Disputes in Konoha

The Sharingan and the Byakugan!

The group fell silent at once; with these two pairs of eyes present, the possibility of a genjutsu should not exist.

It was not just them; even the Third and his two high-ranking advisors held the same belief.

Unfortunately, they had never heard of the Red Eye.

It possessed insight not inferior to the Byakugan, and could also weave genjutsu by manipulating chakra flow anywhere at will.

It could be called the nemesis of both the Byakugan and the Sharingan.

Koharu spoke in a measured tone: "With the Byakugan and the Sharingan on the scene, the possibility of a genjutsu has basically been ruled out. Shisui Uchiha must have been captured or killed. The question is, was it the work of Root or Orochimaru?"

She narrowed her eyes as she looked toward Danzo.

"Danzo, do you have an explanation to offer as well?"

The upper echelons of Konoha were all aware of the collusion between Root and Orochimaru, but over the years, Danzo and Root had performed many dirty deeds for the village.

After all, Konoha needed Root; it needed that kind of dark power.

Therefore, on many issues, they chose to turn a blind eye.

Besides, regarding the matter of Orochimaru, Sarutobi Hiruzen also bore responsibility. He had not had the heart to eliminate Orochimaru back then, which was what gave him the opportunity to escape.

Danzo kept his eyes closed, his expression blank.

"Root had no involvement in this matter, I can guarantee that. If they were not mistaken in their observations, then it must have been Orochimaru's doing. Orochimaru is a rogue ninja of Konoha; perhaps he framed Root."

He slowly stood up.

"I will send men to investigate this thoroughly; I will not allow anyone who threatens the village to exist. I will dispatch people to hunt down Orochimaru. We must retrieve the corpse of Shisui Uchiha; we cannot let the Sharingan fall into hands outside the village."

Since there were people like Kakashi with the Sharingan and members of the Hyuga Clan in the Anbu, the facts could not be wrong; even he believed it himself.

It must have been that bastard Orochimaru who said something to Shisui Uchiha; after all, he was once a high-ranking member of Root and had collaborated with Danzo many times in the past.

The other advisor, Mitokado Homura, also stood up and said: "After the incident occurred, I also sent men to investigate. They discovered traces of a giant snake having fought there, confirming it was undoubtedly Orochimaru's handiwork. As for Shisui Uchiha, there are still some suspicious points. Furthermore, I have received news that the Star has been stolen from Hoshikage Village, and they reported seeing Konoha Anbu present. Because of this, the Third Hoshikage has already sent men to issue a formal inquiry to Konoha. But as far as I know, no Anbu went to the Land of Bears during this period. This can only mean one thing: someone is targeting Konoha."

The four of them were classmates from the same era and were all disciples of the Second Hokage; they understood each other quite well.

Danzo was ambitious and would secretly do things that could not see the light of day, but he remained extremely loyal to the village.

At this moment, when the Uchiha were in serious opposition to the village, Danzo would likely not provoke a conflict between the two sides.

The only possibility was that Orochimaru had framed them.

After all, as one of the Sannin of Konoha, Orochimaru knew very well how tense the relationship between the Uchiha and the village was. It was entirely possible he had instigated this to stir up trouble.

Additionally, the matter of the stolen item from Hoshikage Village was also highly suspicious. With Konoha's vast resources and abundance of experts, they would naturally disdain stealing from a small village.

I agree!

Koharu nodded slowly.

She highly approved of Homura's analysis.

Although Danzo was gloomy and did not please her, he would not be ambiguous when it came to the village's interests.

At this critical juncture, Root would not incite a war.

Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his pipe and took a few puffs, slowly exhaling a cloud of smoke.

In truth, he also did not believe it was Danzo's doing; after all, this was a critical period, and Danzo should not be so foolish.

Furthermore, killing Shisui at this time served no benefit to the village, other than inducing a confrontation between the Uchiha and the village.

Neither the Uchiha nor the high-ranking officials of Konoha were prepared for that.

Orochimaru, then!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.

He understood this disciple of his very well.

Ordinary Sharingan could no longer satisfy his appetite; he wanted the Mangekyo of the Uchiha Clan.

Thinking of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen grew suspicious.

Shisui Uchiha, like his grandfather Kagami Uchiha, was one of the few in the Uchiha Clan with a broad perspective. Their vision was not limited to the clan alone. Therefore, Shisui had not hidden the fact that he had awakened the Mangekyo, but had chosen to confess it to the high-ranking officials of Konoha; even the members of the Uchiha Clan did not know.

How did Orochimaru find out?

Danzo!

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head in secret.

This fellow might covet the power of the Mangekyo, but he should not have leaked it to someone outside the village.

However...

A sharp glint flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.

During this period, Danzo had been acting behind his back, often taking matters into his own hands. Although his starting point was for the sake of the village, it made the Third Hokage extremely displeased.

This was the perfect opportunity to keep him in check.

"Danzo, you have not cleared yourself of suspicion."

Sarutobi Hiruzen extinguished his pipe and said, "The Uchiha Clan is a part of us, and an indispensable force for Konoha. As long as I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, live for one more day, I will certainly protect this village."

He walked up to Danzo and said coldly, "Since Root is suspected in this matter, then leave it to Root to handle. Remember, you must provide the Uchiha with an explanation. Otherwise, you can step down from your position as Hokage Advisor."

A flash of fury crossed Danzo's single eye, but he suppressed it quickly.

He had been a rival to Sarutobi Hiruzen his entire life, and even in their old age, they still did not see eye to eye.

Where there is light, there is shadow; where there is yang, there is yin.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was the Konoha bathed in sunlight, so he, Danzo, was the Root buried deep underground.

"I understand!"

Danzo closed his eyes.

The current evidence was extremely unfavorable to him; he had no choice but to concede.

Meeting adjourned!

Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand and was the first to leave the conference room.

Several high-ranking officials left one after another, and Kakashi also put on his mask, leading his subordinates back to the Anbu lounge.

At this moment, a slender figure suddenly appeared in the room, wearing the standard Anbu uniform and a mask.

It was none other than Itachi.

The high-level meeting had originally excluded the Uchiha Clan, as Root was under suspicion regarding the matter of Shisui.

However, Itachi had discovered something amiss based on a few clues from his companions, which led him to sneak into the high-level meeting room, where he heard the news that left him shaken.

Uchiha Shisui, the man he regarded as an older brother, had actually died—and he had died at the hands of Root and Orochimaru.

His Sharingan with its tomoe patterns revealed itself through the eyeholes of his mask, and Itachi could not help but tremble.

Aside from his younger brother Sasuke, Shisui was perhaps the only person in the Uchiha Clan who was close to him.

Now, was he gone too?

"Shisui!"

Itachi suddenly lifted his head, his eyes glistening with tears as his Sharingan underwent a transformation; the three tomoe slowly shifted into a strange triangle.

The fate of Uchiha Shisui had triggered the young Itachi, causing him to awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan.