Conflict with Danzō

As night deepened, the lights of Konoha began to glow one after another along its streets and alleys. The stone paths of the Uchiha Compound still held the day's warmth. A gentle breeze swept by, lifting a few scattered cherry blossom petals.

Uchiha Shaoyu strode through the familiar streets beneath the moonlight. The echoes of his clansmen calling out to him still lingered in his mind, but what he cared about most now was the small figure waiting at home.

With the original owner's memories, he had some affection for Shisui, his little brother in this life.

When he pushed open the wooden gate to his courtyard, warm yellow lamplight spilled through the doorway, illuminating the stone steps.

He gently knocked on the door. A moment later, hurried footsteps sounded from inside, and the wooden door creaked open. A young face, still childlike but full of worry, peeked out.

It was his little brother, Uchiha Shisui.

Shisui's eyes were still red, and his long lashes seemed to cling to traces of tears that had not yet dried.

When he saw Uchiha Shaoyu standing at the door, he froze for a moment. Then delight shone in his eyes, his lower lip quivered, and tears spilled down his cheeks again.

"Big brother! You're back!"

He threw himself into Uchiha Shaoyu's arms, wrapping his small arms tightly around his brother's waist and rubbing his head against his clothes. His sobs were full of hurt and lingering fear.

"I couldn't find you in the house just now. I thought you were gone..."

Uchiha Shaoyu's heart warmed. He gently stroked Shisui's hair, feeling its softness beneath his fingertips. His voice softened, full of tenderness.

"Silly boy, why are you crying? Big brother's back safe and sound, isn't he?"

He eased Shisui back a little so he could see his face.

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

Shisui lifted his tear-streaked face and carefully touched the spot on Uchiha Shaoyu's arm that had once been wrapped in bandages. Only when he felt the smooth, unbroken skin beneath his fingers did he stop crying and smile.

He wiped his face with the back of his hand. His nose still twitched, but he smiled like a child who had just been given candy.

"Thank goodness... As long as you're okay, big brother..."

Uchiha Shaoyu led Shisui inside by the hand. The furnishings were simple but cozy, and a bowl of untouched rice porridge sat on the table. Shisui had clearly saved it for him.

He led Shisui to a seat at the table, picked up his chopsticks, and said with a smile,

"Perfect timing. I'm hungry. Have something to eat with me."

Shisui nodded eagerly and hurried to get his own small bowl. He filled it with porridge and sipped it in small mouthfuls, glancing up at Uchiha Shaoyu from time to time with a look of deep trust.

As they ate, Uchiha Shaoyu gently asked Shisui how he had been these past few days. When he learned that the clan elders had looked after Shisui while he was injured and that the boy had not been frightened, he finally felt at ease.

Just as they chatted warmly and Uchiha Shaoyu was patiently reminding Shisui not to go out alone again, noisy footsteps suddenly sounded outside, accompanied by the clan members' shouts. The commotion shattered the quiet.

Uchiha Shaoyu's brows knitted at once. He put down his chopsticks, his gaze turning wary.

Why was it so noisy on the outskirts of the compound at this hour?

He patted Shisui's shoulder reassuringly. "Stay inside. Don't go out. I'll take a look."

Shisui clutched his clothes, looking frightened. "Big brother, has something happened outside?"

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

Uchiha Shaoyu gently pried Shisui's fingers loose. Then he heard a cold, familiar voice from outside the courtyard, its unquestionable authority edged with menace.

"I'm the Hokage's assistant, here on Lord Hokage's orders. Which of you Uchiha would dare stop me?"

Uchiha Shaoyu's heart sank. Danzō! Why had he suddenly come to the Uchiha Compound?

He did not go outside right away. Instead, he quietly peered through the crack in the door. At the compound entrance stood more than a dozen black-clad men wearing animal masks. Their leader wore a dark robe. The exposed half of his face was covered in wrinkles, and his eyes were as cold as a viper's. It was Shimura Danzō.

Behind him, Root shinobi stood armed and bristling with hostility. Several Uchiha guards blocked their way, their faces flushed red with anger, but they dared not act.

"Lord Danzō, you've barged into Uchiha territory in the middle of the night. You owe us an explanation!"

One guard gritted out the words, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles had gone white.

Danzō sneered. His gaze swept over the Uchiha gathering around them, his tone dripping with contempt.

"An explanation? I suspect someone in the Uchiha Clan colluded with the enemy and betrayed the village, deliberately allowing the One-Tail Jinchuriki to escape. I'm here to take the suspect back to Root for questioning. That's your explanation!"

