must be further suppressed during this brief window of opportunity, while the Uchiha are in decline and the Hyuga have not yet reached their peak.
They were simply too powerful.
Therefore, a heavy blow must be delivered!