On the Brink of Conflict

Compared to Fugaku, who was good at hiding his true abilities, the first time Fugaku revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan was when Edo Kinkaku Ginkaku lost control in the Edo Minato Namikaze. In order to save the Fourth Hokage Mangekyō Sharingan, allowing the people of Konoha to see Susanoo, which was hailed as the power of a god, once again.

But at that time, although Fugaku was powerful, he was one of his own.

At this moment, although Chiho did not make a move, her captivating gaze, enhanced by the Eye Power of her Mangekyō Sharingan, made the Root Ninja in the arena feel as if their hearts were being squeezed by an invisible hand, and their lives were completely out of their control.

Although Danzo possessed Kage Level strength, he lost an eye and an arm during the previous Fourth Ninja World War, so his true strength was only at the bottom among Kage Level.

Faced with Chiho's malicious gaze, Danzo's expression Danzo, snapping him out of his reverie about the future.

For Danzo, compared to Fugaku, whom he already knew well, Chiho, who had always kept a low profile, suddenly revealed her powerful strength with the Mangekyō Sharingan. This was a demonstration against him, and also a demonstration against the higher-ups.

If a violent conflict were to break out, it would be a responsibility that even Danzo could not bear. Although Hiruzen tacitly approved of his actions to suppress the Uchiha, he was absolutely unwilling to see bloodshed.

Faced with two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan, Danzo lost his previous confidence, especially since Chiho didn't seem as easy to deal with Fugaku.

"You..." Danzo was about to speak when he suddenly noticed a commotion behind him, with a large number of ninjas rushing towards them.

Danzo looked at the leading ninja and immediately felt reassured.

The Third Hokage arrived with his direct subordinate Anbu, a dozen or so Anbu Ninja, all of whom were experienced Jōnin.

However, compared to the Uchiha ninjas present, they were at a disadvantage in both quantity and quality.

When the Third Hokage arrived at the scene, seeing the confrontation between the two sides and the malicious look in Uchiha's eyes, his expression changed slightly. When he noticed Chiho's Mangekyō Sharingan, he was startled, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Lord Third Hokage, are you here to coerce our Uchiha Clan, just like Danzo?" Chiho spoke before the Third Hokage could even reply.

As soon as she finished speaking, most of the Uchiha Clan present were even more enraged; her words were like adding fuel to the fire.

Seeing that the Uchiha clan seemed ready to make a move, the Third Hokage gestured to the Anbu behind him not to act rashly. He stepped forward alone and said with a serious expression, "Don't get agitated. I believe there must be some misunderstanding!"

An invisible aura emanated from the Third Hokage, causing everyone to feel a chill.

Although Ninja Hero is old, he is still one of the Five Kage of the Era.

However, the Third Hokage's aura was not very intimidating to Kage Level powerhouses like Chiho, Shisui, Issei, and Fugaku who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Danzo Root under Lord Danzo attempted to assassinate me when I returned to the village, which chilled the heart of Konoha Ninja had been unconscious for half a year after being injured."

I risked my life for the village, but after only a short time away from the village, I was classified as S-Rank Missing-nin.

Danzo trespassed into our Uchiha Clan and tried to take me away in front of everyone. He clearly doesn't respect our Uchiha Clan at all.

Just because I'm Uchiha, does that mean I can be treated as Konoha ninja?

"Uchiha Issei" felt that things hadn't gotten big enough, so he immediately fanned the flames.

The Third Hokage's expression froze. Although he wanted to say that according to normal regulations, it was normal for someone like Issei to be listed as a missing-nin for not returning to the village within the mission's stipulated time and not sending back any information for six months, given the current situation, if he said such a thing, it might further escalate the conflict. Especially seeing Fugaku standing behind everyone without stepping forward to ease the tension, it was clear that something had happened within the Uchiha that he was unaware of.

"Fugaku, what do you think about this?" The Third Hokage looked at Fugaku.

Fugaku said in a deep voice, "Lord Third Hokage, I am no longer the head of the Uchiha Clan!"

"What? What's going on?" The Third Hokage's expression changed, somewhat incredulous.

Before Fugaku could answer, Chiho stepped forward and said, "Lord Third Hokage, I am now the new head of the Uchiha Clan. I am not as easy to talk to as Fugaku- senpai. If Danzo cannot give me a satisfactory answer today, I will not let this go!"

