Facing Danzo's malicious questioning, Uchiha Shikata remained calm and smiled.
"Third Hokage-sama has devoted himself to Konoha for many years. Of course, I'm not here to accuse Hokage-sama—I'm simply asking a question," he said lightly.
"After all, the strength of Lord Hokage is well known to everyone..."
"That's enough," Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted before Uchiha could continue.
"I didn't expect Orochimaru's forbidden techniques to enhance his strength so rapidly. This was indeed my failure."
Third Hokage's straightforward admission left Uchiha Shikata unsure how to continue pressing the issue.
Fortunately, they had already made other preparations.
Just as Hiruzen finished speaking, an Anbu member suddenly appeared in the conference hall using the Body Flicker Technique.
"What's the matter?" Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, a bad feeling rising in his chest.
The Anbu hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Lord Hokage... a video is being broadcast throughout the village."
"Video?" Hiruzen asked, frowning with confusion.
At this point in time, the ninja world hadn't yet developed advanced technology. Naturally, they weren't familiar with the concept of video projections.
But Hiruzen quickly pulled out his crystal ball, channeled chakra into it—and saw a scene that left everyone in the room stunned.
A blue slug—Katsuyu—was projecting beams of light from its mouth. The light fell upon a white screen, displaying a crystal-clear scene of Sarutobi Hiruzen letting Orochimaru go—his eyes blank, lost in illusion.
Beside him, the ape demon Enma could be seen jumping around anxiously, trying to stop him.
The shocking comparison sent tremors through the hearts of everyone present.
This was a brand-new ninjutsu developed by Hanyu Simu and Katsuyu, after fusing the secret techniques of the Yamanaka clan.
Its name: Projection Technique: Reflection of the Mind.
Hiruzen was utterly stunned upon seeing it.
Danzo, on the other hand, reacted violently.
"This is slander! A complete fabrication!" he shouted, pointing furiously at the crystal ball.
"This so-called video is definitely fake—fabricated by someone with an agenda!"
"It must be Hanyu Simu! That Katsuyu is his summoning beast!"
Danzo's voice grew shrill with desperation.
He immediately barked an order to the Root ninja.
"Find that Katsuyu and capture it immediately! We must expose whoever's behind this!"
The hall fell into uneasy silence.
Just as Uchiha Shikata was about to speak, a cold female voice echoed through the room.
"Why is Elder Danzo so desperate to destroy the evidence?"
Kushina stepped through the doorway, her face like stone.
Anyone who wanted to slander Simu would have to get through her first.
"Uzumaki Kushina! What—are you the one fabricating lies about the Hokage now?" Danzo snapped, attempting to pin blame on her.
Kushina laughed bitterly.
"Everyone says Elder Danzo will do anything to achieve his goals. Now I see it with my own eyes."
Danzo slammed the end of his staff against the floor and said in a hoarse growl,
"I'm an elder of Konoha! If you continue to slander me, I have the authority to arrest you and send you to Root!"
Kushina sneered, arms crossed over her chest.
"Elder Danzo... aren't you the one with something to hide?"
"Why don't we wait until Simu brings Hanzo back to the village?"
Danzo's face twisted with rage.
"Impudent!" he shouted.
Several masked Root ninjas instantly appeared around him, moving to capture Kushina.
Danzo knew she was more than just a civilian—she was the Nine Tails' Jinchūriki, and someone deeply connected to Hanyu Simu.
Capturing her would be a perfect bargaining chip.
At the same time, Root forces had already moved toward the courtyard where the master resided—attempting to arrest Hyuga Rei and Uchiha Mikoto.
Danzo hadn't spared even the orphanage where Simu had grown up.
This time, he intended to go all out—to completely break ties with Hanyu Simu.
There was a frigid killing intent in his old eyes.
But Kushina, confronted by four Root assassins—each at Jōnin level—remained composed.
A pale-red cloak of Nine Tails chakra flared up around her body.
Four glowing chakra arms shot out from it, forming razor-sharp claws that easily blocked the attacks of the Root ninjas.
A flicker of sorrow passed through Hiruzen's eyes.
But as Hokage, he could no longer just sit and watch as Root attacked their own villagers.
"That's enough, Danzo!" he barked.
Danzo snorted.
"Withdraw."
The four Root ninjas immediately retreated, now facing a fully awakened Kushina cloaked in Tailed Beast chakra.
