Hiruzen! The Uchiha Clan is Rebelling!

Hokage Office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was puffing on his pipe while flipping through documents when a figure suddenly appeared in the office.

"Lord Third!"

"An attack just occurred near the Uchiha compound. Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Hayato were surrounded and assaulted by ten Anbu operatives."

Uzuki Yugao, who had been summoned by Kakashi, knelt on one knee as she spoke.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart sank. "Are Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Hayato injured? Was the situation contained?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was terrified that something might happen to those two; if they were harmed, the Uchiha clan would truly erupt.

"No. By the time we arrived, eight Anbu had already been killed. The captain ordered me to report first," Uzuki Yugao replied, shaking her head.

"What?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was shocked. He knew a thing or two about the training in Root, but he had never expected eight of them to be wiped out so easily.

"Lord Third, the captain has already brought them here, but... before coming, Uchiha Hayato requested that the captain notify the Uchiha clan head."

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but furrow his brows.

Just as he was about to rise from his desk, the office door was pushed wide open.

Danzo strode in, followed by Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. "Hiruzen! The Uchiha clan is planning a rebellion!"

Seeing Danzo and the others appear, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat back down, his gaze fixed steadily on Danzo.

The incident had just occurred, and even the Anbu had taken some time to arrive and report it to him. Yet, the Council of Elders had managed to arrive together at such an hour.

Sarutobi Hiruzen rested his chin on his crossed hands, elbows on the desk, staring directly at the three aggressive figures before him.

The office fell silent.

Danzo frowned, not quite understanding what Sarutobi Hiruzen was implying.

"Hiruzen! The Uchiha clan killed Anbu! Are they trying to defect from the village?" Seeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen did not respond, Utatane Koharu stepped forward and demanded loudly.

Click!

Footsteps echoed from the open doorway, followed by a languid tone.

"The Elder is certainly impatient. However, I would like to ask: have you truly confirmed that those we killed were Anbu? Or is it simply most convenient to pin a label on the Uchiha, the one thing that puts your mind at ease?"

As Hayato's voice fell, everyone in the office turned their gaze toward him.

Even Sarutobi Hiruzen did the same; it was his first time seeing an Uchiha with such a sharp tongue.

Utatane Koharu's gaze shot toward Hayato like a blade, her tone biting: "Kakashi! Take these two rogue ninja into custody!"

Hah!

Hayato raised an eyebrow. He had expected the Council of Elders to be arrogant, but not to this extent.

Kakashi did not move upon hearing the command; instead, he looked toward Sarutobi Hiruzen. His intent was clear: he took orders from the Hokage.

The three elders' expressions darkened at Kakashi's display.

This was a blatant disregard for their authority!

"Lord Third," Hayato said, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen behind the desk. He bowed slightly and asked softly, "I would like to ask, aren't the Anbu under your direct command?"

Danzo looked at this Uchiha, who was so vastly different from the ones he knew, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes. This Uchiha was far more skilled at wordplay than he had imagined.

He immediately stepped between Hayato and Sarutobi Hiruzen, his gaze icy. "Killing Anbu ninja—Uchiha Hayato, you are attempting to defect!"

"Your Uchiha clan is a clan born of evil. Today, I shall put an end to your sins!"

With that, Danzo lunged toward Hayato and Shisui, his hand reaching out to seize Hayato.

Hayato watched Danzo's movements with indifference, not even considering a counterattack.

The next moment, a figure blocked the path between Hayato, Shisui, and Danzo. Kakashi said coldly, "Elder Advisor, do you intend to resort to violence inside the Hokage's office?"

Hayato's lips curled upward. The show was just beginning.

"Kakashi! How insolent!"

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu shouted in unison.

Danzo, however, stared at Kakashi with a gloomy expression. Only Sarutobi Hiruzen could command Kakashi's actions.

Thinking of this, Danzo turned his head to look at Sarutobi Hiruzen behind the desk.

"Hiruzen, what is the meaning of this?"

"The three of you, I am the Hokage." Sarutobi Hiruzen rose slowly. From the start, the Council of Elders' actions had truly begun to dissatisfy him.

In the past, no matter how much they opposed him, he believed they were acting for the sake of Konoha.

But now, they actually wanted to seize people right in front of him, inside the Hokage's office?

Hearing this, the expressions of Danzo and the others darkened instantly.

Hiruzen was emphasizing his position.

Sarutobi Hiruzen ignored them, turning his gaze to Hayato and Shisui. "Hayato, Shisui, tell me exactly what happened tonight."

After Hayato and Shisui bowed, they slowly recounted the events of the evening.

Danzo remained silent, contemplating the deeper meaning behind everything Hiruzen had just done.

It was not until Hayato finished recounting the entire sequence of events that he finally glanced at the standing Danzo. "Lord Third, I would very much like to ask: why did the village's Anbu come after us? Did we do something wrong?"

"I merely said: 'Isn't the Anbu under the direct command of the Hokage? I don't recognize this Danzo,' and they immediately thought to launch a physical attack on me. Shisui and I were simply forced to fight back in self-defense."

"Your clan has never been content! The Anbu went there only to understand the situation, and now that they have died a miserable death, it must be a prelude to your rebellion!" Danzo slammed his cane hard against the floor and shouted.

Upon hearing this, the corners of Hayato's mouth curled up, showing not a hint of panic.

"As a ninja of Konoha, I only know of Lord Third. I have never heard of any 'Danzo.' If the Anbu are to pay us a visit, they should at least have the Hokage's written order to be qualified."

Having said this, Hayato turned his gaze toward Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Danzo's expression turned grim. The Hokage again! I am the one who should be Hokage!

Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke, obscuring his face.

To be honest, although Hayato's words were directed at Danzo, the implication was clear: the Uchiha recognized him as their Hokage.

Knowing he could no longer remain silent, Hiruzen was just about to speak when a voice sounded from outside the door.

"Lord Hokage, I apologize for being late and keeping you waiting."

Fugaku's figure appeared in the office, and he bowed respectfully to Sarutobi Hiruzen. "However, Hayato's words are my own. Although Hayato and Shisui acted impulsively, they cannot be entirely blamed for defending themselves."

Seeing Fugaku arrive, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly once more.

Fugaku's stance was already very clear. Furthermore, not much time had passed since the last incident, and Fugaku had followed his arrangements to send clansmen to pursue Orochimaru, which served as a response to his test.

If he did not take a stand now, he would truly only be pushing the Uchiha clan further and further away.