Conflict, Danzo

The night grew heavy, and the lights of Konoha Village flickered on one by one along the streets. The stone paths of the Uchiha compound still held the day's residual warmth, and a night breeze swept through, stirring a few scattered cherry blossom petals.

Uchiha Shaoyu stepped through the moonlight, moving quickly through the familiar alleys. The echoes of his clansmen's shouts still rang in his mind, but at this moment, his greatest concern was the small figure waiting in his house.

Possessing the original owner's memories, he still held some affection for his younger brother, Shisui.

As he pushed open the wooden gate of his small courtyard, the warm yellow light from inside spilled through the gap, illuminating the stone steps at the entrance.

He knocked gently on the door panel. A flurry of hurried footsteps sounded from within, and the wooden door creaked open to reveal a small, childish face etched with worry.

It was his younger brother, Uchiha Shisui.

Shisui's eyes were still red, and his long eyelashes seemed to be damp with dried tear tracks.

When he saw Uchiha Shaoyu standing at the door, he froze for a moment, then his eyes erupted with a radiant, joyful light. His small mouth puckered, and tears began to fall once more.

"Nii-san! You're back!"

He lunged into Uchiha Shaoyu's arms, his small hands clutching his brother's waist tightly. He rubbed his head against his brother's lapel, his sobbing filled with grievance and lingering fear.

"I didn't see you in the room just now, and I thought you were gone..."

Uchiha Shaoyu felt a warmth in his heart and reached out to stroke Shisui's hair, his fingertips feeling the softness of the strands. He softened his voice, his tone filled with tenderness.

"Silly boy, why are you crying? Isn't your big brother back safe and sound?"

He pulled Shisui back slightly so the boy could look at his face.

"Look, my injuries are almost healed. I'm perfectly fine, and I won't ever make you worry again."

Shisui lifted his tear-stained face and reached out to carefully touch the spot on Uchiha Shaoyu's arm where the bandages had once been. Feeling the smooth, unblemished skin, he finally broke into a smile through his tears.

He wiped the tears from his face with the back of his hand, his nose still twitching slightly, but he smiled like a child who had just received a piece of candy.

"That's great... as long as you're okay, big brother..."

Uchiha Shaoyu took Shisui's hand and walked into the house. The furnishings were simple but cozy, and a bowl of untouched rice porridge sat on the table—clearly, Shisui had saved it for him.

He pulled Shisui to sit at the table, picked up his chopsticks, and said with a smile.

"I happen to be hungry. Keep me company and have some."

Shisui nodded vigorously and quickly picked up his own small bowl. He served himself some porridge and sipped it in small mouthfuls, looking up at Uchiha Shaoyu from time to time with eyes full of reliance.

As they ate, Uchiha Shaoyu gently asked about the situation over the past few days. Upon learning that Shisui had been cared for by the clan elders while he was injured and had not been frightened, he finally set his mind at ease.

Just as the two were chatting warmly and Uchiha Shaoyu was patiently reminding Shisui not to go out alone in the future, a noisy clamor of footsteps suddenly erupted outside the courtyard, accompanied by the shouts of clansmen, shattering the peace.

Uchiha Shaoyu's brow furrowed instantly. He set down his chopsticks, his eyes turning vigilant.

At this hour, why was there such a commotion at the edge of the compound?

He patted Shisui's shoulder reassuringly. "Stay inside and don't go out. I'm going to check it out."

Shisui grabbed his hem in fear. "Big brother, did something happen outside?"

"Don't be afraid. I'm here."

Uchiha Shaoyu gently pried Shisui's hand away, only to hear a cold, familiar voice from outside the courtyard. The voice carried an unquestionable authority, yet it was laced with a sinister undertone.

"I am the advisor to the Hokage, here on the orders of the Hokage himself. Which of you Uchiha clansmen dares to stop me?"

Uchiha Shaoyu's heart sank. Danzo! Why would he suddenly come to the Uchiha compound?

He didn't go out immediately but instead peeked through the door gap. At the entrance to the compound, a dozen black-clad figures wearing animal masks stood waiting. The man in the lead wore a dark robe, and the half of his face that was visible was covered in wrinkles, his eyes as cold and venomous as a snake's. It was Shimura Danzo.

Behind him, the Root ninja stood with weapons in hand, radiating a menacing aura. Several Uchiha guards stood before them, their faces flushed red with anger, yet they dared not speak.

"Lord Danzo, to break into our Uchiha compound in the middle of the night, you owe us an explanation!"

One guard gritted his teeth, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Danzo sneered, his gaze sweeping over the gathering Uchiha clansmen with contempt.

"An explanation? I suspect someone in your Uchiha clan is colluding with the enemy and intentionally let the One-Tail Jinchuriki escape. I am here to bring the suspect back to Root for interrogation. That is your explanation!"

