Conflict

Uchiha Clan Compound

"Clan Head, the Inuzuka Clan just sent word that Danzō has arrived with his men." Uchiha Shisui reported the moment he received the news.

Masaki Uchiha, who was hunched over his desk drafting follow-up plans, looked up with a playful expression on his face: "Danzō is actually still this bold?"

This is no longer the era of the Third Hokage.

In the past, Danzō had Sarutobi Hiruzen to clean up his messes, leaving others to swallow their anger in silence.

But the Fourth Hokage won't indulge him.

With Danzō acting this arrogant now, who gave him the courage?

Fish Leong?

He dares to swagger around with his men to harass other ninja clans.

I was just worrying about not finding an excuse to stir up trouble.

Isn't this the perfect opportunity?

"Let's go, it's time to protect our Shanghai Cooperation Organization members."

Setting aside the unfinished plan, Masaki Uchiha pushed the door open and strode out.

Uchiha Shisui hurriedly signaled the guard squad to follow closely behind.

"Inuzuka Clan Head, let's skip the empty pleasantries."

"Speak honestly, what are you all gathering to conspire about within the Uchiha Clan?"

"If you don't tell the truth, I'll have to invite you to Root for some tea."

Shimura Danzō's icy words were like the temperature of midwinter; the air in the courtyard seemed to drop several degrees.

Perhaps accustomed to his past tyranny, he was now openly threatening the head of a village ninja clan in broad daylight.

In the past, these clan heads would have been too intimidated to speak out.

But now, without the Hokage there to suppress them, who would still give Shimura Danzō any face?

Moreover, having joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Uchiha would be arriving momentarily.

I want to see how you, Shimura Danzō, plan to clean up this mess.

Thinking of this, the Inuzuka Clan Head felt nothing but disdain and retorted: "Hmph, I wasn't raised to be easily frightened. Just try laying a finger on me and see what happens."

Hearing the Inuzuka Clan Head's confident tone, Shimura Danzō was first taken aback, then surged with anger.

Very well, now every Tom, Dick, and Harry thinks they can bark at me.

Do you think that just because the Uchiha Clan is backing you, I wouldn't dare touch you?

Have you all become too arrogant, or have I lost my edge?

"Tatsuma."

Shimura Danzō let out a low shout.

A figure flashed to the front and unleashed a ninjutsu at the Inuzuka Clan Head.

Secret Technique: Insect Sphere

This is a ninjutsu that uses Kikaichū to sense chakra, control the enemy, and then slowly devour their chakra bit by bit.

The range of the ninjutsu is vast, and it can track the enemy.

It seems Danzō still has a shred of reason left.

He didn't go for the kill.

A massive cloud of insects flew rapidly toward the Inuzuka Clan Head.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique

With a loud shout, the people in the standoff felt a wave of heat before they even looked up, and they scrambled to dodge.

A three-meter-tall fireball headed straight for the cloud of insects.

The one who acted was Uchiha Shisui, who had arrived with Masaki Uchiha.

He had only taken the initiative to neutralize Aburame Tatsuma's ninjutsu after receiving a signal from his Clan Head.

Whether intentional or not, the fireball's trajectory veered slightly toward Shimura Danzō's side.

A dense sizzling sound erupted.

This was followed by the fireball striking the ground with a loud "boom."

A cloud of dust billowed into the air.

Seeing the massive cloud of dust, Masaki Uchiha felt a twinge of regret.

After all, there is the law of "no damage in the smoke."

I suppose Danzō is lucky.

It seems I will have to do it myself next time.

"Inuzuka Clan Head, my apologies. I didn't hurt any of you just now, did I?" Uchiha Shisui looked toward the Inuzuka Clan Head with an apologetic expression.

His face was etched with embarrassment.

He had nearly injured members of the organization.

He would need to practice this ninjutsu more when he returned.

He couldn't have it where he failed to hurt the enemy but ended up hurting his own people instead.