Just when everyone thought the situation had stabilized—
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion rocked the village!
Everyone turned their heads at once.
"...That's the orphanage!"
Konoha Orphanage
Raging flames engulfed the outer walls of the orphanage.
Dozens of unidentified ninjas suddenly appeared.
These were Root operatives.
From the moment they joined Root, they lost their names… and their humanity.
The orphanage director stood protectively in front of the children.
Like a mother shielding her cubs.
"Who are you?! How did you get into Konoha? Why are you here at the orphanage?!"
She spread her arms wide. Behind her were dozens of frightened children.
The leading Root ninja drew his sword.
The cold, flat blade reflected a row of innocent, terrified faces.
But to these killers—numb and emotionless—it meant nothing.
Without a single word, they swung their blades at the children.
Just as the director braced herself for the worst, a lazy voice rang out.
"Tch... Danzo really is rotten to the core."
Simu's figure appeared, standing silently between the director and the Root assassins.
Behind him, the word "Justice" on his cloak fluttered in the flames.
His palm, covered in cyan dragon scales, effortlessly caught the descending blade.
"Hanyu Simu?!"
A flash of disbelief passed through the Root leader's eyes.
How did this guy return to the village so quickly?
Simu's cold eyes narrowed, a faint blush of anger creeping across his face.
He had assumed Danzo still had some shred of conscience… that he wouldn't stoop to attacking an orphanage.
But now…
A terrifying aura erupted from Simu, like a tsunami crashing down on the Root operatives.
The spiritual pressure alone froze them for a split second.
But for someone like Simu, a split second was more than enough.
The Totsuka Cloud Blade formed in his hand.
A golden flash swept the air.
Before the Root assassins could react, thin red lines appeared on their necks.
A moment later—thud, thud, thud—more than a dozen heads dropped to the ground.
As blood splashed and bodies collapsed, the director stood frozen.
"S–Simu…?"
Simu turned to her with a bright, boyish smile.
He knelt beside one of the children and ruffled their hair.
"It's okay now, Director."
"Th–thank you, Simu..." she muttered, flustered and embarrassed.
Simu scratched his head sheepishly.
"There's no need to thank me. If it weren't for me, they wouldn't have come after you in the first place."
Even the slowest among them could now see that this wasn't a random attack.
No ordinary enemy could break through Konoha's defenses with a dozen men—and all at once.
And this was just a humble orphanage.
Simu patted her on the shoulder and spoke gently:
"Don't worry. It'll all be over soon."
He turned and looked toward the woods nearby.
"Take care of the children—and get them medical help."
"Yes!"
A dozen Konoha ninjas appeared, all wearing forehead protectors. They bowed respectfully to Simu.
These weren't ordinary ninja. They were from the Konoha Guard, mostly made up of Uchiha clan members.
In truth, Nara Shikaku had already anticipated Danzo's move.
But Simu chose to act personally—because the orphanage meant something to him.
At the same time, Rei (Hyuga Ling Yi) and Uchiha Mikoto had already been moved to the Uchiha compound.
If Danzo wanted to arrest them now… he'd have to declare war on the Uchiha clan.
Back at the Conference Room
The moment Kushina heard the explosion, her expression changed. Her chakra flared uncontrollably.
The oppressive aura of the Nine Tails instantly flooded the room.
"Kushina, calm down," said the Third Hokage sternly.
If she lost control here, the Nine Tails could run rampant—and the entire village would fall into chaos.
Kushina gritted her teeth, glaring at Danzo.
"You attacked children?!"
Danzo narrowed his eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The air around Kushina turned ominous, her rage crackling like thunder.
All the Jōnin in the room tensed.
Sensing a chance, Danzo barked:
"She's going berserk! We need to subdue her before the Nine Tails breaks loose!"
Out of fear, some of the Jōnin actually began to move, ready to take Kushina down.
The Uchiha Quartet prepared to intervene—
—but then a suffocating pressure swept over the entire Hokage building.
So intense that even the Nine Tails' chakra was suppressed.
"I'd like to see anyone try."
Simu's icy voice echoed through the room.
He kicked open the door.
All the Jōnin instinctively stepped aside.
Simu walked straight to Kushina's side.
And without saying a word, he tossed a bound and unconscious Hanzo in front of Danzo.
"Elder Danzo, look who's here."
"Shall I let Hanzo have a little chat with you?"
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