Chapter 67: I've Contributed to Konoha!
Over twenty Uchiha Police Force ninja subtly surrounded Danzō. The radical Uchiha glared with anger, while even the moderate ones looked displeased.
At this point, Fugaku knew that if he, as clan head, didn't step forward, things would become inappropriate.
He slowly walked forward. As he passed Uchiha Ikeizumi, he paused and moved his lips, speaking in a voice only he and Ikeizumi could hear: "Ikeizumi, leave this to me. I know what you want to do, but I am the head of the Uchiha clan, and I have a more suitable way to handle this. Besides, the Hokage and his people are here, and the Hokage doesn't want to see internal conflict in the village."
Fugaku was afraid that Uchiha Ikeizumi, in his pursuit of "absolute justice," would cause even greater turmoil.
Even though he knew his words and actions might displease Uchiha Ikeizumi.
But he also knew that in this tense atmosphere, if Ikeizumi clashed with the Hokage, he would absolutely not be able to control the radical Uchiha within his clan.
Those radical Uchiha would definitely help Ikeizumi fight the Hokage!
That would mean Konoha and the Uchiha would completely break ties!
The "future" tragedy might even unfold prematurely!
The Uchiha clan couldn't withstand such turmoil.
Fugaku wanted to change the future using his own methods.
With a myriad of thoughts swirling in his mind, Fugaku then approached Danzō, his gaze meeting Danzō's sinister and grim expression.
"Lord Danzō."
Fugaku spoke in a deep voice, "Please give our Uchiha clan a reasonable explanation! Our Uchiha clan has diligently served Konoha for many years; we are not lambs to be slaughtered. Where exactly did you obtain the Sharingan on your arm?"
As soon as Fugaku asked this question, a possibility suddenly occurred to him.
Would it be easier to just ask Ikeizumi directly?
That ability to see through past and future evil…
It truly makes it impossible to hide any secrets!
However…
After a glance at the surrounding devastation, Fugaku decided it was best not to drag Uchiha Ikeizumi into this further.
"Explanation…"
Danzō coldly scanned his surroundings. Even surrounded by numerous Uchiha ninja, he showed no fear, sneering sinisterly: "This old man is the one who needs you to give me an explanation! What are you trying to do? Do you want to kill this old man and rebel against Konoha? Fugaku! What is the meaning of your aggressive stance?"
"Danzō!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice cut in: "You do need to give the Uchiha clan an explanation—where did you get the Sharingan? And you also need to give this old man an explanation—why did you engage in private infighting, causing such extensive damage within the village!"
Danzō's expression immediately stiffened. He turned back to glare at Hiruzen Sarutobi in disbelief.
He couldn't believe that Hiruzen Sarutobi was siding with the Uchiha clan!
Danzō's fists clenched, almost shattering his teeth.
To explain would be to yield to the inherently evil Uchiha clan! Even a temporary submission made him itch all over, wishing he could kill a few people to vent his anger!
"…I picked them up during the Third Great Ninja War!"
Danzō bit out these words, squeezing them through his teeth.
He wasn't entirely wrong.
Aside from one of Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan, the other Sharingan were obtained during the Third Great Ninja War, when he sent Root ninja to secretly dig up the eyes of deceased Uchiha clan ninja.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at the rapidly rising anger of the Uchiha clan ninja. He stepped forward, standing next to Fugaku, and with his hands clasped behind his back, his face grim, he declared: "Danzō! Those who died on the battlefield of the Ninja World War, whether civilian ninja or ninja clan members, they are all Konoha's heroes!"
"Are you going to desecrate the bodies of heroes!?" Hiruzen Sarutobi loudly rebuked: "They dedicated their lives to Konoha, and you actually tried to use their bodies to achieve your selfish goals!"
"This old man will absolutely not permit you, who has committed such a transgression, to continue leading the Root organization! From today onwards, you are no longer the leader of the Root organization!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was loud and filled with anger.
Everyone present could hear him.
Fugaku looked at the Third Hokage beside him with surprise.
A high-ranking Konoha elder, dismissed by the Hokage in just a few words? And dismissed in front of so many people?
Is this the Hokage's resolve?!
The Uchiha clan ninja frowned, feeling that something wasn't quite right, but for a moment, they didn't know what to say.
"Monkey! What are you saying?!" At this moment, the most agitated person was Danzō.
His anger towards the Uchiha clan instantly shifted to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"You're going to dismiss me from my position?" Danzō's pupils trembled. He felt a betrayal unlike any he had experienced before, leading him to directly call Hiruzen Sarutobi "monkey" in front of so many people.
Danzō's hoarse voice grew louder: "Monkey! You don't have the right! This old man has contributed to Konoha! I've bled for the village!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's anger intensified: "This old man is the Hokage of Konoha! This old man has the authority to dismiss anyone from their position!"
He enunciated each word: "This old man is the Hokage!"
....
"The Hokage is considering the feelings of us bloodline limit ninja clans?" a Hyūga clan jōnin muttered in confusion at the very front.
"The Hokage wants to kill three birds with one stone."
Hyūga Hiashi, however, said expressionlessly.
He gazed at Hiruzen Sarutobi's back and said: "The Uchiha clan is surprisingly angry; dismissing Danzō can somewhat curb their anger. At the same time, dismissing Danzō, who secretly seized the bloodline limits of fellow village ninja, can indeed make us bloodline limit ninja clans feel a little more at ease."
"Finally…"
Hyūga Hiashi looked at an Uchiha clan youth.
The youth was one of the main protagonists of tonight.
"…It's the Hokage's attempt to protect Danzō. Otherwise, with Uchiha Ikeizumi's personality, he would definitely fight Danzō to the bitter end. Last time, the Hokage intervened to stop them, but this time they clashed again. The Hokage can't guarantee he'll arrive in time next time; he must sever their feud. Dismissing Danzō and ensuring he never rises again, or at least never meets Uchiha Ikeizumi again, is the best method."
Hyūga Hiashi's words made the Hyūga clan ninja behind him ponder.
Does this mean that in the Hokage's eyes, Uchiha Ikeizumi's importance is greater than Danzō's?
"Lord Hiashi, tonight's farce… is probably over, right?"
A Hyūga ninja asked.
"Hmm." Hyūga Hiashi nodded slightly, saying calmly and expressionlessly: "Normally, it should be over."
—But… is Uchiha Ikeizumi someone who plays by normal rules?
Hiashi hadn't yet spoken that last sentence.
He already had his answer.
..
"Third, have you had enough?" Uchiha Ikeizumi's cold tone interrupted Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō's argument.
....
Hyūga Hiashi's expression became complex. He sighed: "He's truly someone one can't see through; he refuses to take the Hokage's steps."
"Tonight, it probably won't be so easy to go back."
....
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