Hearing that Danzo claimed the eye had been destroyed by Chinya, Hiruzen let out a sigh of relief.
Still, he double-checked, "You're certain it's destroyed?"
Danzo took several deep breaths—just recalling how Chinya pried open his left eye and destroyed the Mangekyo Sharingan filled him with pain.
Even if using its power required more than ten years to recharge, the [Kotoamatsukami] held immense value.
Chinya had found a way to counter the [Kotoamatsukami], but others didn't have that luxury.
Yet such an invaluable Mangekyo Sharingan had been destroyed by Chinya.
After calming himself repeatedly, Danzo finally answered, "Yes!"
Hiruzen nodded. He couldn't help feeling regret as well.
Truthfully, he also felt regret. The [Kotoamatsukami], the dojutsu of Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan, was just too powerful.
Deep inside, Hiruzen even desired Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan for himself. However, due to his position and the fact that Shisui was completely loyal to him, he couldn't bring himself to take it.
Hiruzen fixed his gaze on Danzo and warned, "Danzo, this is my final warning—don't act recklessly again. Originally, if Shisui could control Fugaku and use Fugaku's position as clan head to gradually get the Uchiha clan to accept the cursed seal, everything could have been resolved peacefully."
Danzo snorted coldly, "No one from the Uchiha can be trusted!"
With a bang, Hiruzen slammed his palm onto the table beside Danzo and shouted, "How many times must I tell you—Shisui is trustworthy! He's Kagami's descendant. He embraced Konoha's Will of Fire—a belief that burns in every true ninja—and served Konoha faithfully, loyal only to me!
Because of your recklessness, you've ruined everything! Now, thanks to you, Shisui failed to control Fugaku. Without Fugaku's influence, how do you expect me to get the rest of the Uchiha to accept these cursed seals?
Are you really willing to see Konoha destroy the entire Uchiha clan, cutting off one of our own limbs and dragging Konoha into chaos all over again?
If not for our long-standing friendship, do you really think you'd still be back in Root? Right now, you should be rotting away in Konoha's prison!"
Danzo's expression kept shifting. This was the first time Hiruzen had ever spoken so harshly to him.
He understood clearly—Hiruzen was genuinely furious this time.
After holding his tongue for a long while, Danzo finally muttered, "This time was my mistake. But I acted only for Konoha's good. You know what the Uchiha have always done. How could you expect me to trust someone—even if he is Kagami's descendant—he is still not Kagami himself."
Hiruzen angrily rebuked, "It was precisely because we distrust the Uchiha that I devised the cursed seal method—to control their lives directly. Even if they plot against us, they will have to reconsider because of the seal on their body.
But now, because of your stubbornness, our best opportunity is gone. If things continue like this, the only option left will be complete annihilation of the Uchiha clan."
"Originally, I planned to resolve the Uchiha Clan issue first, and then use their strength to unite other ninja clans against Chinya. After all, the Uchiha are most familiar with the Sharingan; perhaps there might be a way to counter Chinya's Dojutsu."
Hiruzen paused here with a sigh. He was truly furious at Danzo this time.
Danzo remained tight-lipped. Just hearing Chinya's name sent a chill down his spine instinctively.
It had happened far too many times—he'd been ruthlessly suppressed by Chinya every time, unable to put up any resistance at all.
Chinya's [Dojutsu Wanju] could completely nullify any ninjutsu, leaving them to fight as if they had one arm tied behind their backs.
Hiruzen fixed Danzo with a serious gaze and said, "From now on, aside from Root Division's regular surveillance of the Uchiha Clan, you're to have no further involvement. Take some time to recover properly."
Seeing Hiruzen turn to leave, Danzo snapped urgently, "Wait! I swear I won't act rashly again. As for matters concerning the Uchiha Clan, I must be involved!"
Hiruzen eyed Danzo sideways and said, "But your past promises have rarely been kept. With so many prior incidents, how can I possibly trust you not to misbehave again?"
Danzo clenched his jaw and shot back, "Then if I act recklessly again, you can disband the Root Division entirely! That enough for you?"
Hiruzen looked at Danzo in mild shock—he hadn't expected Danzo to put Root itself on the line.
After a pause, Hiruzen continued, "With Shisui gone, we've lost our only leverage over Fugaku. We need to appoint someone to take his place and devise new ways to handle the Uchiha Clan.
"I've already decided on a candidate. There will be a meeting at Hokage Tower at noon in two days; Koharu and Homura will attend too. If you're feeling well enough, you're welcome to come.
"But remember this—if you pull another stunt like that, don't expect our history to protect you. I've been patient and lenient with you long enough. Don't mistake my tolerance for permission to keep acting recklessly.
"What I want is peace and stability across Konoha. No matter who it involves, no matter what it is, anyone or anything threatening Konoha's tranquility will be eliminated without mercy!"
With those words, Hiruzen shot Danzo a sharp glare before leaving the Root Base.
...
The next day,
Danzo's identity had already spread throughout Konoha. Normally, he seldom appeared in public, so few people actually recognized him—but eventually, there were always some who did.
The sight of Chinya dragging Danzo—the former advisor to the Hokage and head of the Root Division, Konoha's secret operations force—through Konoha Street became the village's biggest topic.
This incident dredged up old memories of Chinya's merciless cruelty, reigniting the villagers' fear of him once more.
Dragging someone of such high rank through the streets like a lifeless corpse, practically dumping him at Hiruzen's feet—and all the Hokage does is promise an explanation? Who would dare provoke Chinya now?
Make one wrong move around him, and you could end up dead—with no one stepping in to save you.
Despite clearly being terrified, the villagers of Konoha couldn't stop talking about it. Every time they brought it up, they'd speak in hushed tones, as if afraid Chinya might hear them.
Chinya, however, ignored them completely—it meant nothing to him and never crossed his mind.
Right now, Chinya's thoughts were consumed by the massacre night.
The death of Shisui Uchiha had ruined Hiruzen Sarutobi's plan, so he should soon begin searching for Itachi Uchiha, who would serve as Shisui's replacement.
At the same time, after Shisui Uchiha's suicide and the release of his final letter, the Uchiha Clan's coup would be postponed for a while.
Once the Uchiha Clan's coup began, Chinya would finally be able to leave Konoha.
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