Danzo Won Big

At the entrance to the Uchiha Clan Compound, three Uchiha elders clad in armor had been standing beneath the cold moonlight for quite some time.

Uchiha Setsuna was the first to roll his stiff shoulders and neck. His armor gave a faint clink.

He gazed at the Konoha Military Police Force building, where the distant sounds of celebration could be heard, and clicked his tongue in disappointment.

"Tch. All that effort for nothing. By the looks of it, there won't be a fight tonight."

At his side, Uchiha Huoke immediately turned to glare at his old rival.

"Put that warmongering streak of yours away."

"After all, we're all fellow villagers of Konohagakure. It's better to settle this at the negotiating table than come to blows."

"Fellow villagers?"

Setsuna scoffed, his scarlet Sharingan flashing with a sharp glint in the night.

"Those bullies who pick on the weak only dared push their luck because we've held back too much over the years."

"If you ask me, we should fight for real, just like we did against the Senju Clan back then, and decide who truly deserves to be Hokage!"

"Fight, my ass."

Huoke shot back without hesitation. "Aren't our clan members' lives worth anything?"

"Are we Uchiha afraid of dying?"

Setsuna shot Huoke a sideways glance. Huoke immediately snorted. "You saying I'm afraid to die?"

"Enough. With enemies outside the village, if we really start fighting, outsiders will be the ones who profit. The current situation is one Ren and everyone else are willing to accept."

The Uchiha Old Clan Head couldn't be bothered to listen to the two old men bicker.

"The dust hasn't settled yet. Neither Sarutobi Hiruzen nor Shimura Danzo is easy to deal with. We need to stay vigilant beneath a relaxed exterior and give no one an opening."

"Of course."

Setsuna waved a hand, signaling the Uchiha behind him to disperse. Then he looked toward the Old Clan Head, his weathered eyes glinting in the darkness as he spoke pointedly.

"Birds won't fly without a head, and beasts won't move without a leader. Everyone saw Ren's performance today."

"Shouldn't we revise the arrangements we made at the clan meeting?"

Seeing the Old Clan Head remain silent, Huoke understood the situation. Not wanting things to turn ugly, he stepped in to smooth things over.

"Changing our decision on a whim wouldn't be good for the clan's stability. There's still a long road ahead. Perhaps we should... wait and see."

He looked at Setsuna and spoke in a low voice. "When everyone's hearts are set on someone, the recognition will come in time. There's no need to rush."

The night wind swept past, stirring the gray hair at their temples. Beneath their armor, their bodies remained straight as three ancient pines rooted in place.

Setsuna didn't press the matter further. He merely turned his deep gaze toward the brightly lit Konoha Military Police Force building in the distance, then laughed and cursed with a mix of helplessness and pride.

"That brat Ren makes such a commotion in there and can't even send someone to let us know. He's left three old men standing in the cold wind for half the night for nothing."

Watching Setsuna deliberately change the subject, the Old Clan Head felt relieved, though a complicated mix of emotions rose in his heart.

He could probably buy Fugaku only this much time.

"From here on, if you can do it, do it. If you can't, then you can't. Don't push yourself."

The Old Clan Head set aside his thoughts and smiled warmly, picking up the thread of the conversation.

"That child Fugaku is the same. Of the three of us, Mikoto is still the most considerate."

"Wasn't she the one who didn't arrange for anyone to come, either? Some consideration that is."

Huoke immediately shook his head with a smile, teasing her in a way that sounded like a complaint but was really affectionate.

"When that girl gets stubborn, she turns the world upside down. This old body of mine can't keep her in line!"

He stepped forward, taking one old friend by the arm on each side.

"Come on, come on! Let's not stand here freezing. We'll go back, warm up a jug of good wine, and the three of us old men can have a proper drink!"

Deep within Root Base, Konohagakure.

The vast underground cavern had been hewn by hand into a severe and orderly space.

Flickering lamplight shone against the cold stone walls, stretching the shadows into something ghostly.

The stale air was thick with the lingering stench of old blood and medicine.

Shimura Danzo stood atop a raised platform. The face that had twisted with rage in the Hokage's office that day now looked especially calm.

"...Lord Danzo, that was the full account of the Third Hokage's negotiations at the Uchiha Military Police Force building."

A Root shinobi knelt on one knee, delivering the report in a flat voice.

"Understood."

Danzo's voice was even, as if he had nothing to do with the clash that had shaken all of Konohagakure. His gaze shifted to another figure in the shadows.

"How are the shinobi forces coming along?"

Another figure silently appeared and bowed in reply.

"The Anbu directly under the Hokage have gathered at the village's northeastern exit, along with the personnel drawn from the various shinobi clans. They're ready to head for the border as soon as you arrive, sir."

"Excellent."

Danzo's thin fingers rubbed the smooth top of his cane, his expression still indifferent.

He knew Sarutobi Hiruzen too well. That indecisive old friend was always trying to maintain that laughable balance among the various factions.

He also knew the shinobi clans of Konohagakure too well. They seemed united around the Hokage, but in truth, each had their own agenda. They never lifted a finger without expecting something in return.

This time, he had acted rashly in front of everyone and been ordered to head north to the front lines. It might have cost him face, but had he really lost anything?

They were only eight tool shinobi. If they died, they died. The only thing that displeased him was that they had fallen at the hands of the Uchiha Clan.

Besides, with the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal and the Yamanaka Clan members Sarutobi Hiruzen had assigned, there was no need to worry about intelligence leaking out.

He had thrown a fit, made a scene, and even threatened to hang himself. He'd lost a little face, but the truly important things—getting support from the shinobi clans as soon as possible, taking command of the shinobi forces at the border, and selecting new Root members from their ranks—were all within reach.

The tangible benefits would all end up in his, Shimura Danzo's, hands. He wouldn't lose a single one.

When Sarutobi Hiruzen tried to take them back, Danzo would squeeze him for everything he could. He'd build up Root—and if he didn't, he'd take Sarutobi's name!

He'd come out on top in every way.

"It's a pity I can't take Kurama to the battlefield. Otherwise, Kumogakure wouldn't be worth worrying about."

As Shimura Danzo thought of this, regret welled up within him, along with a trace of apprehension.

He gave an order. "Have Shin's squad monitor the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. If the Uchiha Clan makes contact with the Jinchuriki, report to me immediately!"

During the Battle of the Valley of the End, Uchiha Madara had controlled Kurama and seemed like a demon incarnate.

Shimura Danzo had seen him once from afar, while accompanying Senju Tobirama. He feared the Uchiha Clan, yearned for their power, and admired Wood Release—the power that had defeated them!

Shimura Danzo touched his arm, bound in white bandages, his mind wavering.

If he could unite the two powers, he would surely cut Sarutobi Hiruzen down and become the strongest Hokage of all!

"Come. Let's go meet Kumogakure."

Shimura Danzo strode forward, full of confidence.