"Y-Yes... understood!"
One of the ANBU swallowed hard as he spoke.
Though Uchiha Itachi was only thirteen, his tactics and presence were terrifying.
Especially that piercing, crimson gaze—no one dared meet his eyes.
Just standing near him felt like being caught doing something wrong by a teacher or a parent—it made your whole body tense.
They understood now. The moment they joined the attack, there was no turning back.
The Shimura clan members in Konoha—they had to die.
If even one escaped, every noble clan involved would be at risk.
If even one survived, they might one day come back for revenge—and no one was willing to take that chance.
This was a blood feud.
They couldn't bet on mercy.
Only death would bring peace of mind.
Leave no root, and nothing can regrow.
Their clans had too much at stake.
They couldn't risk leaving the enemy alive.
Mercy to enemies was cruelty to themselves.
The Shimura compound was sealed with a barrier. All exits were blocked.
Only the stench of blood drifted from within.
Everyone knew—the Shimura clan was finished.
The villagers were on edge, scared out of their minds.
They shut their doors, afraid to even look outside.
Though it was broad daylight, Konoha fell into complete silence.
The usually busy streets were deserted and quiet.
The once-lively village now felt cold and lifeless.
ANBU spread across the village. Any Shimura member who resisted was killed on the spot.
Even those who surrendered and let themselves be taken didn't last long.
The moment they were led into alleys, they collapsed one after another—foaming at the mouth, dying without a sound.
None made it to prison.
Some who fainted were burned to ash by Fire Release, or sliced to bits by Wind Release.
Not a single one was spared.
After all, the Hokage had declared that Danzo had stolen a scroll containing S-rank forbidden jutsu—and to ensure secrecy, even their corpses had to vanish.
Finally, dozens of Sarutobi clan shinobi gathered and unleashed a fire technique passed down through generations:
Fire Release: Great Flame Technique!
The Shimura compound burned to ashes.
Massive clouds of fire turned the sky crimson, flames roaring high into the sky.
The official report:
"An accidental fire broke out at the Shimura compound during the midday rest.
All clan members perished in the blaze.
Remaining members, overcome with grief, suffered fatal heart attacks due to a rare hereditary condition."
"The Hokage extends his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the Shimura clan."
"May the deceased rest in peace, and may the living move forward with strength.
Let this be a reminder to all—respect life, and the forces of nature."
"Never thought the Hokage would actually go after Lord Danzo..."
"So brutal."
"Didn't leave a single one alive."
The villagers didn't dare speak out.
Their fear and hatred toward Hiruzen Sarutobi were mixed—he was terrifying.
What if he lost it again and turned on today's protesters next time?
By then, no one in Konoha would be safe.
Luckily, Hiruzen didn't seek further punishment.
A few hours later, life in Konoha slowly returned to normal.
But the Shimura compound became a forbidden place.
No one dared approach it—even if it was on their way, they'd take the long route instead.
The feeling of "mourning the rabbit when the fox dies" was everywhere.
And when people remembered that the Senju clan and the Uzumaki clan had both been wiped out under Hiruzen's watch, smaller clans grew terrified of the Sarutobi.
What if they found a reason to wipe us out too?
...
At the Uzumaki Clan ruins, inside the Mask Storage Temple, Orochimaru had been happily chatting with Danzo Shimura.
But now, his expression froze.
His gaze grew complicated as he looked at Danzo.
"Lord Danzo... my condolences."
Danzo: "?"
What was that look of pity from Orochimaru?
"I just received word. The Shimura clan and the Root base... are gone."
"...Gone? What do you mean gone?"
Danzo's lone eye widened in disbelief.
"When I left, everything was fine! How could it all disappear so quickly?! Unless..."
"Was it... Hiruzen?"
Danzo took a deep breath, veins popping in his hand.
He clenched his jaw so tightly it looked like his teeth would shatter—but he forced himself to stay calm.
"Yes." Orochimaru nodded slowly.
"Not long ago, ANBU and Sarutobi clan shinobi led an operation.
They destroyed the Shimura clan."
"Every Shimura member in Konoha was killed.
The clan compound, ancestral hall, and Root base were all burned to ash.
No one survived."
Orochimaru's voice turned hoarse.
"...I can't believe he really did it," Danzo muttered.
"What grudge... what hatred..."
"Even the elderly and children weren't spared."
"I never thought he could be so ruthless."
"He's nothing but an executioner!"
Worse than a beast!"
Tears welled in Danzo's eye.
"I really misjudged him..."
"True." Orochimaru agreed.
"That old man really is a monster. Total scum."
"All the work I did for half my life... burned to the ground by Hiruzen."
Danzo wiped his tears and stood up, voice full of rage.
"Mark my words — every grudge, every betrayal — he dies tonight.
And not just him. The Sarutobi clan won't have a single survivor."
"Damn it, that dog Hiruzen Sarutobi must have stolen all my collections from over half my life!"
Danzo's eye twitched.
Just thinking about all those classified documents and treasures in Hiruzen's hands made his blood pressure spike.
[Uchiha Itachi's clone, disguised as Orochimaru]: "..."
So you're not crying for your dead clan...
You're upset about the money?!
"Lord Danzo, don't worry," 'Orochimaru' said gently.
"Out with the old, in with the new. Everything Hiruzen stole today...
You'll get it all back tonight."
"No need to be upset."
"I'm not upset!" Danzo snapped, wiping his face.
"I'm just a little... uncomfortable."
"That damn Hiruzen! What he took from me—I'll take back double!"
"Good thing I brought loyal followers with me. That's the only reason I made it out."
Danzo sighed, fear flashing in his eyes.
If he had stayed at the base drinking tea, he'd be dead now.
Fortunately, his suspicion of Orochimaru had made him tag along—and that ended up saving his life.
He never expected that his paranoia would turn out to be a blessing.
"Misfortune hides within fortune, and fortune lies within misfortune.
When luck strikes, nothing can stop it.
Since fate spared your life, you must be someone with great destiny."
"The will of heaven is clear."
"The Hokage position rotates, and this year it's your turn. I think tonight's plan is solid," Orochimaru said.
"Exactly. Since the heavens spared me, that means Hiruzen's time is up."
"Right now, I've got fate on my side.
And with all the atrocities Hiruzen's committed lately—he's lost the people's trust."
"Everything's lined up—time, place, and support.
He's done for."
Danzo growled through gritted teeth.