The Grim Uchiha

In the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo were arguing about the Uchiha clan.

Danzo's stance was unyielding, believing all Uchiha were evil.

Hiruzen, however, brought up an old acquaintance of theirs:

Kagami Uchiha.

Danzo's eyes flickered. "Kagami... he was different. And I'm merely continuing Master Tobirama's approach!"

Hiruzen earnestly advised him, "Master Tobirama decided to integrate and guide the Uchiha's power by building the Police Force headquarters and the prison together. He wanted the Uchiha clan to be responsible for maintaining the village's security, allowing them to contribute to the village. That was all.

Furthermore, Master Tobirama didn't hate the Uchiha. He was wary of any clan that could threaten Konoha. Arranging things this way for the Uchiha was simply to prevent another Madara Uchiha from appearing.

During Master Tobirama's administration, he cultivated many clan members like Kagami, who weren't bound by narrow clan loyalties, were willing to step beyond their clan's limitations, inherited the Will of Fire, and dedicated their lives to the village.

Now, we have excellent ninja like Shisui and Itachi who have inherited the Will of Fire. We should ease up on them; we shouldn't push them so hard."

But Danzo remained unmoved, saying coldly, "Hiruzen, there's a growing sentiment within the Uchiha clan right now."

Hiruzen frowned and asked, "What sentiment?"

"A call for Fugaku Uchiha to lead the Uchiha clan in seizing control of Konoha and restoring the Uchiha's honor. Some Uchiha clan members are planning a coup!"

Hiruzen's expression immediately became very serious. "Is this information accurate?"

"Do you think I'd say this without concrete intel? And haven't you noticed the increasing frequency of Uchiha gatherings at Naka Shrine?"

Danzo stood up, throwing down a parting remark, "Think about it yourself," before leaving the Hokage's building.

Hiruzen continuously puffed on his pipe, lost in thought.

After his contemplation, Hiruzen summoned Itachi and Shisui.

Itachi and Shisui knelt on one knee before Hiruzen, awaiting his words.

"Itachi, Shisui, relax. This isn't a mission assignment. I just have some questions for you. What are your thoughts on the current state of the Uchiha clan?"

Itachi and Shisui were bewildered. How were they supposed to answer this question from Hiruzen?

Were they supposed to tell Hiruzen they were dissatisfied with the Uchiha's current situation?

That would be like lighting a lamp in a latrine – asking for death.

Just as Itachi and Shisui didn't know how to respond, Hiruzen spoke, "After the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Uprising, Konoha implemented policies towards the Uchiha clan. You must be unhappy about this, right?"

Itachi and Shisui quickly replied, "Lord Hokage, we don't feel that way."

Hiruzen waved his hand. "Don't be so nervous. It's natural for you to feel that way, and I've been trying to resolve the Uchiha's current situation in Konoha.

I know that Konoha's policies towards the Uchiha have caused strong dissatisfaction among the clan members, as well as the radical remarks made by some Uchiha at your clan's gatherings at Naka Shrine.

If the Uchiha clan does anything out of line before I find a solution, then even as Hokage, I won't be able to salvage the situation. I hope you two understand."

Itachi and Shisui were startled. They had only recently learned about these things at the gatherings, and they never expected Hiruzen to know everything.

Seeing their expressions, Hiruzen understood that Danzo had been telling the truth.

Itachi and Shisui exchanged glances, then lowered their heads and said to Hiruzen, "Lord Hokage, please assign us any task you deem necessary!"

"Very good. I am pleased you have this resolve. I need you to collect a list of those who wish to launch a coup and ascertain Fugaku's stance on this matter. I also promise you that I will do my best to find a way to change the Uchiha clan's current situation."

"Yes!"

After Itachi and Shisui left the Hokage's building, their hearts were still pounding rapidly.

Their expressions were extremely grave.

Hiruzen discussing this with them meant the situation had reached a critical point.

If it wasn't resolved, the Uchiha clan could face utter destruction.

When Uzumaki Menma returned to Root, Danzo summoned him to his office.

Danzo stared directly at Uzumaki Menma.

Uzumaki Menma didn't dare to move.

After a long stalemate, Danzo finally spoke, "You seem to be getting quite close to a certain kid from the Uchiha clan lately?"

Uzumaki Menma's body trembled. Was Danzo angry because Sasuke was an Uchiha?

Uzumaki Menma cautiously asked, "Grandpa Danzo, are you talking about Sasuke?"

"Who else could it be? Do you know my stance on the Uchiha clan?"

Uzumaki Menma feigned ignorance and asked, "What is it?"

Danzo said sinisterly, "Exterminate them all, and eliminate any future trouble!"

Uzumaki Menma's body shivered, and he hesitantly asked, "Why does Grandpa Danzo hate the Uchiha clan so much?"

"Hate? I don't hate the Uchiha clan. I simply don't trust the Uchiha as a ninja clan."

Uzumaki Menma thought of the adorable Sasuke who had been following them around recently.

As a comrade, Uzumaki Menma felt it was necessary to speak up for Sasuke. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a shame if Sasuke turned into that heartless person later on?

Besides, his plan for raising Sasuke hadn't even begun yet!

Uzumaki Menma braced himself and asked, "Grandpa Danzo, why don't you trust the Uchiha Clan? There must be a reason, right?"

"Because the former leader of the Uchiha Clan, Madara Uchiha! Madara Uchiha, who had left Konoha, suddenly returned to attack Konoha, attempting to destroy it. If it weren't for the First Hokage, who killed Madara Uchiha, Konoha might have already vanished back then."

"That's the reason?"

"Isn't that reason enough? What if another Madara Uchiha appears from the Uchiha Clan? That would be a disaster for Konoha!"

Uzumaki Menma found it somewhat difficult to understand.

Just because of one Madara Uchiha, he didn't trust the entire Uchiha Clan and wanted to exterminate them?

Uzumaki Menma gathered his courage and retorted, "Grandpa Danzo, I think that's too arbitrary. Madara Uchiha is Madara Uchiha, and the Uchiha Clan is the Uchiha Clan. Haven't there been any good ninjas from the Uchiha Clan?"

Upon hearing Uzumaki Menma's question, 'Haven't there been any good ninjas from the Uchiha Clan?', Danzo's mind recalled Kagami Uchiha.