Not only do I not eat beef, I also don't want scallions!!

The Sharingan eyes on Shimura Danzō's arm had all turned completely grey and lifeless.

"That was... the Sharingan?!"

A voice of shock exploded through the crowd. Several jōnin gasped, their pupils constricting as their faces turned ghastly pale.

Originally, some had been skeptical of Uchiha Yoru's words, but this scene before them forced them to hold their breath in involuntary terror.

Shimura Danzō was actually plundering the eyes of the Uchiha clan!

"You bastard... Danzō, how could you..." Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened instantly, his voice low and complex.

It was not that he was unaware of Danzō's research into the power of the Uchiha, but seeing it laid bare before everyone made him realize he had underestimated his former comrade.

The most terrifying part was not Danzō's ambition, but that he had used a forbidden technique of the Uchiha clan in broad daylight without the slightest attempt at concealment!

This was undoubtedly sending a dangerous signal to every bloodline family in Konoha—

Would the fate of the Uchiha today become their own tomorrow?

Within the crowd, the expression of Hyuga Hiashi had turned icy. His gaze fell on Danzō with vigilance before shifting to Sarutobi Hiruzen, his eyes filled with faint dissatisfaction and silent questioning.

Was Konoha truly worthy of their unconditional trust?

Although the situation had shaken the resolve of many Konoha ninja, the major clans were clearly unwilling to change their stance so easily just yet.

Take the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, for example.

The three clan heads exchanged a tacit glance, communicating their intent without a word, before throwing themselves into the fray without hesitation.

"Super Multi-Size Technique!"

Akimichi Chōza's body expanded violently, and within seconds, he had transformed into a giant.

"Human Bullet Tank!"

BOOM—!

His massive body rotated at an astonishing speed, turning into a violent, crushing giant spiked ball that charged straight toward the Perfect Susanoo.

Standing inside the Susanoo, Uchiha Yoru frowned slightly and clicked his tongue: "...Is he always this brave?"

CLANG!

The Susanoo crossed its twin blades in front of itself. The next instant, the blades shimmered with a cold light, ready to mince this human meatball right where it stood.

"Now!"

Nara Shikaku seized the opportunity and quickly formed hand seals—

"Shadow Bind Technique!"

Black shadows spread out, attempting to restrict the movements of the Susanoo, but—

It failed.

Such a massive entity of chakra was simply not something Nara Shikaku could fully lock down. Even with all his might, he only managed to slow the Susanoo's pace for a fleeting moment.

Nara Shikaku's heart sank, cold sweat beading on his forehead as he shouted urgently:

"Hurry!!"

Almost simultaneously, Yamanaka Inoichi formed his seals—

"Mind Destruction Technique!"

A powerful mental shockwave surged toward the soul of Uchiha Yoru!

However—

In that split second, a pair of giant, crimson Sharingan eyes suddenly snapped open!

PFFT!

Yamanaka Inoichi's face changed drastically; he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed straight to the ground, falling into a coma!

Before Nara Shikaku could react, the Susanoo had already shattered the bindings. Its crimson eyes locked onto its target, and the giant blade was raised high!

"Shikaku—!"

SPLASH!

Before the shadows could even retract, blood splattered across the earth; the figure of Nara Shikaku was completely crushed!

The fate of Akimichi Chōza was even more gruesome—

The two giant chakra blades descended like lightning. The violent strikes, like a butcher mincing meat, instantly hacked the massive sphere into a pile of gore!

Blood sprayed, staining half of Konoha red.

"This... is this power truly something we can resist?"

In the ensuing silence, a deep sense of despair began to well up in the hearts of many ninja.

Yet, the blade of Uchiha Yoru did not stop.

With a casual wave, the giant chakra blade of the Susanoo tore through the sky. The next moment, the two advisors to the Hokage didn't even have time to scream before they were reduced to ash, vanishing from the world entirely.

Having finished all this, Uchiha Yoru looked up with an expressionless face, turning his gaze toward—

Sarutobi Hiruzen.

The movements of the Susanoo suddenly stalled.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sensed this, a slight shift occurring in his heart as he realized the other party might be intending to negotiate.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the pain within, and spoke in a deep voice: "Regarding the plight of the Uchiha clan... I feel deeply sorry. Such a thing was something we never anticipated..."

Having said this, he turned his head abruptly and glared fiercely at Shimura Danzō.

Shimura Danzō: "???"

Damn it! Is this Monkey so shameless that he's throwing away his face entirely?!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's glare was pregnant with meaning, as if he were offloading all the blame onto him.

Danzō sneered in his heart; since that was the case...

This old man is leaving!

Before the words had even faded, his figure flashed and he vanished without a trace!

Uchiha Yoru's gaze swept over, and seeing that Danzō's target was the Root base, he merely let out a cold laugh, making no move to stop him.

Run as you please; it's not like I won't be scattering the ashes of Root soon enough anyway.

As the greatest scapegoat in the history of the Hokage, Uchiha Yoru made it clear he wouldn't let the man die so easily!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression shifted slightly, but he could not afford to dwell on the awkwardness of Danzō's departure and continued, "Perhaps... we can talk?"

His tone was steady, yet carried a trace of imperceptible apprehension.

"I will do my utmost to satisfy your demands."

"Heh..."

Hearing this, Uchiha Yoru let out a cold laugh.

"Want to negotiate terms?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was grave as he waited for what would follow, and the ninjas behind him couldn't help but hold their breath.

The twin blades of the Susanoo lifted slightly, and Uchiha Yoru's gaze was cold and detached, as if looking down upon ants.

"Then—"

He spoke slowly, the corners of his mouth curling into a mocking arc.

"Perform a death on the spot for me."

"You—!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face changed abruptly, his tone laced with faint anger: "Are you joking, Excellency?!"

"Joking?" Uchiha Yoru scoffed, his eyes growing colder. "I understand and embody the Will of Fire of the First and Second Hokage perfectly."

His voice was low, yet resonated with power.

"Furthermore, I believe—without you bunch of rotting relics, my Konoha will become even better."

The Will of Fire?

Those who know, know.

As long as one's strength is sufficient, the Will of Fire is whatever one wants it to be!

If Senju Hashirama had relied solely on the Will of Fire to sway Uchiha Madara back in the day, he probably would have been... well, you know.

Therefore—

Uchiha Yoru had no interest in negotiating at all!

He was merely toying with Sarutobi Hiruzen.

His strength no longer allowed him to keep a low profile!

He didn't just refuse to eat beef; he didn't even want the scallions!!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was gloomy, a flash of anger crossing his eyes.

This guy clearly had no intention of negotiating whatsoever!

Since that was the case...

On the surface, Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned in contemplation, as if he were truly considering Uchiha Yoru's "demands."

But in reality, his chakra had already been quietly gathering in his hands.

None of the ninjas present noticed that he had already silently formed the hand seals, preparing to stake everything on one final gamble!

"Dead Demon Consuming Seal!!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a low shout, his internal chakra surging wildly!

However—

The next second, his pupils contracted violently.

"Wha..."

Before the words could leave his throat, he felt his neck tighten as a powerful hand clamped down on him, holding him fast!

--It was Uchiha Yoru!

"It seems... I need to help you finish your performance myself."

Uchiha Yoru's lips curled upward as he spoke in a cold voice.