The four questions spoken by the little black figure naturally received no answer.
There was no way to answer them. No matter how Hiruzen explained, it would only make him look guiltier.
Thus, the Third Hokage's face seemed to open a dye shop, shifting through every color imaginable. His fierce aura rose wave after wave, crashing wildly over everyone present like a raging forest storm.
Hiruzen Sarutobi displayed his might.
Everyone present became absolutely certain that he was indeed the strongest ninja in Konoha Village—perhaps even in the entire shinobi world.
The Konoha ninja were terrified.
No one dared to look at the Hokage again.
The ANBU ninja who had completed the encirclement had it worst. After hearing those four soul-piercing questions, they all became completely at a loss.
Even the ANBU captain in charge of the operation stood frozen in place, not daring to launch an attack.
If they really killed this pitch-black mysterious man, would people say they were silencing him?
Even with eight mouths, they would never be able to explain it clearly.
After the Third Hokage's aura erupted wildly, they were even more frightened. Their hands and feet went weak, and while secretly swallowing their saliva, they no longer dared to make any move.
The little black figure was a shadow clone left behind by Uchiha Yoru.
Out of habit, he had disguised himself with the Transformation Jutsu as the most classic mysterious villain in his mind, all to mislead the Third Hokage and the ninja within his faction during their analysis.
He was not pretending to be someone from another village.
He was pretending to be a hidden member of the Senju clan who, after awakening Wood Release, had come to demonstrate power before the Third Hokage.
Although the current Konoha Village only had Tsunade left as a member of the Senju clan, the Senju bloodline itself had not died out.
In the not-too-distant future, one of Hiruzen Sarutobi's grandson Konohamaru's playmates would be a little girl named Moegi.
As a civilian ninja without any surname, she would awaken Wood Release in the far future.
Naturally awakening Wood Release was the strongest proof that a ninja possessed Senju blood, even clearer than carrying the surname Senju.
That little girl's existence was ironclad proof. It was enough to prove that the Senju bloodline had scattered among the civilians of Konoha Village, merging perfectly with the village until it could no longer be distinguished.
Uchiha Yoru believed this was Hashirama Senju's strategy.
Because this plan was an open scheme.
Even if everyone knew about it, it was still impossible to break.
The continuation of the Senju clan was absolutely guaranteed. There was no need to leave behind several ninja responsible for monitoring things, nor was there any need to preserve some hidden power structure.
That would be a foolish act of drawing legs on a snake.
But in the eyes of those who believed in conspiracy theories, things would not look that way.
They would definitely suspect that the Senju clan had left behind some hidden method, and thus become suspicious of everything.
Perhaps Hiruzen Sarutobi would not take it to heart.
But Danzo Shimura would definitely not let go of this clue. His attention would be greatly diverted.
Fighting against an open scheme that could not be cracked was impossible to win no matter what.
The more one did, the more mistakes one would make, and the greater the losses would become.
In this way, the difficulty and trouble of Uchiha Yoru killing Danzo Shimura would decrease significantly.
The Third Hokage's anger reached the heavens.
His aura was vast and majestic, dominating the entire scene and suppressing the Konoha ninja until they trembled in fear.
Only Uchiha Yoru did not care at all.
Because Uchiha Yoru himself was already a genuine Kage-level powerhouse, and his shadow clone had no risk of death at all. How could it possibly be suppressed by the Third Hokage's aura?
Under the Third Hokage's extremely sharp glare, he put away his cheerful smile and said solemnly, "Hiruzen Sarutobi, it seems you cannot answer these four questions."
"Forget it. I never expected you to answer them today."
"Today ends here."
"But remember this. I will be watching you from the shadows. Do not let me find any evidence."
After saying that, the shadow clone dispelled itself, turning into white smoke with a bang and scattering with the wind.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Koharu Utatane said hatefully. "He really is a Konoha ninja."
She turned to the Third Hokage and said, "Hiruzen, you do not need to care about his words. You were personally appointed as the Third Hokage by our teacher. You are also the best Hokage."
Homura Mitokado echoed, "Koharu is right. We have all seen your efforts over the past twenty years. You have done very well. There is no need to care about an enemy's judgment."
