That single statement—
Was like placing a massive crown of accusation on Danzo's head.
Even though Hiruzen and Danzo were fellow disciples, bound by years of trust, they might not take it too seriously.
But—
The other Konoha higher-ups were present as well.
And they—
Would not ignore it.
They wouldn't overlook such words just because of Danzo's relationship with Hiruzen.
Ryujin glanced at Uchiha Moku, slightly surprised, then clicked his tongue inwardly.
As expected of an old fox within the Uchiha clan.
Every word—
Sharp.
Precise.
Deadly.
Not only did he say what needed to be said—
He said it beautifully.
If Danzo refused to stand—
Then either he was "sick"…
Or—
He believed himself above the Third Hokage.
And that accusation—
Was heavier than rebellion itself.
If Danzo still refused to stand—
No matter how he explained—
He would be forced to swallow humiliation.
Either admit he was unwell—
Or admit his status surpassed the Hokage.
And if he chose the second—
Then today's rebellion—
Would no longer belong to the Uchiha.
It would be his.
And at that point—
Ryujin could eliminate him on the spot—
In front of everyone.
This—
Was true battlefield politics.
Uchiha Moku…
Was a veteran.
Danzo clearly felt the sting of those words.
But as someone who had stood at the top for years, cunning and calculating—
He would not be shaken so easily.
He snorted coldly.
"Uchiha Ryujin is merely the head of your clan."
"And you expect me to congratulate him?"
"He's not qualified."
The moment those words fell—
The Uchiha side exploded.
"Danzo! What did you just say!?"
"You're nothing more than Hiruzen's dog! What right do you have to compare yourself to our Clan Leader!?"
Danzo's reputation among the Uchiha—
Was already below zero.
Time and time again—
Uchiha warriors had been sent to the battlefield.
To die.
To disappear without a trace.
All of it—
Danzo's doing.
And Hiruzen—
Had seen everything.
Yet turned a blind eye.
Because in their eyes—
This was balance.
This was the so-called Will of Fire.
Not just the Uchiha—
Even the Senju had suffered.
Two once-great clans—
Reduced.
Weakened.
Drained.
If not for this generation—
If not for Ryujin awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan and rising as Clan Leader—
The Uchiha would have shared the same fate as the Senju.
A slow—
Inevitable—
Decline.
Everyone present understood this truth.
But it had always remained unspoken.
Now—
It had been dragged into the open.
Hiruzen's expression darkened slightly.
Even with his lingering guilt—
He still believed in his "balance."
Because in his mind—
That was the only way to maintain peace.
Uchiha Moku's face hardened, about to respond again—
But before he could—
Ryujin raised a hand.
Stopping him.
With a simple gesture—
He silenced the entire courtyard.
All eyes turned toward him.
A smile rested on his face.
"Since Lord Danzo is… unwell—"
"There's no need for him to offer congratulations."
"I was never fond of such formalities anyway."
"If not for Tsunade insisting…"
"I wouldn't even hold a wedding."
He said it lightly.
Casually.
But on the other side—
Hiruzen's faction didn't believe a word.
Using Tsunade as an excuse?
This was clearly planned.
Yet—
No one dared to say it aloud.
Ryujin continued, still smiling.
"Once Tsunade arrives, the ceremony will proceed."
"After that—eat, drink, celebrate… go home, sleep."
"And everything will pass."
His tone remained gentle.
Until—
It changed.
His gaze darkened.
His voice dropped.
"But—"
"If anyone dares cause trouble at today's wedding…"
"…Even the Third Hokage—"
"…shouldn't ignore it, right?"
Hiruzen's heart skipped.
His expression turned serious instantly.
Danzo also sensed something was wrong.
He abruptly stood up.
And at that moment—
Ryujin laughed.
A soft, amused chuckle.
"Heh… so Lord Danzo can stand after all."
"Seems you are willing to give me some face."
Hiruzen stared at him sharply.
"Ryujin… what are you trying to do?"
"Do?"
Ryujin didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He walked forward slowly.
Step by step—
Until he stood beside Hiruzen and Danzo.
Then—
Ignored Hiruzen completely.
And faced Danzo.
Their eyes met.
Danzo's gaze was cold.
Hostile.
But Ryujin—
Showed no fear.
Instead—
He raised his hand—
And casually patted Danzo's shoulder.
That simple action—
Shocked everyone.
Even Danzo himself froze.
Then—
Ryujin smiled.
"I thought you couldn't stand… because of illness."
"But it seems—"
"It's the second reason."
"Moku… you were right."
Uchiha Moku blinked—
Then immediately understood.
The others were slower.
Still trying to grasp—
What the "second reason" meant.
But Hiruzen—
His face changed drastically.
"Ryujin… what exactly are you trying to do!?"
"Do?"
Ryujin finally glanced at him.
Cold.
Emotionless.
"If someone shows disrespect to the Third Hokage…"
"Then helping you remove him—"
"Should be the right thing to do."
Then—
He looked back at Danzo.
And smiled.
Warm.
Gentle.
Deadly.
"Perfect timing."
"Tsunade hasn't arrived yet…"
"And someone planning rebellion…"
"…shouldn't be present at a wedding."