Danzō was no hothead who would fly into a rage over a single insult, especially when Uchiha Sora looked so confident.
He looked toward the sensory ninja, waiting for him to report what he'd found.
"Sir... the chakra inside that creature is very unusual... somewhat similar to the Natural Energy in the records."
"I can't determine its strength, but I can say for certain... it's strong!"
How was that any different from stating the obvious?
That last attack had been as powerful as the combined ninjutsu of several jonin. Did he think I couldn't tell it was strong?
Suppressing his anger, Shimura Danzō glanced at Uchiha Fugaku.
"Is this the will of your clan, or that kid's own doing?"
Normally, he wouldn't have bothered asking. He would've ordered Root to begin exterminating the Uchiha.
But when he saw Sora make his move, Fugaku had looked just as shocked as everyone else. He clearly hadn't known Sora would do this, and he'd even restrained several of his clan members who were ready to act.
That gave him a chance to drive a wedge between them.
Let them fight among themselves first, then Root could clean up and wipe them all out!
The Uchiha had made the first move, after all. Even if Hiruzen were here, he wouldn't let the Uchiha Clan off the hook!
Fugaku's face was ashen as he glared at Uchiha Sora.
"Give me a reason!"
Sora folded his arms and replied coolly, "I already gave you one."
"You know what it means when the Nine-Tails breaks free of its seal."
Fugaku lowered his eyes, his mind churning.
He lacked the decisiveness needed to face major decisions, but as clan leader, he still understood what would happen sooner than Shisui did.
There was only one outcome when a Tailed Beast broke free of its Jinchūriki.
Kushina was as good as dead.
It hadn't even crossed his mind that the Fourth Hokage might die. Like everyone else in the village, he believed that once the Fourth appeared, he would be able to seal the Nine-Tails again.
But...
Everyone had seen the Tomoe appear in the Nine-Tails' eyes. The identity of the mastermind seemed to have been pinned on the Uchiha Clan.
The Fourth Hokage had been willing to accept the Uchiha before. But what about after this?
Could he treat the clan that had been behind his beloved wife's death as if nothing had happened?
Putting himself in the Fourth Hokage's shoes, Fugaku knew he couldn't forgive a ninja clan that had killed Mikoto.
But...
"Sora, stop. I'll explain everything to the Fourth."
Even with this powerful summoned beast, you're still nowhere near a match for the village. Even with me on your side... it still wouldn't be enough.
With a heavy sigh, Fugaku said helplessly, "I promise you as clan leader: I'll protect you!"
The bewildered members of the Police Force exchanged glances. Of course they trusted their clan leader more than Uchiha Sora, who had only recently joined them.
Sora smiled faintly.
I knew you'd say that...
He shouted, making sure everyone present heard him.
"Clan Leader! Didn't we agree on this? I'd have Rayquaza hold them off while you used your invincible Mangekyō Sharingan to behead that old dog, Shimura Danzō!"
!!!
Danzō's pupils contracted. He took half a step back, his single eye fixed on Fugaku as he tightened his grip on his Kunai.
The Mangekyō Sharingan was far more frightening than some unknown, strange summoned beast!
"Mangekyō..."
The clan members stared at Fugaku in shock. That was a level beyond the Three Tomoe, the eyes of that legendary figure! Could it be...?
Click—
Fugaku's hand closed around the hilt of his sword. His face darkened, making his already grim expression even uglier.
He didn't try to deny it.
He didn't need Sora to explain what happened once the seeds of suspicion had been planted.
If the village found out afterward that he'd hidden his Mangekyō Awakening, the offense would be about as serious as a Daimyo Residence retainer secretly gathering troops.
In other words, it would be considered an act of rebellion.
Fugaku drew a deep breath and looked up at Sora.
"How did you know... No, it doesn't matter anymore."
"You're going to drag the Uchiha Clan into hell!"
Sora smiled calmly.
"The Uchiha aren't going to hell, and they aren't going to heaven."
He spread his arms and spoke slowly.
"Clan Leader Fugaku, don't forget: we're the strongest Uchiha Clan!"
"Can you stand the thought of the village we built having no place for us?"
"Choose. Will you surrender and await judgment, or fight with everything you have?"
Dead silence.
It seemed everyone was waiting for Fugaku to make his choice.
"Huff—"
Swish!!
Fugaku drew his sword and said coldly, "No one gets to judge the Uchiha!"
"Shimura Danzō falsified the Hokage's orders and stopped the Police Force from going to the Fourth Hokage's aid. Kill him!!"
Three deep-black Tomoe joined together in his eye, forming a strange, exquisite pattern.
The Mangekyō Sharingan!
His terrifying ocular power surged forth like a ferocious beast breaking free, roaring as it charged!
Circumstances had forced his hand, but old grudges had played their part too.
Once I've killed Shimura Danzō, I'll go help Minato. He'll listen to my explanation.
It hasn't reached the point of no return yet!
Sora shook his head. Old habits really did die hard. Even now, Fugaku was giving his actions the pretext of removing an evil advisor.
But it didn't matter. As long as he was willing to fight.
Rayquaza couldn't stay for long, so Sora wasn't about to waste its time.
While they'd been talking, Rayquaza had been using Dragon Dance to stack its attack and speed. It was still doing so now.
Sora had also discovered that, for some unknown reason, Rayquaza's energy was rapidly turning into chakra he could use.
In his current state, he was like Rayquaza's Jinchūriki, able to wield its power and use it to perform ninjutsu.
Naruto made money from rent; I borrow mine. We're pretty much the same.
As for power, as long as I can use it, that's good enough!
Clap!!
Sora pressed his palms together. A massive amount of chakra gathered around him, forming pale-blue waves of energy visible to the naked eye.
This feeling of having an inexhaustible supply of power... was truly intoxicating!
Once enough had accumulated,
Sora rapidly formed Hand Seals.
Rat—Ox—Dog—Horse—Monkey—Boar...
He finished with the Tiger Seal.
Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame!!
From atop Rayquaza, a surging sea of fire poured down like a wave, blanketing the sky!
"How can Fire Style be this powerful?!"
"Quit gawking and use Water Release!"
Water Release: Water Formation Wall!!
Boom!!!
Several walls of water rose up and crashed into the sea of fire, instantly exploding into endless steam!
Shisui watched his clan members fighting Root, then turned to look at the ruined village in the distance.
Why...?
The villagers are suffering so terribly. Why are we, the shinobi, fighting here?
No matter what, we should be saving our comrades first!
Suddenly, a voice reached his ears.
"That man is Shimura Danzō."
"The proof is in his eye socket. That Sharingan should belong to Kagami Uchiha."
The speaker was a blue-furred Ninja Cat.
It had a cigar in its mouth and three throwing knives in each paw.
"Kong told me to tell you. I don't know what he meant, either."
Jialuo looked at Sora atop Rayquaza and spat. "Damn, with a mount that cool, he could've invited Lord Jialuo along! What a jerk!"
Shisui's pupils shook violently. He knew exactly who Sora meant...
The one who had massacred the entire Uchiha Clan... was Shimura Danzō!!
What did it mean that he had the eyes of an ancestor? Could he have killed Kagami Uchiha, too?!
Shisui had always been a good-natured person, but now killing intent spilled from his eyes, and his cold ocular power flowed steadily.
No matter what...
I'll know once I tear away your disguise!
Before you continue