The Third Hokage's expression darkened slightly. Chiho's forceful attitude made him sense something was wrong. His mind raced, and he looked at Danzo, rebuking him:

"Danzo, who gave you permission to break into the Uchiha Clan and arrest people? Issei's matter is still under discussion."

Although he hadn't returned to the village for six months, which could theoretically classify him as missing-nin, how could you allow Root ninjas to attack him without understanding the details?!

Danzo was stunned for a moment Danzo hearing this, seemingly a little bewildered. "Hiruzen? You?!"

With Hiruzen's arrival, Danzo felt emboldened, but unexpectedly Hiruzen reprimanded him in public. Wasn't this a sign of compromise and weakness towards the Uchiha Clan?

Seeing Danzo's dissatisfaction, the Third Hokage said in a deep voice, "If you act on your own again, I will have to consider whether you are suitable to continue controlling Root. Now, take your people and leave this place!"

Danzo clenched his fist under his sleeve and sneered, "Hmph! Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"

The Uchiha members were overjoyed to see Danzo comeuppance.

Seeing the Third Hokage Hokage's behavior, Fugaku's expression relaxed. If the Third Hokage had protected Danzo, the situation would have spiraled out of control.

Chiho watched Danzo leave expressionlessly, without saying much. The Third Hokage's performance was within her expectations; otherwise, Shiraha and Kushina wouldn't have been able to leave Konoha so easily.

The Third Hokage was always considering things before acting, or preparing to consider them. He was indecisive, and this became more pronounced as he got older.

The key reason why Danzo dared to be so arrogant towards the Uchiha Clan was the Third Hokage's inaction and inaction.

Since it wasn't the right time to completely break off relations, Chiho didn't launch any further attacks.

She wanted to leave with the Uchiha Clan legitimately, to let the other Ninja Clan of Konoha see the true colors of the higher-ups. The Uchiha were not wrong; it was the higher-ups who pressured the Uchiha Clan too much. It was the Uchiha Clan that voluntarily abandoned the Ninja Clan alliance Konoha Konoha, not the Uchiha.

Before delivering a fatal blow to the higher-ups, let them run wild for a while longer.

After Danzo left, the Third Hokage looked at Uchiha Issei beside him and said apologetically, "Issei, it was my fault that the Root Ninja attacked you without permission. Now that you have returned to the village, I think you should explain something to me, the Hokage."

"Yes, Lord Third Hokage." Uchiha Issei replied respectfully. It was clear that Chiho had other plans, and Shiraha wanted to see what she could do.

"Come with me." The Third Hokage nodded to Chiho and Fugaku, then gestured for Issei to leave with him.

Uchiha Issei patted Shisui on the shoulder, indicating that he didn't need to be nervous, and then left with the Third Hokage.

Compared to Issei, the ' missing-nin,' returning to Konoha, Chiho becoming the new head of the Uchiha Clan caused quite a stir in Konoha.

After all, Fugaku had a very good reputation among the Konoha Ninja.

Many Jōnin believe that if Fugaku were to run for Hokage, his popularity, character, and strength would be more than enough. The only thing holding him back is the poor reputation of the Uchiha Clan as a whole.

A year has quietly passed.

Compared to Fugaku's maturity and composure, Chiho, the new head of the Uchiha Clan, appeared much more radical. She repeatedly clashed with Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Minato Homura, and others at Konoha High-Level meetings, and actively fought for the political rights of the Uchiha Clan.

Furthermore, she implemented reforms within the Konoha Military Police Force, completely eliminating the violent law enforcement practices previously employed by its Military Police Force.

The Uchiha Clan's preconceived notion of arrogance and rudeness in the minds of others has gradually been broken.

However, many Uchiha were dissatisfied with her approach, because why should the powerful Uchiha compromise with others and fawn over ordinary people? The pride of the Uchiha would eventually be worn away by Chiho, the clan leader.

Especially knowing that the Uchiha Clan possessed four pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan, the fact that they continued the policies of the Fugaku clan head and continued to negotiate with the higher-ups indefinitely caused some of the Uchiha Clan originally supported Chiho to gradually develop other ideas.

"The Uchiha have shown enough sincerity, but the village's reaction is truly disappointing!" After saying this at yet another High-Level Meeting, Chiho slammed the door and left, leaving everyone looking at each other in bewilderment.

Many Jōnin actually felt indignant on behalf of the Uchiha Clan, because the changes in the Uchiha over the past year were obvious to all, but the higher-ups seemed to turn a blind eye.

