Sarutobi Hiruzen Finally Appears!

In fact, long before the Uchiha began to crush the Root ninja blocking their path, Uchiha Jin had already sensed more than one chakra signature probing in this direction. It stood to reason that the various factions within the village were already rushing toward this target.

It was just that this location was closest to the Root base, and that fellow Shimura Danzo was far too confident, which was why he had thought to come here and throw his life away single-handedly.

Although the clash with Shimura Danzo had not lasted very long, by Uchiha Jin's calculations, it was just enough time for the actors to arrive on stage.

It was only because Uchiha Shisui was filled with distracting thoughts that he, despite his reputation as Body Flicker Shisui, had failed to notice the various ninja already surrounding the area in the distance, nor had he noticed the agile figure about to make an entrance.

BOOM!

Accompanied by a thunderous impact, a dark shadow descended from the sky, and a voice filled with fury instantly rang out across the scene.

"Stop! What are you all doing?"

The moment he heard this voice, Uchiha Shisui's face first lit up with joy, but then it suddenly became incredibly hesitant; if he were to perform a face-changing act, he would surely receive thunderous applause.

The Uchiha who had been suppressing the Root ninja now withdrew their ocular power and, led by Habara and Tunan, slowly retreated behind Uchiha Jin.

As for the Root ninja who were finally able to relax, they looked hesitantly at their miserable leader on the ground, then at the agile figure that had just appeared nearby, and under the silent command of several Root squad leaders, they tacitly chose to remain silent.

Clearly!

The person who had arrived was none other than the village head of Konoha, the man known as the "Strongest Hokage in History," Sarutobi Hiruzen!

Sarutobi, this "Strongest Hokage," had an extremely gloomy expression on his face. After his cold, stern gaze swept over the broken corpses on the ground, even with his composure from years of sitting safely in the rear, he could not help but twitch his brow.

"What on earth is going on here, and whose corpses are these on the ground?"

Fortunately, Sarutobi Hiruzen was still able to keep his cool, and his calm gaze slowly converged on Uchiha Jin.

Hm!

It was only at this moment that Sarutobi Hiruzen realized with astonishment that the figure under the other man's feet felt vaguely familiar.

Could it be that I was wrong? I suppose my memory really is failing as I get older...

"Cough, cough... Sarutobi, save me!"

Accompanied by wisps of dirt being spat from his mouth, Shimura Danzo, who had been lying there like a corpse, finally struggled to call out for help.

Damn it.

It really was that fellow Shimura Danzo!

However, even after discovering that his beloved companion was in such a miserable state, as a Hokage who had survived the wars, he was still able to keep his cool.

Hm!

The kunai that Uchiha Jin pointed toward Shimura Danzo's head from time to time, combined with the many wolf-like, tiger-like red-eyed youths behind him—this was not something he could handle as the "Strongest Hokage" alone.

Therefore, Sarutobi Hiruzen merely looked calmly at Uchiha Jin, while also scrutinizing Uchiha Shisui, whose face was flushed with shame, with a questioning gaze.

Swish! Swish!

After only a brief moment, two more figures flickered behind Sarutobi Hiruzen; they were Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who also belonged to the Konoha F4.

But just like Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had arrived just moments before, after surveying the gunpowder-keg atmosphere of the scene, the two stood silently in place, watching the front without paying the slightest bit of attention to Shimura Danzo, who had once again been buried in a dirt pit.

What had happened before was not important; it was nothing more than that fellow Shimura Danzo acting on his own initiative and "unauthorized" mobilization of Root ninja to do his dirty work.

None of that actually mattered anymore!

The only thing that truly mattered was... Shimura Danzo had lost!

Since Shimura Danzo had lost, it was time to change the way the game was played!

Swish! Swish! Swish...

With the arrival of Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, it was as if a signal had been lit; countless chakra fluctuations appeared, and one phantom after another continuously solidified behind Sarutobi Hiruzen.

But clearly...

Every solidified figure, after their pupils constricted, chose to stand silently behind Sarutobi Hiruzen, quietly observing the development of the situation.

Just like that, a world where only Shimura Danzo was ignored was born once again...

Finally!

As the number of figures arriving via Body Flicker ceased to increase, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally spoke calmly once more.

"Release Danzo, and then explain: what exactly happened here? And whose corpses are these on the ground?"

Just like his question before he arrived, there was no hint of accusation in his tone, as if he were an impartial judge promising to provide justice to the aggrieved party.

Before Uchiha Jin could speak, Uchiha Shisui stepped forward first. He bowed respectfully to Sarutobi Hiruzen before speaking slowly.

"Let me explain this, Your Majesty. The situation is like this..."

BANG!

With another clean and decisive kick, the unsuspecting Uchiha Shisui was sent flying once again, and Shimura Danzo, who had just managed to catch his breath for a moment, was buried back into the dust the very next second.

"Ugh... ugh..."

"Uchiha Jin, do you know what you are doing?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression suddenly turned cold, though deep in his eyes, as he watched Uchiha Shisui being kicked away, a trace of secret delight could not help but emerge in his heart.

"Of course!"

Uchiha Jin shrugged nonchalantly, then nodded toward Habara at his side.

"Yes!"

Habara first bowed respectfully to Uchiha Jin before turning to address Sarutobi Hiruzen in a detached tone.

"The Police Force discovered spies disguised as Anbu infiltrating the village with the intent to harm our Uchiha elder. After they refused to surrender upon being warned, we killed them all!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's brow twitched slightly. He paid no mind to the words, instead staring intensely at the many red-eyed youths, including Uchiha Habara.

The Uchiha's foundation... had grown stronger again!

What concerned Sarutobi Hiruzen even more was that this strengthened Uchiha clan seemed to be drifting further and further away from the Will of Fire.

Sarutobi Hiruzen exchanged a silent glance with Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. Once they reached a mutual understanding, he finally looked back at Danzo.

"Uchiha Jin, why did you attack Danzo? Do you realize what the crime of harming a Hokage Assistant is?"

Ignoring Habara, Sarutobi Hiruzen stared straight at Uchiha Jin, his aura as a leader radiating a natural, imposing authority.

"Of course!"

Uchiha Jin replied calmly, then looked toward Habara once more.

"Harming a Hokage Assistant is considered treason against the village, punishable by death!"

Habara couldn't help but chuckle. After casting a strange look at Shimura Danzo on the ground, he once again signaled the two Uchiha behind him to raise that massive, dark green scroll from earlier.

"My Police Force is responsible for maintaining order and stability within Konoha, formulating the village's laws, arresting those with criminal tendencies, handling ninjas (excluding the Anbu under the direct command of the Hokage), and even organizing ninjas to participate in the village's security work..."

Swish!

As Habara continued to speak, Tunan cooperated perfectly by summoning the handwritten note issued by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

Only then did Uchiha Jin finally look back at Sarutobi Hiruzen, speaking with a hint of mockery.

"Third Hokage?"

"I wonder, what is the crime for a civilian ninja violating the Hokage's prohibitions, or even colluding with spies to plot against an elder of my ninja clan!"

Hiss...

At Uchiha Jin's words, the circle of clan leaders behind Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but gasp.

Today!

Something huge was about to happen!