Hiruzen Sarutobi felt like he finally understood what Akainu was trying to do. Cornered as he was, his face turned pale with anger. Facing the gazes of Uchiha Akainu, Shimura Danzo, the Uchiha clan ninja, the Hyuga clan, the Anbu, and various other groups, Hiruzen's mood plummeted.
His initial proposed solution was to publicly remove Danzo from his position, humbling him and making him rein in his actions in the future, preventing further trouble. If this were a private matter, Hiruzen believed he could implement that solution.
However, in full view of everyone, at this very moment, merely removing Danzo from his post wouldn't be enough to resolve the situation! Sticking to his guns would only severely diminish his prestige as Hokage. It would also alienate the bloodline limit clans within Konoha from him, the Third Hokage. After all, some of Danzo's actions had already crossed the line for these clans.
In a fleeting moment, a thousand thoughts raced through Hiruzen's mind.
"Hmph..."
He took a deep, meaningful look at Uchiha Akainu, inhaled sharply, and then broke the eerie silence with a grim voice: "Shimura Danzo is suspected of repeatedly framing village ninja, suspected of stealing the Uchiha clan's bloodline limit, and privately researching Wood Style cells, leading to the deaths of multiple infants... Today, I will not only remove him from his position as the leader of Root!"
As Danzo's eyes widened, Hiruzen clenched his fist, then released it, stating coldly, "He shall also be sentenced to life imprisonment for his numerous crimes! Concurrently, all illegal gains of the Shimura clan over the years shall be confiscated!"
"From this day forward, Shimura Danzo will no longer hold any position within Konoha Village, nor will he enjoy any freedom! Akainu, this is my answer to your plea for 'absolute justice.'"
Hiruzen ignored Danzo's incredulous, furious glare. He stood before Uchiha Akainu, confronting the young Uchiha.
"Akainu, I hope you can understand my difficulties," Hiruzen said softly, earnestly. "Danzo is the 'Root' of Konoha; his death would dishearten many in the village."
Hiruzen lowered his stance, feeling that he had already conceded. Tonight... this young man had won. He was helpless.
"Third Hokage," Uchiha Akainu stared into Hiruzen's eyes, his own eyes slowly revealing a killing intent. "The innocent souls directly or indirectly harmed by Shimura Danzo will also be disheartened. Justice has already been delayed, yet you still wish to prevent its delayed judgment?"
Hiruzen gritted his teeth. "Akainu, don't be so aggressive! I have my considerations as Hokage. You only consider your justice, while I must consider the entirety of Konoha."
Suddenly, Hiruzen felt a wave of scorching air rushing towards him. His eyelids twitched. He saw Uchiha Akainu's arm dripping with lava!
Immediately!
A large number of Anbu ninja surrounded Uchiha Akainu and Hiruzen, while a portion of them blocked the Uchiha Clan Police Force. The scene once again became tense, a taut atmosphere spreading, making everyone present tighten their expressions. This time, it wasn't a standoff between Uchiha Akainu and Shimura Danzo. It was a confrontation between him and the Third Hokage!
"Akainu!" Fugaku pulled back an Uchiha Police Force member who was about to rush forward. He alone pushed into the Anbu's encirclement, walking with a stern face to Hiruzen's side, and said to Uchiha Akainu, "You need to think carefully about what you're doing! I know you're fighting for justice, but if you clash with the Hokage, you are betraying Konoha!"
Fugaku himself was actually startled by Uchiha Akainu's sudden burst of killing intent. More than anyone, he feared any member of the Uchiha clan clashing with the Hokage. For the Uchiha clan to remain safe, he apologized to Akainu. Tonight... he could only stand with the Hokage.
Fugaku took a deep breath, his gaze firm, and immediately warned the agitated Uchiha Police Force members on the outside: "Without my command! No one is to act recklessly!" He knew that his actions, as clan head, of seeming to side against his own, would also draw resentment from his clansmen. However, someone had to bear the burden of ensuring the Uchiha's future.
Itachi, for Konoha, was willing to do what he did. He was willing to bear the endless condemnation from all of Konoha. And he, as Itachi's father, merely for the sake of the Uchiha clan, merely facing the criticisms of his clansmen... was already so much easier than Itachi's burden.
Revelations and Perspectives
"Clan Head Fugaku... what is he doing? Senior Akainu is clearly in the right. Is it wrong to bring judgment upon the heinous Shimura Danzo, to execute absolute justice?" Izumi was bewildered. She had thought that when Clan Head Fugaku arrived at the conflict, even if he didn't openly support Senior Akainu, he certainly wouldn't side with evil, nor would he stand against Senior Akainu.
But things didn't go as she wished. Izumi realized she couldn't understand the thought processes of the Uchiha Fugaku family, nor could she understand the Hokage's! They were all crazy!
"Lord Akainu's assessment of 'Spineless Fugaku' was right all along," Tachijiro squatted on Izumi's shoulder, his cat face filled with disdain. "Lord Akainu once said that Spineless Fugaku has the Mangekyo Sharingan. From what I see, giving him such power is simply a waste, meow."
"Meow, newbie, these guys are all enemies of 'Justice.'" Tachijiro said earnestly. "You must see how difficult it is for Lord Akainu to bring absolute justice to Konoha, right?"
"The entire Konoha is full of obstacles to justice. With their existence, this ninja world will never get better. That's why Lord Akainu spoke of 'one day cleansing the ninja world.'"
The Observer: Obito
"Heh, things are getting interesting again. What an ugly scene."
In Uchiha Obito's view, at the very center of the crowd stood Uchiha Akainu, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzo, and Uchiha Fugaku. Surrounding them was a circle of Anbu ninja. It seemed the entire Konoha Anbu force had been deployed. Further out was the Uchiha Clan Police Force, separated by a large group of Anbu. Even further out were ninja from various clans with bloodline limits, or regular civilian ninja. At least a thousand ninja were gathered in this single area! Obito saw a massive powder keg, but for now, he couldn't see the fuse.
A Stand-Off and a Shocking Evolution
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a surprised look to Uchiha Fugaku, who had chosen to stand by his side. He nodded gratefully to Fugaku, then sternly commanded, "Guards! Take the criminal Shimura Danzo away! Not one of the punishments I decreed tonight will be overlooked! This is my promise as the Third Hokage!"
"Akainu, you should be satisfied with this outcome. For you, Danzo is no longer a threat." Hiruzen then said to Uchiha Akainu.
"Akainu, people need to learn to grow through compromise," Fugaku took another step forward, his Three Tomoe Sharingan now clearly visible. Although he didn't directly reveal his Mangekyo Sharingan, he was ready to activate it without hesitation if Uchiha Akainu made any sudden moves.
Fugaku sighed. "One day, you will understand my difficulties and what I carry on my shoulders."
"Is that so... what if justice doesn't compromise?" Uchiha Akainu met Fugaku's gaze. His own eyes also revealed the crimson Three Tomoe Sharingan.
Upon seeing this, Fugaku frowned. "Akainu, don't push me. You know I don't want to be your enemy."
But the next second...
Fugaku's pair of Three Tomoe Sharingan suddenly constricted. He watched in utter horror as the tomoe in Uchiha Akainu's eyes visibly deformed before his very eyes!!!
This was...
Mangekyo!!!