[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roooaaa]
===
"This is infuriating!"
Danzo Shimura's eyes burned red—not from activating the Sharingan, but from sheer rage.
During this night of massacre, he had been the most diligent.
He had forged Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders, forcing the ninja academy to administer an impromptu exam to delay Sasuke Uchiha's return.
He had also quietly granted the entire Konoha Military Police Force a day off, sending them home—making it easier for Itachi Uchiha to eliminate them all at once.
On top of that, he had deployed Root operatives to set up a barrier.
Even if he hadn't achieved his goal, he had certainly put in the effort.
Yet, after all that, he hadn't managed to seize a single pair of Sharingan.
Now, he would have to take the fall and face Hiruzen's interrogation.
The mere thought made his face twist in agony.
If Sasame had been there, he might have recognized the expression—it bore an uncanny resemblance to that infamous "Nine-Turn Pork Intestine" chef from his past life.
Orochimaru, at least, was slightly better off.
Thanks to his previous experiments on Uchiha prodigies, he had already obtained several Sharingan.
Moreover, he had a unique test subject—Shin Uchiha.
Though not a true Uchiha, Shin was a rare human whose body rejected no transplanted tissue.
The new arm Orochimaru had given Danzo was actually his.
Combined with advanced cloning techniques, acquiring more Sharingan wouldn't be difficult.
But obtaining the Mangekyō Sharingan? That would take an excruciatingly long time.
Stealing it outright would have been far more efficient.
Yet every attempt had failed.
Orochimaru was starting to believe the Mangekyō was cursed—whenever he got close, disaster struck.
Especially with Sasame involved.
Gradually, Orochimaru calmed himself.
He had backup plans—he wasn't worried.
Only Danzo suffered a crushing loss.
Without the Sharingan, he couldn't freely use Izanagi, cutting his strength in half.
Now, he was just another elite jonin.
Unacceptable.
After all, he was destined to be Hokage.
"Lord Danzo."
A Root operative appeared, kneeling. "After counting the Uchiha corpses, we found around three hundred missing."
"What?!"
Danzo whirled around, his face lighting up with sudden hope. "Where are they now?"
Three hundred people!
Heaven hadn't abandoned him!
Even if most were civilians, there had to be a few shinobi among them.
Enough for multiple Three-Tomoe Sharingan pairs.
Orochimaru smirked inwardly.
Whoever had snatched those eyes so effortlessly must possess terrifying methods.
Did Danzo really think they'd just leave three hundred Uchiha for him?
Itachi Uchiha, brainwashed by the Will of Fire.
Danzo Shimura, blinded by his lust for the Hokage seat.
Both fools.
"Handle the rest yourself."
Orochimaru had no interest in sticking around for Hiruzen's inevitable arrival.
"Don't forget your promise."
Danzo turned—only to find Orochimaru already gone.
His brow furrowed.
That man had no respect for him.
If not for his biological research, Danzo would have killed him long ago.
"Traces suggest they might be at the Naka Shrine," the Root operative answered.
"Ah, the Naka Shrine."
Danzo's eyes gleamed.
Orochimaru had mentioned that the body of Seinosuke Sarutobi was there—meaning it would be guarded by Uchiha shinobi.
"Half of Root will stay to search for anything valuable. The rest, follow me to the Naka Shrine."
Danzo issued the order immediately.
"Lord Danzo."
Another operative appeared. "The Hokage is on his way."
Danzo paused.
Truthfully, he was a little nervous.
But then he remembered Seinosuke and waved it off.
"Go ahead. I'll catch up."
"Understood."
The two operatives vanished.
Root obeyed only Danzo—not even the Hokage could command them.
"DANZO!"
Hirzen's voice roared before he did.
His face was dark with fury.
The moment he appeared, he demanded, "What is the meaning of this?! I told you to wait—why did you act alone?!"
"Hesitation means defeat, Hiruzen."
Danzo's voice was icy. "If those elite jonin had rebelled, the damage to Konoha would have been catastrophic. But now, without a single additional casualty, I've eliminated the Uchiha threat."
"You bastard!"
Hiruzen pointed at the corpses littering the streets. "If this was truly for Konoha, then where are their eyes?"
I wish I knew!
Danzo's temper flared. "A mysterious expert took them. I didn't get a single one."
"Another 'mysterious expert'?"
Hiruzen let out a bitter laugh. "Can't you at least try to lie convincingly?"
Konoha was one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages—not some backwater where random powerhouses could waltz in and out.
Where did all these "mysterious experts" keep coming from?
Hiruzen was certain Danzo had hoarded the Sharingan for himself.
After all, he had always coveted them.
"It wasn't me!" Danzo snapped.
"Fine. Let's say it wasn't."
Hiruzen took a deep breath. "Where is Itachi Uchiha?"
"After slaughtering his clan, he defected."
Danzo recited the prepared script.
"What?!"
Hiruzen was stunned.
He had assumed Root was responsible—but it had been Itachi?
Yet, thinking about it, Root lacked the strength.
Only Itachi, with his Mangekyō Sharingan and insider access, could have wiped out the Uchiha so thoroughly.
A flicker of guilt crossed Hiruzen's eyes.
Why go so far?
He understood Itachi's reasoning.
What a noble child…
Hiruzen's aged frame seemed to sag further.
With the Uchiha gone, Konoha's power had dwindled—other villages might see an opportunity to strike.
This was why he had always sought to avoid violence.
"Hiruzen, there's one more thing."
Danzo dropped his final bomb. "While searching the Uchiha archives, Root discovered they had kidnapped Seinosuke. He's being held at the Naka Shrine."
"What?!"
Hiruzen's head jerked up, his expression shifting. "The audacity!"
Danzo smirked internally.
So much for your remorse. The mask slips, eh?
Hiruzen had always been skilled at keeping him in check—not too evil, but far from the saint people believed.
The number of shinobi who had died by his hand was far from small.
"We'll see for ourselves at the Naka Shrine."
Danzo gestured. "Given the Uchiha's nature, kidnapping Seinosuke after his Wood Release was exposed was inevitable."
Hiruzen nodded silently.
Deep down, he had suspected—but he hadn't wanted to escalate tensions further.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 180 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 55 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
(Give me all your power stones)