The two opposing groups of ninja met at this central crossroads in Konoha, eyeing each other from across the intersection, looking very much like two gangs of young thugs meeting for an agreed-upon after-school brawl.
Perhaps spurred by the commotion and tense atmosphere generated by their meeting, or perhaps due to a universal sixth sense that something major was about to happen, large numbers of Konoha shinobi began to gather.
They made no moves, simply clustering quietly on the rooftops on either side, like a melon-eating audience waiting for the thugs below to start cracking skulls.
On the opposing side, Danzo Shimura and the two advisors stood in a triangular formation. Danzo, at the forefront, glanced at the completely unscathed group on Habara's side. He lowered his eyelids slightly, momentarily concealing the disappointment in his eyes, before stepping forward decisively.
"Habara, why don't you surrender?"
Habara used a look to silence those on his side who were about to speak, especially Kinoshita Tadashi. He also took a few steps forward and replied, "In Konoha, I only obey the Hokage's commands. Why is someone else bypassing the Third Hokage to command the shinobi?"
"Your quibbling is meaningless now. Dozens of ANBU shinobi witnessed you attacking the Third Hokage with their own eyes. We should be asking you: where is the Third Hokage? Is he alive or dead?" Danzo countered.
"Regardless of where the Third Hokage is, or whether he is alive or dead, as I said, I only obey the Hokage's commands," Habara repeated firmly.
Danzo Shimura frowned, wondering why this person was so impervious to persuasion. Can't he answer the question properly? This conversation was going nowhere, like trying to fit donkey lips to a horse's mouth. What was the point of emphasizing obedience to the Third Hokage? Did he actually expect to turn the tables in this situation?
It had to be said, Danzo was already somewhat fixated, perhaps even delusional. For some reason, he had convinced himself that Habara was currently in an absolutely disadvantageous position.
Danzo glanced sideways at several ninja behind him. They stepped forward and began, "Tonight, after Lord Third returned to the office, we were suddenly attacked by Jonin Habara…"
The ninja giving false testimony hadn't finished speaking when someone interrupted loudly from the rooftops:
"What's the reason?"
"Why would Jonin Habara attack the Hokage?"
The Third Hokage still hadn't appeared. Everyone could see that much – Lord Hokage was, at the very least, not currently in Konoha. But to accuse Habara of attacking the Third? What was the motive? It was common knowledge that the Third Hokage held Jonin Habara in high regard.
Danzo answered the question, seizing the moment to win public support.
"To overturn Konoha's power structure, invert Konoha's ninja hierarchy, and assist the Uchiha clan! It's widely known that Habara is acquainted with Uchiha Shisui of the Uchiha clan, that they are close friends. And tonight is precisely when the Uchiha clan launched their rebellion!"
As if in response to his words, a large burst of fire suddenly erupted in the Konoha sky. The location of the blaze – the Uchiha Compound.
Danzo's words swayed some of the ninja, but others saw through them clearly.
Habara had brought about changes in Konoha, but these changes were implemented with the Third Hokage's tacit approval. If his goal was merely subversion, he had no need to take the extreme risk of attacking the Hokage. Subversion wasn't Habara's style; clearly, he preferred gradual, subtle change.
As for colluding with Uchiha Shisui – that was sheer nonsense. What kind of person was Uchiha Shisui? Would he be the mastermind behind an Uchiha rebellion?
Seeing the surrounding ninja fall silent, Homura Mitokado stepped forward. "What we can confirm now is that the Third Hokage was suddenly attacked earlier and subsequently disappeared from Konoha. Multiple eyewitnesses accuse Jonin Habara of launching the attack, and he indeed possesses the strength to do so… Habara, perhaps there are hidden circumstances in this matter, but we hope you will cease resisting and voluntarily submit to investigation."
Habara sighed inwardly. Why can't these people understand plain language? He had already stated he only followed the Hokage's orders. Were these people the Hokage? Why did they speak with such condescending authority?
Homura referred to Habara's accusers as "eyewitnesses" while demanding Habara surrender and cooperate… Habara almost laughed out loud in anger. Did he look that stupid? If he fell into their hands, he would certainly be investigated, and likely subjected to far more than just an investigation.
