Chapter 52: Confronting the Old Fox Head-On
Faced with Koharu Utatane's reminder, Danzo Shimura remained as composed as ever.
"You two can leave for now. I'll handle them myself."
Danzo stated calmly.
Hearing this, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged glances again. They couldn't quite figure out what this old schemer was thinking.
But he was, after all, an advisor to the Hokage, personally appointed by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Even though they were of the same seniority, their actual authority was vastly different.
Since Danzo had already spoken, the two were more than happy to step away from the situation.
"The village is still in the process of rebuilding. Make sure not to escalate tensions with the Uchiha Clan, Danzo."
"Otherwise, you won't be able to explain yourself when Hiruzen returns, will you?"
Koharu reminded him before turning to leave with Homura Mitokado.
As the two descended the stairs, they happened to run into Uchiha Dali and Uchiha Shisui on their way up.
"Greetings, esteemed advisors."
Uchiha Shisui greeted them politely.
The two nodded in response, their eyes shifting toward Uchiha Dali.
"So, you're the rising star of the Uchiha Clan, the genius ninja who shined on the battlefield and repelled the enemy?"
Koharu Utatane asked with a smile.
"Oh? So, you were aware of our achievements on the battlefield?"
Uchiha Dali's sudden retort caught Koharu and Homura completely off guard.
His sharp question left them momentarily speechless, exposing their inner guilt.
Their suspicion was confirmed—these two young Uchiha were here to hold them accountable.
"Watch your words, young man."
"This is not just any place."
Homura Mitokado, playing the elder, frowned and warned sternly.
Koharu Utatane also looked displeased.
Beside them, Uchiha Shisui was already breaking into a cold sweat, frantically signaling Uchiha Dali with his eyes, nearly reaching out to tug at his sleeve.
But Uchiha Dali ignored him entirely. Instead, he let out a cold laugh and locked eyes with the two advisors, refusing to back down.
"So, who gave the order to conceal our Uchiha Clan's accomplishments from the villagers?"
Koharu and Homura never expected this young man to be so sharp, firing one piercing question after another, making it hard for them to respond.
With a guilty conscience, Homura Mitokado averted his gaze slightly and answered in a low voice:
"It's not what you think. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, is currently away in the Land of Fire's capital to report to the daimyo."
"There are many documents that require his personal review before being made public. That's why…"
He had hoped to pacify the two Uchiha prodigies while also giving himself an excuse.
The problem could be pushed onto Hiruzen, who wasn't present, leaving it for him to handle upon his return.
But just as he was about to finish, a voice full of authority rang out from behind him.
"How dare you speak so recklessly in this place? Such insolence!"
Everyone turned to look—it was Danzo Shimura, approaching at a steady pace.
Koharu and Homura's hearts sank.
Seeing Danzo's confrontational stance, they knew that today's situation would not be easily resolved.
Neither of them spoke. Being confronted so directly by a younger generation had already left them simmering with anger.
They simply chose to step aside and watch the scene unfold.
"Dali-senpai, this is Lord Danzo, an advisor to the Third Hokage… Please, don't say anything reckless."
Uchiha Shisui whispered in warning.
But before he could finish, Uchiha Dali had already stepped forward to face Danzo.
"Was it you who ordered the concealment of our Uchiha Clan's achievements?"
Danzo stopped three meters away, looking down on the young man with an air of superiority.
His half-open eyes flickered with an imperceptible glint.
Originally, he had planned to meet these two young Uchiha personally to win over Uchiha Dali, the rising star of the clan.
However, after their brief exchange, Danzo—who had assessed countless people—quickly came to a conclusion.
This kid was nothing like Uchiha Shisui. He would be difficult to manipulate.
Unlike Shisui, Dali was not someone who could be brainwashed and easily recruited.
Faced with Danzo's question, Uchiha Dali did not back down in the slightest. He repeated his demand:
"I asked you—was it your order to hide our Uchiha Clan's outstanding contributions in this war?"
"Insolence!!"
"How dare you speak to me like that?!"
Danzo suddenly lashed out, his palm striking toward Uchiha Dali's face.
To his surprise, despite using the Body Flicker Technique, Uchiha Dali managed to evade his slap at the last moment, within mere meters.
Danzo froze in place.
His outstretched hand remained in the air, having struck nothing but empty space.
His keen perception told him that Uchiha Dali was now standing behind him, in the exact spot where he had been just moments ago.
It was as if their positions had been swapped.
"You dare attack me here?"
Uchiha Dali's voice grew cold.
Realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, Koharu and Homura's pupils contracted slightly.
They were simultaneously astonished by Uchiha Dali's unexpected prowess and worried that the situation might escalate beyond control.
Fortunately, Uchiha Shisui was present. He immediately stepped forward, placing himself between Danzo and Uchiha Dali.
"Dali-senpai, please, calm down."
"You were indeed being disrespectful. How can you speak to Lord Danzo like that…?"
Shisui felt a massive headache coming on.
On one side was the village's upper echelon. On the other was his own kin.
"If I had known things would turn out this way, I should have brought Lord Fugaku with us…"
The ideology of loyalty to one's superiors and respect for elders was deeply ingrained in him.
At this moment, Shisui could only side with reason rather than kinship.
"Whose side are you on? Don't forget your identity, Shisui!"
Uchiha Dali's gaze landed sharply on Shisui as he reprimanded him.
"What sharp words! What an impressive Body Flicker Technique!"
"Shisui, step aside."
Danzo finally recovered from his stunned state. The domineering aura he had displayed earlier was now completely gone.
At this moment, he even seemed like a kindly elder.
Hearing Danzo's order, Shisui hesitated but ultimately obeyed, stepping back obediently.
Danzo then looked up at Uchiha Dali.
"Come to my office. Let's have a proper talk."