"Colluded with the enemy? Who?"

The Uchiha around them erupted, demanding answers.

Danzō's gaze slowly shifted, finally settling in the direction of Uchiha Shaoyu's home. His voice suddenly rose. "Uchiha Shaoyu!"

"Bullshit!"

Several Uchiha shouted furiously.

They were all young members of the Uchiha Clan who deeply respected Uchiha Shaoyu. How could they let that old bastard Danzō slander Big Brother Shaoyu here?

The other Uchiha glared at Danzō, too. They had a general idea of what was going on and knew the old bastard had come looking for trouble.

Seeing the Uchiha's fury, Danzō began to sweat.

Although he was the Hokage's assistant and the Uchiha should not dare attack him, if a fight really broke out, his dozen or so men would be no match for the Uchiha.

Just then, the crowd parted to make way. A dignified-looking middle-aged man in Uchiha clan robes stepped forward. It was the clan leader, Uchiha Tiandao.

He stopped in front of Danzō. His expression was calm, though a trace of restrained anger showed through.

"Lord Danzō, you've come in the middle of the night and made such an accusation. Do you have any evidence? Uchiha Shaoyu is a talented shinobi of my clan who has made many contributions to it. To accuse him of treason is far too hasty."

Danzō glanced at Uchiha Tiandao, his tone still icy.

Now that Tiandao had arrived, he no longer feared being beaten up by the Uchiha.

"Evidence? Once I take him back to Root for questioning, I'll find it. Clan Leader Tiandao, you'd best not interfere with official business. Otherwise, you'll be making an enemy of the Konoha High Command."

Uchiha Tiandao's expression darkened. He knew what kind of man Danzō was. Danzō had always been overbearing and had long held a grudge against the Uchiha Clan. Now he was clearly using an excuse to target Uchiha Shaoyu for his own purposes.

But Danzō was, after all, the Hokage's assistant, with Root at his command. A falling-out would bring the Uchiha Clan no benefit.

He forced down his anger and said with a strained smile,

"Lord Danzō, even if someone must be questioned, shouldn't the Konoha Military Police Force handle it, rather than Root overstepping its authority? Besides, Uchiha Shaoyu was in a battle just a few days ago and was badly injured. He's still recovering and shouldn't be moved."

"Badly injured?"

A trace of amusement flickered in Danzō's eyes, then he scoffed.

"We'll see if he's really injured when we take him back to Root. Clan Leader Tiandao, if you keep blocking me, don't blame me for showing no mercy."

The two sides remained at an impasse. The Uchiha stood around them, glaring furiously, but Danzō's position and the Root shinobi's presence kept them from stepping forward.

The Root shinobi Danzō had brought watched the crowd warily, ready to act at any moment.

Being watched by a pack of red-eyed fanatics was enough to make anyone sweat bullets.

No one noticed that, hidden by the crowd, three Root shinobi wearing fox masks had quietly slipped away. They crept through the narrow streets of the Uchiha Compound toward Uchiha Shaoyu's home.

Their orders were to take advantage of the chaos, sneak into Uchiha Shaoyu's residence, and seize him while he was still badly injured.

Danzō was certain that Uchiha Shaoyu's injuries had not yet healed and that he would be unable to fight back. Once they took him to Root, even if Uchiha Tiandao objected, there would be nothing he could do.

Uchiha Shaoyu was still in the courtyard, listening to the argument outside. He already understood Danzō's intentions.

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

"Shisui, don't be afraid. Big brother will be fine. No matter what happens outside, stay in here and don't go out. Understand?"

Shisui nodded hard, tears welling in his eyes again.

"Big brother, are they coming to take you away?"

"No."

Uchiha Shaoyu smiled and wiped the tears from the corner of Shisui's eye.

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

The moment he finished speaking, someone kicked the courtyard gate open. It crashed loudly, and three Root shinobi wearing fox masks rushed inside, kunai gleaming in their hands as they charged straight at Uchiha Shaoyu.

"Uchiha Shaoyu, you're coming with us!"

The Root shinobi in front spoke in a hoarse, icy voice. He clearly did not take this Uchiha, supposedly still recovering from his injuries, seriously.

Uchiha Shaoyu's gaze turned cold. He shielded Shisui behind him and slowly rose to his feet.

Not a trace of chakra leaked from him, but deep within his black eyes, a hint of crimson quietly surfaced.

Three Special Jōnin.

That was perfect. He could test out his body now.