A few moments later, frantic footsteps echoed through the Uchiha compound.
They pounded like a thousand sledgehammers on the cobblestones, so hard the copper bells on the eaves froze mid-sway. Tension hung thick in the air between the houses—even the evening breeze skirted around it.
Every powerhouse in the clan mobilized. Sharingan eyes snapped open across the crowd, crimson glow spilling from their pupils like swords drawn in the dead of night.
The air got so heavy you could wring water out of it, oppression pressing down like a storm cloud ready to burst.
Itachi and Shisui stood in the ranks, their black trench coats dead still. Without activating their Sharingan, their dark eyes reflected the red glare from everyone else's.
Fingers dug unconsciously into palms, breaths held shallow. All kinds of thoughts raced through their heads.
Izumi gripped her kunai tight, her skirt fluttering up in the wind then dropping quick—like it was scared to break the mood. Her pale cheeks flushed pink under the red Sharingan light.
Inside the Hokage Tower office, Hiruzen Sarutobi had just tapped out his pipe, blue smoke still curling lazy in the air.
A black shadow flickered in with Body Flicker. Thud—single knee hit the floor. The ANBU's low, urgent voice cut through: "Lord Hokage, the entire Uchiha clan's heavy hitters are heading this way."
It was like tossing a spark into hot oil—the room's calm exploded.
Hiruzen's crow's feet bunched into deep trenches. He turned, locking eyes with Danzo's one exposed orb.
That eye burned with wild fire, twisting the smoke rings around it. Pure, unfiltered killing intent.
"Order ANBU and Root—all hands on standby!" Hiruzen's clogs ground into the floorboards with a heavy thud—not panic, but rock-solid decisiveness. He kept going: "And call up Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka... all the clan heads."
The ANBU vanished in a blink.
Danzo stepped forward, his black robe kicking up dust. His voice grated like sandpaper: "Perfect chance to..."
"Shut your mouth!!" Hiruzen roared low, his cloudy eyes flashing feral. Authority hit like ancient tree roots, slamming down Danzo's vibe.
"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!" Danzo's fist smashed the desk edge—wood groaned in pain.
In Danzo's mind, his old buddy—the guy once called "Hero of the Hidden Shinobi"—was past his prime. Couldn't swing a blade anymore. The Hokage seat? Should be his.
"I'm the Hokage!" Hiruzen's voice wasn't loud, but it dropped like a boulder in a deep pond—ripples of no-doubt authority bouncing off the walls.
BAM!
Danzo stormed out in a rage, slamming the door so hard it rattled the frame—night birds outside scattered in a panic.
That Hokage office door was already cracked to hell, like a weathered old face. Only Danzo treated it like that these days. Only he dared.
Hiruzen eyed Danzo's retreating back, spun his pipe halfway around his fingers. Realized he'd need the guy later. "Hold up, Danzo."
Danzo froze outside the door. A smug flicker in his one eye. Heh, Hiruzen—you still can't do without me.
...
Night deepened, ink-black soaking the whole village.
In front of the Hokage Tower, ninja shadows swarmed in fast.
ANBU and Root lurked in the dark, masks' patterns ghosting under moonlight—just cold, glinting eyes watching everything.
Konoha's air froze solid, choking. Only those approaching footsteps grew louder—heavy drumbeats slamming every heart, each one deeper than the last.
The Uchiha procession halted a hundred paces out.
A wall of black like a rising tide. Up front, Fugaku stood ramrod straight like a pine tree, clan fan emblem gleaming cold on his chest. Intimidation rolled off him in waves.
Hiruzen scanned the "black tide"—eager young bucks and gals, grizzled war vets.
Plenty of Uchihas had that battle-hunger spark in their eyes—years of pent-up edge about to blow.
Hiruzen knew damn well: if this kicked off into civil war right now, his side could win. But Konoha? The losses would gut the village.
Third War's embers weren't even cold—they'd roar back into a full Fourth War blaze. One slip, and Konoha's whole future turns to ash in the infighting.
Danzo's one eye gleamed vicious, like a hyena spotting prey—locked dead on the Uchihas.
That's when Fugaku stepped forward.
Black robe snapped straight in the wind. At the steps, he dipped into a slight bow, face muscles pulling into a stiff curve. Voice dripping respect: "Lord Hokage, please forgive my son's prank. Kid's not right in the head—I'll discipline him good when we get home."
Danzo's nails dug into his palm—blood welled up, unnoticed. Your whole damn clan's nuts!
"All this firepower... just to apologize?"
Hiruzen twirled his pipe half-turn, then barked a laugh—smoke-laced, like a soaked sponge. No telling if it meant relief or the string snapping tighter.
Back in the Uchiha ranks, some turned away, boots grinding gravel like gritted teeth—pissed as hell at the clan head backing down.
Meanwhile, up on the Hokage Rock, Makoto was still giving the Third's face a makeover.
Paints glittered under moonlight—some little blond Konoha punk down below was practically drooling, wishing he could join in.
Makoto nodded, pleased with his artwork. But then the pale-gold panel flashed [Mission: Incomplete], and he frowned. Suddenly had to pee.
Climbing up and down's a hassle. Pissing out here like an animal? Nah—Third's head it is.
Down front at the Tower, Itachi's pupils shrank, face going ghost-white. He clapped a hand to his forehead, trench collar whipping in the wind—Sharingan nearly kicked in on reflex. Makoto's actually...
Then the powerhouses spotted it too—gasps rippled like cats with stepped-on tails.
Hiruzen's usual chill face went rigid, wrinkles deep enough to crush a mosquito. Pipe nearly snapped—ash rained down his robes.
Izumi slapped a hand over her face, eyes bugging through her fingers. Cheeks blood-red, heart exploding inside: This... this is the little guy who can give girls babies?
Fugaku's mug went pot-black. He bellowed: "Makoto! Get your ass down here NOW!"
Only after yelling did he notice his voice shook like a fall leaf in autumn wind.
Up on the Rock, Makoto gave it a shake. The pale-gold panel pinged:
[Mission Complete!]
[Reward: Random S-Rank Ninjutsu]