Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi had given him a way out, Uchiha breathed a sigh of relief.
Masaki Uchiha expressed his gratitude: "Thank you for your understanding, Lord Hokage. If that's all, I'll take my leave now."
As Masaki Uchiha rose to depart, Danzo's cold voice came from behind him: "Clan Head Masaki, I also hope you can discipline your clan members properly. The battlefield is a place for fighting, not for teaching lessons!
Even if teaching is needed, it should be done behind closed doors at home. And if they aren't disciplined properly, naturally someone else will do it.
Since you couldn't discipline them well yourself, don't complain when someone else does it instead. Otherwise, as the head of the clan, it's rather undignified to cause trouble.
As the largest ninja clan in Konoha, shouldn't you set a good example?"
Masaki Uchiha clenched his fists tightly, his heart surging with anger but finding no outlet.
He muttered through gritted teeth: "You're absolutely right, Lord Danzo."
Without saying more, Masaki Uchiha left without even turning back.
After Masaki Uchiha departed, Hiruzen chuckled and said: "Danzo, you arrived just in time."
"Hmph," Danzo snorted, "I've always had Root watching the Uchiha clan. When I saw Masaki Uchiha heading here, I could guess exactly what he was planning."
Frowning slightly, Hiruzen said: "Still, this time Chinya really went too far. Danzo, I think—"
Interrupting just as he'd interrupted Masaki Uchiha, Danzo cut in: "Don't tell me you're actually planning to punish Chinya. Think carefully—why did we send Chinya to the Land of Waves? Why did we send nearly a hundred Uchiha ninja there?
Chinya is executing our plan perfectly right now, better than expected. Though his methods might seem somewhat aggressive, they've been effective, haven't they? Even prompting Clan Head Masaki to personally come and ask for Chinya's punishment!"
Hiruzen remained silent, lost in thought.
Danzo looked down on Hiruzen with growing disdain.
Knowing Hiruzen so well, Danzo realized he was hesitating again.
Although clearly wanting to deal with the Uchiha clan, he was now hesitating over every concern, worried about resistance from their ranks.
If you're going to hesitate at every turn, then why send Chinya to lead the Uchiha in the Land of Waves?
Such indecision does not befit a true Hokage.
Tobirama-sensei, you were gravely mistaken. Hiruzen simply isn't suited to being Hokage. I am the one most suitable for becoming Hokage!"
Lowering his eyes slightly, Danzo said: "Hiruzen, understand Chinya's importance. If you punish Chinya, it means you don't approve of his methods, making him hesitant to act freely afterward. Once we've assigned someone to do something, we must trust them, otherwise it becomes meaningless.
Still, you can publicly criticize Chinya a little while explaining the entire incident. This way, you satisfy Masaki Uchiha and intimidate the rest of the Uchiha, letting them see Chinya's true methods and deepen their hatred for him.
As for Chinya himself, I'll explain things to him personally."
Hiruzen, I hope you understand that the issue with the Uchiha Clan absolutely cannot wait until after the war ends. We must act now; otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable.
Just look at how Masaki Uchiha dared to openly challenge you, demanding you punish Chinya or face confrontation. He's clearly forcing your hand. Think ahead—what will you do if they pressure you again?
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened with conflicting emotions.
Danzo's words had struck right into his heart.
As Hokage, he could absolutely not allow anyone to force decisions upon him.
Hiruzen's gaze turned icy: "Fine. We'll do it your way."
Seeing Hiruzen's agreement, Danzo immediately left the Hokage Tower.
...
In the Land of Waves, Chinya had already joined battle.
Due to Kazuo Uchiha's death, only nineteen squads instead of twenty were now scattered across the battlefield hunting Mist ninjas.
True to his word, Chinya charged at the front line of combat.
Meanwhile, back at Konoha's base, Wada Nara managed the supply logistics.
Later that day, Chinya received a message from Danzo.
After reading it, a faint scornful smile curved his lips.
"Public criticism? Classic Hiruzen Sarutobi—always trying to play both sides and offend no one. Still, it seems Danzo sees great potential in me."
In the letter, Danzo explained that Hiruzen had originally intended to reprimand Chinya, but he convinced him otherwise—encouraging Chinya to act freely and without interference.
Chinya burned the letter and returned to the battlefield.
One month passed.
During this time, under relentless Uchiha assaults, the Kiri ninja were finally suppressed.
The Uchiha forces suffered heavy losses—but the Mist sustained even heavier ones.
Under equal strength conditions, two Mist ninjas could barely match one Uchiha.
After this brutal month-long war, only about forty of the original ninety-one Uchiha remained.
Having witnessed Chinya's overwhelming power, any previously ambitious Uchiha grew obedient—even afraid to raise their heads when encountering him.
Now in the Land of Waves, it had become difficult to encounter any Mist ninjas—it was nearly impossible to find opponents.
After returning to Konoha's base with the remaining Uchiha forces, Chinya issued an order for total offensive mobilization. All Konoha ninjas joined the battle, determined to wipe out every remaining Mist ninja in the Land of Waves.
All shinobi stationed at Konoha's base spread out, beginning the systematic purge of Hidden Mist operatives throughout the Land of Waves.
Several days later, deep inside a forest.
Still just genin, Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu faced grave danger.
Standing before them were the Seven Swordsmen of the Bloody Mist.
Genma Shiranui uneasily eyed the powerful seven nearby: "Bad—we're surrounded!"
Guy felt despair creeping in: "This time, escape seems impossible."
Ebisu trembled in fear: "Aren't those members of Kirigakure's Seven Swordsmen?"
Biwa Juzo grinned widely: "Didn't expect little brats from other villages to know our names. Guess we've really become famous."
Biwa Juzo lifted the [Cleaver Sword] onto his shoulder. "Oh well, the blade's got a small chip. We'll need some blood to restore its power!"
Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, and Ebisu stood frozen in uncertainty. They couldn't even handle Biwa Juzo alone, let alone seven of them.
"No way we can take 'em down on our own."
As the three hesitated, unsure how to fight back, a green blur plummeted from the heavens and landed right in front of them.
It was Guy's father—Might Duy.
Might Duy exhaled in relief. "Just in time—Hmph! Leave the rest to me!"
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