Deterrence

The three elders exchanged glances. They had been old comrades for many years.

They quickly understood one another's thoughts.

What truly surprised the two of them was that Danzo had not come out to object.

"Alright, since everyone agrees, let's discuss the specifics."

Seeing the three agree so readily, even Tsunade herself found it somewhat unexpected.

What had truly convinced them was how brilliant the method was. The thinner the bloodline, the harder it was to awaken a bloodline limit.

So this was no different from wiping out the Uchiha clan.

At the same time, it would leave them with a good reputation.

In the original story, Itachi Uchiha had taken the blame, which was why it had not caused a major uproar. That could only be considered internal strife. If it had been someone else, it would easily have provoked the vigilance of the other clans.

With a concrete method in place, the details were simple.

The discussion was soon concluded.

"Who can speak for the Uchiha clan now?"

Only then did Tsunade remember to ask about the Uchiha clan's current situation.

"There are currently two. Uchiha Fugaku's son, Itachi Uchiha, and Uchiha Qiuyu, who has the highest prestige."

Danzo spoke as he explained the Uchiha clan's present circumstances.

Although Danzo had killed many of the higher-ups, geniuses had emerged as well.

Uchiha Qiuyu was one of them.

In the past, he had merely been an ordinary chunin. Yet no one had expected that during this war, he would directly awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.

He had immediately become one of the Uchiha clan's leaders. Within the Uchiha clan, strength was king. Uchiha Qiuyu had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan on his own, and in the midst of battle at that. Naturally, he became the spiritual leader in the hearts of all Uchiha.

As for Uchiha Daohuo, his temperament had never been good. He had also transplanted Itachi Uchiha's eyes, so his combat power was rather lacking.

As for Itachi Uchiha, his identity had always been special. Now that all the higher-ups were dead, no one would have paid attention to him under normal circumstances. Given the current situation, Itachi Uchiha had stepped forward and revealed his own Mangekyō Sharingan.

"What's going on? How does the Uchiha clan have two more pairs of Mangekyō?"

After hearing the details, Tsunade's expression darkened.

The others fell silent and said nothing further.

They had already witnessed the terror of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"From now on, Jiraiya will lead the ANBU and Root."

Tsunade glanced at the two men.

Danzo did not object.

The current situation was that Danzo lacked the strength to deal with the Uchiha clan, so he could only dump this mess onto Jiraiya.

"Take Naruto to the Uchiha clan. Tell them the proposed solution. If they object, purge their higher-ups."

Tsunade was not some saint. This outcome was already the best solution.

If they still refused to accept it, then they could only be dealt with by force.

And Tsunade's greatest source of confidence in doing this was Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki.

Others might not know Jiraiya's strength, but as his former teammate, Tsunade knew it very well.

With that brat Naruto added to the mix, dealing with the Uchiha would be easy.

"Alright!"

Jiraiya did not waste any words. The changes had already been discussed on the way back.

Konoha's machinery began operating at high speed.

Night fell.

Jiraiya brought Naruto with him, followed by several dozen ANBU, and arrived at the Uchiha clan's settlement.

"Be careful, Naruto. Watch out for their genjutsu."

Before they entered, Jiraiya gave him a reminder.

"Don't worry."

Naruto nodded. With his current strength, genjutsu below the Mangekyō level was ineffective against him.

The moment the two entered, figures flashed.

More than a dozen people instantly surrounded them.

"We're here to see Itachi Uchiha."

Jiraiya did not waste words and continued forward.

The Uchiha exchanged looks, but none of them rushed forward.

Naruto said nothing.

[Nine-Tails Golden Body Mode]

Golden flames rose as Naruto entered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.

The terrifying pressure forced everyone back. Under that dreadful pressure, even the circulation of chakra within their bodies was affected.

"What is this? Such terrifying pressure."

"Chakra materialization."

"So strong."

Everyone watched Naruto warily.

At the same time, the two men on the Uchiha side received the news.

Itachi Uchiha and Uchiha Qiuyu hurried over.

The instant they drew near and saw Naruto's appearance, their pupils contracted.

Naruto's gaze turned cold.

"Brat, it would be best to kill those with that disgusting aura."

The Nine-Tails' voice rang out in Naruto's mind.

The Nine-Tails had also learned of the original story, so he naturally held no favorable feelings toward these people. He felt Naruto was being needlessly troublesome. They should simply be exterminated, just as in the original story.

"It would be a pity for such a bloodline to disappear entirely. But those who have awakened the Mangekyō are different. Those two must die."

Naruto explained. This was also his true thought.

He wanted to study the power of bloodlines, so he did not want the Uchiha clan to be exterminated.

But he held no favorable feelings toward the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Naruto was still immature and did not conceal his killing intent in the slightest.

The two of them sensed it instantly, and their bodies instinctively activated the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"This guy is a jinchuriki. Could he have mastered the Nine-Tails' power?"

"What exactly is going on?"

As everyone looked at Naruto Uzumaki, they were wary yet curious.

"Itachi Uchiha, Uchiha Qiuyu, the Hokage's judgment has been issued. You two, come with me."

Jiraiya was not worried in the slightest about the Uchiha's hateful stares.

A barrier had long since been set up around the Uchiha clan's territory.

If they dared resist, all the ninja would be killed.

As for the information on the Mangekyō, he had Danzo to thank for that. He had already gotten it all out of him.

The two exchanged glances and silently nodded.

The four of them then entered the clan head's courtyard.

Five people sat down in the room.

Uchiha Qiuyu, Itachi Uchiha, Uchiha Daohuo, Naruto Uzumaki, and Jiraiya.

"Please speak, Lord Jiraiya."

Qiuyu was the first to speak.

Jiraiya told the three of them the decision they had reached previously.

At the same time, he remained prepared, while Naruto Uzumaki maintained his chakra state throughout.

Sure enough, after hearing the decision.

The two immediately flew into a rage.

Uchiha Daohuo in particular had always been hot-tempered.

"Impossible! If you want war, then war it is! The Uchiha clan will never compromise!"

"Daohuo, shut up."

"You..."

Uchiha Daohuo wanted to resist, but he was wary of the other side's strength.

Itachi Uchiha remained silent.

Uchiha Qiuyu closed his eyes in thought.

"How will the ordinary clan members be handled?"

"Their memories will be sealed, and they will be integrated into Konoha."

Another silence followed.

Itachi Uchiha had remained silent from beginning to end.

"Brother Itachi, what do you think?"

Qiuyu turned to look at Itachi beside him. He had originally been an ordinary Uchiha, but after awakening the Sharingan in battle, he had been forced into becoming one of the Uchiha clan's leaders.

"This is fine too."

Itachi Uchiha was still somewhat surprised inside. He had already prepared for the worst, but he had not expected Konoha to spare them.

The Uchiha clan still had dozens who had awakened the Sharingan. Although this would weaken the Uchiha clan in another sense, it would preserve the clan.

Itachi Uchiha was already very satisfied with this outcome.

Seeing Itachi Uchiha's stance, Qiuyu understood.

"We agree."

He raised his head and looked at Jiraiya.

Uchiha Daohuo had calmed down as well.

Considering the mistakes they had committed, merely disbanding the ordinary Uchiha was already an enormous concession.