After creating an unprecedented commotion and intimidating Uchiha Itachi, Senju Haruto chose to leave.There was no need for him to linger and confirm the results.
Before long, Uchiha Fugaku would arrive with the police force to investigate the scene.Danzō and the Third Hokage would also learn of tonight's events through the Foundation and ANBU networks.
In fact, the moment the entire earth roared under the arrival of the Deep Forest Emergence, Fugaku—being the clan head—felt a terrible premonition.Ever since the night of the Nine-Tails' attack, he and the Uchiha clan had been exiled to the outskirts of the village under false charges.
Aside from village festivals, most people acted as if the Uchiha district didn't exist.When the earth-shaking rumble began, Fugaku had been presiding over a secret meeting in the Naka Shrine.
Wasting no time, he rallied the young and able-bodied Uchiha and formed a squad to head toward the source of the disturbance.
"This is…"
Two or three dozen Uchiha followed close behind Fugaku. When they reached the scene, they were struck speechless by what they saw.
"How is this possible…?"
Fugaku immediately activated his Sharingan, scanning the surroundings for any hidden shinobi.But after sweeping his gaze across the area, he found nothing.
"Clan Head…"
A man around Fugaku's age stepped forward from the group, his expression darkening.Though they resented the Konoha leadership's decisions, the Uchiha had lived here for six or seven years and knew the surrounding terrain well.
Yet now, towering trees—dozens, hundreds—had appeared out of nowhere, blotting out the sky.It was like an endless sea of trees.
Even when Fugaku halted, others ventured further in and realized the newly-born forest stretched even farther than they had imagined.
For the Uchiha, the scene was not merely shocking—It was terrifying.
Everyone here knew the history of Konoha's founding.Everyone knew who had once used such a jutsu.
The First Hokage—Senju Hashirama.
Back in his day, with this very technique, he had defeated their former clan leader, Uchiha Madara.They had all believed that Senju Hashirama and his Wood Release, along with Madara, had long since passed into history.
And yet, the legendary Deep Forest Emergence… had returned.
Worse still, tonight they had been holding a clandestine meeting at the Naka Shrine.
"Is this… a warning?"
One young Uchiha took several steps back.This wasn't the first time they had plotted a coup in that shrine.Had it not been for Shisui's death, they might have acted already.
And with the village's increasing ostracism toward them lately, he couldn't help but connect the two.
This was a warning—A warning to the Uchiha not to make any rash moves.
"Calm yourselves!"
Noticing the growing unrest among his clansmen, Fugaku barked the order sharply.The sudden appearance of such a forest was indeed staggering—especially when no one had detected the technique being cast.
If the caster had intended to strike the Uchiha directly…
Layered atop the existing tensions over the coup and other grievances, it was enough to send several Uchiha over the emotional edge.And panic spreads quickly.
What troubled Fugaku most was that the forest's range was far greater than he had expected.Even if they kept silent tonight, by morning the entire district would be in uproar.
"Who could it be…?"
Fugaku drew in a sharp breath.Aside from the obvious suspects, he could think of no one in the village with such power.
Without that intelligence, launching the coup would only worsen their predicament.And truthfully, Fugaku had never wanted to start one; he was simply cornered by the rising calls from his people.
But now things were different—A Wood Release master had appeared in the village.
"Inform every member of the Uchiha clan—until this matter is fully investigated, no one is to act recklessly!"
Fugaku clenched his fists and issued the order with finality.
That same night, the Foundation delivered the report straight into Danzō's hands.
"What did you just say?"
Hearing what had occurred near the Uchiha district, Danzō's expression twisted in shock.
Until now, he had been plotting to eliminate Senju Haruto—To prevent him from siding with Hiruzen and leading Konoha into ruin.
But never in his worst dreams had he imagined that this young man, heir to the Senju name, also carried the bloodline limit of Lord Hashirama himself—The Wood Release.
And in that moment, Danzō suddenly understood.He finally realized why the usually compliant Hiruzen Sarutobi had been so uncharacteristically defiant today.
Why he was willing to risk war with the Hidden Cloud just to protect the Hyūga branch family.
It was because of Senju Haruto.
"Wood Release… stronger than Tenzo's…"
Danzō's fist slammed into the table before him.
Thinking back to Tenzo, another piece of the puzzle clicked.No wonder Hiruzen had called off the human experimentation project.It wasn't mercy—that was nonsense.
The truth was, he had already found Haruto, and discovered he had inherited the First Hokage's Wood Release.
Even back when Haruto had failed to gain entry into the Academy…That wasn't unusual— even someone like Might Guy had been rejected once.
But after Haruto's rejection, he never applied again.Clearly, Hiruzen had been shielding him.
"That old fox… he was doing the same thing I was."
Danzō ground his teeth in frustration.While he had been secretly training Tenzo, Hiruzen had been secretly training Haruto.
And to make matters worse, he'd even sent Kakashi and Tenzo to make contact with Haruto—stealing him right out from under Danzō's nose.
Damn you, Hiruzen Sarutobi! Why are you always one step ahead of me?!
When the Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers attacked, you were first to volunteer as bait and win the Second Hokage's appointment as Hokage.When Minato Namikaze died, you were the first to reclaim the Hokage's seat.Even finding Haruto—you were first again!
Why?Why are you always a step ahead?!Is it because I'm too slow to react?!
I refuse to accept this!
"No…"
Danzō took a deep breath, forcing down his resentment toward Hiruzen.Now he understood the old fox's sudden shift in attitude.
But that didn't mean he had lost.If Hiruzen could steal Tenzo from him, then he could steal Haruto in return.
Yes.This was Hiruzen's fault—he had forced Danzō's hand.
Resolving himself, Danzō once again steeled his will to strike back against the Hokage's schemes.
But what Danzō didn't realize…Was that while he believed he had seen through all of Hiruzen's machinations, Kakashi had just arrived at the Hokage's residence—Bringing with him his own piece of intelligence.
"What?!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes went wide in shock, the cup in his hand slipping free.
Clink!