"It's nothing, we aren't hurt. Shisui-kun is truly worthy of being a genius of the Uchiha Clan."

"I didn't expect the Great Fireball Technique you unleashed to have such power."

Seeing Masaki Uchiha arrive with so many people, the Inuzuka Clan Head felt nothing but gratitude, convinced that he had bet on the right side this time.

The Uchiha Clan was truly different now.

Moreover, Uchiha Shisui had unleashed the ninjutsu to help him out of a tight spot.

That left nothing more to be said.

Masaki Uchiha smiled slightly and was just about to speak when a roar filled with fury rang out.

"It's you again, Masaki Uchiha!"

Shimura Danzō's eyes, brimming with rage, were locked firmly onto Masaki Uchiha.

"Masaki Uchiha has publicly attacked an elder within the village. Root, take orders: arrest Masaki Uchiha at any cost. If there is any resistance, execute him on the spot!"

The moment Shimura Danzō's voice fell, the Root ninja were already charging toward Masaki Uchiha.

At this moment, another figure wearing Anbu attire and a mask leaped out, calling out to stop them:

"Wait!"

But the Root ninja ignored the Anbu's words entirely; they only obeyed the orders of Shimura Danzō.

Seeing this, the Anbu had no choice but to quickly say to Shimura Danzō, "Lord Danzō, the Third Hokage requests your presence."

"Furthermore, the Third Hokage emphasized that this is an order."

Upon hearing the word "order," Danzō knew he no longer had the authority to act first and report later.

He hadn't reached his current position through recklessness.

He relied on Sarutobi Hiruzen's "indulgence" and his status as an elder.

Without those two conditions, he would never dare to act in such a manner.

"Halt!" Shimura Danzō waved his hand, ordering the Root ninja to stop their action.

This Anbu, codenamed Thin Cat, had been ordered to monitor the Inuzuka Clan Head and had notified his superiors the moment he saw Shimura Danzō arrive.

After receiving the order from the Third Hokage just now, he had immediately appeared to prevent the conflict.

Little did he know that the Root ninja would pay him no mind at all.

But it didn't matter.

Because reinforcements had arrived.

Swish.

Swish.

Two squads of Anbu were already in position.

They vaguely formed a perimeter around everyone present.

"Lord Danzō, please."

Looking at the group of Anbu blocking his path and the group of wicked Uchiha not far away, Shimura Danzō understood that the opportunity had passed.

His own injuries had not yet fully healed.

The elites of Root had not all arrived.

He would simply have to find another opportunity next time.

"Hmph!"

Knowing that these Anbu had been sent by Sarutobi Hiruzen to obstruct him, Shimura Danzō felt his anger flare up. He slammed his cane heavily against the ground, filled with extreme unwillingness.

"Retreat!"

His gritted-teeth voice contained immense fury and lingering resentment.

You are still as soft as ever, Hiruzen.

Just as the Root personnel were retreating in an orderly fashion, Masaki Uchiha suddenly spoke up: "Please take your time leaving, Lord Dan. Zō."

His intentionally drawn-out tone was filled with mockery.

Shimura Danzō paused at the sound of the voice, but he did not stop and walked straight away.

Thin Cat then turned his head toward the Inuzuka Clan Head and said, "Inuzuka Clan Head, the Third Hokage asked me to relay a message to you."

"This was an irrational act committed by Danzō after suffering a head injury; please do not take it to heart. I will bring Danzō to apologize in person another day."

"I understand. People really do act differently than usual after a head injury," the Inuzuka Clan Head said with a chuckle, feigning understanding while cursing internally.

Your Anbu arrived quite quickly.

It hasn't even been that long, and so many of you have already shown up.

You aren't even bothering to put on a show anymore.

"Inuzuka Clan Head, we won't disturb you any further."

Watching these Anbu leave, the Inuzuka Clan Head let out a long sigh of relief.

"Oh, what a pity. I didn't get a chance to fly into a rage today," Masaki Uchiha said with a grin.