It's true that the Uchiha is arrogant, but in several Ninja World War, the Uchiha Clan was always at the forefront, and when danger came, every Uchiha was a reliable comrade.

They simply wanted the treatment and political rights that a major clan deserved, especially given that the Uchiha had repeatedly humbled themselves; the actions of the higher-ups were actually somewhat unfair.

A single Jōnin cannot influence the decisions of the higher-ups, while some Ninja Clan leaders with influence have to consider their clans and whether it is necessary to antagonize the higher-ups for the sake of the Uchiha Clan.

The intention of the four high-ranking members to suppress the Uchiha Clan is all too clear. If they speak up for the Uchiha, they are likely to be seen as siding with the Uchiha. Unless the Hyuga clan takes the lead, other Ninja Clan will not easily do such a risky thing.

Unfortunately, the Hyuga clan and the Uchiha Clan have been mortal enemies since the Warring States Period. Even though they are now in the same village, their relationship is by no means harmonious.

Therefore, silence seems to be the best option.

"The meeting is adjourned. Everyone, please disperse." The Third Hokage gestured for everyone to leave. He was also somewhat troubled by Chiho's tough stance. He was indeed very pleased with the changes in the Uchiha over the past year, but he was still hesitant when it came to delegating authority.

"Shisui, you stay."

As everyone was leaving the meeting room, the Third Hokage called out to Shisui.

"Yes."

Shisui paused for a moment, then stopped in his tracks.

He followed Danzo and the Third Hokage to the Hokage Office.

Soon, the other two Hokage Advisor Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, also arrived.

"Shisui, has the situation within the Uchiha Clan reached a point where it's about to spiral out of control?" the Third Hokage asked in a deep voice.

As his direct Anbu, Shisui was highly regarded by the Third Hokage. At least in his view, Shisui had broken away from the narrow-minded clan mentality of the Uchiha and was very similar to their former comrade, Kagami Uchiha.

However, Shisui seems to have changed somewhat since Chiho took over.

"Yes, many clansmen have strong resistance, and the sentiment for a coup within the clan is high. It seems that Chiho has also been persuaded."

"That's what Shisui replied."

"We have to come up with a solution!" Utatane Koharu.

Mitokado Homura pondered, "It seems we have no choice but to make some concessions."

"No, giving in now will only embolden those Uchiha Clan who are plotting a coup," Danzo immediately objected.

The Third Hokage looked like he had a headache.

Just then, Shisui, who was kneeling on one knee, suddenly revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan: "Lord Third Hokage, I have a way."

Meanwhile, in the Uzumaki Clan grounds.

Underground laboratory.

Shiraha sat cross-legged on the bed.

After his promotion, he had been intermittently training for a year. Apart from communicating with the Wood Spirit Avatar "Uchiha Issei" when necessary, and spending time with Kushina, Hikari, and Taichi, he had been training almost all the time.

In just one year, he had become thoroughly familiar with the abilities of a level two "Spirit Summoning Warlock" and had upgraded his three Innate Spell, "Wood Spirit Avatar," "Demonic Scales," and "Chain of Emotions," to level two.

Even with readily available level 2 Innate Spell templates, and only needing to upgrade from a level 1 Innate Spell template to level 2, a year would still be incredibly fast.

While Formal Wizard can live for hundreds of years, most Wizard feel that their lifespan is too short and simply not enough.

Researching and exploring the unknown is inherently an almost limitless endeavor.

Trying to explore infinite things with limited time will naturally leave you with not enough time.

Formal Wizard's secluded research experiment can take several months or even years.

Advanced spells are intricate and complex; it's quite normal to spend several years mastering a single spell.

Shiraha is now 29 years old and is already a level 2 "Spirit Summoning Warlock".

Compared to his lifespan of over a thousand years, 29 years old is equivalent to an ordinary person's infancy.

But he has already reached a level that many Wizard have not been able to achieve in hundreds of years.

Ninety percent of the Formal Wizard in the Wizarding World will remain at level one forever, and most of the remaining ten percent will remain at level two.

But for Shiraha, who was promoted to level two at the age of 29, there was no way he would be stuck at level two.

At this moment, Shiraha suddenly opened his eyes.

Sensing the information transmitted by the Wood Spirit Avatar "Uchiha Issei", a smile appeared on his face.

"Is it finally starting? Chiho is really capable!"