Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was ashen.
Everything the Uchiha had said directly drove a wedge between the Hokage faction and the other clans.
And with three Mangekyō Sharingan users standing before them, it was something Konoha simply could not deal with head-on.
The Third Hokage spoke in a deep voice,
"Uchiha Iwadai, I need time to investigate this matter."
A look of contempt appeared on the First Elder's face, as if he had already expected Sarutobi to back down.
At that moment, Itachi spoke again,
"There is concrete evidence—on Danzō himself."
"Not only is his right eye a Sharingan, but on the arm wrapped in bandages, there are still Sharingan belonging to our Uchiha clan."
Danzō's Wood Release arm required Sharingan to suppress it.
Unless the entire arm was removed, those eyes could not be taken out.
"However, that alone doesn't really involve the other clans."
The representatives of the other clans immediately pricked up their ears.
The Third Hokage's heart skipped a beat. He didn't know what Itachi was about to say next, but at this point, he couldn't stop him.
"What do you mean?" someone asked.
The First Elder gave Itachi a signal, and Itachi continued:
"Danzō intended to destroy the Uchiha clan, so he found himself an accomplice."
"This person was not from our Uchiha clan, yet he possessed a Mangekyō Sharingan."
"He is proficient in space–time ninjutsu and can freely enter and leave the village's barrier."
"And the Nine-Tails incident back then was orchestrated jointly by Danzō and this man!"
Shock rippled across everyone's faces.
The major clans could no longer remain calm.
The earlier accusations hadn't directly involved them—but the Nine-Tails incident?
Countless clan members had died in that disaster, and even the Fourth Hokage had fallen.
The Nine-Tails incident was the turning point from Konoha's prosperity to its decline.
This implicated the entire village.
As Konoha's chief strategist, Nara Shikaku spoke gravely,
"Itachi, do you have any proof?"
Itachi replied expressionlessly,
"Everyone here knows how desperately Danzō covets the Hokage position."
"The Fourth Hokage was young and in his prime. Without the Nine-Tails incident, Danzō could wait until he died of old age and still never become Hokage."
"During the Nine-Tails incident, our Uchiha clan was ordered to escort civilians to safety."
"But afterward, Danzō deliberately spread rumors that the Uchiha had done nothing, using that to suppress our clan."
"After he attacked Shisui and obtained Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan, he repeatedly requested that the Third Hokage hand the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki over to him for custody."
"Because with a Mangekyō, he was already capable of controlling the Nine-Tails."
"Danzō ordered the extermination of our Uchiha clan because only another Mangekyō Sharingan could break the control over a Nine-Tails jinchūriki manipulated by the Sharingan."
Hearing this, Shikaku frowned in thought.
These were all circumstantial arguments—there was no direct proof.
Although Ufeng knew that the Nine-Tails incident had been carried out by Obito, since Danzō could pin a black pot on the Uchiha—
Then the Uchiha could just as easily pin one back on Danzō.
As Sarutobi's dirty-work man, Danzō was filthy enough already.
No matter what you dumped on him, it would stick.
Because Ufeng's true goal was to muddy the waters, laying the groundwork for what would come later.
After Itachi finished speaking, Ufeng stepped forward.
"Recently, every Uchiha who went out on missions has failed to return."
"If I hadn't broken through myself, I wouldn't have come back either."
He directly opened a storage scroll and took out three corpses—heads severed from their bodies.
"Their attire… the Third Hokage recognizes it, don't you?"
Earlier that day, Ufeng had already carried those heads openly through the village.
Everyone knew exactly what they were.
The First Elder narrowed his eyes, glaring viciously at the Third Hokage.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen—was it you who gave the order for Danzō's people to ambush our Uchiha clan?"
Sarutobi's brow twitched violently.
This kind of dirty work had indeed been done at his tacit approval—but there was no way he could admit it now.
He answered firmly,
"Absolutely not. This matter has nothing to do with me!"
The corner of Uchiha Iwadai's mouth curled upward.
"Then what's wrong with us taking back our own Sharingan?"
"What's wrong with hunting down Root members who invaded our territory?!"
"Sarutobi Hiruzen—are you going to protect Danzō no matter what?!"
Sarutobi's temples throbbed wildly.
The upright, benevolent image he had cultivated for decades had now become the very chain binding him.
"Uchiha Iwadai, Danzō is still the Hokage's advisor. Even if there are issues, you cannot act on your own."
"If there were problems, you should have reported them to me in advance."
Iwadai shot him a disdainful look.
"Someone who blindly defends criminals has no credibility whatsoever."
Sarutobi was left speechless.
The clan leaders nearby all wore ambiguous expressions, each lost in their own thoughts.
Though Danzō had always been disliked by the other clans, few knew exactly what he had done.
And although the Uchiha were condemning Danzō, everyone understood that Danzō and the Third Hokage were inseparable.
In other words, the Uchiha were pointing at Danzō—but scolding Sarutobi.
And with three Mangekyō Sharingan revealed, this was clearly the opening move of a forceful rebellion.
The First Elder wasn't finished yet. He continued provoking them:
"You Konoha leaders are all useless—good for nothing except squeezing the clans beneath you!"
"Root wants a clan's genius, and they just take one."
The Aburame and Yamanaka representatives darkened in expression.
"When Kumogakure sends someone to die on purpose, Konoha not only refuses to protect its people, but even demands the head of a clan leader!"
Hiashi Hyūga's face turned iron-blue.
"When you set your sights on our bloodline limits, we're expected to hand them over with both hands—or face extermination."
"All clans should think carefully—"
"Is this kind of Konoha still worth following?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura all changed color in fury.
No wonder the Uchiha had insisted on assembling all the clans—their goal was to split Konoha from its clans.
"Enough! Uchiha Iwadai!"
Sarutobi barked angrily.
"I will investigate everything Danzō has done and give you a satisfactory explanation."
"But today, your people must return to your clan grounds."
Iwadai let out a deep, booming laugh, full of ridicule.
"I don't believe you'll uncover anything at all."
"In the end, Danzō will surely be found completely innocent—his arm definitely won't have any Sharingan on it."
"Or perhaps in a few days, Danzō will conveniently die for one reason or another, and you'll claim there's no evidence left. Isn't that right?"
"I can even draft the speech for you—you'd just have to read it."
Once again, Iwadai forced Sarutobi into a corner.
Regardless of whether Danzō was actually in danger right now—
Even if he were, Konoha could not allow Danzō to die.
Iwadai then changed his tone:
"However, for the sake of the other clans, I'll give you time to investigate."
"But during this time, Konoha had better not try any tricks on us!"
As he spoke, Iwadai waved his hand.
From within the Uchiha ranks, Yūsuke and the others dragged three people into the center.
They were Kakashi—his Sharingan already gouged out—
And two other ANBU.
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