Koharu Utatane added, "Habara, from this afternoon until just now, where were you, and what were you doing? Why were you missing and out of contact right up until the Hokage was attacked? Almost no ninja in the village saw you."
Habara glanced at the two advisors, who were, as always, putting on quite a show. Compared to an outsider like Habara, it was understandable that they would trust their companion of several decades more. Understandable, but…
…to fail to see Danzo Shimura's true face after decades – these eyes and brains might as well be thrown to the dogs.
Perhaps out of trust for Danzo, or perhaps merely wanting to maintain Konoha's stability – acting for the 'greater good' – the advisors' choices weren't entirely wrong from their perspective. But regardless, they had now positioned themselves completely opposite Habara.
Seeing Habara still showed no intention of submitting, Danzo Shimura shook his head. He swept his gaze around the assembled shinobi and declared: "Everyone, this is a rebellion—"
Unfortunately for him, most of the Foundation ninja were occupied elsewhere tonight. The remaining mobile elite forces had already been wiped out by Habara and Kakashi. This left Danzo with virtually no usable pawns at hand.
Listening closely, some ninja on both sides naturally understood Danzo's implication. They started to move towards Habara's side, presumably to attack, but were immediately stopped by kunai or short swords pressed against their backs or necks.
Voices spoke from behind them, "Don't move. Let the higher-ups handle the high-level affairs."
"I said, don't move."
Some tried to struggle, but within the dense crowd, it was impossible to distinguish who was loyal to the leadership and who supported Jonin Habara. Since it was impossible to tell, then truly no one should move rashly. Otherwise, whose arm, whose hand, whose kunai, whose sword might suddenly end your life – you wouldn't even know who to blame.
These restraining ninja didn't bother lowering their voices. Just as they couldn't clearly see the overall situation, the leadership couldn't clearly see them either. Thus, the overwhelming response Danzo had envisioned failed to materialize. He was left standing there awkwardly.
He was losing his composure. But fortunately for Danzo, there are still good people in the world. Someone stepped up to save him from the awkwardness. That good person's name was Habara.
Habara stood his ground, raised his voice so everyone could hear, and announced: "Everyone! Some of you may know me, some may not. It doesn't matter. Next, I will give a formal self-introduction."
"But before I introduce myself, I want to point out that without the Third Hokage, the so-called Konoha leadership is of this caliber – unable even to grasp the main point when handling matters. Perhaps because I possess some small measure of strength, they immediately view me as a threat. If the Third Hokage disappears, why does Konoha's leadership immediately see me as a threat, rather than a trustworthy asset? Because that is the extent of their vision – utterly insignificant."
These words instantly made Koharu Utatane explode with anger. She shrieked back, "Because you are the culprit who plotted against the Third Hokage!"
"You just wait your turn," Habara glanced at her dismissively, then continued addressing the surrounding ninja. "They accuse me of being the murderer who harmed the Third Hokage. Now, I will offer my rebuttal. Everyone, please observe my evidence."
Hearing Habara say this, Kushina Uzumaki started forward to grab him. Not because she wanted to protect the advisors – in fact, she thoroughly despised those two meddlers – but because she worried that if the missing Third Hokage returned, things would be difficult to explain.
However, after Kakashi quickly whispered something in her ear, Kushina ultimately remained where she was, taking no action.
As Habara finished speaking, an intense surge of chakra erupted from him. In the circular area immediately around his body, the escaping chakra became visibly distorted. More importantly, scarlet markings suddenly appeared at the corners of Habara's eyes.
In the darkness, some might not have noticed the change in his face, but many could certainly perceive what was happening to his body and understand its significance.
"That's… the same technique as Lord Jiraiya!" a Jonin in his forties murmured from a rooftop to the west.
"What? Lord Jiraiya?" his companion beside him asked, not quite catching the words, his eyes glued to the scene below.
"Remember what everyone calls Lord Jiraiya?"
"One of the Sannin. What's wrong with that?" the companion asked, confused why Jiraiya was being brought up.
"No, it's… Jiraiya, the Toad Sage."
Prompted by the reminder, the second ninja finally connected the image of Jiraiya on past battlefields with Habara's current state. He realized the resemblance was striking.
