This Isn't Over

The Uchiha Clan's upper ranks gathered in the clan compound. In the past, whenever they clashed with the Hokage faction, there would always be some who chose communication or compromise. But not this time. Uchiha Ieyasu, who usually favored communication, wanted nothing more than to kill Danzo with his own hands. The Third Elder, who usually favored compromise, was shouting the loudest about wiping out the Shimura Clan. Even such insignificant trash had dared to come into the open.

The First Elder remained very calm. This was exactly what he wanted, and precisely why that squad had been formed. If Konoha's upper ranks did not make a move, there would still be one or two dissenting voices within the Uchiha Clan. Such people were a reasonable presence in any clan. But as long as someone dared to make a move—heh—this was what would happen. Tug one hair, and the whole body moved. Thank you, Shimura Danzo.

Uchiha Clan Head Uchiha Nobunaga had thoroughly become the one maintaining order. A meeting of the clan's upper ranks had turned into a profanity-filled denunciation session. Still, cursing was cursing; they had to plan what to do next. Amid the unceasing shouts, they formulated a strategy and put it into action at once.

Even the village's ordinary residents could sense that something was wrong today. There was not a single Uchiha on the streets. More accurately, there were hardly any ninja on the streets at all. It seemed something had happened, and the villagers whispered among themselves. By noon, even the number of pedestrians had dwindled. Many shops had closed for the day, and the atmosphere was strangely tense.

In the Hokage's office, Mitokado Homura kept criticizing Danzo, while Utatane Koharu tried to smooth things over. Danzo cursed the Uchiha Clan for betraying the village. Orochimaru was lost in thought, Jiraiya was asleep, and Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked his pipe. Seeing that it had gone on long enough, he stopped the argument. "Danzo went too far this time. The Uchiha will not pin what you did on your head alone. They will see it as a decision made by the upper ranks. Some things are not frightening once they have been done, but you cannot let the aggrieved party come knocking. After all, we are all from the same village. Do not mention betrayal of the village again. Things may look tense now, but the Uchiha merely want an explanation. Show enough sincerity, and this matter will pass."

"Lord Hokage, the Uchiha Clan Head and the First Elder have arrived. There are also more than ten jonin outside the Hokage Building," an ANBU reported.

An hour later, the Uchiha Clan departed, and Konoha once again saw the Military Police Force patrolling the streets and alleys. At the Uchiha Clan compound,

The First Elder sat across from Uchiha Nobunaga. Uchiha Nobunaga said, "This time, we did make some gains." The First Elder sneered. "As the clan head, do not be so petty, especially not the Uchiha Clan's clan head. Are you supposed to be happy just because they threw you a few bones? We formed the squad, had Ming lead it, then had Ming take the mission to the valley and the Land of Waves. The purpose was to send that squad right to Danzo's doorstep, to put meat before that old dog. Given his nature, he was bound to bite. We also arranged for capable men to carry out missions nearby, ready to slaughter Root the moment there was any sign of trouble. We laid such an elaborate scheme, and what did we get besides some money, a little compensation for the children, and several ninja being promoted to jonin? What else? Nothing. Danzo's punishment was merely confinement and the transfer of half of Root's members. Who knows how many people Root has, or how many he actually handed over? It was neither painful nor costly, completely disproportionate to what we paid. That was your own nephew and my own grandson. He nearly never came back. Hmph, this isn't over."

Uchiha Nobunaga flushed a little from the scolding, but the other man was his maternal grandfather and had raised him, so he said, "I already told them. Since they publicly claim that the rogue ninja from the valley did this, then we might as well go all the way and flatten the valley. We'll destroy Danzo's moneybag." "Hahaha, good. Give him a slap across the face—slap him hard." The First Elder laughed.