Think It Through

The Third Hokage took a deep breath.

"Uchiha Shamu, think this through. You represent the Uchiha Clan."

Shamu sneered.

"That is none of your concern. I am the head of the Uchiha Clan."

Tap... tap... tap...

Orochimaru, seated at the head of the table, slowly tapped the tabletop a few times.

Everyone turned to look at the Fifth Hokage, who had remained silent until now.

When Orochimaru saw that everyone was watching him—

He rose to his feet.

In an even tone, he asked,

"Uchiha Shamu, are you certain you wish to withdraw the Uchiha Clan from Konoha?"

Shamu met Orochimaru's gaze without yielding an inch.

"That's right."

The atmosphere in the entire conference room became incomparably oppressive.

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, and a faint killing intent began to seep from him.

Only then did everyone remember that Orochimaru was no harmless man. Back then, he had been a genuine frontline commander.

His immense reputation had been carved out through slaughter.

Cold sweat beaded on the brows of some elders. Most of them were no longer young.

If Orochimaru and Shamu started fighting here, whether they could get out unharmed was difficult to say.

Jiraiya felt as though he were sitting on pins and needles. Konoha was entirely in the wrong over this matter.

If a fight truly broke out here, it would undoubtedly be a disaster.

Amid the tense atmosphere—

Shamu grabbed the scrolls on the table and directly threw them at Orochimaru.

"Lord Orochimaru, think this through."

Orochimaru reached out and caught the scrolls.

He unrolled one and his expression jolted. Then he opened several more.

After reading them, his killing intent subsided.

He then handed the scrolls to the Third Hokage and Jiraiya beside him.

After reading them, the Third Hokage passed them around.

Jiraiya also let