The Memorial Stone?!
In an instant, everyone present—except Koharu Utatane—turned to look at Sarutobi Hiruzen. Even the Third Hokage's personal ANBU, who had followed along, shifted their gaze.
Unlike Root, the ANBU directly under the Hokage—such as the Fourth Division, now led by Captain Kinoe—were shinobi who still retained their own thoughts. They were absolutely loyal, yes, but not mindless. As Sarutobi's personal guards, they understood certain truths in their hearts, and even knew of the leniency the Third had shown in the name of old comradeship.
But now, everything had been dragged into the open by their enemy, Uchiha Shion. And yet… should Danzō's name still be engraved upon the Memorial Stone?
Among the masked ANBU, some glanced toward the grotesque creature before Shisui: a mass of flesh with hollow sockets like gaping black voids.
"K… kill…"
"Kill… me…"
The voice was faint, but in this moment it struck like thunder.
Perhaps because the surroundings had changed, the blinded Uchiha Honoka caught fragments of sound. Yet, the very first request he made after realizing he had escaped that living hell… was to ask for death.
Shisui's eyes flew wide open. The cross-shaped Mangekyō spun violently in his sockets. The contrast between before and now was stark—his fury had reached its peak.
But…
"Honoka, Uncle Tezuka and Auntie Kon— they're both doing well. And the son they know… is a hero who fought for Konoha. Your name already rests on the Memorial Stone."
The ruins of Root fell into absolute silence. Even the ANBU softened their breathing.
From the empty sockets of Uchiha Honoka, tears trickled down. He murmured:
"Then… good… kill… me…"
Shisui's scarlet eyes filled with tears as well. Slowly, his right hand drew the tantō from his back.
Lowering himself as he neared, he whispered:
"Danzō is dead. Burned to ash. It wasn't the Uchiha who avenged you, but if…"
Sensing Shisui's breath beside him, Honoka exhaled a near-inaudible reply:
"For… Konoha…"
Shisui gave a firm nod.
"And for the Uchiha as well. Your soul will forever remain with the clan."
Shhk!
In a single instant, guided by the clarity of the Sharingan, the short blade pierced the heart buried within the tumor of flesh.
Honoka's body—already twisted and ruined beyond recognition by Hashirama's cells—swelled grotesquely. In the next moment, he transformed into a towering tree, roots digging deep into the ruins.
Shisui withdrew, sheathing his tantō, and stood quietly behind the Fourth Hokage.
That act spoke volumes. But it also pushed Minato Namikaze into a corner, forcing him to make a decision.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's earlier words had revealed his own resignation—he was old, and all he wanted was for an old comrade to die with dignity and be remembered.
Yet Shisui's actions made something else clear: the Uchiha would respect the Fourth Hokage's judgment.
Honoka was gone, his body absorbed into the tree, his mind erased, his memories extinguished. His final words revealed his true will.
He had begged for a swift death, partly because he was already too weak to survive, partly because he no longer wished to face his parents with such a ruined face. And another reason—his death could bury Konoha's darkness, preventing the Uchiha's militant faction from seizing upon it as an excuse.
From not far away, Uchiha Yun looked up at the colossal tree. In his final moments, Shion had told Honoka the truth—that it was their own clansmen who had saved him and killed Danzō.
"To think a man who experimented on his own comrades can still enter the Memorial Stone… Third Hokage, your face is truly thick…"
Uchiha Shion's voice rang out once more, before turning to the Fourth Hokage, whose brows had remained furrowed all this time.
"So then, as Konoha's current supreme commander, what do you think of this old man's proposal?"
And then, Shion's gaze shifted toward the shadows nearby.
"The Byakugan really is convenient… But Hiashi, are you scouting for enemies right now, or eavesdropping on the high council?"
Strike after strike. Minato felt his headache deepen. He had already sensed the Hyūga's surveillance within his range, but had chosen not to expose it. In this place, only himself and the Third represented their sides.
But now, if the Hyūga—the third pillar—were dragged into the light…
Shff!
Unable to remain hidden, Hyūga Hiashi stepped forward and bowed to Minato.
"Hokage-sama."
He turned and gave a formal bow to Hiruzen.
"Third-sama."
Minato sighed and nodded, ready to speak—only for the Third to cut him off.
"If Hiashi has been here for a while, then you should know the circumstances. Danzō committed many wrongs, but ever since the Second Hokage's time, he also rendered many services to Konoha."
Hiruzen exhaled heavily, then looked at Shisui.
"As for the Uchiha… I have always believed they deserve to be properly integrated into the village once again. Back in the First Hokage's era, the Uchiha were among Konoha's founders."
Hiashi scratched his head awkwardly, forcing a smile.
"I was exposed by the one floating up there the moment I arrived, so…"
Clearly, Hiashi had no desire to get involved. If not for the shock of Wood Release and the Uchiha's display, he likely would have slipped away after hearing only the opening exchange.
There was no clan in Konoha more slippery than the Hyūga.
But Shion, hovering above, had no intention of letting him off so easily.
"The Sharingan's insight is ideal for killing, but the Byakugan excels at wide-scale reconnaissance in war. Hiashi, can you really guarantee that after leniency is shown this time, no one will target your clan's eyes next?"
He chuckled.
"I hear the Mist have already put a stolen eye to good use. And in the Cloud, some people have raised… special suggestions."
"The branch family bears cursed seals, sure. But why not target the main family directly? What do you think of that plan?"
The veins at Hiashi's temple bulged. If not for the giant tree restraining his temper, he might have unleashed his One Hundred and Two Palms right there.
But that was the Hyūga way—caution above all.
Memories stirred of when the Third had once ordered a clan head to serve as sacrifice, and if not for Hiashi's twin brother, he himself would have been forced to die in his place.
He paused to think. Through his Byakugan, Minato's expression was burned into his mind.
And then… another vision came into view: the cross-shaped Mangekyō in Shisui's sockets.
Mangekyō Sharingan?!
Wait—
At Shisui's side, Uchiha Yun also opened his eyes. In his sockets spun a trident-shaped Mangekyō.
Two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan among the Uchiha— and rumors claimed that beyond his fame, Kakashi Hatake had already mastered command of an elite jōnin unit…
Unnoticed, beneath the Third's weakness, the Fourth Hokage had already gathered this much strength?
Whmm!
In that instant, Kakashi—silent at Minato's back the whole time—lifted his forehead protector. His Sharingan spun, its form now altered.
Two and a half pairs?!