He deliberately displayed this appearance to seize the initiative in the conversation and dominate the discussion.
Who was Danzo?
A dignified Kage-level powerhouse reduced to such a state—severed arm and severe injuries—this wretchedness was enough to illustrate just how perilous the situation he had encountered was.
Danzo raised his left hand and brushed it over his empty sleeve, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a trace of sinister mockery flashing in his eyes:
But inwardly, he was calculating: See, Hiruzen, this is the junior you trusted to inherit the Will of Fire. I will make everyone see just how shortsighted your judgment of people is!
"What!"
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were first stunned, their faces filled with disbelief. After a moment of daze, anger surged in their hearts.
The name Uchiha Shinji was not unfamiliar to them.
Initially, the two had been pleased that the Uchiha clan could produce another talent like Kagami Uchiha, who cared deeply for Konohagakure.
But now, he had the audacity to sever the arm of Konohagakure's high-ranking official, Danzo! Wasn't this a slap in their faces?
They had never expected that someone from the Uchiha clan would still be so reckless, daring to commit such an act of insubordination and overstepping their authority.
"Where is he! This matter must be accounted for to Konohagakure!"
Utatane Koharu slammed the table and demanded angrily.
"He has left the village," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied, his tone calm.
Whenever a ninja left the village, a record was kept with the guards. The gatekeepers of Konohagakure had already reported this to him, though Hiruzen did not know the specifics of what Shinji and the others were doing.
"A misunderstanding?" Utatane Koharu said discontentedly, pointing at Danzo's severed arm. "Hiruzen, what else can you say at this point? This injury can't be faked, can it?"
Mitokado Homura frowned and remained silent, her expression displeased. The four of them were old friends who had fought side by side through the flames of war. Emotionally and logically, she leaned toward the injured Danzo.
Sarutobi Hiruzen pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on. Based on his understanding of Danzo and Shinji, this matter was anything but simple.
Had Danzo provoked Shinji, leading to a confrontation? Or had Shinji, wielding his newfound power, dared to retaliate against Danzo's hand?
Beside them, Danzo watched the argument with a smug, sinister smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
This was exactly the situation he wanted—to win over Homura and Koharu to his side.
Danzo sighed softly, deliberately adopting a vulnerable posture. "Uchiha Shinji has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan."
"Not just him. Uchiha Fugaku has also awakened the Mangekyo."
As his words fell, the expressions of Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other two changed drastically. They could no longer remain seated, their faces turning grave. Especially Sarutobi Hiruzen—the pipe at his lips slipped and clattered onto the table, a testament to the shock in his heart.
"Danzo, what did you say?"
"You saw it with your own eyes?"
The three of them pressed him one after another, their shock surging uncontrollably.
Only now did they realize that Danzo's claim of "a matter concerning Konohagakure's safety" was no empty threat.
Their faces darkened. If Fugaku and Shinji were not handled properly, it would inevitably ignite a full-scale conflict between Konohagakure and the Uchiha clan, shaking the very foundation of the village.
Danzo wore a pained expression as he slowly began to speak, "During my recent mission outside the village, I unexpectedly encountered two individuals acting suspiciously, seemingly plotting something in secret. Unfortunately, they noticed me, and in order to silence me, they launched a joint surprise attack. I fought desperately to break through and escape back to Konohagakure, but in the process, I lost an arm."
He freely twisted the truth. No one knew about his private dealings with Fugaku except the two parties involved. This gave him ample room to fabricate his story. As for the truth, wasn't it entirely up to him to decide?
As long as he could sow seeds of suspicion and ignite conflict between the Konohagakure leadership and the Uchiha, he could leverage the entire village's strength to annihilate the Uchiha.
His account further enraged Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
In their eyes, Fugaku and Shinji's actions were nothing short of betraying Konohagakure. Moreover, they had secretly left the village, seemingly harboring some conspiracy, and after being exposed, they deliberately attempted to assassinate a high-ranking Konohagakure official.
"Seal off the Uchiha compound, increase surveillance, and if necessary, dispatch Jonin forces to eliminate them directly!"
In recent years, the Uchiha had grown increasingly arrogant. Members of the Police Department had been abusing their authority, leading to numerous complaints and dissatisfaction among the villagers.
Now, with two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan in their possession, there was no guarantee the Uchiha wouldn't take desperate measures and launch a coup.
The mere thought of this deepened their apprehension.
Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed his hand heavily on the table, his voice low and commanding as he drew everyone's attention.
"There are too many unanswered questions in this matter. There must be some misunderstanding. Let's first locate Fugaku and Shinji and verify the facts face-to-face."
"Hiruzen, how can you be so foolish!" Danzo immediately challenged, his tone filled with dissatisfaction. "This concerns the survival of Konohagakure. I was personally injured and witnessed it with my own eyes. Isn't that evidence enough?"
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu also wore expressions of displeasure, unable to understand why Hiruzen remained so calm and insisted on favoring the Uchiha.
Sarutobi Hiruzen steadied his mind, picked up his pipe, and relit it, filling the room once more with swirling smoke.
As the Hokage, he could not lightly trust one-sided accounts. Moreover, the Uchiha were a crucial fighting force for Konohagakure. Rashly initiating conflict would only lead to internal strife. Handling the matter prudently was the only way to protect the village.
"First, find the two and confront them," he reiterated, then turned to summon an Anbu. "Go and bring Tsunade here. Shinji is her student; she must know about his situation."
Danzo glared darkly at Sarutobi Hiruzen, seething with rage inside: Damn you, Hiruzen, always the Hokage!
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