Yuto Uchiha and Hizashi Hyuga had already entered Danzo's room.
Recently, through the influence of Hizashi, the head of the Branch family, nearly all members of the Branch family had their Caged Bird seals removed and chosen to follow Hizashi in aligning with Danzo.
The Uchiha clansmen who had long resented Fugaku Uchiha and Minato Namikaze had now fully pledged their loyalty to Danzo.
In addition, a group of Root ninja who had long been under surveillance had now quietly joined his ranks, further strengthening Danzo's forces.
Danzo spoke, "The time has come. The upcoming Chunin Exams will be our opportunity. I have already allied with Sunagakure, and we will seize control of Konoha's leadership."
Yuto Uchiha felt thrilled, as Danzo had previously promised him that once he became Hokage, he would name them the true inheritors of the Uchiha clan, elevating them to Konoha's most honored ninja family with full privileges.
However, Hizashi Hyuga couldn't bring himself to feel happy—Hizashi looked troubled. He hadn't expected Danzo to involve Sunagakure in Konoha's internal affairs.
Hizashi only wanted to change the fate of the Branch family—not plunge Konoha into chaos.
As if seeing through Hizashi's thoughts, Danzo threatened, "Right now, we're all in the same boat. If we fail, we'll all be branded as traitors to Konoha. There's no turning back. Even if not for yourselves, think carefully about your families."
Unaware of the veiled threat aimed at Hizashi, Yuto immediately pledged his loyalty. "Lord Danzo, I will obey your every command!"
Danzo nodded in satisfaction at Yuto's response before turning his gaze to Hizashi Hyuga.
Hizashi half-closed his eyes, his voice heavy with mixed emotions. "I shall obey Lord Danzo's orders accordingly."
Nodding slightly, Danzo continued, "The official start of our plan will be during the main stage of the Chunin Exams. At that time, Minato Namikaze will invite Rasa to attend. I plan to have Rasa and the ninja from Sunagakure deal with Minato.
Your task is to cooperate with other Sunagakure ninja to intercept and eliminate anyone attempting to reinforce Minato. Meanwhile, my Root ninja will go after Hikaku Uchiha!"
Danzo deeply desired Hikaku's Sharingan. Currently, his right eye was a [Spinning Three-Tomoe Sharingan].
Additionally, his right arm had undergone modifications.
This was made possible by an extremely unusual individual who had become a test subject in Orochimaru's Scientific Research Division. This person possessed an extraordinary constitution that prevented rejection of any transplanted organs.
Researchers working under Danzo grafted Hashirama cells onto this arm.
The Hashirama cells caused no rejection. Moreover, they transplanted ten Spinning Three-Tomoe Sharingan eyes—taken from various deceased Uchiha clansmen—onto that arm.
The reason Danzo had implanted so many Spinning Three-Tomoe Sharingan was that he had acquired a dojutsu technique usable through them — [Izanagi].
When activating [Izanagi], a Sharingan user can rewrite any unfavorable events that occurred within a specific timeframe as if they had never happened, selecting only favorable outcomes to manifest as reality.
Possessing the Sharingan himself, Danzo fully understood its immense power and thus longed for the Mangekyo Sharingan even more.
Hikaku Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan, acquired through transplantation, possessed no less than four dojutsu. One of them, [Eight Trigrams Sealing Array], was particularly powerful. Therefore, compared with Obito, Shisui, and Fugaku Uchiha, Hikaku Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan clearly surpassed theirs.
Danzo continued, "No plan can guarantee one hundred percent success. I will ask Rasa to have Sunagakure's jinchuriki participate in this Chunin Exams as well, increasing our chances of success. Once the plan is finalized, I'll let you know. For now, all of you just need to prepare."
Yuto Uchiha and Hizashi Hyuga responded in unison, "Yes!"
...
A few days later.
During these days, Hinata had been shadowing Shindai at the Scientific Research Division, repeatedly reviewing footage of her recent battle against Haku.
Meanwhile, Shindai remained in the lab, researching materials resistant to high-acid corrosion while discussing tailed beast chakra research with Orochimaru.
Kakashi's squad had completed their mission in the Land of Waves and returned to Konoha Village.
Since this mission was extremely difficult, Kakashi gave Naruto's team a few days off.
However, Sasuke didn't want time off and asked Kakashi to teach him Chidori.
Naruto also wanted to learn, but since he didn't possess lightning-natured chakra, he couldn't. Instead, he continued refining his Rasengan.
Currently, Naruto had already mastered the third stage of Rasengan. He was just one step away from completely mastering the Rasengan.
Sakura went to the ninja hospital because during their last mission, when Sasuke was severely injured, she couldn't help at all—Kakashi had performed emergency treatment on his wounds.
This led Sakura to decide she wanted to become a medical ninja. She realized she couldn't assist Naruto and Sasuke directly in battle, so she'd rather become a medical ninja who could support and back them up.
She shared this idea with Kakashi, who wholeheartedly supported Sakura's decision.
Everyone has different strengths. Sakura demonstrated excellent control over chakra, suggesting she likely possessed great talent for medical ninjutsu.
A few more days passed.
Once again, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura gathered together.
Seeing both Sasuke and Sakura, Naruto cheerfully greeted them, "Yo, Sasuke, Sakura! Long time no see!"
Sakura tilted her head slightly and replied, "Long time?"
"It's only been a few days, but still..."
Sakura blushed and stole a glance at Sasuke, "It really has been too long since we last saw each other, Sasuke..."
Naruto grimaced. This was so unfair!
Sasuke gave Naruto a sidelong glance, "Hmph, without you around lately, my mood's been especially good."
A vein bulged on Naruto's forehead instantly. Just as he was about to argue back, he suddenly had an idea and started swaying his hips dramatically, speaking in a mocking tone, "Although I really dislike you, I've always considered you my best friend. You absolutely mustn't die, dattebayo..."
Sasuke felt extremely embarrassed. His face flushed bright red as he grabbed Naruto's collar angrily, "Are you looking for trouble?"
Yet Naruto looked completely unfazed, continuing with his shtick, "Sasuke, although I really dislike you too, since you're so eager to be my friend, I'll reluctantly agree..."
"You...!"
Sasuke tightened his grip on Naruto's collar and pulled hard. Their faces were now practically touching.
"Come on, you two, stop fighting!"
Sakura hurriedly tried to stop them, not because she feared they'd get into a fight, but because the current pose between Sasuke and Naruto was just too intimate!
She wanted to have an intimate moment with Sasuke too!
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