Shimura Danzo's chest heaved violently, his single eye burning with resentment, venom, and rage.
He glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose expression left no room for negotiation.
Then at the clan heads—silent, unmoving, as if carved from wood.
He understood.
There would be no victory here today.
His grip tightened around his cane.
"…Fine."
The word was forced through clenched teeth.
He turned sharply and stormed out.
Bang!
The door slammed shut once more.
Hiruzen watched the ANBU captain follow after Danzo before sinking back into his chair, as though drained of strength. His fingers trembled slightly.
He drew in a slow breath, forcing himself to calm down.
His gaze returned to the clan heads.
There was much to say.
Yet for a moment—
He said nothing.
The Nara clan head let out a quiet sigh.
Removing Danzo—the fuse—from Konoha's powder keg was the wisest move for now.
But everyone understood—
The conflict between the Uchiha and the leadership had already surfaced.
Sending Danzo away did not solve anything.
'The best option now… is to let the war shift attention outward.'
That was the silent consensus.
As for joining Hiruzen in suppressing the Uchiha—
The thought appeared—
And was instantly discarded.
They all knew the Uchiha's strength.
Yes, united, they could win.
But a crippled Konoha—
Would be defenseless against the other villages.
If it came to all-out conflict—
Better to let the Uchiha and the leadership clash first.
If the Uchiha were crushed—
Then negotiations could follow.
If they endured—
Then there would be nothing left to hesitate over.
They would welcome a rising Fourth Hokage.
At the very least—
The Uchiha were straightforward.
Reliable in battle.
Whenever they fought—
They led from the front.
The only question was—
Could the victor still protect Konoha?
The Hyuga and the Ino–Shika–Cho quietly considered another path—
To stand as a third force.
Mediators.
Between Hokage and Uchiha.
It was the most beneficial position.
Hiruzen understood this as well.
A war with the Uchiha now—
Would shake his rule to its core.
Worse—
The Sannin, Minato Namikaze, and most of the army were away.
With only himself and Koharu Utatane—
They could not hold the Uchiha.
'If Sakumo Hatake were still alive…'
'Or if Kushina Uzumaki could fully control the Nine-Tails…'
Regret flickered—
Then was suppressed.
He bit his tongue lightly, forcing focus.
'Recall the army?'
'Or bring back Jiraiya and Orochimaru through Minato's Flying Thunder God?'
The idea rose—
And was dismissed.
The frontlines were critical.
A withdrawal now would mean collapse.
The Uchiha could afford impulsiveness—
That was how the world saw them.
But Hiruzen—
Could not gamble.
Would not gamble.
This had to be resolved through negotiation.
And negotiation required balance.
'Offer them independent command… send them out of Konoha…'
His thoughts settled.
He raised his eyes, sweeping across the room.
"Everyone."
"Come with me to the Police Headquarters."
Hiruzen stood.
"I will personally ask Fugaku—what exactly the Uchiha intend."
Without waiting, he stepped out.
The clan heads exchanged brief looks—
Then followed.
If pressure could bring the Uchiha to the table—
If this could be resolved through dialogue—
It was the best outcome.
They had no reason to refuse.
—
Dusk deepened.
The last traces of sunlight faded into dark blue.
As Hiruzen led the group out of the Hokage Tower—
High above, the massive Uchiha fan crest loomed against the twilight.
Its shadow stretched long—
Swallowing their figures whole.
—
The Uchiha district burned under a crimson dusk.
Since Uchiha Fugaku's capture of Root operatives—
The entire area had fallen into a tense stillness.
The training grounds were empty.
Children's laughter was gone.
Only the clan crest beneath the eaves remained—
Silent.
Watching.
At the entrance—
Figures stood like spears.
Killing intent surged like a tide.
The clan head.
Uchiha Setsuna.
Uchiha Hokaku.
Three pillars of the clan—
Now clad in armor long sealed away.
Dark chestplates bore countless scars from past wars.
Edges worn smooth by time—
Yet still carrying the weight of bloodshed.
The fan crest engraved upon their armor glimmered faintly in the fading light.
Behind them—
Dozens of Uchiha jōnin stood motionless.
Armor polished.
Weapons sheathed—
But ready.
Hands rested on hilts, warmed by their grip.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Sharingan flickered open instinctively—
Scarlet eyes glowing in the dusk like embers before a blaze.
The wind stirred.
Leaves drifted across iron ranks.
The only sound—
Was breathing.
Heartbeat.
Far away—
Watching ANBU and clan shinobi felt the pressure.
A Hyuga branch member activated his Byakugan.
Veins bulged around his eyes—
And what he saw made his throat tighten.
Chakra.
Within every Uchiha—
Like volcanoes on the verge of eruption.
Cold.
Violent.
Ready to explode.
He glanced toward the Police Headquarters—
Barely a kilometer away.
At full speed—
Less than ten seconds.
Everyone understood.
The coming negotiation—
Would decide Konoha's future.
If it failed—
Civil war would ignite instantly.
The air itself felt heavy.
Oppressive.
Footsteps approached.
At the gates of the Police Headquarters—
Uchiha guards saw the Hokage arrive.
Their eyes sharpened.
They did not step back.
Instead—
They stood taller.
Scarlet light flickering in their eyes.
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