"It's Sage Mode…"
Even those who didn't understand the specifics could feel the awe-inspiring killing intent radiating from Habara. His intense chakra made the skin of every ninja standing against him prickle as if stabbed by needles.
Sage Art: Lightning Release - Karmic Retribution Binding Chidori Stream!
Intense lightning instantly spread outwards. But even before the lightning fully expanded, Habara's figure had vanished from his original spot.
A split second later, Habara reappeared behind Danzo and the two advisors, amidst the crowd of ninja standing there.
"Imbeciles," Habara's voice echoed, "your imaginations are truly impoverished, making your lies riddled with holes. Let me tell you, if I had attacked the Third Hokage, there would absolutely be no witnesses left. Understood?"
Strangely, as these ninja saw Habara standing among them like a demon god, they felt no fear. Then, they felt nothing of their bodies, no heartbeat, no breath, until even their own consciousness faded away.
Habara had exploded into action, cutting down a swath of ninja like reaping wheat. The two advisors, turning around, caught a glimpse of this massacre. Having not experienced real combat for many years, they could no longer contain themselves.
"Traitorous wretch! Konoha defector! Men—"
Koharu Utatane didn't finish her sentence. She suddenly felt short of breath. Then, she saw her own body somehow getting further and further away. A second or two later, her body went limp and collapsed to the ground.
This bizarre situation left her muddled. That's my robe… my body… Why can I see it?
Her thoughts grew sluggish, but she finally understood. Oh… right. My head isn't there anymore.
Habara's figure vanished from behind Danzo's group and reappeared instantly in front of them. This time, as he passed the three figures, he casually 'stole' something.
He extended his arms out to his sides, holding two long swords: one, the Mercury Sword, thin as a cicada's wing, reflecting the faint glow of his Lightning Release in the night; the other, pitch black, utterly concealed in the darkness.
The two swords handled differently. A head weighing over ten pounds could bend the mercury sword like a fishing rod, while the black iron sword remained perfectly rigid. In one swift pass, Habara had taken the heads of both advisors.
Regrettable. They could no longer speak out righteously.
They had just accused Habara of treachery. When this visually shocking scene actually occurred, even the shinobi, normally priding themselves on emotional control and impassivity, couldn't help but gasp collectively.
They weren't gasping at the sight of blood, but at the scene of gekokujo – the lower overthrowing the upper – happening so simply. Habara had effortlessly killed the two advisors, truly like swatting flies.
The right to speak comes not just from status, but from strength. The Third Hokage's word was law not only because he held the highest position in Konoha, but also because he was the strongest. Yet some people always thought becoming Hokage meant they could control everything, without asking themselves if they possessed the strength to back it up.
The evidence Habara used to prove his point was simply too 'hard'. If anyone wanted to hammer him now, they'd need literal 'hard proof' – a physical hammer.
Habara dropped the two heads, letting them roll across the ground. Advisor or not, if you couldn't overpower other ninja, you'd meet such an end sooner or later.
Previously, they had clung like parasites to the Third Hokage's authority, thinking themselves high and mighty. But remove the Third Hokage from the equation, and everyone could see their true caliber.
Kushina Uzumaki's gaze followed the rolling heads. Honestly, she was a bit stunned herself. After a moment, she blinked hard, then shot Kakashi a fierce glare.
Lowering her voice, she hissed through gritted teeth, "Kakashi! Didn't you say not to worry, that Habara would know the limits in a critical moment?!"
Kakashi: "..."
So unfair! Even the decapitation news reached me instantly!
He didn't know how he'd dared vouch for Habara. Under normal circumstances, Habara did know limits. The problem was, these weren't normal circumstances.
Habara looked at Danzo Shimura again, noticing the man's face had turned exceptionally dark. But Habara knew just how to comfort him at a time like this:
"Trash. Inferior to the Third now, inferior to the Third for a lifetime."
Killing the body, and attacking the spirit too. Danzo's already dark face now reached a shade so deep it bordered on comical. One can deceive others, but never oneself. Habara was merely happy to help others achieve correct self-awareness. If Danzo were asked how he was stronger than the Third Hokage, he'd probably have to think for a day or two just to fabricate an answer.