Chapter 4: Countermeasures (Part 1)
The Third Hokage frowned, understanding Shisui's character well.
For the sake of peace, Shisui would never make such things public, even if they were true.
What was wrong with Shisui?
In truth, Kaien had whispered to him that if Shisui lied, the Uchiha clan would rebel immediately.
But Kaien promised there would be no rebellion tonight if he told the truth.
Danzo's expression shifted slightly, but he remained calm.
"The old man had no intention of provoking a conflict between the Uchiha and the village. But since things have come to this…"
He continued, "Yes, I summoned Shisui this evening. But he tried to assassinate me. I saw through it and was forced to defend myself."
Kaien sneered.
"Can you fool us with such a weak excuse?"
Danzo's temper flared.
"You are just an elder of one generation. What right do you have to speak to me like this?"
Fugaku, after listening to the report from his Uchiha clansmen, was both shocked and pleased to learn that Elder Kaien had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
It had been many years since a truly powerful Uchiha had emerged—
And Kaien was still so young.
Fugaku raised his head and declared,
"Elder Danzo, Elder Kaien saved Shisui today. The clan has elected him as Deputy Patriarch.
Is that qualification enough for you?"
The Uchiha behind him stirred in surprise—Elder Kaien was now the Deputy Patriarch?
But seeing Fugaku's support, they quickly quieted down.
Danzo snorted coldly.
"Regardless, it's a fact that Shisui tried to assassinate me. My Root members can testify."
Everyone present was sharp—no one believed Danzo.
If Shisui had tried to assassinate him, Danzo would've reported it to the Third Hokage immediately. Instead, he showed up here pretending ignorance.
Kaien chuckled coldly.
"Then here's another fact: Danzo tried to assassinate the Third Hokage today. And the entire Uchiha clan can testify."
The Uchiha behind him burst into laughter.
"I testify!"
"I testify too!"
"I saw it with my own eyes!"
Even members of the surrounding clans couldn't help but snicker and turn away to hide their amusement.
The Third Hokage's face darkened. He understood the situation but tried to maintain order.
"Now that Shisui has been found, Kaien—Deputy Patriarch—this must be a misunderstanding. Let's disperse."
"Misunderstanding?!"
Uchiha Kaien's tone shifted sharply.
"Third Hokage! Shisui's Sharingan is missing, and you call this a misunderstanding?!"
Danzo scoffed.
"So what now? Since the assassination claim failed, you're accusing me of theft?"
Kaien ignored Danzo entirely and gave Fugaku a meaningful look.
Then he turned back, his voice sharp and loud.
"Third Hokage! You and your so-called loyal clans are plotting to steal the Sharingan from the Uchiha! Are you declaring open hostility against us?!"
Fugaku caught Kaien's signal and responded firmly.
"Ape Hiruzen Sarutobi! Shisui's Sharingan will not be returned? Then hear this: the Uchiha will not let this go!"
The Uchiha warriors behind him activated their Sharingan silently—
In an instant, countless blood-red eyes turned toward the Third Hokage.
Hiruzen's face turned as black as a pot bottom.
He cursed Danzo silently. You caused a mess. Now the entire village will suffer for it.
"Danzo! Hand over Shisui's Sharingan immediately!"
Danzo's face twisted with disbelief. He hadn't expected things to escalate this far.
Still, he struggled.
"The old man did have a conflict with Shisui—but I did not take his eye."
Kaien narrowed his eyes and slowly pulled out a kunai.
The Third Hokage's tone became stern.
"Kaien, calm yourself."
But Kaien raised the kunai to his Konoha forehead protector.
If he pressed it down, he would become a traitor.
Kaien shouted for all to hear:
"All of Konoha, look carefully! This is how the village leadership oppresses the clans! Today, it's the Uchiha—they will steal your bloodlines, your secrets, your treasures. Hyūga, you're next!"
A commotion stirred among the Hyūga.
Their Byakugan was just as famed as the Sharingan.
Hiashi and Hizashi looked grim, their eyes fixed coldly on the Third Hokage.
Hiruzen began to panic. If they pushed the Uchiha into rebellion, the entire shinobi world would laugh at the Hokage's incompetence.
The clans would lose all trust in the Hokage line—this was political suicide.
"Listen, Sarutobi Hiruzen! Right now! Hand over Shisui's Sharingan!"
"Otherwise, we, the Uchiha, will bring Konoha down with us! You forced our hand!"
Kaien's face twisted with fury. He looked deranged, almost like a madman.
The Third Hokage's heart turned cold.
He could not allow the Uchiha to be forced into rebellion—not like this.
Ordering a massacre would destroy Konoha.
The surrounding clans didn't move—they weren't here to fight.
Instead, they stared coldly at Danzo and Hiruzen.
Especially the Hyūga.
If the Uchiha fell, they would undoubtedly be next.
The other clans, while not as powerful, all had techniques or bloodlines of value.
If the Uchiha could be looted, so could they.
The Third Hokage let out a long sigh.
"In light of Danzo's actions, I hereby remove him from the position of Hokage's assistant.
Danzo, hand over Shisui's Sharingan immediately."
Danzo's eyes burned with disbelief, venomous like a snake's.
"Hiruzen! The Uchiha cannot be trusted! Shisui's Sharingan is too dangerous. I will not hand it over!"
"Enough, Danzo!"
"I am the Hokage!"
Danzo gritted his teeth.
"Fine. I'll return and hand over the eye immediately."
The Hokage turned toward Kaien.
"Kaien—is this acceptable?"
Kaien sneered.
"Still trying to play games, Danzo? We all know the eye is in your right socket. What's the point of going back?"
Danzo's face contorted.
He opened his mouth to defend himself.
Kaien raised his hand and declared,
"Don't even try to lie. Our Uchiha clan has a secret technique that confirms the eye is in your right socket!"
Danzo's expression turned grim—he hadn't known they had such a technique.
Had he known, he would've stayed away.
Now, there was no escape.
With all eyes on him, Danzo gritted his teeth and unwrapped the bandage over his right eye—
Revealing a Sharingan.
Gasps erupted across the crowd.
The village's elite—an assistant to the Hokage—had stolen the eye of an Uchiha and implanted it in himself?
Though in truth, the Uchiha had no such "secret technique."
Kaien had simply gambled that Danzo would implant the eye, and he was right.
Even if it wasn't Shisui's, the right eye was still a Sharingan.
Danzo was filled with hatred and anger.
But he had already stirred the fury of every clan here.
And now, every eye looked upon him with suspicion—
Who will he target next?
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Translated By – Ancient Lores