The Struggle at the Top!

On this deep night, many within the Uchiha Clan were destined to find no sleep.

At the same time, every member of the Anbu and Root who had infiltrated the Uchiha Clan was being purged.

Just like the people of the Uchiha Clan, the high-ranking officials of Konoha were also unable to sleep.

Inside the Hokage Office.

"Lord Hokage, the Uchiha have cleared out all of the Anbu personnel."

"Even a few internal informants within the Uchiha have been captured. The Uchiha have now erected a barrier, and we have no idea what is happening inside."

"Lord Hokage, should we intervene by force?!"

An Anbu member asked with a hint of worry.

Among these Anbu members stood a young man with white hair.

Hearing the words of the Anbu, he furrowed his brows.

"Lord Hokage, it is not strange for the Uchiha, as the village's premier clan, to possess such means."

"However, acting so suddenly might be because there are other reasons they do not want us to know."

"If we act rashly, it may lead to grave consequences."

The white-haired Anbu member spoke up directly.

His best friend had been a member of the Uchiha Clan.

Although he had already sacrificed his life on the battlefield, based on his experiences with the Uchiha, they were not the people the rumors made them out to be.

The reason for their current reputation, aside from a few individuals who were indeed overly arrogant and conceited, was largely due to certain people in the village maliciously spreading stains on the Uchiha's name.

That's right, the person who spoke was none other than the son of the White Fang of Konoha, Hatake Sakumo—Hatake Kakashi!

"The Uchiha's sudden change is most likely an internal matter."

"Do not take any action for now, and keep an eye on the members of Root."

"Do not let them act recklessly."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag of his pipe before speaking slowly.

"Understood, Lord Hokage."

The Anbu members acknowledged the order and then vanished from the room.

Kakashi let out a sigh of relief.

After all, he was still carrying Uchiha Obito's Sharingan!

If he were to take action against the Uchiha Clan at a time like this, Kakashi would instinctively resist it.

Soon, outside the Uchiha Compound, a group of masked ninjas began to stir.

"Clang, clang, clang..."

Before long, the sounds of battle echoed from the nearby dense forest.

Half an hour later, inside the Root organization.

"My Lord, our operation failed. We couldn't even get close to the Uchiha Compound."

Several Root members spoke with a sense of defeat.

Those who returned were all carrying injuries of varying degrees.

"Were the Uchiha ambushing you?"

Danzo looked at the state of his subordinates, his expression turning grim.

If the Uchiha dared to act like this now, then once their wings were fully grown, wouldn't they strike directly at the village?

As expected, just as his teacher had said, these Uchiha fellows were born with an evil bloodline.

It seemed he would have to find an opportunity to suppress them once more.

Or... perhaps join forces with the Hokage to strike them from the village records entirely!

"It wasn't the Uchiha..."

"It was... it was the Anbu!"

The Root member replied with a helpless tone.

If it were someone from the Uchiha, that would have been easy.

Directly contact Danzō and arrange for a large number of Root members to act together.

At the same time, coordinate with the Anbu to...

But now, the ones blocking them were members of the Anbu!

"Anbu!?"

Danzō shot up from his seat.

Disbelief filled his eyes!

"I understand."

"You two go get yourselves treated first, I'll go find the Third."

With that, Danzō got up and left.

During this period, Danzō had also noticed the changes in Hiruzen Sarutobi.

However, Danzō had always been unwilling to believe it.

But now, the Anbu were already making a move against their Root organization regarding the Uchiha issue.

Danzō had to go and ask exactly what was going on.

At Mitokado Homura's home.

"Koharu?"

"Coming this late, is it about the Uchiha matter?"

Mitokado Homura looked calmly at Utatane Koharu before him, his expression serene.

"You know?"

"Since you already know, how can you still sit here like this?"

Utatane Koharu was utterly bewildered by Mitokado Homura's behavior.

Back then, the five of them had been the Second Hokage's guards, yet only four had risen to high positions.

Hiruzen Sarutobi—Hokage!

Shimura Danzō—Root Leader!

Mitokado Homura—High Advisor!

Utatane Koharu—High Advisor!

Kagami Uchiha, whereabouts unknown.

Those matters were known only to them.

Now, the Uchiha were clearly about to make a move, and how could you, Mitokado Homura, remain so calm?!

"This matter has little to do with the Uchiha."

"What's important are the Third and Danzō."

"Can't you see it?"

Mitokado Homura sighed inwardly.

Utatane Koharu was good in many ways, but too impulsive.

She judged everything based on her own intuition.

"The Third?"

"Danzō?"

Utatane Koharu's mind struggled to keep up.

"Just tell me directly."

Utatane Koharu tried to think, but nearly fried her brain.

So she blurted out her request.

"The Third's dissatisfaction with Danzō has reached an unbearable level."

"It was like this before too."

"But before, there was no one to replace Danzō."

"And now, the Uchiha have shown sufficient sincerity, willing to become the Third's sharp blade."

"Do you think the Third will give up this opportunity?"

"Or rather, do you think Danzō, who has always coveted the Hokage position, is more useful, or the Uchiha?"

Mitokado Homura carefully explained the situation to Utatane Koharu.

This was a struggle among the higher-ups, and they had no need to get involved.

They could just watch the show.

Because no matter which side emerged victorious, it would have no impact on either of them.

"You..."

"Fine, tell me in advance next time. Don't make me lose my temper."

After tossing those words aside, Utatane Koharu left the area.

Staying up late instead of sleeping was quite detrimental to the health of someone her age...

Left to endure Utatane Koharu's grumbling, Mitokado Homura could only wear a look of helplessness.

Early the next morning, the barrier was lifted.

Sasuke went to school as usual; the affairs within the clan had little to do with him.

For now, he was just a brat. He could offer a few sarcastic remarks from the sidelines, but as for actually taking charge, it was far too early for that!

There was no point in worrying about things he couldn't accomplish.

He would simply continue the fine tradition of his school days: studying hard and making progress every day...

Besides, he still had Neji to win over.

So, he had better focus on completing his mission first!

"Sasuke!"

From quite a distance away, Sasuke heard Naruto's voice.

Seeing this blockhead, Sasuke couldn't help but feel puzzled.

This guy was supposed to be the Child of Prophecy, right? He really should have triggered some kind of mission by now...