The Daimyo's Mansion of the Land of Fire basked in luxury and decadence.
The Fire Country Daimyo reclined lazily on a lavish deck chair, surrounded by scantily clad maids in ornate, exotic outfits. A steel pole was erected in the center of the grand hall, where a provocative dancer swayed seductively under flickering lanternlight.
This was the simple and modest daily routine of the Daimyo. Of course, in this context, "simple" meant extravagant, and "modest" referred to the absence of political ceremony. For protection, only one Uchiha stood close by—Itachi Uchiha. The rest of the Uchiha guards, including Uchiha Kamasu, were stationed at various distant corners of the palace, keeping a tight yet discreet security ring.
Though they all agreed an attack was unlikely, the Uchiha clan still adhered to their duty. Even when no danger is foreseen, a shinobi must never let down their guard.
Meanwhile, Andrew, a shinobi traveling alongside the Uchiha as an observer, had already confirmed his suspicions—Danzo had targeted someone within the Daimyo's Mansion.
But this time, things escalated far beyond what Andrew had anticipated. Whether Danzo's target was the Uchiha or the Daimyo himself was up for interpretation—but attacking the Daimyo's residence was a declaration of war.
Andrew could feel it in the chakra signatures—the agents from Root were strong, most of them at the Jōnin level. Worse, they weren't ordinary shinobi; they were Root operatives, thoroughly brainwashed and trained in Danzo's shadowy arts.
"Say what you will about Danzo," Andrew thought, "but his ability to command blind loyalty from these people is terrifying. No Sharingan, no Genjutsu control, just pure ideological manipulation—and a cursed tongue seal that prevents defection."
Unlike Obito, Danzo didn't enslave people with Uchiha eyes or illusions. His control was subtler. Psychological. Deeply rooted.
These Root operatives moved with frightening speed, reaching the outer perimeter of the Daimyo's Mansion after just one day of high-intensity travel.
"Recover your strength, scout for enemy chakra signatures, and proceed swiftly. Our goal is clear—seize a Sharingan and retreat without a trace." The team leader spoke with cold efficiency.
Danzo had been careful. The mission was surgical. The Uchiha guards, dispersed across the massive estate, were never clustered together. There would always be one or two isolated members. That was the opportunity.
The Root operatives' plan: locate a lone Uchiha, neutralize him instantly, extract his eye, and disappear.
No witnesses. No evidence. No justice.
Even if Itachi suspected Danzo's hand behind the attack, he couldn't prove anything. Root was disbanded on paper. Danzo was under village house arrest. No one could tie him to the assassination.
And of course, Sharingan were highly coveted. Who could say it wasn't missing-nin from another village?
"Target acquired," came the cold voice of a sensory ninja. "Southwest quadrant. One Uchiha alone. Nearest reinforcement is over a thousand meters away."
The Root agents moved.
The Daimyo's Mansion was vast, and the positioning of Uchiha personnel—though logical—had gaps. Thirty elite Jōnin scattered around a palace meant moments of vulnerability.
"Ninja Art: Transformation Jutsu!"
"Ninja Art: Insect Jade!"
"Shadow Imitation Technique!"
Only a fraction of the team moved to attack. The rest remained hidden, ready to intercept interference or act as couriers if needed.
Danzo had planned every angle.
Some among them might even be capable of delaying Itachi himself. Not winning, but buying just enough time to complete the mission.
The ambushed Uchiha never saw it coming. His chakra was suppressed, his body immobilized, and he couldn't even form a seal before being overwhelmed.
Andrew clenched his fists. These weren't fair fights. These were executions.
"Senjutsu Style: Lightning Chains!"
With a rapid series of hand seals, Andrew unleashed chakra-charged chains from his fingertips. They split mid-air, arcing like serpents toward each Root ninja.
"What the hell—AARGH!"
Paralyzing electricity surged through the enemy operatives. Andrew yanked hard, dragging their stunned bodies toward him.
"Mangekyō: Illusion World."
The few Root members who were still conscious locked eyes with him—only to be trapped in a web of illusion before they could blink.
The lone Uchiha, Uchiha Kamasu, collapsed to the ground gasping for breath. His chakra had been drained, and the paralysis jutsu had rendered him immobile.
"Andrew? Why are you here?"
