The other Ninja Clans' desire to agree was practically overflowing from their eyes, and even the families who usually sided with the Hokage remained silent, neither supporting nor opposing.
Even as the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not ignore this level of public opinion.
However, he couldn't bring himself to issue the order to deal with Danzo Shimura.
"There are still many things that haven't been clarified. How can we so carelessly strip a Ninja of his life?!"
"Besides, Danzo also made great contributions to the Village during the Second Great Ninja War. At least wait until the specific evidence is thoroughly investigated!"
"If the evidence is conclusive then, I, in the name of the Hokage, guarantee to you all that I will handle it impartially and show no leniency!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke a few words with great pain and remorse. Seeing Hokage-sama's sincerity, many people who lacked sufficient information began to waver.
After all, only a few people had seen Shimura Rō's memories. Now that Uchiha Naraku was not dead and the children had returned, both of Danzo's attempted actions were unsuccessful.
Furthermore, whether Orochimaru was truly innocent couldn't be determined just by him coming out and saying a few words, implying that Danzo was slandering him.
Sensing a change in the surrounding atmosphere, the Shadow Clone Fugaku, standing in the center of the crowd, maintained an indifferent expression, completely unmoved.
He no longer cared whether he could gain the approval of the other Konoha residents.
If there was one thing this period of time, especially tonight's experience, had taught him, it was that as long as one was strong enough and unyielding in the face of threats, even if everyone disapproved, it would not shake the Uchiha's survival in the short term.
But once a weak and easily bullied posture was shown, hyenas would pounce one after another, tearing and devouring the Uchiha's flesh and blood until this behemoth completely fell.
Just like now, if the Uchiha yielded, even just a little, others would see it as negotiable. They would delay, prevaricate, and press for more, and Danzo would definitely not die in the end.
The Shadow Clone glanced at Orochimaru, then quickly withdrew his gaze.
—The matter of Orochimaru being implicated needed time to investigate, but...—To kill Danzo, it had to be now.
Just then, Fugaku's main body returned, and the Shadow Clone voluntarily dispelled the Ninjutsu, allowing the main body to understand the previous situation.
Shisui broke free from his parents' embrace and, facing the clan leader's solemn expression, disregarded his fear and anxiously asked, "Clan Leader, where is Senior Naraku?"
The other children, including Obito, also looked at him, their childish voices rising and falling.
Kazuki reached out her small hand and tugged at the armor plate on Fugaku's clothes: "Yes, is Brother Naraku alright?"
Kazuki, being even younger, was full of thoughts about wanting to open a Susanoo himself in the future: "I want him to teach me that super powerful Jutsu, Clan Leader, can I?"
Shin, who usually hung out with Kazuki, had similar thought processes: "I want to learn too, I want to learn too!"
Finally, Obito spoke, his voice hiding an anticipation and fear he hadn't even noticed himself: "Clan Leader, Naraku must be fine, that guy is ridiculously strong... right?"
Fugaku looked at the eager and expectant faces of the little ones, a rare smile appearing on his face.
"You can tell him these things yourselves when he wakes up."
After speaking, he gestured for the parents to hide the children behind them, then turned to face Konoha and said loudly.
"Danzo Shimura conspired to harm the descendants of my Uchiha Clan and steal Sharingan. We have both human and material evidence!"
"Today, the Uchiha will execute him!"
"If the Third Hokage wishes to shield him, the Uchiha will fight to the end!"
"You!" Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't expected Fugaku to be so unyielding. In his concern, he lost his composure for a moment and was about to raise his hand to order his subordinates to forcibly intervene: "How dare you!!"
"I certainly dare!"
Fugaku's face was cold as he activated his Mangekyo again, and a powerful pressure radiated from him.
Perhaps a change in his mindset led to a further advancement in his mental power. His Dōjutsu Power (Pupil Power) was immense and heavy, like a cold wind violently whistling through everyone's flesh and bones, declaring the consequences of choosing to go to war with the Uchiha.
Could Konoha bear the cost?
With the Uchiha unwavering, it was now Konoha's turn to decide whether or not to go to war with the Uchiha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered with a darkened face how to compromise to save Danzo from the Uchiha. If Uchiha Fugaku didn't agree, it meant his conditions weren't sufficient yet.
Jiraiya, who was watching the show from the side, actually supported Fugaku being decisive. After all, if Danzo didn't die, Orochimaru would definitely be relentlessly pursued.
Although he greatly trusted that the other party would not harm comrades, there was no guarantee what methods Danzo might use to frame him, so it was better to resolve it sooner.
—But, this would be a significant blow to the Old Man's prestige.
Jiraiya briefly hesitated for half a second, then, remembering Tsunade's words, helplessly shook his head and gave up interfering.
—Forget it, forget it. Yesterday's cause, today's effect. Whatever happens, it's what he deserves.
Kushina leaned next to Fugaku and whispered a few words. The latter was slightly surprised but quickly regained his composure, having thought of a countermeasure.
"I understand."
After making a few gestures to signal his Clan Members to bring Danzo forward, Fugaku stood alone at the very front with the man, waving for all his Clan Members to begin retreating.
This was... he was going to hand the person over?
Konoha's side was utterly confused, but then the fiery red Susanoo frame beside Fugaku began to materialize, accompanied by his inexplicable cold laughter.
"Heh heh... you won't retreat? That's just excellent."
These two short sentences actually carried a hint of schadenfreude.
Slowly drawing the long sword from his lower back, Fugaku looked down at Danzo, the culprit who had tormented the Uchiha for many years. Now severely wounded, he could only glare at Fugaku, muttering a few irrelevant insults.
"Evil Uchiha... truly Konoha's greatest threat... as long as this old man lives, I will never allow...!"
Fugaku directly interrupted: "You talk too much."
In the next instant, the long sword plunged into Danzo's chest, piercing through him and even the stone ground beneath.
No one expected Fugaku would actually dare to kill Danzo like this in front of everyone, including Hiruzen Sarutobi. Everyone present widened their eyes and briefly froze in place.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi reacted, rage instantly surged into his mind. Just as he was about to give the attack order, a sudden change occurred.
A large amount of black Chakra gushed from Danzo's chest, covering an increasingly large area. Four massive characters appeared around his body, rapidly spreading further out.
"Cursed Seal of the Dead Demon Consuming Seal (Ura Rikudō Fūin)!!"
Minato knew a thing or two about Sealing Jutsu, recognized this dangerous Jutsu at a glance, and immediately shouted a warning.
"Get out of here!!"
The dense crowd immediately scattered like birds and beasts, fleeing the spot.
Even Fugaku, with his Susanoo active, temporarily avoided the brunt of it, choosing to retreat rapidly and stand in front of his Clan Members as a precaution.
The rapidly expanding black, translucent sphere almost instantly grew to its maximum size, engulfing everything within a hundred-meter radius with Danzo at its center.
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