The Third Hokage had already calmed down.
He sighed and said, "Sigh, there is some truth in what he said. I do not possess Teacher's genius-level wisdom. I could not lead everyone to defeat our enemies 'easily,' and that allowed Konoha Village to be surrounded by enemies."
"So many of our ninja sacrificed themselves. I am indeed… at fault."
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado hurriedly comforted him. Only after exhausting their words did Hiruzen Sarutobi "recover" and begin issuing orders, commanding the Konoha ninja to destroy the Wood Release forest and once again emphasizing the gag order.
Everything seemed to have passed.
But everything also seemed different now.
At the very least, when no one noticed, Nara Shikamine's eyes had become incomparably deep.
But he was extremely cautious. Even his old partner, the Yamanaka clan head, did not notice anything unusual.
…
Uchiha Yoru returned home with Miwa Masayo and happily prepared a large feast.
Especially the freshly retrieved East Sea octopus leg meat and the small dried fish from the dammed lake.
The two immortals ate heartily until their mouths were slick with oil.
After eating and drinking their fill, Uchiha Yoru suddenly froze, then burst into loud laughter.
"My shadow clone was even more arrogant than me. It actually toyed with the Third Hokage and the others. How interesting."
Miwa Masayo had already eaten until her belly was full.
She lay on her back on the floor, purring contentedly.
Hearing Uchiha Yoru's words, she froze for a moment before asking, "Yoru, was the shadow clone you left in the forest that impressive, nya?"
Uchiha Yoru replied with slight doubt, "Maybe because it didn't have to worry about dying, more of the arrogance in my nature was exposed?"
"But my nature shouldn't be that arrogant either. I can't really say."
"In any case, tonight's operation can be called perfect. My Violet Palace world gained powerful vitality. I also obtained the Wood Release kekkei genkai and mastered my most lethal ninjutsu. Finally, I used a small trick to divert the attention of the Third Hokage's faction."
Uchiha Yoru paused, then said seriously, "Next, it is time for Danzo to leave the stage of life."
Miwa Masayo agreed, "That's right. That guy is too annoying, nya. He always jumps out to do disgusting rotten things. Find a suitable chance to kill him. Everyone will be happy."
"Yoru, are we going to strike the next time he leaves Konoha Village, nya?"
Uchiha Yoru shook his head. "No. After what just happened, I changed my mind."
"I will do it inside Konoha Village."
"Right inside this village, I will send him to the Pure Land."
"And while I'm at it, I'll create an extremely realistic piece of evidence. His death will prove the existence of a nonexistent ninja—a powerful Wood Release ninja."
"Yoru, are you preparing another disguise, nya?"
"Yes."
"But you already have two disguises, and you only used each of them once, nya. Is it really necessary to prepare another one, nya?"
"Mm, I'm not sure either. But disguises are probably something where the more, the better…"
"You're not even certain, nya!"
"Well, it's not troublesome anyway. When making trouble, I just add a little disguise along the way. A tiny effort in exchange for another backup plan. Not a loss."
…
Several days later, Danzo Shimura returned in a sorry state.
He had successfully assassinated the Iwagakure ninja commander.
But only after killing the man did he learn that the target was not the real commander at all, but a substitute ninja.
By mistakenly killing the enemy's substitute, Danzo Shimura completely exposed himself.
He was chased for over a thousand miles by Iwagakure ninja.
Every Root ninja he had taken with him died completely. Only he returned to Konoha Village alone.
But the most serious problem was not Root's losses.
It was that immediately after killing the target, Danzo Shimura smugly sent out a success signal, causing the Konoha ninja to launch an all-out attack.
Konoha ninja who attacked with a fluke mentality against Iwagakure ninja who were fully prepared—the result was naturally obvious.
This crushing defeat wiped away all the capital they had accumulated over the past few months.
If the Iwagakure ninja had not been poor at offense, and if their Four-Tails Jinchuriki had not been desperately held back by Jiraiya, Konoha's losses might have multiplied several times.
The following situation was also extremely dangerous.
Only under Jiraiya's leadership, and after paying a heavy price, did the Konoha ninja manage to repel the Iwagakure ninja and preserve their last bit of control over the Land of Rain.
