Crimson Flames Soaring Sky (1)

"Two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan!?"

The pipe in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand clattered to the floor.

He did not even bother picking it up. He merely stared at Uchiha Itachi, who was kneeling on one knee before him, and asked urgently, "Are you certain there are two pairs of Mangekyō? Mangekyō Sharingan?"

"Uchiha Kazuna convened a clan meeting and publicly challenged Fugaku Uchiha. Both displayed different Sharingan. According to Fugaku, both of them have Mangekyō Sharingan."

Without raising his head, Uchiha Itachi calmly recited the intelligence.

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent. After a long while, he slowly said, "The Uchiha Clan truly has been blessed by heaven."

Itachi said nothing.

The Third Hokage suddenly said, "Go. Bring Koharu and Homura here. Especially Danzo—no matter what he is doing, make sure he comes here immediately."

"Yes!"

A voice came from the air.

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe and began smoking again.

However, his brows were tightly furrowed, and he looked deeply troubled.

Before long, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura hurried over, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi in confusion.

"Hiruzen, you summoned us so urgently. Is Uchiha planning a coup?"

Utatane Koharu's voice was icy as her indifferent gaze fell on Uchiha Itachi, kneeling on one knee.

Itachi, his head lowered, revealed a cold smile at the corner of his lips.

Just as expected!

Brother Kazuna had been right. From beginning to end, these people had never intended to accept the Uchiha Clan.

"No!" the Third Hokage immediately said. "This time, Uchiha cut off contact with the village mainly to improve their clan Barrier."

"Then why..."

"Sigh, take a look at this first!"

The Third Hokage handed the intelligence report to the two of them.

After only a few glances, they cried out in alarm.

"Two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan?"

"Fugaku and Kazuna?"

"Those two both have Mangekyō?"

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were no strangers to either of them.

One was the Uchiha Clan Leader, their foremost enemy.

The other was Crimson Flame, a prominent figure during the Third Shinobi World War, a representative of Uchiha's younger generation, and the grandson of Setsuna Uchiha, the Hawk Faction's leading figure. Back then, they had gone to great lengths to suppress him.

Kazuna's military achievements had been far too great.

In the end, Danzo had resorted to a few underhanded methods, while Hiruzen had promoted Kagami's grandson. Only then had the matter been satisfactorily resolved.

Yet those two both had Mangekyō?

As disciples of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, they understood the Mangekyō only too well.

Even their teacher had been deeply wary of the Uchiha Clan's Mangekyō Sharingan and had warned them about it more than once.

The two immediately could not sit still any longer and shouted at the Third Hokage, "Hiruzen, we need to act at once."

"Do not be hasty. I have already sent someone to summon Danzo." The Third Hokage spoke steadily. "We will discuss it once he arrives."

The two exchanged glances, each seeing the other's anxiety. But what could they do right now?

Deep within Konohagakure.

Shimura Danzō wore a cold expression, an icy aura radiating from his body.

Several rows of ninja stood neatly before him. Their presence resembled Danzō's, though far less intense.

At the same time, strange animal masks covered their faces.

They stood there silently, emanating a thick aura of misfortune.

"We are Konohagakure's Root!"

Danzō's one eye fixed on the ninja before him as he said coldly, "Our mission is to protect the village. Any existence that threatens the village will be wiped out by us. Now, Uchiha intends to launch an armed coup and overthrow the village. Such a ninja clan absolutely cannot be allowed to remain."

"I order all Hidden Agents within the various ninja clans to be activated. Ignite the flames of war between Uchiha and the village. In the end, gather all of the village's strength and destroy Uchiha!"

"Yes!"

The many ninja shouted in unison.

"Wait!"

A ninja wearing an animal mask appeared before Danzō.

His attire was similar to that of the ninja before Danzō, except the pattern on his mask was much plainer.

He knelt on one knee before Danzō and said in a deep voice, "Lord Danzo, Hokage-sama has ordered you to proceed to his office immediately."

Danzō's gaze turned icy. "Now?"

"Yes!" the Anbu ninja said gravely. "Hokage-sama's order is of utmost urgency. Put aside everything you are doing and go to his office. Elder Mito and Elder Mitokado have already arrived."

"Hmm?"

Danzō's expression shifted slightly.

He had thought it was merely Hiruzen Sarutobi's old habit acting up again—simply trying to stop him, hoping to resolve everything with his ridiculous ideals of peace.

But now, it seemed something unexpected had happened.

"Understood!"

Danzō responded flatly, "I will go at once."

The Anbu ninja used the Body Flicker Technique and left.

After giving it some brief thought, Danzō said coldly, "No matter what has happened, dangers must always be eliminated—or at least reduced. Bring me Uchiha Kazuna's head."

"Yes!"

The Root ninja vanished.

Uchiha had caused such a huge commotion. It would be too great a waste not to do something.

At the thought of Uchiha Kazuna, Shimura Danzō's teeth itched with hatred.

After he had dragged Kazuna down from his pedestal and turned him into someone loathed by the village, that fellow had constantly opposed him.

Over the years, the two had clashed countless times, openly and in secret.

Every time, the other side gained the advantage, while he could never get hold of any leverage against him.

Although his losses had not been great, the feeling was infuriating.

Whenever he thought of that occasional bastard grin, Danzō could feel his blood pressure rising.

Truly, the Uchiha Clan was evil!

Still, even among Uchiha, Kazuna was an oddity!

Danzō gritted his teeth. He had to seize this chance and kill him. He had to!

Kazuna, the battle between you and me ends today!

At this moment, Kazuna, who had originally been inside the Uchiha Clan Grounds, was wandering outside.

Eventually, he arrived at a relatively secluded corner of the village.

"Good little Danzo, with such a perfect opportunity before you, if you still cannot seize it, are you even human? You are worse than pigs and dogs!"

"Hurry up, where is Root? Why have they not come before me yet?"

"My splendid head has long been starving with anticipation."

Kazuna muttered softly as he walked.

What kind of person was Shimura Danzō?

In Kazuna's view, he was absolutely a good man.

Whether it was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Uchiha Clan, or Konohagakure's other ninja clans, whenever there was a problem, they immediately pinned it on Danzō.

He could be called Konohagakure's number one public toilet!

"Damn Danzo!"

More than half of Konohagakure's middle and upper ranks had said those words. The remaining half had most likely said them in their hearts.

Sometimes, even Kazuna found himself wondering.

If Danzō were just a little more ruthless, he could absolutely become a great ninja on par with the Hokage.

What was needed to unite a group of people with different agendas?

Not a tyrannical ruler.

But a common enemy.

Danzō had always been walking that path. He had merely taken a wrong turn halfway through.

Kazuna's goal was to help Danzō return to the correct road and become infinitely great!