Uchiha Akihito cleared his throat and said calmly,
"The Military Police are acting strictly according to procedure."
"Why are the two advisors trying to pin baseless charges on me?"
"Publicly usurping authority? Disrupting the assembly?"
"I, Uchiha Akihito, am timid. Please don't frighten me like that."
Hiruzen kept a straight face, but inside he was already cursing.
Timid?
I'd sooner believe the Nine-Tails is vegetarian.
You flip the table the moment you feel like it—what in this world could possibly scare you?
Homura and Koharu's faces twitched.
Akihito's casual tone made it painfully obvious—
He didn't take them seriously at all.
Koharu, flushed with anger, barked at the ANBU again.
"Didn't you hear the order?"
"What are you standing around for?!"
"Arrest Uchiha Akihito immediately!"
The nearby ANBU felt their scalps go numb.
On one side: the senior advisors.
On the other: the ascendant Hokage Advisor whose fame shook the ninja world.
Offend either, and they were finished.
Hiruzen stepped in at once.
"Stand down!"
"I will handle this matter."
The ANBU silently exhaled in relief.
Even the Fourth Raikage had lost to Akihito.
If they were forced to fight him, they might not live to see sunrise.
Koharu opened her mouth—
But she didn't dare defy the Hokage openly.
No More Room for Retreat
Akihito didn't intend to let things slide.
"Attempting to forcibly assign crimes to me and obstruct Police enforcement."
"The two advisors are so eager to protect Danzo."
"Could it be… you're also connected to the murder of Konoha citizens?"
Homura and Koharu's blood surged.
"Uchiha Akihito! Don't you dare slander us!"
That was a capital offense.
Even Hiruzen avoided touching that subject.
They would never tie themselves to it.
Akihito smiled faintly.
"Since you claim no connection—"
"Then you shouldn't interfere with the Police carrying out lawful arrest."
He waved his hand.
"Apprehend Danzo immediately."
"Anyone obstructing official duties will be treated as an accomplice."
The advisors wanted to speak again—
But Hiruzen shot them a sharp look.
Danzo is finished.
Do you want to be buried with him?
They understood.
And their faces turned pale.
Danzo's Last Gamble
Danzo's allies had all retreated.
Cold sweat formed on his forehead.
There was no one left to rely on.
Only himself.
His eyes flickered.
Akihito might be powerful—
But Root was not defenseless.
If it came to it—
He would rather die fighting.
He sneered.
"You want to take me?"
"Not that easy!"
Without warning, Danzo threw aside his cane and smashed through the window, fleeing.
Dignity?
Face?
He had never cared.
He could take hostages. He could run.
So long as he lived.
This is for Konoha, he told himself.
Even cowardice, he could dress up as righteousness.
"Danzo's escaping!"
"Police Force—after him!"
Masato and Tetsuyashot forward immediately.
The meeting chamber transformed into a pursuit operation.
Hiruzen did not intervene.
Danzo was a discarded piece now.
Whether he lived or died—
Would depend on his own ability.
The Root Headquarters
Danzo fled at full speed, Wind Release propelling him toward his base.
Root still had over forty loyal subordinates stationed there.
If he made it back—
He could still fight.
He and Orochimaru had nearly perfected a certain forbidden technique.
With that trump card—
He might yet kill Akihito.
Meanwhile, the pursuit force gathered outside the Root compound.
Fugaku halted, studying the fortress-like structure.
A frontal assault would invite ambush.
Hiruzen arrived with his ANBU and said solemnly,
"Don't act rashly."
"Danzo has lost his reason."
"Forcing entry could cause heavy casualties."
"Large-scale internal conflict would invite foreign invasion."
"The shadow of war would fall over Konoha again."
The rhetoric was familiar—
Peace at any cost.
Akihito inwardly scoffed.
If tolerance brought peace, fists would be unnecessary.
It was weakness disguised as prudence.
He didn't argue.
Danzo was the immediate target.
Hiruzen was cautious and calculating—
But he had never planned to exterminate the Uchiha outright.
Fugaku stepped forward.
"He's holed up inside. Orders?"
Akihito smiled faintly.
"Surround the perimeter."
"No one escapes."
"I'll go in alone."
Fugaku hesitated.
Alone?
Akihito met his eyes.
I handled the Raikage and Killer B.
Danzo is nothing.
Fugaku nodded.
Hiashi and Shikaku exchanged looks.
Storming Root alone to capture Danzo—
Akihito carried himself like a true commander.
Hiruzen forced a thin smile.
"Be careful."
But inside—
He was wary.
Today it was Danzo.
Tomorrow—
Would it be him?
Inside Root
Danzo stood at the front of his assembled forces.
"Uchiha Akihito seeks to seize power."
"This is a matter of life and death!"
"For Konoha—now is the time to sacrifice!"
Forty masked Root shinobi drew their weapons.
"We will give our lives for Lord Danzo!"
Danzo felt a surge of pride.
Who said only Hiruzen commanded loyalty?
He would kill Akihito here—
And reclaim everything.
A shockwave shattered the upper defenses.
Akihito descended from above.
"Yo, Danzo."
"Ready to surrender?"
Danzo's eyes burned with hatred.
"You dare enter alone?"
"Foolish."
"This will be your grave."
He began unwrapping the bandages around his body.
All his disgrace—
He blamed on Akihito.
He ignored that he had targeted the Uchiha first.
If he hadn't sought to exterminate them—
Akihito would never have challenged him.
Akihito had once wanted nothing more than wealth, comfort, and a peaceful life.
But as long as Danzo lived—
The Uchiha would live under a blade.
So the blade had to be removed.
Danzo did not order a swarm attack.
The Root shinobi would provide interference.
Shuriken from the shadows.
Nara shadow techniques.
Yamanaka mind arts.
Aburame insects.
They would create openings.
Danzo formed hand seals.
"'Flame Oni' Akihito."
"Let me see your strength."
Akihito's expression was calm.
"You won't be disappointed."
Wind chakra erupted beneath Danzo's feet.
He lunged forward with explosive force.
Boom!
His fist pierced through Akihito's chest—
But instantly—
Flames burst outward.
"Fire Release: Flame Flow."
The fire clung like bone-gnawing serpents.
Danzo's pupils shrank.
No hand seals.
A Fire Release chakra mode?
Impressive.
"Water Release: Water Surge!"
Two water jets crashed down from behind.
Danzo was drenched—
But extinguished the flames.
He nodded subtly at his subordinates.
Well done.
Though he lacked all chakra natures like Hiruzen—
Through subordinates, he could compensate.
Fighting inside Root's stronghold—
He held the terrain advantage.
And this battle—
Had only just begun.
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