Fortunately, Sunagakure ninja were also present in the Land of Rain and acted as a strong restraint.
In addition, Kumogakure ninja were holding back Iwagakure's main force, leaving the Iwagakure ninja unable to launch a full-force attack.
Only then was the war prevented from once again spreading into the Land of Fire.
Such a major loss naturally required accountability.
The front-line commander was dismissed in resentment.
Danzo Shimura, meanwhile, was ordered to reflect at home.
The Third Hokage's prestige suffered another major blow, because every senior official understood that Danzo Shimura would not receive any real punishment.
A Hokage who handled matters unfairly could still be tolerated in peacetime. After all, everyone would merely lose some money and occasionally be disgusted by Danzo.
But during wartime, that was difficult to accept.
After all, what everyone was losing now was their lives.
The Third Hokage himself had yet to notice, but this was already the third time he had fallen over the same mistake.
The way the ninja below looked at him had already begun to change.
The weight of respect was growing lighter and lighter.
The proportion of doubt and questioning was growing higher and higher.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's seat had begun to shake.
However, Orochimaru and Jiraiya's achievements forced the Konoha ninja to suppress their anger and maintain surface-level respect.
This also prevented the Third Hokage from noticing the crisis in time, allowing him to continue sprinting down the path of self-destruction.
…
On the ninth day after Uchiha Yoru mastered Wood Release, he finally discovered Danzo Shimura inside Root's secret base.
With a loud bang, Danzo Shimura slammed a document heavily onto his desk and roared, "Root has suffered heavy losses. We must immediately replenish our combat power. Hand the people over. I don't want to hear your excuses!"
The ninja being scolded by him was an old man with white hair and beard.
Shockingly, he did not fear Danzo Shimura at all.
He even protested in an even louder voice, "So what if Root suffered heavy losses? Do you think the Shimura clan's losses are small?"
"Danzo! You were merely lucky enough to become the Second Hokage's disciple, which gave you a chance to display your talent! But look at what you have done. Root suffers losses again and again, and each time, you draw away the clan's ninja. You have already drained the Shimura clan dry!"
"The interests of Konoha Village are above the interests of the clan. My power has brought tremendous benefits to the Shimura clan, so the Shimura clan must give loyalty to Konoha Village. There is no room for bargaining!"
Uchiha Yoru listened in stunned silence.
He had truly never expected Danzo Shimura to have this side to him.
He was actually wholeheartedly doing what he believed was best for Konoha Village, even at the cost of sacrificing his own clan's interests.
He also truly believed that he was the best candidate for Hokage. As long as he became Hokage, everything in Konoha Village would be resolved.
In the end, Danzo Shimura still suppressed his elder and forcibly drew two jonin and twenty chunin from the Shimura clan into Root.
This was practically taking the Shimura clan's life.
Because the Shimura clan currently only had three jonin left.
And the last jonin Danzo did not even want was this old and feeble Shimura elder.
The old man's face turned deathly pale from anger. Before leaving, he even roared, "Go ahead and keep acting arbitrarily! If you have the ability, drag these old bones of mine into Root as well! Let the Shimura clan have not a single jonin left! Let the Shimura clan perish right here!"
But Danzo Shimura was unmoved.
His will was firm and unshakable.
After the old Shimura man left, he summoned a subordinate and continued arranging the expansion of Root's manpower.
The Root ninja who received the order could not help asking, "Lord Danzo, will the Yamanaka clan and Aburame clan still hand people over to us?"
Killing intent appeared in Danzo Shimura's eyes after being questioned.
He asked viciously, "What? Do these two clans dare defy the Hokage's order?"
"This is the Hokage's order. Do they want to be exterminated?"
The Root ninja trembled, but still persisted in asking, "My lord, those two clans have already each sent dozens of ninja into Root. Can we not draw manpower from other clans?"
Danzo Shimura said disdainfully, "Hmph. My Root is an elite organization. It is not a place where any random messy ninja can casually join."
"Most elite ninja can be trained by Root itself. There is no need to replenish them from outside. But ninja capable of acting as leaders can only be drawn from ninja clans."
