Danzō Shimura was not the kind of hotheaded fool who would lose control over a single insult—especially not when Uchiha Sora looked this confident.
He glanced toward the sensory-type ninja, waiting for a proper report.
"Danzō-sama… the chakra inside that creature is… different. It's somewhat similar to the natural energy described in old records."
"I can't determine its exact level, but I can confirm… it's strong."
…
And that's different from useless how?
That single blast just now already rivaled a combined jōnin-level technique. Did he need to be told it was strong?
Suppressing his irritation, Danzō slanted his gaze toward Fugaku Uchiha.
"Is this the will of the clan… or that boy's personal action?"
Under normal circumstances, he would not have wasted words. He would have commanded Root to begin the purge immediately.
But after Uchiha Sora moved, Fugaku had looked just as shocked as everyone else—like he had no idea Sora would do this. He had even restrained a few impulsive clan members.
That meant there was room to split them.
Let them tear at each other first.
Then Root would clean up—thoroughly.
After all, the Uchiha struck first.
Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi were standing here, he would not spare the Uchiha now.
Fugaku's expression was uglier than ever, eyes locked on Uchiha Sora.
"Give me a reason."
Sora folded his arms, voice flat.
"I've already given you my reason."
"Do you not understand what it means when the Nine-Tails breaks free?"
Fugaku lowered his gaze, thoughts colliding in an ugly storm.
He lacked decisiveness when faced with major choices—but as clan head, he still understood faster than Shisui what this would lead to.
When a tailed beast was torn away from its jinchūriki, there was only one ending.
Kushina was doomed.
He hadn't even considered the Fourth Hokage dying. Like everyone in the village, Fugaku believed that once Minato arrived, the Nine-Tails would be sealed again.
But—
Everyone had seen the tomoe appear in the Nine-Tails' eyes.
The identity of the mastermind had already been narrowed down to one place.
The Uchiha.
Minato had been willing to show acceptance before.
After this?
Faced with the clan he believed responsible for his beloved wife's death… could he truly treat them the same?
Put yourself in his place.
If Fugaku learned some shinobi clan had killed Mikoto…
He would never forgive them.
And yet—
"Sora… stop."
Fugaku's voice came out heavy.
"I will explain everything to the Fourth Hokage."
"Even with that powerful summon, you are still nowhere near the village's total strength. Even if you add my own… it won't be enough."
With a long sigh, Fugaku continued, sounding almost weary.
"As clan head, I guarantee it. I will protect you."
The Military Police members—those who didn't fully grasp the situation—exchanged uncertain looks. Compared to a boy who had joined relatively recently, they trusted their clan head more.
Uchiha Sora smiled slightly.
I knew you'd say that.
Then he shouted—loud enough for everyone present to hear.
"Clan Head!"
"Didn't we agree earlier?! I use Rayquaza to hold them down—while you use your invincible Mangekyō Sharingan to take the head of that old dog, Danzō!"
…
!!!
Danzō's pupil shrank.
He reflexively stepped back, his single visible eye locked on Fugaku. His grip tightened around his kunai.
Compared to some unknown monstrous summon, the Mangekyō Sharingan was far more terrifying.
"Mangekyō…"
The Uchiha stared at Fugaku in shock.
That was the realm beyond the three tomoe—those legendary eyes, spoken of only in whispers.
Did that mean…?
Click—
Fugaku's hand pressed against the hilt of his blade. His face was darker than death itself.
He didn't bother denying it.
Once suspicion was planted, trust no longer existed. He didn't need Uchiha Sora to explain that.
If the village learned he had concealed the awakening of the Mangekyō Sharingan, the severity would be comparable to a daimyō's retainer privately raising an army.
In other words—
Treason.
Fugaku exhaled slowly and lifted his eyes to Sora.
"How did you know…? No. That doesn't matter anymore."
"You're going to drag the Uchiha into hell."
Uchiha Sora smiled calmly.
"The Uchiha won't go to hell."
"And we won't go to heaven."
He spread his arms, voice steady as a blade.
"Clan Head Fugaku—don't forget who we are."
"We are the strongest Uchiha."
"Can you tolerate living in the village we founded… while having no place within it?"
"Choose."
"Do we submit and wait to be judged?"
"Or do we gamble everything?"
…
Dead silence.
It felt as though the entire world was waiting for Fugaku to decide.
"Hah…"
Flash!
Fugaku drew his sword, voice cold.
"No one… gets to judge the Uchiha."
"Danzō Shimura forged the Hokage's order and stopped the Military Police from aiding the Fourth Hokage."
"Kill him!"
Deep black tomoe fused within his eye, twisting into a strange, exquisite pattern.
The Mangekyō Sharingan.
Terrifying ocular power burst forth like a beast finally freed, roaring and surging.
…
It was the pressure of the moment—yet also years of bitterness.
Kill Danzō, then support Minato. He'll listen when I explain.
It isn't too late. It can still be saved.
…
Uchiha Sora shook his head.
As expected—people didn't change.
Even now, he still wanted to wrap it in the banner of "purging corrupt officials."
Whatever.
As long as Fugaku was willing to swing the blade, that was enough.
…
Rayquaza had a time limit.
Sora wasn't going to waste it.
While they spoke, Rayquaza had been continuously using Dragon Dance, stacking speed and power—again and again.
And Sora realized something else.
Under some unknown influence, Rayquaza's energy was rapidly converting into chakra he could use.
His current state was almost like being Rayquaza's jinchūriki—able to draw upon its power to cast ninjutsu.
Naruto lived off "collecting rent."
Sora lived off borrowing.
Same concept.
Power was power—if you could use it, that was enough.
Clap!
He pressed his palms together. Vast chakra surged, forming a pale-blue pressure wave visible to the naked eye.
This sensation—endless power, overflowing without limit…
It was intoxicating.
…
When the chakra reached a threshold, Sora's hands flew through seals.
Rat—Ox—Dog—Horse—Monkey—Boar—
Ending on Tiger.
"Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame!"
From atop Rayquaza, a raging sea of fire poured down like a tidal wave—blotting out the sky!
"How can Fire Release reach that scale?!"
"Don't stand there—use Water Release!"
"Water Release: Water Encampment Wall!"
BOOM!!!
Multiple walls of water surged up, colliding with the inferno and detonating into a storm of steam.
…
Shisui watched the Uchiha clash with Root—then turned toward the ruined village in the distance.
Why…
Why were shinobi fighting here—
While civilians and comrades suffered out there?
No matter what, they should be saving people first!
Then a voice reached his ears.
"That man… is Danzō Shimura."
"The proof is in his eye. That Sharingan should be Kagami Uchiha's."
The speaker was a blue ninja cat.
A cigar hung from its mouth, and each paw gripped three throwing knives.
"Kid Sora told me to tell you. I don't know what it means."
Garo spat toward the sky, glaring at Uchiha Sora atop Rayquaza.
"Damn it… he's got a ride that cool and didn't invite Lord Garo to join the fun. No loyalty at all!"
…
Shisui's pupils shook violently.
He understood exactly what "that man" meant.
The one who would slaughter the Uchiha…
Was Danzō Shimura.
And the meaning of his ancestor's eye—
Did that mean Kagami was killed by him too?!
Even Shisui—the man who always tried to smile—now had killing intent flooding his gaze.
Cold ocular power seeped outward, calm and merciless.
No matter what…
If he tore off your mask, he would know the truth.