The Third Hokage furrowed his brows. He knew Shisui's character well.
For the sake of peace, even if something like this happened, Shisui would never reveal it in public.
What on earth had happened to him?
In truth, Natsuki had whispered in Shisui's ear: if he lied, the Uchiha clan would rebel immediately. But if he told the truth, Natsuki promised there would be no rebellion tonight.
Danzo's expression shifted slightly before he calmly spoke. "I never intended to spark conflict between the Uchiha and the village, but since things have come to this… Yes, I summoned Shisui this evening. But he attempted to assassinate me. I saw through it, and was forced to retaliate."
Natsuki sneered at him. "That's the excuse you're going with? Do you think ghosts would believe it?"
"Impudence!" Danzo roared. "You're just a provisional elder. What right do you have to speak here?"
Behind him, Fugaku received word from the Uchiha. Elder Natsuki had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan—a revelation that filled him with both shock and joy.
It had been many years since their clan had birthed a Mangekyō wielder. And Natsuki was still so young.
Fugaku raised his voice, loud and clear. "Elder Danzo, Elder Natsuki not only saved Shisui today, but the clan has already elected him as Vice Clan Leader. Does he have the right now?"
The Uchiha behind them stirred. When did Elder Natsuki become Vice Leader?
But realizing Fugaku was backing him, they quickly quieted down.
Danzo snorted coldly at Fugaku's words. "It is fact that Shisui tried to assassinate me. My Root operatives can testify."
Everyone present was no fool. Who didn't know Danzo's character?
If Shisui had truly tried to kill him, would Danzo have waited until now to speak up? Would he not have reported it to the Third immediately?
Natsuki laughed heartily. "Then let me say this: Danzo tried to assassinate the Hokage today. All of us Uchiha can testify."
The Uchiha behind him erupted in laughter.
"Yes! I'll testify!"
"I'll testify too! Me too!"
The surrounding clansmen of Konoha turned away, suppressing their own smiles.
The Third's expression shifted, but deep down, he had pieced together the truth. Still, he coughed lightly. "Since Shisui has been found, Natsuki… Vice Clan Leader, let's call this a misunderstanding and disperse."
"Misunderstanding!?"
Natsuki's expression hardened instantly.
"Third Hokage! Shisui's eyes are still in Danzo's possession, and you dare call this a misunderstanding!?"
"Hmph," Danzo coldly replied. "Shisui failed to kill me, and now you accuse me of theft?"
Natsuki didn't even glance at him. He shot Fugaku a meaningful look, then shouted sharply:
"Third Hokage! Are the Hokage faction openly conspiring to steal the Uchiha's Sharingan!?"
Fugaku caught the signal and raised his voice. "Sarutobi Hiruzen! Unless Shisui's eyes are returned, the Uchiha will never let this go!"
Behind him, the Uchiha silently activated their Sharingan.
In an instant, countless crimson eyes bore down on the Hokage.
The Third's face turned dark as ink. Inwardly, he cursed Danzo to hell and back. You fool—your schemes have dragged the entire village into this mess.
"Danzo! Hand over Shisui's Sharingan immediately!"
Danzo's lips twitched. He had never imagined things would escalate to this point.
Still, he struggled on. "It's true I clashed with Shisui, but I did not take his eyes."
Natsuki narrowed his eyes and drew a kunai.
"Stay calm, Natsuki," the Hokage urged.
But Natsuki slowly pressed the kunai against his own Leaf forehead protector.
One cut downward, and he would be branded a rogue ninja.
He raised his voice to all present: "Everyone in Konoha, bear witness! This is how the Hokage's faction oppresses clans—they steal your bloodline, your secret arts, your wealth. Hyūga, you're next!"
The gathered clans—all their leaders and elites—looked grim.
The Hyūga erupted in unrest; their Byakugan was one of the most coveted bloodlines in the ninja world. Hiashi and Hizashi's faces were like stone as they fixed cold stares on the Hokage.
If such oppression forced a clan into rebellion, the Hokage line would become the laughingstock of the entire shinobi world.
No other clan would trust them again. It would be the end of the Sarutobi faction's foundation.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen!" Natsuki's voice roared. "Return Shisui's Sharingan, or the Uchiha will drag Konoha down with us! You are the ones who forced us!"
His face twisted, his tone hysterical, like a madman.
The Third Hokage felt a chill run through his entire body. The Uchiha might rebel, but they could never be allowed to rebel under such justification.
If he gave the order to strike now, the Uchiha would fall—but so would Konoha, collapsing from within.
None of the surrounding clans showed fighting spirit. All glared coldly at Danzo and Hiruzen.
Especially the Hyūga: if the Uchiha fell, they knew they would be next.
Other clans didn't have Sharingan or Byakugan, but each had its own secrets and treasures. If the Hokage faction dared steal from the Uchiha, they could do the same to anyone.
The Third sighed heavily. "In light of Danzo's misconduct… I hereby remove Shimura Danzo from his position as Hokage's Advisor. Danzo, return Shisui's eyes at once."
Danzo's eyes went wide, dark and venomous like a serpent's.
"Sarutobi! The Uchiha cannot be trusted! Shisui's eyes are far too dangerous. I will never hand them over!"
"Enough, Danzo! I am the Hokage!"
Danzo ground his teeth. "…Fine. I'll return them when I return home."
The Third turned. "Natsuki, is that acceptable?"
Natsuki scoffed. "Still playing tricks, Danzo? Shisui's eyes are in your socket right now. What will you 'fetch' from home?"
Danzo's face darkened, ready to argue.
Natsuki cut him off with a wave. "Don't deny it. The Uchiha possess secret techniques. Shisui's eyes are in your right eye!"
Danzo's face twisted. He had no idea the Uchiha had such a technique. If he'd known, he would never have shown up.
Now, he had no way out.
Under the searing stares of every clan present, he had no choice but to untie the bandages covering his right eye—revealing a Sharingan.
Gasps erupted everywhere. A Konoha elder, the Hokage's own advisor, had stolen an Uchiha's Sharingan—and immediately grafted it into himself.
In truth, the Uchiha had no such secret technique. Natsuki had merely gambled that after stealing Shisui's eye, Danzo would implant it at once.
Even if it wasn't Shisui's, Danzo's right eye was a Sharingan regardless.
Danzo seethed with hatred and rage. But he had committed a crime too blatant to conceal.
Every clan looked at him with dark, hostile eyes. Who knew which of them would be his next victim?