The Great Hokage

"So that's what Siming means?"

Uchiha Fugaku's lips trembled, a glint of understanding dawning in his eyes, and his feelings toward Uchiha Siming grew even more complicated.

The Siming of now was very much like his younger self.

Equally loyal to Konoha, equally treating the protection of the village as the most important thing.

But the difference was this:

Even though the Uchiha Clan was now on the brink of war with Konoha at any moment, Uchiha Siming still steadfastly guarded the peace of the village. No matter who shattered that peace, he would never forgive them!

Such an unyielding will, like tempered steel, moved him despite himself!

Hokage Building.

Office.

"Shisui is dead?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was stunned. His usually calm and unruffled expression finally twisted into shock:

"How is this possible? Who could kill Shisui?"

"During the Second Shinobi World War, over a dozen elite jonin couldn't lay a hand on him. Even a Kage-level expert, if Shisui didn't want to be caught, no one could seize him! He was Body Flicker Shisui!"

In his eyes, this was more absurd than the sun rising in the west!

That was Shisui!

"Indeed, Lord Hokage. Accurate news has come from within the Uchiha Clan."

The Anbu ninja's voice was heavy, his tone laced with horror.

He couldn't help but swallow.

"According to the intelligence brought back by our spy, if not for Uchiha Yashiro and others arguing fiercely, the Uchiha Clan might have revolted today. Moreover, the spy's investigation suggests that Uchiha Siming may be connected to Shisui's death!"

"He was kept behind by Uchiha Fugaku for a long, private conversation."

Fear flickered in his pupils.

As Anbu operatives, they had the most contact with the Uchiha Clan.

During the Second Shinobi World War, the Uchiha Clan's fearless disregard for death and their ferocious charge at the front lines of battle had shocked everyone and chilled their enemies to the bone!

As a teammate of the Uchiha Clan, you could trust them with your back.

But if your enemy was the Uchiha Clan...

You faced demons who, even in death, would drag you down to the underworld with them!

"Siming?"

"Impossible. If it really involved him, Siming wouldn't have walked out of Uchiha Fugaku's door alive. Perhaps he knows the cause of Shisui's death. Who has been closest to Siming lately?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi pressed further.

"Jonin Asuma... and Hyuga Neji of the Hyuga Clan."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused.

Asuma he could understand.

After all, his son was learning Sage Mode from Uchiha Siming. But what about Hyuga Neji?

He didn't dwell on it and returned to the main topic: "I understand."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face grew grim.

As Hokage, he knew too well what the Uchiha Clan's true nature was.

They had never feared sacrifice. In fact, they were somewhat similar to Kirigakure's Kaguya Clan—war-crazed lunatics who feared nothing!

Konoha absolutely could not afford any conflict with the Uchiha Clan! His murky eyes gleamed with startling intensity. If war broke out, the entire village would bear the brunt of it.

This would be even harder for Konoha to endure than another world war!

"I will go see Fugaku myself."

After a moment's thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi made up his mind and abruptly stood up.

"Shisui was also a member of the Anbu. His death is unexplained, and I will not stand idly by!"

Just as he was about to leave, the door was suddenly shoved open with force, letting out a heavy thud!

A sinister, wolf-like eye appeared in Hiruzen Sarutobi's field of vision!

Danzo?

"Sunslash, how long will you indulge the Uchiha Clan?!"

Shimura Danzo's triangular eyes gleamed with icy malice.

"Shisui is dead. The Uchiha Clan could rebel at any moment. The best course of action is to strike first and slaughter the entire Uchiha Clan!"

He spoke calmly, each word deliberate.

But the cruelty and ruthlessness in those words sent a chill down Hiruzen Sarutobi's spine.

"Danzo, what are you saying?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his hand on the desk in fury, producing a sharp, violent sound.

"They are the Uchiha Clan of Konoha, not enemies on the battlefield! Danzo, put away your petty schemes. Back during the Nine-Tails's Rampage, I should never have listened to your advice. If I had let Fugaku step in, the Fourth Hokage would never have died!"

The mere thought of it stabbed at his heart with pain.

The only one among the entire Third Generation worthy of inheriting the Hokage's seat had died in the chaos of sealing the Nine-Tails.

That was why Danzo now acted with such reckless abandon.

That was why Uchiha Fugaku remained without anyone to placate him.

One could say this entire chain of problems stemmed from the aftermath of Minato's death.

If Minato were still alive, with his political acumen and calm temperament, none of this would have happened. Even Shimura Danzo would have been crushed under Minato's hand, unable to step even an inch out of line.

He couldn't help but wonder—if Minato were still here, what would he do when faced with these matters?

That young man, who seemed a bit airheaded on the surface but was actually incredibly composed.

Perhaps... he would unhesitatingly kill the ever-troublemaking Danzo!

"Just as I thought, Hiruzen, you've grown old long ago."

Danzo's triangular eyes carried a cold indifference, as if none of this had anything to do with him.

"If it were the younger Hiruzen Sarutobi, he would never speak such words, nor would he remain mired in the past. Hiruzen, make a decisive choice, like the 'War Hero' of those days!"

"Eliminate the Uchiha Clan, and Konoha will never face turmoil again!"

He finally lifted his head to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze.

Those eyes revealed a sinister chill, a frosty resolve, and an ambition that seemed never to waver!

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't suppress a tremor in his heart.

"Absolutely impossible! Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

Shimura Danzo's expression shifted. Those words seemed to strike a raw nerve. He knew there was nothing more to discuss today.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

He turned and left, slamming the door shut.

A thunderous crash rang out!

But the moment the door closed, his eyes grew even colder, like an owlman in the dead of night. He muttered lowly, each word deliberate:

"Hiruzen, you need to remember why I was made the leader of Root in the first place."

"My existence has always been for the sake of Konoha."

"On the surface of Konoha, there must be a Hokage like you, always upholding justice and light. But there must also be someone like me, a root buried deep beneath the earth!"

"Some things you cannot do—then let me do them!"

Long ago, the teacher had said that the Uchiha Clan was an evil clan, and their vigilance against them must never be relaxed.

Now, he himself had always remembered the teacher's words.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, you have long since forgotten.

He whispered to himself, like a murmur from the depths of hell: "I will make everyone see—only I am the greatest Hokage!"