Jonin Meeting

Soon, the Third Hokage's decision regarding the punishment for Danzō spread like wildfire among the upper echelons of Konoha's major clans.

Uchiha Compound, conference room.

When Uchiha Chishin heard the details of the Third Hokage's punishment for Danzō via his secret channels, he remained silent for a moment before letting out a cold, mocking laugh.

"Suspension of duties? Budget cuts? Mandatory reporting of operations? A written apology?"

He scanned the elders and jonin present, all of whom wore equally displeased expressions.

"Is Hiruzen Sarutobi trying to fool a child? Does he think such a painless, superficial punishment is enough to quell the Uchiha's fury? Does he think this is a proper explanation for the child, Ling?"

"This is going too far!"

Uchiha Setsuna roared again, "He is blatantly shielding Danzō! He has no regard for the Uchiha at all!"

"Clan Head, we absolutely cannot accept this!" Other Uchiha members voiced their agreement, the crowd growing agitated.

Uchiha Chishin raised his hand, suppressing the noise, his eyes flashing with a sharp light:

"Of course we cannot accept it. Hiruzen Sarutobi wants to sweep this under the rug and bury the matter? It won't be that easy!

Since he cannot handle this impartially, then let every jonin in Konoha judge this matter for themselves!"

"Immediately, in the name of the Uchiha Clan, unite with all clans on good terms with us and formally submit an application to the Hokage to convene a Jonin Trust Conference!

The reason: To deliberate on the serious dereliction of duty by Root leader Shimura Danzō, his endangerment of the village's safety and unity, and to demand his impeachment and more severe disciplinary action!"

A Jonin Trust Conference! This was one of Konoha's highest-level meetings, attended by all active jonin to evaluate and vote on major village affairs; it could even influence the Hokage's decisions!

"Yes! Clan Head!" The Uchiha ninjas, as if injected with a stimulant, immediately sprang into action.

It wasn't just the Uchiha; the Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho, Inuzuka, Aburame... even some small and medium-sized ninja clans.

Upon learning of Danzō's heinous acts and the Third Hokage's "slap on the wrist," they all felt a chill, as if their own lips were at risk once the teeth were gone.

This time it was an Uchiha genius who was assassinated; would it be their own clan's children next?

The lawlessness of Danzō and Root had crossed the bottom line for every ninja clan!

Thus, contrary to Hiruzen Sarutobi's expectations, the moment the Uchiha's application was submitted, it immediately received the seconding and support of a large number of clans!

Pressure, once again, surged toward the Hokage Office like a tsunami.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the mountain of applications for a jonin conference piled on his desk, his expression incredibly grim.

In the end, he had failed to keep the situation contained.

Left with no choice, he had to approve the convening of the Jonin Conference.

The day after the Uchiha Clan issued their joint application, inside Konoha's largest conference hall.

The atmosphere was solemn and grave, carrying a hint of palpable tension.

Almost every active jonin in Konoha, along with the heads or representatives of every major clan, gathered in one place.

The conference hall was packed; people whispered to one another, their gazes occasionally darting toward specific directions.

In the front row sat the Uchiha jonin led by Uchiha Chishin, appearing like a silent volcano, their fury ready to erupt.

Beside them were the representatives of the Hyuga Clan; the Hyuga head's expression was calm, but the veins around his Byakugan were slightly visible, showing he was not truly at peace.

The heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans sat together; Nara Kashima stroked his chin, his eyes flickering as if calculating something. Representatives from the Inuzuka, Aburame, and other clans were also present.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat in the main seat, his expression composed, yet his brow carried an inescapable weariness and gravity.

On his sides sat the two advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, their expressions equally grim.

As for Shimura Danzō, he sat alone in a relatively secluded spot, head bowed, leaning on his cane, radiating a cold, forbidding aura while enduring the open and hidden scrutiny and angry glares from all directions.

The meeting began with Hiruzen Sarutobi briefly stating the sequence of events and his decision regarding Danzō's punishment.

The moment Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, Uchiha Chishin was the first to stand up.

Uchiha Chishin did not roar immediately; instead, he first bowed to the Third Hokage and the assembled jonin, his movements standard and elegant.

Only then did he speak in a voice that was pained yet powerful:

"Lord Hokage, fellow jonin. Regarding this incident, the Uchiha Clan feels immense shock, fury, and heartbreak!"

Uchiha Chishin's voice echoed through the silent hall, drawing everyone's attention.

"Uchiha Ling, a child in our clan who had only just graduated from the ninja academy, held a love for the village and practiced the Will of Fire.

In a moment of crisis, he risked his life to save our comrades from powerful Cloud Village ninjas, upholding the village's dignity and preventing the outbreak of war!

His merits are plain for all to see! Because of this, he was severely wounded and now lies in a hospital bed!"

Chishin's tone rose, carrying intense emotion: "And yet! Right inside the Konoha hospital! In the place where the village should have provided him with the most safety and comfort!

What did he encounter?! He encountered a despicable, ruthless assassination attempt from within the village itself!

Three Root chunin! Their methods were vicious, their intent clear—they meant to kill him!"

Uchiha Chishin's gaze shot toward Danzō in the corner like two sharp blades:

"And the one who commanded all of this was Elder Shimura Danzō! The reason? It was because of his ridiculous, baseless suspicions! Because of our child's Kekkei Genkai! Because of his surname, Uchiha!"

"What utter absurdity! What darkness! What an outrageous atrocity!"

Uchiha Chishin's voice was like thunder, shaking the entire assembly hall. "Today, he can assassinate a hero of the Uchiha clan out of mere suspicion. Tomorrow, will he be able to assassinate any one of you here just because he doesn't like the look of you? Or assassinate any ninja who has bled and sweated for Konoha!"

"Does the existence of Root truly serve to protect Konoha, or is it merely to satisfy the unbridled lust for power of certain individuals?!"

Every word from Uchiha Chishin struck at the heart, voicing the fear and anger hidden within many of the ninjas present!

"That's right!"

"The Uchiha Clan Head is correct!"

"He must be severely punished!"

Below the stage, many jonin from small and medium-sized clans, as well as independent jonin, could not help but voice their agreement.

Even the representatives of major clans like Ino-Shika-Cho nodded one after another, their expressions grave.

Uchiha Setsuna stood up abruptly and roared, "A mere suspension of duties? A budget cut? This kind of punishment is an insult to our intelligence! We demand the immediate removal of Shimura Danzō from all positions! Disband Root! Hold him fully accountable for everything!"

"Agreed!"

"He must be severely punished!"

"Disband Root!"

The members of the Uchiha clan stood up one after another, their momentum overwhelming.