Backlash

Kazuna's eyes widened as he stared blankly at the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

For a moment, he did not even know what to say. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind... What the hell!

Putting on this act had already been embarrassing enough. He had forced himself to perform it, and it had honestly made him uncomfortable.

But this old bastard was even more ruthless, casually trading quips with him like they were performing a comedy routine.

He did not know what the others thought, but he was genuinely impressed.

What kind of conviction did you need to say something like that?

Oh, the Will of Fire?

Truly magnificent!

Danzo protected me?

Fuck you, ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!

Look at the expressions on those ninjas behind you.

They looked like an abstract painting!

Oh, right—you did not dare turn around and look.

You were embarrassed too!

Damn it!

Could you honestly say that anyone in all of Konoha believed Danzo protected Konoha's people?

Stack all of Konoha's ninja clans together—since Danzo rose to power, was there even one clan he had not bullied?

It was only a matter of degree.

To sum it up, I, Uchiha Kazuna, was merely too serious, while you, Hiruzen Sarutobi, were a damn dog!

"Phew!"

Kazuna let out a long breath and said, "Hokage-sama, you win!"

It was a baffling statement, yet everyone present understood it instantly, and their expressions turned strange.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was awkward as well.

Still, he was someone who had become Hokage—and the longest-serving one at that, having held the position twice.

Without changing expression, he said, "What do you mean, I win? Kazuna, what nonsense are you talking about? Tell us what happened here. Who were you fighting?"

Kazuna smiled. "Who was I fighting? Of course, Ino-Shika-Cho..."

Seeing the drastic change in Shikaku Nara and the other two's expressions, Kazuna waved his hand. "How could that be!"

Choza Akimichi sighed in relief, but Inoichi Yamanaka and Shikaku Nara remained grim-faced.

Kazuna continued, "The Aburame Clan..."

The atmosphere grew tense again.

"Hehe, just kidding!" Kazuna chuckled and looked around. "Did no one from the Aburame Clan come?"

"Uchiha's Vice Clan Leader, I am here!"

From a corner, Shibi Aburame's deep voice rang out behind dark glasses.

"Oh, oh! Sorry, I didn't see you!"

Kazuna smiled, but inwardly felt speechless.

He had learned in the Original Work that the Aburame Clan came with a natural invisibility effect, comparable to the Moonlight Clan's Transparent Shield. This time, he had truly witnessed it firsthand. Damn it, I did not even turn off my Mangekyo, yet I still could not find you!?

How did you do that?

"Kazuna, stop joking around. Tell us what happened."

The Hokage cut in.

His eyes were fixed tightly on Kazuna, an inexplicable glimmer flickering in his pupils.

The Mangekyo clearly showed that the other man's Chakra was highly active, while his hands remained relaxed, ready to form seals at any moment.

He was prepared to attack at any time.

Was that a warning?

Kazuna smiled faintly. "Actually, I don't know what happened either. I was practicing ninjutsu here when more than a dozen ninjas suddenly jumped out and attacked me. They scared the hell out of me. Look at the cold sweat on my forehead—it hasn't stopped this whole damn time!"

Kazuna patted his chest and said, "Hokage-sama, so many enemies actually managed to enter Konoha. The Barrier Team must be severely punished. What do you think?"

The Hokage hesitated before saying, "Although the Barrier Team does bear responsibility, but..."

"Hokage-sama!"

Kazuna directly interrupted Hiruzen Sarutobi. Still smiling, he said, "The Barrier Team must be dealt with seriously."

"Think about it—this time, even I, Uchiha's Vice Clan Leader and the Head of the Konoha Military Police Force, was assassinated. How many people in Konoha could avoid such a thing?"

"If they were assassinating the geniuses of every ninja clan, how many could escape?"

"You may not consider yourself, but you must consider Konoha's many ninja clans—and even more so, the Sarutobi Clan."

Those words darkened the Hokage's expression.

The other ninja clans' expressions also grew grave.

As expected of the Uchiha—truly insane. He actually dared to threaten them in front of so many clans!

"Hmph!"

Utatane Koharu snorted coldly. "Uchiha Kazuna, by your reasoning, does that mean the Uchiha Clan, as Konoha's Military Police Force, also bears responsibility?"

Kazuna looked at Utatane Koharu with a smile. "Elder Utatane is absolutely right. If we broaden the scope of accountability, then the Uchiha do indeed bear responsibility. But what about Konoha's Sensor Ninjas? Do they bear responsibility as well? And if we continue investigating..."

"Enough! First investigate how the enemy entered Konoha!"

The Third Hokage cut Kazuna off, his voice low. "Kazuna, how do you think the Barrier Team should be dealt with?"

"Leave them to the Uchiha." Kazuna smiled. "The Uchiha will certainly give everyone an explanation."

Mitokado Homura's expression changed as well. "If we are truly looking for faults, then the Anbu..."

"As for the Anbu's responsibility, Elder Mitokado needs to think back carefully!"

Kazuna rudely interrupted Mitokado Homura. For the first time, his voice turned cold. "Everyone performing their own duties—that is Konoha!"

His presence grew heavy. He was clearly losing patience.

"Then it's settled!"

The Third Hokage's expression was grave. "Kazuna, you will investigate the Barrier Team. Give me a resolution as soon as possible."

"Alright!"

Kazuna's smile returned.

Thus ended the brief confrontation.

The ninja clans, large and small, all knew that this was only the beginning.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Uchiha Kazuna had practically torn apart all pretense to each other's faces.

What were they supposed to do now?

Looking at the battle scars all around them, the various ninja clans departed with heavy hearts.

Kazuna and Fugaku exchanged a glance. Without saying anything, they led Yashiro and the others back to the Uchiha Clan Grounds.

The Third Hokage waved at Utatane Koharu. "Let's go back to the Hokage Building. Have the Anbu notify Danzo and tell him to come as well. Clean this place up while you're at it."

"Yes!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the scattered severed limbs and fragments on the ground, then let out a heavy sigh.

Danzo's assassination had failed.

Therefore, Uchiha Kazuna's retaliation was inevitable.

But why did Kazuna want the Barrier Team?

Was there something special about them?

If one Barrier Team was gone, they could simply replenish it. At most, they would lose a few dozen ninja.

What exactly was Kazuna trying to do?

The Hokage frowned slightly, a headache coming on.

Because of the Uchiha, he had not slept for three days. He was old now, and he truly could not hold on much longer.

Mitokado Homura noticed something was wrong and stepped forward. "Hiruzen, are you alright?"

"Just a little tired. Let's go."

The Third Hokage took the lead and returned to the Hokage Building.

The Anbu swiftly cleaned up the area.

In truth, there was barely anything to clean up. Uchiha Kazuna had been thorough—every Root ninja had been shattered or burned to ash. Other than chunks of flesh and ashes, nothing remained.

Their identities could not be traced. That was precisely why neither side had been forced into a direct, all-out clash.

The Anbu Captain fell into thought.

It was not only the Hokage who did not want to start a civil war. Did Uchiha Kazuna not want one either?

Since when had the Uchiha become so calm?

And besides...

The Anbu Captain looked toward the Hokage Building, then toward the Uchiha Clan Grounds.

The two sides could not be reconciled. One of them was destined to be completely destroyed.