Chapter 13 – Long-Harbored Resentment
"It wasn't me. The Uchiha clan members vanished into thin air during this time. Only Uchiha Fugaku and his son Sasuke remain."
At this moment, Danzō could only grit his teeth and endure. His original plan was to wipe out the entire Uchiha clan in one stroke, yet now the place was deserted.
Sarutobi Hiruzen cursed inwardly, hating this pig-headed teammate of his. It was bad enough to strike against them in the first place, but to let them slip away? Wasn't that a slap in Konoha's face?
And with the red-eyed malcontents lurking in the shadows from now on, wouldn't they always have to live in fear of the Uchiha's revenge?
"Since the Uchiha have already left Konoha, we no longer have any reason to fight. Fugaku, we can still sit down and talk this through."
Truly worthy of the title "the thickest skin," Hiruzen could still think of negotiating at a time like this.
"Third Hokage, do you realize how late you are with those words? In what way has the Uchiha ever wronged Konoha? During the Second and Third Shinobi Wars, do you know how many Uchiha died on the Water Country battlefields?"
"No—you couldn't not know. You were the Hokage!"
"Uchiha specialize in Fire Style, yet you deliberately deployed us to the Water Country battlefields. Hiruzen Sarutobi, don't tell me that wasn't intentional?" Fugaku roared, wanting to see what excuse this old dog could come up with.
"The Uchiha had many elites. I believed you capable of carrying such a heavy responsibility. I never thought you would misunderstand our intentions!" Hiruzen answered with righteous indignation, as if he truly had only Konoha's best interests in mind.
"Hokage-sama, indeed a master of honeyed words. It seems our Uchiha clan has always suffered in silence."
"Then let me ask, why has not a single Uchiha ever held an important post in this village? How do you explain that? And why has the Uchiha compound been moved further and further to the outskirts of Konoha?"
"Holding positions in the village isn't just about battle strength; it requires overall ability. While the Uchiha's jōnin are powerful in combat, they may not excel in other matters. As for relocating your district farther away, that was to accommodate the clan's growing numbers…"
Hiruzen replied smoothly, as if he had always acted fairly, portraying every Uchiha grievance as nothing more than a misunderstanding.
"Then tell me, why do the Sarutobi and Shimura clans hold so many positions in the village? Because your clansmen are just that outstanding?"
"Because the Sarutobi and Shimura clans embody the Will of Fire. Naturally, they serve the village." Hiruzen countered sharply again.
"Now I understand, Hokage-sama. Those who obey you have the Will of Fire, and those who don't are traitors. And what of the Senju clan? How is it that only Tsunade remains alive? Old man, have you no shame?"
"Was Tsunade's younger brother conspired against by you? Was Kakashi's father driven to death by you? Were the Senju clan systematically eliminated by your schemes? And what about last year, when the Hyūga clan head's brother died—wasn't that your doing as well?"
Spotting Kakashi arriving, Fugaku deliberately brought up the death of Sakumo Hatake. Of course, Fugaku didn't know the full truth of Sakumo's death, but that didn't stop him from stabbing at Hiruzen's sore spots.
Hiruzen's heart sank when he saw Kakashi. Damn that sharp-tongued Fugaku, sowing discord.
"Fugaku, stop slandering me. How could I do such a thing? Sakumo Hatake committed suicide. You'd even pin that on me?"
Meanwhile, Danzō's eyes flickered at the side. Needless to say, he had a hand in much of this. It had indeed been Danzō who orchestrated Senju Nawaki's death—otherwise, how could he have obtained First Hokage cells for transplant? He had needed Nawaki's tissues to dilute the overwhelming power of Hashirama's cells.
Sakumo's suicide? That too had been fueled by Danzō, who spread rumors throughout the village. Otherwise, how could the news of an elite jōnin failing a mission spread so widely?
In the end, it was because Sakumo was too outstanding, too much of a threat to Danzō's ambition to become Hokage, that he had been driven to despair.
As for the Senju clan, it had been Danzō who—under Hiruzen's tacit approval—kept sending them into battle, whittling them down. And the matter of Hyūga Hizashi's death? That one was indeed Hiruzen's fault.
Danzō, in his heart, sneered at Hiruzen. You're still too soft. Only I am fit to be Hokage.
Hiruzen didn't know Danzō was secretly undermining him, but he did know he couldn't let Fugaku keep talking. At first, he had wanted to persuade Fugaku to surrender and avoid bloodshed. But if he didn't silence Fugaku now, all his darkest secrets would be laid bare.
"Kakashi, fall back. The coming battle is not something you can intervene in!" Hiruzen ordered, taking the chance to show kindness toward Kakashi.
But Hiruzen didn't realize the seed of doubt had already been planted in Kakashi's heart.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" In an instant, Hiruzen created four shadow clones. "Fugaku, surrender! Do not persist in this folly. As Hokage, this is my final warning!"
"Sarutobi Hiruzen, you have no credibility before me!" Fugaku laughed wildly.
"In that case—Five-Style Great Combo Jutsu!"
Hiruzen and his clones unleashed Fire, Lightning, Water, Earth, and Wind Style attacks all at once. This was Hiruzen's signature technique—a super jutsu combining all five chakra natures. The Five-Style Great Combo detonated against Fugaku's Susanoo in a catastrophic explosion.
When the smoke cleared, Susanoo bore only hairline cracks, instantly healing under Fugaku's chakra.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, it seems your title of 'Professor of Ninjutsu' is not undeserved. That Five-Style Great Combo was impressive indeed. Unfortunately for you, it stands against the Uchiha clan's Susanoo."
Hiruzen frowned deeply. The Five-Style Great Combo was his strongest ninjutsu. Did this mean only the Third Tsuchikage's Dust Release could shatter Susanoo?
"Danzō, why aren't you attacking?"
"Hiruzen, I'm already badly wounded." Hiruzen glanced at Danzō's shoulder and saw the gaping wound there. He had been so busy trading words with Fugaku, he hadn't noticed.
"Root operatives! Aid me against Fugaku!"
Best if they both die together, Danzō thought to himself. Then Hokage will be mine.
The Root joined forces with Hiruzen against Fugaku's Susanoo. But despite their strength, no jutsu they cast could even scratch its surface.
Meanwhile, Susanoo, with its seamless offense and defense, crushed Root operatives like ants—one stomp killing three, a single slash felling dozens.
"This is the ultimate destroyer—Susanoo." Danzō watched enviously from the sidelines, while Hiruzen barely dodged strike after strike, his life hanging by a thread.
For Susanoo had countless chances, while Hiruzen had only one. A single blow could end him. Watching Root shinobi throw themselves to their deaths, even Hiruzen felt some pain.
But he also felt relief—thankfully, they had turned Itachi. If he'd had to face father and son together, Danzō might already be dead in his place.
The battle raged within the Uchiha compound, its chaos rousing Konoha's civilians. But ANBU had already taken to the streets, maintaining order and ensuring the villagers stayed quietly in their homes.