The Uchiha Clan Compound
"Clan Head, the Inuzuka Clan just sent word that Danzo has arrived with his people," Uchiha Shisui reported as soon as he received the news.
Uchiha Masaki, who had been bent over the desk writing up his plans, looked up. His face was full of amusement. "Danzo's still got the nerve to act like this?"
This wasn't the Lord Third's administration anymore.
Back then, Sarutobi Hiruzen had cleaned up after Danzo, and everyone else had been angry but afraid to speak up.
The Fourth Hokage wasn't going to indulge him.
And Danzo was still throwing his weight around. Who did he think gave him the guts?
Fish Leong?
He actually dared to swagger over with his men and pick a fight with another shinobi clan.
I'd been worried I wouldn't find an opportunity to make a move.
And now one had practically landed in my lap.
"Come on. We're going to protect our Shanghai Cooperation Organization members."
Setting aside the unfinished plans, Uchiha Masaki pushed open the door and walked out.
Uchiha Shisui hurriedly called for the guards to follow close behind.
"Inuzuka Clan Head, don't waste my time with empty words."
"Tell me the truth. What were you all plotting when you gathered at the Uchiha Clan?"
"If you don't give me a straight answer, I'll have to invite you to Root for tea."
Shimura Danzo's icy words were like the bitter cold of midwinter. The temperature in the courtyard seemed to drop several degrees.
He must have been used to throwing his weight around. Now he was threatening a clan head in broad daylight, right in the heart of the village.
In the past, those clan heads would have been furious but too afraid to speak up.
But without the Hokage holding them back, who would still bother giving Shimura Danzo face?
And besides, they'd already joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The Uchiha would be here any moment.
Let's see how you get out of this, Shimura Danzo.
The thought only made the Inuzuka Clan Head more contemptuous. "Hmph. I wasn't raised to be scared of you. Go ahead and try laying a finger on me."
At the Inuzuka Clan Head's confident tone, Shimura Danzo first felt a flicker of surprise, then his anger surged.
Fine. Now even any random nobody thought he could bark at me.
You think the Uchiha Clan's backing will stop me from touching you?
Have you gotten too cocky, or have I gotten too old to wield a blade?
"Tatsuma," Shimura Danzo barked.
A figure flashed forward and launched a ninjutsu at the Inuzuka Clan Head.
[Secret Technique: Insect Sphere]
This technique used Kikaichū to sense chakra and control an opponent, then gradually devour their chakra.
The technique had a wide range and could track its target.
At least Danzo still had a little sense left.
He hadn't gone for the kill.
A huge cloud of insects rushed toward the Inuzuka Clan Head.
[Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique]
At a loud shout, everyone facing off in the courtyard felt a wave of heat without even looking up, and they quickly used various techniques to dodge.
A fireball three meters high shot straight toward the cloud of insects.
The one who'd launched it was Uchiha Shisui, who had come with Uchiha Masaki.
He had only acted to counter Aburame Tatsuma's technique after receiving a signal from his clan head.
Perhaps it was intentional, but the fireball's trajectory veered slightly toward Shimura Danzo's side.
A rapid crackling sound rang out.
Then the fireball struck the ground and exploded with a bang.
Dust billowed into the air.
Seeing the cloud of dust, Uchiha Masaki felt a little regretful.
After all, there was that rule about no one getting hurt when there was smoke.
Danzo sure was lucky.
Next time, I'll have to deal with him myself.
"Inuzuka Clan Head, sorry about that. You weren't hurt, were you?" Uchiha Shisui asked, looking at the Inuzuka Clan Head with an apologetic expression.
His face was full of embarrassment.
He'd nearly hurt a member of the organization.
He'd have to practice that technique more when he got back.
He couldn't go around hitting his allies before he even hit the enemy.
"We're fine. No one was hurt. Shisui, you really are a genius of the Uchiha Clan."
"I never knew your Great Fireball Technique could be so powerful."
When the Inuzuka Clan Head saw Uchiha Masaki arrive with so many people, he felt nothing but gratitude. He believed he'd made the right call.
The Uchiha Clan really had changed.
Besides, Uchiha Shisui had used his ninjutsu to get him out of trouble.
There was nothing more to say.
Uchiha Masaki smiled faintly, about to speak, when an enraged roar rang out.
"It's you again, Uchiha Masaki!"
Shimura Danzo glared at Uchiha Masaki, his eyes burning with fury.
"Uchiha Masaki has publicly attacked an elder in the village! Root, listen up! Capture Uchiha Masaki at all costs. If he resists, kill him on the spot!"
As soon as Shimura Danzo finished speaking, the Root shinobi charged toward Uchiha Masaki.
Just then, someone wearing an Anbu uniform and a mask stepped forward and called out to stop them.
"Hold it!"
But the Root shinobi ignored the Anbu member completely. They only obeyed Shimura Danzo.
Seeing this, the Anbu member quickly turned to Shimura Danzo. "Lord Danzo, the Lord Third requests your presence."
"Also, the Lord Third said this is an order."
As soon as Danzo heard the word "order," he knew he no longer had the authority to act first and report later.
He hadn't gotten where he was by being reckless.
He owed it to Sarutobi Hiruzen's "favor" and his position as an elder.
Without those two things, how could he have dared to behave like this?
"Stop!" Shimura Danzo waved a hand, halting the Root shinobi.
This Anbu member's codename was Thin Cat. He had been assigned to watch the Inuzuka Clan Head, and the moment he saw Shimura Danzo arrive, he had immediately notified his superiors.
After receiving the Lord Third's order just now, he had appeared at once to stop the confrontation.
He hadn't expected the Root shinobi to ignore him completely.
But it didn't matter.
The reinforcements had arrived.
Whoosh.
Whoosh.
Two Anbu squads were now in position.
They were quietly surrounding everyone in the courtyard.
"Lord Danzo, please."
Looking at the Anbu standing in his way and the sinister Uchiha farther off, Shimura Danzo knew the moment had passed.
His injuries hadn't healed yet.
The Root's elite hadn't all assembled, either.
He'd just have to find another opportunity next time.
"Hmph!"
Knowing the Anbu had been sent by Sarutobi Hiruzen to make trouble for him, Shimura Danzo was so angry he could barely contain himself. He slammed his cane heavily against the ground, deeply unwilling to back down.
"Withdraw!"
His gritted voice was full of fury and resentful frustration.
You're still so weak, Hiruzen.
Just as the Root shinobi began to withdraw in orderly fashion, Uchiha Masaki suddenly spoke.
"Leaving already, Lord Danzo?"
His deliberately drawn-out words were full of mockery.
Shimura Danzo's steps faltered at the sound, but he didn't stop. He walked straight out.
Thin Cat turned to the Inuzuka Clan Head and said, "Inuzuka Clan Head, the Lord Third asked me to pass along a message."
"This was an irrational act by Danzo after he injured his head. Please don't take it to heart. I'll bring Danzo to apologize in person another day."
"I understand. A head injury can certainly make someone act differently from usual," the Inuzuka Clan Head said with a cheerful smile, though inwardly he was cursing.
The Anbu sure got here quickly.
It hadn't been long, and already so many of them had arrived.
They weren't even pretending anymore.
"Inuzuka Clan Head, we won't bother you any longer."
Watching the Anbu leave, the Inuzuka Clan Head let out a long breath of relief.
"Ah, what a shame. I didn't get the chance to let loose today," Uchiha Masaki said with a grin.