Chapter 94: Reactions from All Sides
After returning to Root, Danzō immediately issued new orders.
"Track down Uchiha Han. Eliminate him if possible, and—ideally—seize his Mangekyō Sharingan."
To Danzō, Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude toward the Uchiha was unbearably naïve. Though the Third had rejected his proposal to hunt Han, Danzō intended to move forward in secret, pursuing his own agenda.
Clashes between the two men were nothing new. Their temperaments and methods had diverged for years. This incident with Uchiha Han was just the latest spark.
Danzō's discontent had already been brewing since he discovered Hiruzen intended to cultivate Uchiha Nan. Before he could intervene, Hiruzen had gone even further—passing down the Flying Thunder God Technique. Intelligence now indicated that Nan had already grasped the technique to a certain degree.
A shinobi who could use Flying Thunder God could escape any battle at will. To kill him would be virtually impossible.
Abandoning thoughts of assassination, Danzō had proposed taking Nan into Root, raising him under strict watch. That way, at least, he would remain contained. But Hiruzen had refused, dismissing Root as "too dark" a place for a child.
These repeated clashes only hardened Danzō's conviction that Hiruzen was unfit for the Hokage's seat. In his eyes, the Third lacked the resolve to make the ruthless decisions required of a true leader.
"If I were Hokage," Danzō thought bitterly, "I would dispatch squads to hunt Uchiha Han without hesitation. I would crush the Uchiha problem with iron resolve. None of this weakness. None of this indecision."
Ambition surged within him. Shackled by the title of Root commander, many of his methods lay unused, blocked by Hiruzen's shadow.
"This cannot continue. I must find a way to claim the Hokage's seat. Only then will I no longer be bound by Hiruzen."
Resolved, Danzō began plotting how to pull Hiruzen down.
---
Meanwhile, none were more invested in the news of Uchiha Han than the clan itself.
Within the Uchiha compound, the clan had gathered. At the center sat their leader, Uchiha Fugaku, while the others surrounded him, faces bright with excitement.
"Fugaku-sama," one clansman asked eagerly, "is it true? Han is still alive? I heard he not only survived, but awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan—and even defeated the One-Tail Shukaku with its power!"
Even the common clansmen had caught wind of it. Fugaku, as clan head, knew more than most.
Yet unlike his people, Fugaku's expression remained calm. Beneath that stoicism, however, lay unease—worries not unlike the Third Hokage's.
Fugaku had always admired Hiruzen's father, Sarutobi Sasuke, so much that he would later name his own son after him. Like Hiruzen, Fugaku favored peace and reason over reckless confrontation.
He feared what knowledge of the Mangekyō might do to his already proud kin. Their pride could swell into arrogance, driving them to reckless, dangerous acts.
And indeed, he soon heard the murmurs rising among them—complaints about Konoha's unfair treatment of the Uchiha, their constant marginalization. With Uchiha Han's Mangekyō, they believed their influence within the village would only grow. Some even whispered that perhaps the Fourth Hokage should be an Uchiha.
One man stepped forward and asked:
"Fugaku-sama, shouldn't we seek Han out immediately? If he returns, even the higher-ups in the village won't dare look down on us again."
Just as Fugaku feared, his clansmen were already urging him to bring Han back.
But Fugaku was troubled. The power of the Mangekyō could easily inflate the clan's ambitions, making them believe they could stand toe-to-toe against the village. From his higher vantage point, Fugaku was far less optimistic.
Not long ago, after witnessing the death of a dear friend, Fugaku himself had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. He knew its power well. And he also knew: even with such eyes, he was still human. Still vulnerable. A pair of eyes was not enough to topple an entire village.
The clan's stone tablet confirmed it—overuse of the Mangekyō would lead only to blindness. Neither he nor Han could wield its power without limit.
No matter how powerful the Mangekyō Sharingan was, neither he nor Uchiha Han could wield it recklessly without consequence.
Fugaku feared his clansmen's ambitions might spiral out of control. That was why he had never revealed that he himself had already awakened the Mangekyō. And now, he had no intention of encouraging them to bring Han back.
After a long pause in thought, Fugaku addressed the assembly:
"There is no need to rush. We still do not know the reason behind Han's sudden defection.
He has not once reached out to us since leaving. Even if we were to bring him back, how would the village treat him? None can say.
At present, relations between the clan and the village are stable enough. Introducing another Mangekyō wielder—whose intentions are unknown—may only bring trouble.
If Han is to be retrieved, the village will send its own operatives. Whether the Uchiha need to be involved should depend on the Hokage's decision. I believe the Third already has his own plans."
Some clansmen muttered discontent, frustrated that their leader refused to act. But a fair number agreed with Fugaku's cautious stance, trusting in the Hokage's judgment.
Unlike the Second Hokage before him, Hiruzen's policies toward the Uchiha were relatively lenient. And with the Nine-Tails incident yet to occur, the clan's marginalization had not yet reached its peak. Thanks to Fugaku's steady hand and Hiruzen's conciliatory approach, the flames of rebellion remained dim—for now.
With their leader's decision made, dissenters were forced to hold their tongues. One by one, the clan dispersed. Fugaku allowed himself a quiet sigh of relief.
It wasn't that he lacked ambition—he simply doubted the clan's true strength. Yes, if he and Han combined their two Mangekyō Sharingan, perhaps they could seize control of Konoha's leadership. But Fugaku had never been close with Han. He could not understand why Han had suddenly defected, nor could he predict his true intentions.
Bringing Han back into the fold might destabilize the fragile balance that currently held. And yet… if Han's ambitions aligned with his own, then perhaps such a coup wasn't impossible. Fugaku weighed the thought carefully. But before any decision could be made, he would have to understand Han's goals.
His mind turned to Uchiha Nan—Han's younger brother. Perhaps Nan could provide some insight. The boy was soon to return with the victorious forces from the Wind Country. Fugaku had never paid much attention to the brothers before, but in the blink of an eye, both had become names known across the ninja world.
Yes, he would speak with Nan once the boy returned.
---
The awakening of the Mangekyō Sharingan sent ripples far beyond Konoha. All across the ninja world, powerful factions stirred.
Nowhere more so than Sunagakure. After all, they had suffered firsthand beneath Han's overwhelming power—even their One-Tail Jinchūriki had been crushed.
In the Kazekage's council chamber, Rasa sat grimly at the head of the table. Beside him were the two advisors, Chiyo and Ebizō, along with the gathered elders of the Sand. Together they deliberated on the consequences of their defeat against Konoha, and the path Sunagakure must take from here.