The Order to Execute Genbu Was Issued by Danzo

"No authority to disclose. You're involved in human experimentation, and we're placing you under arrest."

With that, they moved to act directly.

Unfortunately, the next second, the three of them felt as if iron spikes had pierced through their bodies, pinning them to the ground, unable to move.

Their bodies grew as heavy as lead, and their gazes slowly drifted downward.

Still, they were battle-hardened ninja. The instant they realized they'd fallen under a Genjutsu, they tried to bite off their tongues to kill themselves.

Bright red blood trickled from their lips, but in the end, they were still controlled by the illusion.

"Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique"

A pair of eyes gleamed with red light, the Blood Three Tomoe Mark glaringly vivid under the night sky.

"Trespassing into Uchiha Clan Territory and surveilling a Konoha reserve ninja—I suspect you're spies from an enemy village."

"Come with us."

The leading Uchiha person gave the order, and three Genbu ninja were immediately apprehended.

Genbu was different from other divisions.

Its own members were few; the other divisions were mostly staffed by temporary workers.

But the three Special Jonin currently surveilling Yayoi were definitely Danzo's trusted confidants, core Genbu members.

After all, this kind of shady business could only be entrusted to close allies.

"That went smoothly. My thanks to you all."

Once the Security Force had taken the three into custody, Yayoi expressed her gratitude to the leading Security Force Captain.

"If Genbu dares to stretch its claws into Uchiha territory, we cut them off.

Rest assured, we'll handle this matter."

The leading Uchiha nodded to Yayoi and said flatly.

As for what awaited those three, there was only one outcome.

Death.

Daring to monitor Uchiha territory during wartime and forcibly abduct people—even if they were ANBU, they'd be executed.

Let alone Genbu, which had no official records; in wartime, they were all dealt with as spies.

Since the rift was already out in the open, Yayoi didn't mind offending this elder of Konoha.

Now it was up to the Hokage to weigh in.

"Hiruzen, what's the matter?"

Danzo pushed open the door, about to speak, but suddenly noticed an Uchiha wearing the clan's emblem.

"Danzo, you're here."

The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe as Danzo arrived.

"Ri, explain it to Elder Danzo."

"Yes."

The Uchiha beside him, seeing Danzo enter, began his explanation.

His expression was cold and stern, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"With the recent surge in battles, the clan decided to strengthen patrols around the village. But yesterday, within the clan territory, we discovered three spies claiming to be from Genbu.

They invaded our clan's land, conducted surveillance, and even attempted to abduct a child from the clan.

Fortunately, the patrol arrived in time. They are now detained in the Security Force, and we are currently seeking the Hokage's instructions.

The evidence was conclusive, but during their confession, they claimed to belong to Elder Danzo's Genbu. That is why we invited Elder Danzo here today."

Ignoring Danzo's dark glare, Uchiha Ri looked at him calmly.

"Danzo, do you have anything to say?"

The Third Hokage spoke up at this point.

"Rumors. This is slander against me."

Without a moment's hesitation, Danzo abandoned the three men.

Under normal circumstances, he might have fought for them, but this was wartime.

With something like this happening, leniency was out of the question—it would cause major problems in the village.

Still, his wariness toward Uesugi Yayoi rose another notch.

She had even managed to enlist the Security Force Minister of the Uchiha.

It seemed her ties with the Uchiha ran even deeper.

"Then it appears these three were spies sent by Sunagakure or another village.

No wonder they bit their tongues the moment they were captured."

"According to wartime regulations, any spy discovered who cannot provide effective information or value is to be executed on the spot."

"What does Lord Danzo think?"

"Good. Konoha will never tolerate spies. They deserve execution."

Seeing Danzo's expression remain utterly unchanged, Uchiha Ri said nothing more.

Toppling Danzo was an extremely difficult task—he couldn't even manage to wound him.

"Handle it as you've said, Danzo. Ri, let the Uchiha Security Force take care of this matter."

"Yes."

Sensing the heavy silence in the room, Ri took the initiative to leave.

The sound of the door closing echoed, and the Third Hokage's voice rang out, seeming to have aged many years.

"Danzo, I warned you clearly. Why can't you just let it go?"

"He's only a child. Though he's close to the Uchiha, he's still a child with the Will of Fire—a Senju of the Will of Fire."

Clearly, the Third Hokage had already grasped the gist of the situation.

He knew his old friend well. From the way he operated, he could already tell this was the work of his childhood comrade.

"Hiruzenn, you're too merciful. Uesugi Yayoi is absolutely an unstable element. Only someone equally unstable and dangerous would befriend the Uchiha."

Danzo's eyes were sharp and ruthless as he spoke stubbornly.

"Moreover, he's hiding his strength and privately researching the Senju bloodline. It's not deep yet, but it's already on par with some of the village's records."

"He has that talent. Only by handing him over to me can he realize his full worth and serve Konoha."

"Enough, Danzo. Yayoi has never hidden his strength—he's simply never fought. And as for researching the Senju bloodline, Yayoi once obtained Tsunade's permission."

"Besides, don't forget—he himself is a Senju."

"This is the last time. If there's a next time, don't expect to keep your position in Genbu!"

Even though they were childhood friends, faced with Danzo's intransigence, the Third Hokage couldn't help but lose his temper.

No matter how he explained, Danzo wouldn't listen—and only grew worse.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had had enough. This time, he issued a direct warning to Danzo.

The fierce battles on the front lines, the lurking Iwagakure and Kumogakure waiting for an opening...

All of these were already giving him headaches, and Danzo had to add to his workload.

Yayoi was merely close to the Uchiha—he was still a Senju himself.

He didn't understand why Danzo had to pick a fight with a child.

"Hiruzenn, you'll regret this!"

Watching Danzo slam the door and storm out, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a surge of anger building in his chest, but with Danzo gone, there was nowhere to vent it.

"I'm getting old. But still—why, Danzo? Why must you go after a junior?"

He was just a junior. Even if he was friendly with the Uchiha, what harm could it do?

At the peak of his prime, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't grasp why Danzo would worry about a child not even ten years old.

As for the restless Uchiha...

Sarutobi Hiruzen was confident that even if the Uchiha rebelled, he could suppress them. That was the confidence born of overwhelming power.

Through the massive floor-to-ceiling window, he gazed at the thousands of homes in Konoha and let out a sudden sigh.

He hoped the war would end soon.

"Uncle Ri, how did it go?"

Yayoi was waiting at the Uchiha Clan Territory for news from Uchiha Ri.

"Not bad. Toppling Danzo is impossible, but he definitely won't dare set foot in the Uchiha Clan Territory again."

Ri nodded at Yayoi and spoke.

Ri—Uchiha Ri. His family had once overseen the Uchiha Justice Department.

Raised in that environment, he'd developed an interest in the village's regulations, and in matters of negotiation, everyone trusted him to handle things.

It sounded a bit strange, but that was how it was.

"Then I can rest easy."

Yayoi flashed a sunny smile.

After all, he'd specially invited Second Grandfather Feng and Yan to cast a Genjutsu, all to lure out a few more targets.

That old... grandfather's Eye Technique was far too strong—so strong that Yayoi suspected he might have a Mangekyou.

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