"We can't let this drag on. The longer it goes, the worse the unrest in the village will become. I'll go to the Uchiha Clan Compound alone." Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe and rose abruptly.
The Third was still in his prime, and in his manner he remained the powerful ninja people called the Shinobi Hero.
"No! Absolutely not!"
Danzo moved in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen as quickly as he could. "If you enter Uchiha territory and those people try to harm you, how will you withstand an attack from so many elite shinobi?"
Shimura Danzō showed concern for Sarutobi Hiruzen and distrust of the Uchiha. Yet his voice grew much quieter as he voiced his concern, and he could barely conceal a hint of delight.
After all, if the Uchiha were foolish enough to attack Sarutobi Hiruzen—
His thoughts were soon interrupted by Sarutobi Hiruzen's firm voice. "I don't think the Uchiha Clan is foolish enough to attack me, the Hokage, in Konoha."
Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed quite confident. "Besides, I'm not so easy to deal with. While I hold them off, the Anbu will have enough time to break into the Uchiha Clan Compound."
"Hmph. Suit yourself, then."
As Shimura Danzō turned and left the meeting room, Sarutobi Hiruzen drew a deep breath and promptly gave an order. "Arrange for two Anbu squads to accompany me to the Uchiha Clan Compound."
But Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't see the look in his old friend's eyes as he turned away.
The Uchiha Clan hadn't rebelled? How could that be? Was I not even allowed to help them rebel?
Once a fight broke out, Root would add the final spark.
The Uchiha Clan, the family he had always despised, would be wiped out by the Anbu and the others. And if Sarutobi Hiruzen "unfortunately" died on the battlefield while putting down the rebellion—
Who in Konoha would be most likely to inherit the Hokage's position?
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura weren't fit to be Hokage. White Fang was an incredibly sharp blade, but he lacked the bearing of a Hokage. Lady Mito was already dead, and Sarutobi's three green pupils weren't qualified either.
The previous generation had died out completely. Of the middle generation, only he and that sharp blade, Hatake White Fang, remained. The next generation had yet to mature!
Only I—there's only me left!
The flames of ambition gradually blazed in Shimura Danzō's left eye socket.
Unlike the commotion in the village, the Uchiha Clan Compound was remarkably quiet. Even the guards usually stationed at the entrance were nowhere to be seen. The place was so silent it seemed deserted.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's brows furrowed slightly. He shifted the pipe in his hand and lowered the hat that marked him as the Third. His thoughts raced, but he couldn't reach a conclusion.
"They've shut themselves in? What on earth happened?"
He slowly exhaled the smoke he had inhaled, thick clouds swirling around Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Zero, go knock."
The figure in the animal mask flashed to the entrance of the Uchiha Clan Compound. His voice was loud enough for anyone nearby to hear, but no louder.
"The Third has come to visit the Uchiha Clan."
No answer came. For a moment, there was nothing but the faint chirping of birds, enough to make anyone wonder if the Uchiha Clan had been wiped out overnight.
Sarutobi Hiruzen grew even more perplexed and signaled the Anbu to knock again. After they called out once more, uneven footsteps sounded from within the compound, growing steadily louder.
"Creak."
The wooden doors slowly swung open, revealing the person who had answered.
His face was bruised and swollen, with traces of blood still clinging to it. His ninja vest was torn as if a dog had chewed it, and patches of blackened, dried blood stuck to the fabric. He looked rather battered.
What had happened? Had the Uchiha Clan been massacred?
Sarutobi Hiruzen's tense muscles relaxed without his realizing it. "Wh—"
"Come with me. Lord Yuji is waiting for you." The usually aloof Uchiha forced a smile onto his face.
The smile, which should have been as warm as a spring breeze, now brought only unease and fear.
His Three-Tomoe Sharingan was scarlet. Blood and savagery covered his face, and his teeth were stained red. All that remained in Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind was the image of a man-eating beast.
His unsteady steps made him seem even more unsettling.
Had the Uchiha's madness flared up? Had they started killing each other?
Sarutobi Hiruzen adjusted his slightly crooked hat and slowly entered the Uchiha Clan Compound.
The Uchiha Clan had a long history. Though the entire clan had moved to Konoha, their compound still retained the architectural style of the Sengoku period. If an enemy ever invaded, they could quickly gather a group of people.
But the ninja who had once stood guard there in such numbers were nowhere to be seen.
The Anbu had long since surveyed the Uchiha Clan Compound, and Sarutobi Hiruzen knew the path ahead did not lead to the clan head's residence. Beyond the next turn lay the Uchiha Clan's training grounds.
The Anbu had already investigated the Uchiha Clan Compound thoroughly, and that only left Sarutobi Hiruzen more bewildered.
The training ground's gates stood wide open, but a hazy mist blocked his view. Its murky colors rippled like water.
What in the world was that?
"Please, Third."
Perhaps he had never used the word "please" before. The bruised Uchiha spoke in an awkward tone.
His guard was already up, chakra gathering inside him, and the Summoning Technique had already been inscribed on his arm. Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a slight nod and slowly stepped into the training ground.
His vision abruptly went black. The shift in space left him dizzy, as if he had been displaced.
In an instant, the red of flames and the surging waves of heat replaced his brief discomfort. The scorching air and turbulent chakra made Sarutobi Hiruzen feel as if he had returned to the Shinobi World War.
He glanced sidelong at his surroundings, then edged back slightly, only to find there was no way out. Warm air rushed through his nose and mouth into his lungs. The Shinobi Hero straightened his back and looked straight ahead.
Flames. Before his eyes, dazzling flames clashed, and flying embers and brilliant sparks joined into a beautiful scene.
Perhaps it had sensed Sarutobi Hiruzen's arrival. The glow gradually faded, revealing the surroundings.
The ground was gray and barren, devoid of any other color. Above, countless gorgeous planets shimmered with faint light.
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, a man of vast experience, had to admit that what he had encountered today was completely beyond anything he had experienced before.
The situation had gone entirely beyond his plans.
Elite members of the Uchiha Clan were scattered all around the battlefield. At its center, a pair of sinister, blood-red eyes stared straight at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Welcome to my world, Third."
Before you continue