Uchiha Chen Confronts Danzo

After all, they had only made a brief appearance yesterday before vanishing just as quickly, and the only reason they had shown themselves at all was to prevent the Uchiha clan from joining the battle.

Yet, the facts proved that the sole contribution of these two elders during their appearance was to inadvertently help the Nine-Tails kill a few more Konoha ninja.

After all, the state of the battlefield before and after the Uchiha clan joined the fray was like night and day!

At this thought, everyone present cast looks of profound disdain toward the three elders.

The contempt in their eyes pierced the trio like sharp blades.

Flushed with anger under the collective gaze, Shimura Danzō and his two companions stood up, eyes wide with fury as they barked, "You wretched Uchiha brat, cease your baseless slander! Do not dare accuse us of cowardice!

Though we did not personally step onto the battlefield, we remained in the rear, managing personnel and filling the gaps in our defenses. How could a naive brat like you possibly comprehend the effort and contributions we have made?

Hmph! It is simply that our achievements go unrecognized. Furthermore, how dare you question an elder in public? What crime do you think you have committed?"

As he spoke, the three of them unleashed a powerful, piercing aura. It was cold and oppressive, like a venomous snake coiling and baring its fangs, radiating killing intent as it lunged toward Uchiha Chen, attempting to force him to bow his head and admit fault for his earlier insolence.

However, facing this serpentine pressure, Uchiha Chen showed no fear.

He took a deep breath, and the chakra within him instantly boiled, erupting like a volcano—scorching and wild.

His body trembled slightly, and a dazzling light flickered around him, as if a flood dragon were soaring into the sky, twisting and coiling with majestic force.

Beneath that illusory figure lay boundless power, where thunder and flame intertwined, the roaring sound deafening to the ear.

Just as their auras were about to collide and erupt into a fierce clash, a dull, heavy thud suddenly echoed through the room.

A mighty, majestic tiger descended from above, its maw wide open, its sharp claws lashing out like lightning to strike the flood dragon and the venomous snake with pinpoint precision.

In an instant, the auras of the dragon and the snake dissipated, thoroughly suppressed.

As the illusions faded, the figure of Hiruzen Sarutobi came into view, standing tall with a gaze that was sharp, piercing, and filled with immense pressure.

He let out a cold snort, his voice laced with dissatisfaction and reproach: "What kind of decorum is this, brawling inside the Hokage Building!"

Watching the four men cowed by his display, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a wave of profound weariness wash over him.

At this moment, he deeply missed the days of old—before yesterday, when the Fourth Hokage was still alive, he had been well on his way to a leisurely retirement.

Unlike now, where he had to deal with all these wretched, messy affairs.

As he thought this, he unconsciously fiddled with the pipe in his hand, which had gone out due to his agitation, and let out another long, heavy sigh.

After a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke in a conciliatory tone: "Chen, my boy, everyone here is your senior!

Each of them has made immense contributions to Konoha, especially the three elders beside me; they are my peers and have fought bloody battles many times to protect this village.

As a junior, you should show them respect, not such insolence. Quickly, apologize to the three elders and make amends!"

Before Uchiha Chen could react, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze to the three elders, his tone clearly displeased: "And you three, you are all of such age, why must you bicker with a child?

Uchiha Chen is young and hot-headed; it is inevitable that he would act impulsively. Let it pass this time, and simply guide him more in the future."

"I have already ordered him to apologize to you all. Don't keep holding onto your pride; accept the apology in a moment and let this matter be put to rest."

With that, he turned his gaze back to Uchiha Chen, waiting for him to speak.

Feeling the pressure of the gaze from above, Uchiha Chen realized his goal had been achieved. He ceased his mockery and, putting on a look of feigned indignation, spoke with extreme reluctance: "My deepest apologies, Elders. It was my youthful arrogance; I should not have questioned your contributions to the village. I hope you seniors will be magnanimous and forgive this junior's rudeness."

With that, he offered a half-hearted bow. Seeing Uchiha Chen's reluctant display, the three elders let out cold snorts through their noses. Just as they were about to retort, Hiruzen Sarutobi, having anticipated this, interrupted as if he hadn't noticed: "Very well, since he has apologized and you have accepted, let this matter end here."

"I have decided to accept Uchiha Chen's suggestion and resume the position of Hokage. It is settled. Now, Shikaku, is there anything else that needs to be addressed? Speak."

As the ball was kicked back to Shikaku Nara, he sighed helplessly after witnessing the grand performance, then slowly stood up and said: "Lord Hokage, I believe the first step we must take is to stabilize the village."

"After the series of events that just occurred, many parts of the village require repair and reconstruction. We must immediately organize manpower and resources to rebuild and restore the village to normalcy as soon as possible.

Additionally, we need to strengthen the village's security to prevent such incidents from happening again. This will require the joint efforts of the Anbu and the Root."

Shikaku paused for a moment before continuing: "Furthermore, there is the issue of requesting funding from the Daimyo.

This will require you to step forward personally to communicate and negotiate with him. After all, the reconstruction of the village cannot happen without financial support."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, agreeing with Shikaku's assessment. He knew these tasks were vital and required everyone's collective effort to complete.

Others spoke up as well, offering their own opinions and suggestions.

Some believed they should strengthen the training and management of ninja to improve their strength and quality; others felt they should improve the living conditions of the villagers to ensure their peace and prosperity.

Amidst the discussion, time ticked away. Finally, most of the issues were addressed, and the rest would seemingly have to be left to time.

An exhausted Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately declared the meeting over, and it concluded in that strange, quiet atmosphere.

As the crowd dispersed, Uchiha Fugaku gathered his remaining strength to exchange a few words with the other clan heads before hurriedly taking Uchiha Chen away.

After all, the current relationship between the Uchiha clan and the other clans of Konoha was merely a facade of harmony.

Once everyone had left, only Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu remained.

After a brief silence, led by Hiruzen Sarutobi, they walked together into a room sealed by a barrier.

As the barrier activated, the voices of the four faded away.

Before the sound vanished entirely, only one meaningful sentence remained.

"The Uchiha clan..."