In the conference room.
Hearing Danzo's question, Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart practically sang with relief.
This is exactly what I've been waiting for!
If Danzo didn't step up to handle this mess, who else could possibly be suitable?!
The Uchiha had completely spiraled beyond control. Fugaku's deliberate inaction had emboldened the Elder faction to unprecedented arrogance, leaving villagers seething with resentment.
Meanwhile, the power-drunk Uchiha were secretly maneuvering for even greater authority.
This was a catastrophically dangerous development!
Even the smaller clans were growing openly hostile toward the increasingly tyrannical Uchiha.
As the three officials fixed their stares on Danzo, he unexpectedly grabbed the document from the table and began reading with meticulous attention.
While he didn't relish taking the fall for this operation, dirty work was fundamentally his specialty.
Most crucially, after his "advanced education" at Sand Hidden's school of brutal politics, he was confident he could execute this flawlessly.
Scowling, Danzo finished the comprehensive complaint filed by civilian ninja and various families against Uchiha misconduct.
Meeting Sarutobi Hiruzen's expectant gaze, he spoke with calculated nonchalance:
"This can be handled, but you need to tell me—what's the bottom line?"
Hiruzen's spirits soared even higher.
He knew Danzo's psychology like every intimate detail of his wife's body.
This bastard always asked about limits, then systematically exceeded those very boundaries.
Case in point:
If Hiruzen authorized killing ten people maximum, Danzo would ruthlessly eliminate fifteen without hesitation.
Eyes glinting with anticipation, Hiruzen drummed his fingers on the table:
"Excise the cancer, but preserve the healthy tissue."
Danzo nodded in silent understanding, then rose with his cane and headed for the exit.
That night, the Naka River's tributary whispered through the darkness, caressing smooth pebbles worn jade-smooth by countless years.
The Uchiha Fugaku residence beside the flowing water received an unexpected visitor.
In the tea room's flickering lamplight, Fugaku sat cross-legged on his cushion, eyes narrowed as he studied Danzo Shimura across the low table.
"Lord Danzo, what brings you here at this hour?"
"Nothing urgent~" Danzo's expression remained deceptively relaxed as he lifted his tea cup.
"Just wrapped up some official business and thought I'd visit. Might not get another opportunity."
Fugaku's face betrayed nothing, but every nerve screamed danger.
Might not get another opportunity to see me?
Is this a threat?!
Impossible. Sensei may have kept a low profile for over a decade, but Danzo knows his capabilities intimately!
Then... has he discovered my evacuation plans?
Wrestling with Danzo's true intentions, Fugaku maintained his pleasant facade:
"Lord Danzo, surely you jest. Whenever you desire a meeting, when couldn't you arrange one?"
Danzo shook his head with theatrical disappointment.
"Such dishonesty, young man~
Given my relationship with your teacher, is this paranoid defensiveness really necessary?"
He released a weary sigh:
"Your caution befits your generation, so I'll speak plainly.
Village leadership has authorized action against the Uchiha.
My orders this time specify total elimination."
"Total elimination?!" Fugaku's breath caught in his throat.
Despite being a father of two, his scheming instincts remained far shallower than a master manipulator like Danzo.
Those few words had completely destabilized him.
Danzo nodded almost imperceptibly, confirming the devastating news before continuing:
"Precisely. Complete annihilation.
Rinjin trained you and remains something of a brother to me, so I negotiated a small arrangement with the leadership.
I'll execute this operation and shoulder the blame. Your family escapes safely.
But let me be crystal clear—once your family reaches the Hidden Rain Village, maintain absolute discretion. This matter cannot become public knowledge."
Fugaku's silence stretched uncomfortably long.
His actual plan involved evacuating select clan members and their families—not abandoning everyone to save himself.
This wasn't about preserving Uchiha bloodlines, but protecting his Police Force comrades.
That very hesitation revealed everything to Danzo.
The man had orchestrated too many conspiracies and betrayals~
While still inferior to Rinjin's masterful manipulation, he far exceeded most politicians' scheming abilities.
Within seconds, Danzo had decoded Fugaku's thoughts completely.
This kid doesn't give a damn about clan loyalty!
So the Elder faction's massacre won't faze him at all.
The only thing that could cause this hesitation—his Police Force subordinates and allies!
The revelation crystallized instantly.
This boy intends to evacuate his people along with his family.
Could he prevent it?
Obviously not. That protective bastard Rinjin might resort to open warfare!
That senile fool Hiruzen probably anticipated this, hence his cryptic "preserve the healthy tissue" instruction.
Perfect. He'd flow with the current and bank additional political capital!
Allowing Fugaku's exodus would actually benefit everyone—without the Uchiha, his Root division could cease their exhausting surveillance operations.
As for Hiruzen's potential objections, let that bastard Rinjin handle the fallout!
Danzo's strategy crystallized with ruthless clarity.
First, apply pressure to make Fugaku understand that extraction wouldn't be simple!
After all, forbidden fruit always tastes sweetest—desire intensifies with scarcity!
"Ahem..." His deliberate cough shattered the room's tension as he spoke with deceptive casualness:
"Fugaku~
Your desire to evacuate the Police Force is understandable. I can overlook this knowledge, but the leadership absolutely cannot discover these intentions!"
Cold sweat erupted across Fugaku's spine before Danzo finished speaking.
Fuck! Why does confronting Danzo feel identical to facing sensei?!
So sensei has been battling this caliber of scheming monster all these years, and actually dominating him completely?!
Jesus Christ, it's almost incomprehensible!
Fugaku's lips compressed as he coughed nervously, then forced an awkward laugh:
"Lord Danzo, surely you... jest. Ensuring my family's safety is challenging enough—how could I possibly... manage anyone else..."
This response only reinforced Danzo's assessment.
He waved dismissively, bracing against his knees to stand laboriously and retrieve his cane.
"You're a father now. Keep certain matters private.
Don't escort me out—I'm departing~"
He slowly slid open the wooden door, offered a casual wave, and shuffled into the night.
Watching Danzo's retreating silhouette, Fugaku sank back into contemplative silence.
Reading human psychology and executing subtle manipulation were never his strengths.
Among Rinjin's six disciples, only Nara Shikaku had absorbed fragments of the master's true teachings.
Not because Rinjin withheld knowledge, but because prolonged ruthless calculation inevitably corrupted one's soul—an unavoidable consequence.
After extended quiet reflection, Fugaku finally addressed the wooden partition leading deeper into his home:
"He's long gone. Why continue hiding?"
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