The Sharingan in Shimura Danzō's arm had all turned gray.
"Was that just... the Sharingan?!"
Shocked voices erupted from the crowd. Several jonin sucked in sharp breaths, their pupils shrinking as their faces turned grim.
At first, some had been half-convinced by Uchiha Yoru's words. But the sight before them left them holding their breath despite themselves.
Shimura Danzō really was stealing the Uchiha Clan's eyes!
"Damn it... Danzō, you actually..." Sarutobi Hiruzen's face darkened, his voice low and troubled.
He hadn't been unaware that Danzō had been researching the Uchiha's power. But seeing it all laid bare before everyone, he realized he'd still underestimated his old comrade.
The most terrifying thing wasn't Danzō's ambition. It was that he'd brazenly used the Uchiha Clan's forbidden jutsu in full view of everyone!
This was undoubtedly sending a dangerous message to every bloodline clan in Konoha...
Would what had happened to the Uchiha today become their fate tomorrow?
In the crowd, Hyuga Hiashi's expression had turned icy. He watched Danzō warily, then looked toward Sarutobi Hiruzen, his eyes betraying a hint of resentment and accusation.
Was Konoha really worthy of their unconditional trust?
Although the situation had shaken many Konoha Ninja, at that moment the major clans clearly weren't willing to change their stance so easily.
The Ino-Shika-Cho Clans, for example.
The leaders of the three clans exchanged a knowing glance, then joined the battle without hesitation.
"Super Multi-Size Technique!"
Akimichi Chōza's body suddenly swelled. In a matter of seconds, he had become a giant.
"Human Bullet Tank!"
BOOM—!
His massive body spun at astonishing speed, turning into a gigantic, frenzied spiked ball that crushed everything in its path as it charged straight at the Perfect Susanoo.
Standing inside the Susanoo, Uchiha Yoru furrowed his brow and clicked his tongue. "...Is he always this bold?"
CLANG!
The Susanoo crossed its two swords in front of itself. A moment later, their blades flashed coldly, ready to chop the human-shaped beef ball into pieces right there.
"Now!"
Nara Shikaku seized the opportunity and swiftly formed Hand Seals—
"Shadow Bind Technique!"
Black shadows spread out, trying to restrain the Susanoo's movements. But—
It failed.
A chakra construct this enormous was far beyond Nara Shikaku's ability to fully restrain. Even giving it everything he had, he only managed to slow the Susanoo for a brief instant.
Nara Shikaku's heart sank. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he shouted urgently:
"Now!!"
Almost at the same time, Yamanaka Inoichi formed Hand Seals—
"Mind Destruction Technique!"
A powerful mental assault surged toward Uchiha Yoru's soul!
But—
In an instant, a pair of gigantic crimson Sharingan snapped open!
PFFT!
Yamanaka Inoichi's expression changed drastically. He spat out a huge mouthful of blood and collapsed rigidly, unconscious!
Nara Shikaku hadn't even had time to react before the Susanoo shattered the restraints. Its crimson eyes fixed on their target as its massive blade came crashing down!
"Shikaku—!"
PFFT!
The shadow hadn't even retracted before blood splattered across the ground. Nara Shikaku's body was crushed to pieces!
Akimichi Chōza's fate was even more tragic—
Two gigantic chakra blades came slashing down like lightning. The frenzied strikes minced him like ground meat, reducing the massive ball to mush in an instant!
Blood sprayed everywhere, staining half of Konoha red.
"Th-this kind of power... can we really fight it?"
In the dead silence, despair began to seep into some of the ninja.
But Uchiha Yoru's blade did not stop.
With a casual sweep of his hand, the Susanoo's enormous chakra blade cleaved through the air. In the next instant, the Hokage's two advisors turned to ash before they could even scream, vanishing from the world without a trace.
After finishing all that, Uchiha Yoru lifted his expressionless face and looked at—
Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The Susanoo suddenly stopped moving.
Sarutobi Hiruzen noticed and felt a slight stir in his heart. He realized the other man might be willing to negotiate.
He drew a deep breath, suppressing his grief, and spoke in a low voice. "I'm deeply sorry about what happened to the Uchiha Clan... We never expected something like this to happen either..."
As he spoke, he abruptly turned and glared at Shimura Danzō.
Shimura Danzō: "???"
What the hell! Monkey was shameless enough to dump all the blame on him?!
Sarutobi Hiruzen's glare was loaded with meaning, as if he were pinning the entire mess on Danzō.
Danzō sneered inwardly. If that was how it was...
Then the old man was out of here!
Before anyone could say another word, he flashed away and disappeared!
Uchiha Yoru's gaze swept after him. Seeing that Danzō was heading for the Root Base, he only sneered and made no move to stop him.
"Run all you want. I'll be scattering the Root's ashes in a bit anyway."
As the biggest scapegoat in the Hokage's office, Shimura Danzō wasn't going to get off that easily!
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression shifted, but he couldn't afford to dwell on the awkwardness of Danzō's departure. He continued, "Perhaps... we can talk?"
His tone was steady, but there was a trace of apprehension he couldn't quite hide.
"I'll do my best to meet your demands."
"Heh..."
Uchiha Yoru let out a cold laugh.
"You want to negotiate?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression grew solemn as he waited for what came next. The ninja behind him held their breath as well.
The Susanoo's twin blades lifted slightly. Uchiha Yoru's gaze was icy, as if he were looking down at a swarm of ants.
"Then—"
He spoke slowly, a mocking smile curling his lips.
"Give us a little performance and drop dead right here."
"You—!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression changed, anger seeping into his voice. "Are you making a joke?!"
"A joke?" Uchiha Yoru scoffed, his eyes turning colder. "I understand and uphold the Will of Fire of the First and Second Hokage perfectly well."
His voice was low, but every word landed with force.
"And I believe Konoha will be better without a bunch of rotten old men like you."
The Will of Fire?
Everyone knew what that really meant.
As long as you were strong enough, the Will of Fire was your will!
If Senju Hashirama had tried to win Uchiha Madara over with the Will of Fire back then, he probably would've been finished off by that... something-or-other long ago.
So—
Uchiha Yoru had no interest in negotiating!
He was just toying with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
His strength meant he no longer had to keep a low profile!
Not only did he refuse to eat beef, he wouldn't even take scallions!!
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face darkened, anger flashing in his eyes.
That guy had never had any intention of negotiating!
In that case...
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned on the surface, pretending to seriously consider Uchiha Yoru's "demands."
In reality, chakra had already begun gathering in his hands.
No one present noticed that he had quietly formed Hand Seals, preparing to stake everything on one desperate move!
"Dead Demon Consuming Seal!!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen growled, chakra surging wildly through his body!
But—
In the next second, his pupils suddenly contracted.
"Wh..."
Before he could finish, he felt a tight grip around his neck. A powerful hand had him in a chokehold!
It was Uchiha Yoru!
"Looks like I'll have to help you put on that performance myself."
Uchiha Yoru's lips curled into a faint smile as he spoke coldly.
Before you continue