Late at night
Shimura Danzō stood guard at the entrance to the Uchiha Clan Compound with all the Root members. Just then, he received word that Minato Namikaze had sacrificed himself, and a flicker of delight crossed his eyes.
Heaven is on my side!
Hiruzen, what reason do you have left to stop me from becoming Hokage?
My biggest obstacle is gone now.
Thinking of his excellent chances of becoming Hokage, Shimura Danzō's face showed a greedy look. He waved his hand and ordered, "Retreat."
I need to plan things out carefully tonight. The Uchiha are just lambs waiting to be slaughtered now.
They're no threat.
Then he waved his hand again. "Retreat."
The Root members remained silent, quickly following Shimura Danzō away.
"Clan leader, the Root members at the entrance have all withdrawn!" Uchiha Yusuke hurried over.
"Oh? Looks like they're done!" Uchiha Masaki, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them. He gave a playful smile, then ordered the Uchiha clan's core members, who had been eagerly waiting before him, "It's our turn to take the stage. Let's go protect Konoha!"
Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Tetsuya, Uchiha Naoya, Uchiha Shisui, and the others stood up at the order, feet together, heads high and chests out. They shouted, "Yes!"
Good spirit!
All that money I spent training them wasn't wasted.
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Uchiha Masaki's eyes.
Once outside, he glanced up at the moon.
The moon was especially bright tonight.
Perfect for killing.
The Uchiha set off in a grand procession.
As they passed through the residential district, the surviving villagers looked at them with hatred.
"Shisui, do you know why they're looking at us like that?" Uchiha Masaki thought it was a good opportunity to teach Uchiha Shisui.
If nothing unexpected happened, Uchiha Shisui would be the next clan leader.
He had to seize the opportunity and train him quickly. Then he could become a hands-off boss.
"Clan leader, is it because the villagers think the Uchiha clan planned what happened today, since the Nine-Tails may have been controlled by the Sharingan?"
"That's part of it, but more than anything, the villagers are angry and afraid of such powerful forces that they can't control."
Uchiha Shisui pondered for a moment, then said, "Is that how the Third Hokage and the others feel too?"
"Not bad, Shisui. You've learned to answer before I can even finish asking." Uchiha Masaki laughed.
"Is that why the Third Hokage and the others are targeting the Uchiha, because of Uchiha Madara?" Uchiha Shisui looked confused.
"That's right. They inherited some of Tobirama Senju's ideas. They're afraid another 'Madara' will rise among the Uchiha, so they're relentlessly suppressing the clan out of fear."
"I see." Uchiha Shisui suddenly understood.
"President!"
At that moment, Hyuga Hiashi arrived with some members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
"I have something urgent to report to you," Hyuga Hiashi said.
"You came at just the right time, Hyuga clan leader. I was about to send someone to find you."
Uchiha Masaki found a nearby house that was still mostly intact, and the two went inside. The others silently took up guard positions.
Hyuga Hiashi gave Uchiha Masaki a detailed account of the Nine-Tails Incident.
He specifically mentioned that Minato Namikaze had spoken up in the Uchiha clan's defense at the time.
Really? So Minato Namikaze said that.
Uchiha Masaki felt a few inexplicable emotions well up inside him.
He would see if he could get Elder Chiyo's jutsu from Sunagakure in the future.
If he got the chance, Uchiha Masaki wouldn't mind bringing Minato Namikaze back to life, provided Konoha was entirely under Uchiha control.
At any rate, a resurrected Minato Namikaze would make a useful workhorse.
"Where are the Fourth Hokage and his wife's bodies, and their orphan?"
"They're all with the Third Hokage! They should be at the Hokage Building by now."
"Let's go find Sarutobi Hiruzen. I'm sure he's been waiting for me."
Uchiha Masaki smiled confidently.
Suddenly, an eagle cried out in the sky.
"That's a summons for the village's Jonin to assemble," Hyuga Hiashi said grimly.
"Looks like someone doesn't take me, the Jonin Squad Leader, seriously." Uchiha Masaki smiled, but there was a murderous edge to it.
Normally, the Hokage issued an order to the Jonin Squad Leader, who then sent out a Ninja Hawk to summon the village's Jonin.
Jonin were the high-end fighting force of every ninja village, far beyond the likes of Chunin and Special Jōnin.
That was why orders summoning all Jonin were treated with great care.
But today, someone had issued the order without going through Uchiha Masaki, the current Jonin Squad Leader.
If someone dared to do that, they would have to face the consequences.
"Hmph. Let's see whose bones are harder, yours or my blade. Move out."
Uchiha Masaki was getting excited.
Hyuga Hiashi hurried to catch up, and the guards outside followed close behind.
In front of the Hokage Building
A figure stood there, barely visible.
A large group of footsteps gradually sounded nearby.
Looking more closely, it was the Uchiha clan and some members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
"Masaki, today's order summoning the Jonin was obviously aimed at you. Be careful."
Orochimaru's hoarse voice held a trace of concern. After saying this, his figure vanished with a "poof."
Uchiha Masaki merely nodded and continued toward the Hokage Building without slowing down.
The murderous atmosphere was gradually spreading.
Someone was bound to get hurt tonight. The question was, who?
Uchiha Masaki smiled confidently.
Hokage Building conference room
Many Jonin who had received the order were already standing inside.
"Clack."
The conference room door opened.
Uchiha Masaki entered with his people.
When some of the Jonin saw the Jonin Squad Leader arrive, they started to bow, but Uchiha Masaki raised a hand to stop them.
From the moment the door opened, Sarutobi Hiruzen had kept his eyes fixed on Uchiha Masaki.
"Who's going to explain to me who issued the order summoning the Jonin?" As soon as Uchiha Masaki sat down, he took control of the room.
Most of the Jonin exchanged confused looks at his words.
Wasn't the order summoning the Jonin supposed to come from the Jonin Squad Leader?
The conference room fell completely silent.
"I issued the order," Sarutobi Hiruzen said. Seeing that the boy wasn't following the usual script, he had no choice but to explain.
Uchiha Masaki gave a playful smile. "Then in what capacity did the Third Hokage issue this order?"
"Of course, in my capacity as the Third Hokage." Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't figure out what Uchiha Masaki was thinking. Why would he ask such a question?
It could only be said that Sarutobi Hiruzen had been Hokage for too long and had grown arrogant.
Was a retired Hokage still the Hokage?
What right did he have to interfere in the village's affairs?
That was the trouble with failing to understand one's own position!