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The perimeter of Danzo's residence was crowded with people—not only shinobi from Konoha and members of the "Root," but also a large number of villagers.
The villagers looked up in confusion at the raging inferno engulfing the building.
Midorima had no idea where Danzo had hidden the Sharingan, so his only hope was for Danzo to actively "lead" him to the location where the eyes were stored.
Although the plan had already been set in motion, Midorima found himself in a dilemma once Danzo charged into the burning mansion.
If he followed too closely, Danzo would notice him. If he stayed too far back, it would be difficult to seize the opportunity. Meanwhile, many "Root" members were maintaining order outside, warning villagers to stay away from the estate.
Fortunately, Danzo's residence was large enough, and the number of "Root" operatives was insufficient to fully secure the area. Slipping unnoticed into the burning courtyard wasn't too difficult.
One "Root" member suddenly sensed a dark figure flash past him. He instinctively reached out to grab it, only to clutch at empty air. Whipping around, he saw nothing behind him except the blazing structure and scorching hot air. The heat seared his skin, filling him with discomfort. The flickering flames distorted his vision, making the surroundings appear warped.
Was it just my imagination?
The thought crossed his mind briefly before he turned his attention back to his duties.
Once inside the estate, Midorima was taken aback.
Compared to the daytime, the place now resembled a fiery execution ground. However, everyone had already fled—Danzo's only losses were material.
And money was the one thing Danzo was never short of.
Though the estate was vast, locating Danzo wasn't difficult.
Even someone as powerful as Danzo couldn't recklessly charge into a burning building. He would need someone to use Water Release to create a safer path.
In other words, finding the source of a "Water Release" technique would lead Midorima straight to Danzo.
For someone like Midorima, who excelled in Water Release, this was no challenge at all.
Despite the estate's size, he quickly found three "Root" members standing outside a structure, spraying water into the entrance.
Well, their determination is strong… but the water jets are pitifully weak.
Danzo clearly didn't want other Konoha jonin interfering, and among the remaining "Root" members in the village, few were proficient in Water Release. Hence, this sorry situation.
Still, Midorima hoped Danzo would hurry up—otherwise, those precious Sharingan might end up as "grilled squid."
That said, Midorima understood Danzo's struggles, so he decided to give him a little… gift.
After waiting about six or seven minutes, a shadowy figure burst out of the building. Midorima immediately formed hand seals, gathering a massive amount of chakra in his throat before unleashing it.
Great Exploding Water Collision Wave!
A torrential flood surged forth, instantly engulfing Danzo and the three "Root" members.
Danzo was horrified. He never expected an ambush in the darkness. Just as he tried to undo the seal on his arm—
Midorima had no intention of giving him the chance to activate Izanagi.
In the manga, Sasuke had allowed Danzo time to release his seals, but Midorima was here for a sneak attack with one clear goal: steal the Sharingan.
Giving Danzo time to unseal his arm and use the Sharingan? Was he out of his mind?
Moving through the water like a fish, Midorima appeared beside Danzo in an instant. With one hand, he trapped Danzo in a Water Prison Technique, while his other hand clamped down on Danzo's wrist, preventing him from breaking the seal.
Danzo's face turned red with fury as he glared at Midorima, but only the latter's eyes were visible—making identification impossible.
At that moment, a water clone wrapped its arm around Danzo's throat. Seizing the opportunity, Midorima snatched the incubation chamber from Danzo's grasp before swiftly retreating from the flooded zone.
The three "Root" members, along with Danzo, had been caught completely off guard by the Great Exploding Water Collision Wave. Before they could react, the prize had already been stolen.
Once the Water Release technique dissipated, the massive wave crashed outward in all directions. The already burning buildings collapsed under the force of the rushing water.
Danzo, who had barely caught his breath, was swept away by the current.
By the time the flood subsided, a drenched and disheveled Danzo stood on the soaked ground, staring blankly at the devastation around him.
The fire had been mostly extinguished—but so had half the estate.
He desperately wanted to use Izanagi, but he needed time for that.
Between the pitch-black darkness and the sudden deluge, his head was still spinning.
By the time he regained his bearings and attempted to release the seal to activate Izanagi, the thief was long gone.
Who… Who was it?! Who set the fire? Who ambushed him?!
Danzo clenched his fists, teetering on the edge of rage—yet with no outlet for his fury.
Meanwhile, Midorima, now in possession of the incubation chamber, didn't dare linger.
Thankfully, Danzo's own paranoia had worked in his favor. Unwilling to involve the Anbu or the Konoha Military Police Force, Danzo had relied solely on "Root," leaving gaps in the estate's perimeter.
Of the "Root" members accompanying Danzo, only three had been inside. Those stationed outside had no clue what had transpired.
By the time the sound of collapsing buildings alerted them, Midorima had already slipped away in the chaos.
Returning to a nearby tree, Midorima removed his mask and examined the incubation chamber. Under the glow of distant flames, he immediately spotted the Sharingan inside.
Not two—but four.
Unfortunately, none of them were Mangekyō Sharingan.
In other words, Shisui's eye wasn't among them.
Midorima sighed.
Shisui's Kotoamatsukami was hailed as the "strongest genjutsu."
Though its cooldown was lengthy, its power was unmatched.
Missing out on it was a huge regret.
Still, four Sharingan exceeded Midorima's expectations.
Perhaps this was why Danzo had allowed Orochimaru so much time for experiments?
These four eyes likely comprised two pairs.
Stashing them away, Midorima glanced back at Danzo's estate—now in complete ruins.
The flames had been raging, only to be doused by his Great Exploding Water Collision Wave. Danzo was probably scrambling in confusion right now.
But Danzo's troubles were none of his concern. His priority now was finding a secluded spot to separate the two pairs of eyes.
---
Meanwhile…
Itachi knelt at the entrance of his living room, his expression hollow.
He had never imagined his little brother would be kidnapped.
Whoever was responsible—once he found them, he would tear them apart.
As for clues…
Itachi suddenly remembered a child on the verge of death—Uzumaki Naruto, wasn't it?
Uzumaki…
The Fourth Hokage's only son?
A chill ran down Itachi's spine as he stood abruptly.
Losing his brother had already pushed him toward instability. If something happened to the Fourth's son… the Uchiha would truly become Konoha's greatest sinners.
After all, many in the village already blamed the Uchiha for the deaths of the Fourth Hokage and his wife.
Itachi could no longer sit still.
Despite his exhaustion, he rushed toward the medical unit to check on the child's condition.
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