"Lord Danzo, the Uchiha clan has been completely wiped out. There are no survivors."
Swish!
A Root ninja appeared beside Shimura Danzo and whispered the report.
Danzo didn't speak right away — instead, the corners of his mouth curled slightly upward as he quietly savored the news.
"Remove the barrier and let the Anbu discover the Uchiha compound's… condition. Everyone else, withdraw to base."
With that, Danzo and his loyal subordinates vanished into the darkness.
The scene was clearly displayed before the eyes of the resurrected Uchiha in the illusionary space — Danzo's smug smile sent waves of anger through the clan.
"So it really was that old dog Danzo pulling the strings! He set up a barrier, had Root soldiers form a blockade to prevent any Uchiha from escaping, and forced Itachi to slaughter his own people alone!"
Uchiha Fugaku's eyes trembled, veins bulging, his blood-red Sharingan brimming with fury.
He was livid — beyond words.
Even if Danzo had personally led Root into the Uchiha compound and massacred them, he wouldn't have been this enraged.
After all, they were already enemies — in war, one side lives and the other dies. There's no right or wrong in that.
But to make Itachi, one of their own, do the killing — to make Uchiha slaughter Uchiha — that was too cruel, too vile.
Soon, Anbu operatives detected abnormal activity in the Uchiha district and sent up a signal flare.
More and more Anbu rushed in.
The sight that greeted them — corpses scattered across the streets — left everyone stunned and silent.
At last, they understood why Konoha had been placed on high alert that night.
The reason was horrifyingly simple.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, arrived shortly after.
"Lord Third," one Anbu reported grimly, "we've confirmed it. The entire Uchiha clan — men, women, and children — are all dead."
As the words fell, Hiruzen's face darkened.
The moon peeked through the clouds, its pale light washing over the blood-soaked streets — as if even the heavens couldn't bear to look and sought to cover the tragedy in silence.
"Who… who could have done this?" one of the Anbu whispered, trembling.
It was the Uchiha clan — Konoha's proudest, most powerful family. A lineage of geniuses and prodigies.
"It was Uchiha Itachi," came a cold voice.
"He despised his clan. He murdered Uchiha Shisui, stole his eyes, and turned his blade against his own kin… leading to this massacre."
From the shadows stepped Shimura Danzo, hands folded into his robes, wearing a grim expression.
"That boy? Impossible…" gasped a silver-haired Anbu.
Hiruzen's eyes hardened like steel.
"Enough. Get back to work."
The Anbu dispersed, leaving only Hiruzen and Danzo standing amidst the ruins — two old men framed by the bodies of the fallen, their presence casting an eerie chill through the air.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen… Shimura Danzo…"
The watching Uchiha clenched their fists, teeth grinding in hatred as their eyes glowed crimson.
"It wasn't Itachi who took my eyes," Shisui murmured, voice cold and heavy. "It was Danzo."
The truth began to unravel.
Danzo stood beside Hiruzen, his face twisting into a smug grin he couldn't quite hide. His voice trembled with excitement.
"Well, that solves our problem, doesn't it?"
"Problem?" Hiruzen snapped, turning sharply. "You call this a problem solved? A bone is now lodged in our throats, Danzo — can't you see that?"
Danzo chuckled. "Just a small bone."
Years of friendship made him immune to Hiruzen's anger.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said sternly, "I can no longer ignore your reckless actions. As of now, you are relieved of your duties as Hokage's advisor."
"But, Hiruzen, I—"
"If it were truly for the good of the village, then remember — the Uchiha were part of that village too!"
Danzo's attempt to defend himself was cut short by Hiruzen's icy glare.
"Furthermore," Hiruzen continued, "your Root division is hereby disbanded. You'll be confined until a formal judgment is made."
Danzo frowned — but then relaxed.
He had endured worse punishments before. This was nothing.
Clap… clap… clap!
Suddenly, applause echoed through the night.
Dozens of figures appeared, surrounding the street — Anbu and Root operatives instantly formed a defensive circle around Hiruzen and Danzo.
High above, four figures stood atop nearby rooftops.
At their center was a man wearing a dragon-headed mask and a flowing white cloak, the fabric dancing in the moonlight.
Even standing still, his presence exuded overwhelming dominance, making every ninja below feel as if the air itself had grown heavier.
The masked man clapped slowly, his voice melodic yet mocking.
"Bravo… truly bravo."
"The acting of you two — absolutely exquisite. I can't help but applaud the performance of our dear Lords… The Actors."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
Danzo's face went pale — he began to tremble.
"You… You're from the Red Sun Society…" he stammered. "Kira!"
That voice — it was unmistakable.
Even though it sounded deeper, rougher — he could never forget it.
Because that voice… belonged to the one man who had once brought him face to face with death.
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