"Colluding with the enemy? Who?"

The surrounding Uchiha clansmen erupted in an uproar, demanding answers.

Danzo's gaze shifted slowly, finally landing on the direction of Uchiha Shaoyu's house. His voice rose sharply. "Uchiha Shaoyu!"

"Bullshit!"

Several Uchiha clansmen shouted in anger.

These men were from the younger generation of the Uchiha clan; they respected Uchiha Shaoyu deeply and would never let an old bastard like Danzo slander him here.

The other clansmen glared at Danzo as well. They had a rough idea of the situation and knew full well that this old man was just looking for trouble.

Danzo looked at the agitated Uchiha clan and broke into a slight sweat.

Although he was the Hokage's advisor and the Uchiha shouldn't dare to lay a hand on him, if a real fight broke out, his dozen men would be no match for these clansmen.

Just then, the crowd parted, and a middle-aged man in Uchiha clan attire with a dignified expression walked out. It was the clan head, Uchiha Tiandao.

He walked up to Danzo, his expression calm but carrying a trace of imperceptible fury.

"Lord Danzo, to visit at this hour and make such claims—do you have any evidence? Uchiha Shaoyu is a talented ninja of our clan and has made many contributions. To accuse him of colluding with the enemy is far too reckless."

Danzo glanced at Uchiha Tiandao, his tone remaining cold.

With Tiandao present, he no longer feared being beaten by these clansmen.

"Evidence? Once I bring him back to Root for interrogation, I will naturally find it. Clan Head Tiandao, you would do best not to hinder me in the execution of my duties, or you will be considered an enemy of Konoha's leadership."

Uchiha Tiandao's expression turned ugly. He knew Danzo's character; the man was always overbearing and had long held a grudge against the Uchiha. It was clear he was using this as a pretext to target Uchiha Shaoyu with ulterior motives.

But Danzo was the Hokage's advisor, holding the power of Root. If they truly burned bridges, it would bring no benefit to the Uchiha clan.

He suppressed his anger and said with a forced smile.

"Lord Danzo, even if there is to be an interrogation, it should be handled by the Konoha Military Police Force, not by your Root overstepping its bounds. Furthermore, Uchiha Shaoyu was in a battle just a few days ago and sustained heavy injuries. He is currently recuperating and is in no condition to be moved."

"Heavy injuries?"

A glimmer of amusement flashed in Danzo's eyes before he snorted.

"Whether he is truly heavily injured or not, we shall see once he is brought to Root. Clan Head Tiandao, if you continue to obstruct me, do not blame me for being impolite."

The two sides reached a stalemate. The Uchiha clansmen surrounded them, glaring, but the status of Danzo and the threat of the Root ninja kept them from moving forward.

The Root ninja Danzo brought with him watched their surroundings vigilantly, ready to strike at any moment.

Being stared at by a group of "red-eyed" freaks was truly nerve-wracking.

No one noticed that, under the cover of the crowd, three Root ninja wearing fox masks quietly slipped away from the group, moving through the alleys of the Uchiha compound toward Uchiha Shaoyu's house.

Their orders were to take advantage of the chaos to infiltrate Uchiha Shaoyu's residence and drag him away while he was still severely injured.

Danzo was certain that Uchiha Shaoyu had not recovered and would be unable to resist. Once the person was brought to Root, even if Uchiha Tiandao was dissatisfied, there would be nothing he could do.

At this moment, Uchiha Shaoyu was still in the courtyard. Hearing the argument outside, he understood Danzo's intent.

He turned back into the house and saw Shisui cowering in the corner in fear. He hurried over, crouched down, and took Shisui's hands.

"Shisui, don't be afraid. Big brother will be fine. No matter what happens outside, stay in the house and don't go out, you hear me?"

Shisui nodded vigorously, tears swirling in his eyes again.

"Big brother, are they here to take you?"

"They won't."

Uchiha Shaoyu smiled and reached out to wipe the tears from the corners of Shisui's eyes.

"I'm all better now. I can protect myself, and I can protect you. Stay here and be good. I'm going to take care of something and will be back soon."

Just as he finished speaking, the wooden gate outside the courtyard was suddenly kicked open with a loud "bang." Three Root ninja in fox masks rushed in, their kunai flashing with cold light as they headed straight for Uchiha Shaoyu.

"Uchiha Shaoyu, come with us!"

The lead Root ninja's voice was hoarse and cold; clearly, he did not hold this "severely injured" Uchiha clansman in any regard.

Uchiha Shaoyu's eyes turned cold. He shielded Shisui behind him and stood up slowly.

There was no trace of chakra leaking from his body, yet deep within his black pupils, a hint of scarlet quietly emerged.

Three Special Jonin.

It was the perfect opportunity to test his current body.