"Oh? Someone dared to lay a hand on the Uchiha?"
Gento raised a brow and looked down at the two people on the ground.
Both of them wore animal masks; one with tiger patterns, the other with cat patterns.
Gento reached out and removed their masks, revealing two unfamiliar faces.
Both men avoided his gaze, their lips shut.
"Who sent you?"
Facing Gento's questioning, both of them pressed their lips together, not uttering a single word.
Gento shook his head, too lazy to continue asking.
His hands formed seals.
"Yin Release: Mind Rift Gate!"
One of the ninja's eyes instantly became unfocused, as if his soul had been pulled out.
"Speak. Who are you? Who sent you?"
The ninja opened his mouth, mechanically uttering a few words:
"I am… Root…"
Before he could finish speaking, his expression suddenly changed.
"Ah!"
His whole body suddenly curled up, both hands clutching his own throat as veins bulged.
A khh-khh sound came from his mouth, as if something were blocking his throat.
His body convulsed violently on the ground, legs kicking wildly, his back arching like a bridge before slamming down heavily.
Saliva mixed with blood foam flowed from the corner of his mouth, his eyes rolling back, his whole body trembling as if electrocuted.
The other conscious ninja's face turned deathly pale, his pupils dilating. His lips trembled as if he wanted to say something, but not a single word came out.
His legs gave out, and he stumbled backward, only to be kicked to the ground by Shisui.
Gento frowned, watching as the struggling man on the ground gradually went still.
"They should be from Root. Danzo planted the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal on them. Once they leak information, the curse seal activates."
Shisui stood to the side, explaining in a low voice.
Gento withdrew his gaze:
"Take these two away and lock them up."
"Yes."
Shisui grabbed the two and disappeared into the night.
Gento stood in place, gazing into the darkness in the distance, softly uttering two words:
"Danzo… So you couldn't resist moving against the Uchiha this fast, could you?"
...
Over the next few days, Danzo waited for reports from his subordinates, but none came.
Until this day, Torune Aburame hurried in and knelt on one knee.
"Danzo-sama, the two ninja we sent to the Uchiha… have lost contact."
Danzo's hand, which had been flipping through documents, froze.
He turned around, looking at Torune in disbelief.
That gaze was cold, sending a chill down Torune's spine.
"Lost contact?"
Cold sweat seeped out from Torune's forehead as he forced himself to nod:
"Yes… their last known location was the outskirts of the Uchiha clan grounds… and… there's been no news since."
Danzo fell silent for a moment, then suddenly stood up.
"A bunch of useless trash, can't even handle something this simple!"
As he spoke, he had already gotten up and headed toward the Hokage's office.
...
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage was speaking with the two advisors.
"Regarding the two Hokage candidates proposed by the Feudal Lord, what do you think?"
Hiruzen held a pipe in his mouth, smoke curling around him.
Koharu Utatane was the first to speak:
"Gento Uchiha? Isn't he just someone who got lucky on the battlefield, picking up some cheap merit and catching the Feudal Lord's eye? What does he have to compare with Minato?"
Homura Mitokado nodded in agreement:
"That child, Minato, is humble in character, strong in ability, also Jiraiya's disciple, and the husband of the jinchuriki Kushina. No matter how you look at it, he's more suitable than Gento Uchiha."
Hiruzen didn't respond, merely smoking in silence.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open.
Danzo strode in.
Hiruzen raised his eyes:
"Danzo, what are you here for?"
Danzo let out a cold laugh:
"What? Am I not allowed to come?"
He swept a glance over the three people present, his voice rising slightly:
"Two of my Root ninja went missing in the Uchiha clan grounds."
Koharu and Homura exchanged a glance, their expressions shifting subtly.
Hiruzen frowned:
"I've warned you multiple times not to arbitrarily investigate the Uchiha! Who permitted you to send people to the Uchiha on your own?"
Danzo's expression darkened instantly:
"My ninja were merely passing by the Uchiha, and they were detained by them. Now their life and death are unknown!"
He stepped forward, staring at Hiruzen:
"Hiruzen, have you grown senile? Have you forgotten what our teacher, the Second Hokage, said back then?
"The Sharingan of the Uchiha relies on the power of hatred; it is inherently dangerous! We must control them!
"And look at what you're doing now? Gento Uchiha is about to become Hokage!"
His voice grew louder and louder:
"How can the village possibly be handed over to the Uchiha!"
Koharu immediately echoed:
"Danzo is right. Recently, the Uchiha's power has indeed been expanding too quickly. It's time to suppress it."
Danzo seized the momentum and said:
"No matter what, I will investigate the Uchiha. Do not obstruct me!"
After speaking, he flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.
Hiruzen watched his departing figure, his eyes flickering, remaining silent.
Right after returning to Root, Danzo issued orders:
"This time, send three capable operatives. Under the pretense of investigating the missing ninja, capture Gento Uchiha and bring him back."
He paused, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold arc:
"If he dares to resist… hmph, that gives us the perfect reason to deal with him!"
...
The next day, the Uchiha clan grounds.
Gento stood by the construction site, watching Gen Kigami direct the craftsmen in the final finishing work.
"Tomorrow, tomorrow these two buildings will be ready for use!"
The old man patted his chest in assurance.
Gento nodded, already planning in his mind how things would proceed once they were put into use.
Just as he was thinking, a burst of noise suddenly came from ahead.
He turned his head and saw Inabi and Tekka blocking the road, facing three ninja wearing animal masks.
The one in front wore an eagle mask, with a fox mask on his left and a cat mask on his right.
"Move aside, move aside, move aside!"
The eagle-masked man's voice came from behind the mask, like he was shooing away stray dogs.
"Root is carrying out official business in the Hidden Leaf Village! We have the highest authority! Anyone who blocks the way is courting death!"
"Tell me where Gento Uchiha is!"
Hearing this, Inabi immediately glared at the three of them:
"What do you want with Gento?"
The tall, thin man in the fox mask stepped forward slightly, tilting his head, his tone dripping with mockery:
"Oh? The Uchiha sure put on airs. Root is handling matters, and we still have to report to you? Do you Uchiha even qualify?"
He sized Inabi up and down:
"Wearing a Police Force vest and you really think you're something?"
"Move aside! Otherwise, we don't mind taking the two of you along as well!"
"You…!!!"
Inabi was furious and about to lash out when a voice came from behind:
"What's going on?"
Inabi turned around and, seeing it was Gento, immediately spoke:
"Gento, these three Root ninja want to capture you!"
The eagle-masked man turned to look at Gento, sizing him up before letting out a sneer:
"Oh? So you're Gento Uchiha?"
He tilted his head:
"Two members of our Root went missing in your Uchiha. We now suspect this matter is related to you. Come with us immediately and cooperate with Root's investigation!"
He paused, then added:
"Don't think about refusing. Our methods of inviting people… aren't very gentle."
Hearing this, Gento glanced at the three of them and said:
"What are you supposed to be, daring to investigate me?"
"What did you say!"
"You dare look down on Root! We serve under Lord Danzo!"
"Lord Danzo of Root! Even the Hokage has to give him some face! And you, just a clan head of the Uchiha, what are you?"
"I'm telling you, today you're coming whether you like it or not!"
Hearing this, Gento sneered again:
"Danzo is nothing! He doesn't have the authority to investigate me, Gento Uchiha!
"The three of you would do well to get out of the Uchiha before I lose my temper.
"Otherwise… bear the consequences!"
The three Root ninja exchanged glances, then spoke:
"Teach him a lesson. Move!"
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going! [Patreon.com/RedZTL]