Footsteps approached again.
Uchiha Fugaku returned with members of the Uchiha Police Force.
They froze when they saw the scene.
Danzo Shimura.
Koharu Utatane.
Both sprawled on the ground in humiliating condition.
Fugaku's composure almost cracked.
"…Hokage-sama… did you summon us?"
Hiruzen felt a headache forming.
Did Koharu truly think calling the Uchiha Guard to witness her humiliation was wise?
"It's handled," Hiruzen said flatly.
"Maintain order outside."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Fugaku nodded, but before leaving, his gaze lingered on Kazuki.
Wood Release.
Total dominance.
No hesitation against senior leadership.
The village balance had shifted.
Minato stood nearby, silent, stunned.
Kazuki had struck a senior advisor.
Openly.
Without pause.
Kushina clung to Kazuki's arm tightly.
Her nervousness pressed her closer.
Kazuki calmly ignored the sensation.
The Counterattack — Words
Homura Mitokado stepped forward stiffly.
"No matter what, Kazuki remains suspicious."
"He killed elite Konoha shinobi."
"He must submit to investigation."
His tone was sharp.
This was now about authority.
If Kazuki walked away freely—
The advisory council's authority would collapse.
Kazuki's eyes were calm.
"Investigation?"
"Let me understand."
"Ten masked operatives attack me and Kushina in broad daylight."
"No official summons."
"No documentation."
"No warning."
"And I am the suspicious one?"
His voice grew colder.
"Perhaps I should ask something instead."
He turned his gaze directly to Homura.
"Were you bribed by Kumogakure?"
"Are you acting in their interest?"
"Did I interfere with some secret exchange?"
"Is that why I was targeted?"
The air froze.
"Watch your words!" Koharu snapped weakly from the ground.
Even Hiruzen's eyes widened slightly.
That accusation—
It was nuclear.
Mito's Nine-Tails chakra flared again.
"The more I think about it…"
Her voice was dangerously calm.
"This does look questionable."
"Homura."
"If you betray Konoha…"
"I will not hesitate."
Homura broke into cold sweat instantly.
"Lady Mito, you misunderstand! Everything we do is for Konoha!"
Hiruzen stepped in quickly.
"I will investigate fully."
"No favoritism."
Mito looked at him for several seconds.
"…Very well."
She trusted him.
For now.
The Final Spark
Kazuki began walking away with Kushina and Mito.
Then—
He stopped.
Turned back.
"Ah, Hokage-sama."
"There was an Uchiha among them."
"Sharingan activated."
"I thought Uchiha members only served in the Police Force."
"So how did one end up in Root?"
The words were deliberate.
Carefully placed.
Hiruzen's expression changed instantly.
Outside the cordon—
Uchiha clan members stiffened.
Fugaku's eyes narrowed sharply.
A Sharingan user…
In Root?
Without clan knowledge?
Danzo recruiting Uchiha secretly?
Why?
For surveillance?
For control?
For something worse?
Hiruzen inspected the bodies personally.
And there it was.
A corpse.
Sharingan still faintly visible.
His face hardened.
This was explosive.
Homura's jaw tightened.
Kazuki had just thrown oil into a political fire.
Quiet Judgment
As Kazuki disappeared around the corner—
Hiruzen finally spoke.
"Homura. Koharu."
"You've served Konoha long enough."
"You're exhausted."
"You'll take a month's leave."
"Transfer your responsibilities to your deputies."
Homura's eyes widened.
"This—"
"Is not a request."
Hiruzen turned his gaze to Danzo, who was slowly regaining consciousness.
"And you."
"Root is suspended."
"Full review."
"Be prepared for dissolution."
Danzo's one visible eye trembled.
This was worse than the beating.
This was structural removal.
For the first time in years—
Danzo had overplayed his hand.
And the price was power.
Meanwhile — Kazuki
As they walked away, Kushina looked up at him.
"You did that on purpose."
Kazuki smiled slightly.
"They attacked first."
"But words… sometimes hit harder."
Mito glanced at him quietly.
This boy wasn't just powerful.
He understood positioning.
Influence.
Balance.
Hashirama's blood.
But not naïve like Hashirama.
Perhaps…
The Senju line had not ended.
It had evolved.