"We'll talk later. They're under my Genjutsu now. Signal for reinforcements. Tell them we've been attacked. And when it's over—tell the Daimyo that Shimura Danzo tried to assassinate him."
"What?!"
Kamasu's eyes widened in disbelief. "Konoha's former elder came to assassinate the Daimyo?!"
But once the shock wore off, a grin spread across his face.
"I love it!"
Kamasu fired a signal flare. As reinforcements approached, Andrew used Genjutsu again—forcing the Root agents to resume fighting, this time pretending to clash with Kamasu.
"Who's attacking? What's going on?"
"It's Root! They're Jōnin-level! They even know Konoha's secret techniques!" Kamasu shouted dramatically, staggering for effect.
Andrew fought the urge to roll his eyes. "This guy's acting talent is wasted on escort missions."
As the rest of the Uchiha arrived, anger boiled in their veins.
"They followed us here? They want our eyes even inside the Daimyo's estate?!"
The Daimyo and Itachi arrived just in time to hear the shouting.
The Daimyo, at first excited to witness real shinobi combat, froze in horror when one of the Root agents broke free of illusion and pointed at the attic.
"The Daimyo is there! KILL HIM!"
"What? They're after me?!"
The Daimyo's composure cracked. "Block them! Block them all! I don't want to die!" he screamed, gripping Itachi's sleeve in panic.
"Calm yourself, my lord. They won't reach you. My people have already responded."
"Good. Good... Wait! Why do they want to kill me? Who sent them?"
Paranoia consumed him. Maybe he should hire even more Uchiha—maybe a hundred, no, two hundred guards!
"Daimyo-sama, please remain calm. Uchiha intelligence will uncover the truth shortly."
Kamasu leaped up beside them, saluted, and said, "Itachi. The attackers are from Root. All were extremely aggressive... and now all are dead."
The Daimyo interrupted, "Root? What's that? I don't know Root!"
"It's... complicated." Itachi hesitated. "Root is a black ops division of Konoha, operating outside legal oversight. Technically disbanded, but... Danzo still holds influence."
"Shimura Danzo..."
The Daimyo's expression turned cold. He remembered the name.
Years ago, when Konoha needed a new Hokage, Hiruzen nominated Namikaze Minato. Danzo nominated himself. The Daimyo chose Minato.
Danzo's glare that day... that murderous look... it haunted him still.
And now Danzo had sent assassins into his palace?
"Sarutobi Hiruzen! So this is how you repay my trust? Trying to install your own Daimyo, are you?!" he snarled.
"Someone fetch me parchment! I'll write to Hiruzen personally! I want answers!"
But his anger quickly shifted back to fear. "Itachi, can you double the Uchiha detail? I don't feel safe anymore!"
"I'll make the request, my lord. We'll protect you with our lives."
After securing the evidence—namely the bodies of the Root agents—Itachi left a shadow clone to guard the Daimyo and returned to Andrew.
"Are you hurt?" Itachi asked. "After this, I'll contact Tsunade to check your condition."
Andrew waved him off. "I'm fine. And Sasuke?"
Itachi tensed at the name, then softened.
"Thank you for watching over him... and for today."
"Don't mention it. Just let the Daimyo believe what he wants. Danzo's men attacked. That's all that matters."
Andrew's Mangekyō flared open. With careful control, Senjutsu chakra flowed from his right eye and wrapped around Itachi's body, healing tissue at a cellular level.
"That... was your Mangekyō technique? I feel... better."
"Temporarily. I can't cure you. But I can slow the damage. It's like putting out embers before the fire spreads."
Itachi nodded solemnly.
"Don't waste your eyes on me. But the Daimyo... he's planning to support us."
"Let him. But tell him Konoha restricts Uchiha movements. If he wants more help, let him take it up with the Third Hokage."
Andrew left quietly, as if he'd never been there.
Back in the Hokage's office, an Anbu arrived with an urgent letter.
Sarutobi Hiruzen opened it—and paled.
"Danzo's agents attacked the Daimyo?! And shouted to kill him?!"
The letter slipped from his hand as the blood drained from his face.
"Lord Hokage! Are you alright?!"
The Anbu's voice broke through his stupor, but Hiruzen barely heard it.
The fragile balance of power in the Land of Fire had just been shattered.
And the blade that shattered it... bore Danzo's name.
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