"The Inuzuka clan's ninja are too stupid. The Akimichi clan's ninja are too foolish. The Nara clan's ninja are too slippery. Only the Yamanaka clan and Aburame clan are most suitable for Root. If I don't take them, who should I take?"
"Yes!"
"If they still dare make excuses and refuse, tell them this: for Root, my Shimura clan has sacrificed as many as two hundred and thirty ninja. The two of their clans combined have not even reached half that number. Let's see what face they have left to refuse."
"Yes! Lord Danzo!"
[A steel-like loyalty, a shit-like brain, and a mysterious self-confidence. This is the real Danzo Shimura.]
[Now I finally understand how terrifying a pig teammate can be.]
[No, Danzo Shimura is Hiruzen Sarutobi's pig teammate, but he is one of Konoha Village's pig leaders. That's even more terrifying.]
[The Uchiha clan is the nest I chose, and Konoha Village is the environment protecting that nest. I cannot let him continue ruining Konoha Village.]
[Choosing a day is not as good as running into the day. Since I encountered this today, I'll act now.]
Uchiha Yoru suppressed his restless killing intent and waited for a suitable time.
In truth, he could not say exactly what a suitable time was.
Perhaps it would be when Danzo Shimura was alone.
Perhaps it would be at dawn not long from now.
In any case, it would be a chance that made him feel comfortable.
Uchiha Yoru remained merged with the earth, less than ten meters away from Danzo Shimura.
He quietly listened as Danzo Shimura used a passionate tone to draft one disgusting and cruel plan after another.
His resolve to kill gradually firmed.
Yet his killing intent slowly sank and condensed, never leaking even the slightest murderous aura from beginning to end.
As time passed, Uchiha Yoru unknowingly sank into emptiness.
No surprise, no joy.
No anger, no fear.
Like a quiet night sky, he calmly and peacefully observed all things, yet was not noticed by any of them.
Danzo Shimura's finger trembled slightly.
He suddenly stopped speaking, which surprised the Root ninja across from him.
But harsh discipline made the Root ninja remain silent, quietly waiting for Danzo.
Danzo Shimura reached up and rubbed his bandaged right eye. He looked around in confusion and murmured, "Strange. I clearly felt some danger brewing. Why did it slowly disappear again?"
Uchiha Yoru, who had entered the state of a bright moon over the night sky, clearly heard Danzo's muttering.
But he expressed no emotion at all.
He simply watched calmly and continued waiting for the proper moment.
Danzo Shimura's work was extremely busy.
He quickly threw aside that uncertain feeling and devoted himself fully to work.
He arranged one sinister move after another against Konoha's clans.
Even in such a difficult situation, he still did not forget to arrange manpower to strengthen surveillance of the Hyuga clan and Uchiha clan.
"Surveillance of the great clans absolutely cannot be relaxed. These great clans are parasites on Konoha. We must always stay vigilant against everything they do."
"Manpower is tight right now. We need to arrange things carefully. We cannot be as casual as before."
"The Hyuga clan is still manageable. Hyuga Branch House ninja are all slaves. There is no need to care about them. We only need to develop a few more Branch House ninja, and we can keep watch on every Main House ninja."
"The focus is still the Uchiha clan. Not only the ninja from the direct families, even the branch-family ninja must be watched. That clan is evil by nature. No one knows when another freak will appear."
"Uchiha Yoru… pause for now. He just caused a huge scene with us. It is temporarily unsuitable to watch him."
Hearing his own name, Uchiha Yoru's bright-moon-night-sky state inevitably fluctuated.
His thoughts rippled like faint waves on water.
[So those who make trouble get benefits. This really is a universal truth across all worlds. Even a mutant like Danzo Shimura unconsciously backs down before me. Ha.]
The thought rose and vanished in an instant.
He quickly returned to calm, as if nothing had happened.
By the time dawn arrived, Danzo Shimura had finally finished handling the recruitment matters.
He rubbed his bandaged right eye again, closed his eyes, and rested for several minutes before rising from his office.
Uchiha Yoru's heart stirred.
He had a clear feeling.
[The timing is almost here!]
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