The Second War

Seeing Fugaku's puzzled expression, Danzo sighed.

He stood at the finish line and knew most of the hidden secrets of the shinobi world. He even understood the personalities of quite a few people.

But trying to trace the path from the outcome was truly exhausting.

"When the Two-Tails appears on the battlefield, our morale will be affected, while theirs will rise."

"But if you immediately reveal the power of Susanoo and seal the Two-Tails, the situation will instantly reverse."

Danzo explained calmly, but his words plunged Fugaku into deep thought.

"Are you really so certain that I can seal the Two-Tails in such a short time?" Fugaku asked strangely. Ever since Madara had defected from the village, almost no one in the Uchiha Clan had awakened the Mangekyo. Why was Danzo so confident?

Danzo declared with absolute certainty, "The power of Susanoo is stronger than you imagine. I'll have Kakashi assist you in sealing the Two-Tails. He has some understanding of sealing techniques as well."

There was immense confidence in his words. Clearly, he had no doubts that Fugaku could seal the Two-Tails.

That confident manner unconsciously affected Uchiha Fugaku. Ever since awakening his Mangekyo, he had rarely used its abilities.

On one hand, it would weaken his eyesight. On the other, he could not let the Uchiha Clan learn that another clansman had awakened the Mangekyo.

But now, with Shimura Danzō's help, Fugaku no longer cared about exposing it.

"Why are you helping me so much?"

After a long silence, Uchiha Fugaku stared intently at Danzo and asked, "You clearly used to hate the Uchiha, and many of your actions were directed against us."

"Why are you helping us this time? Just because I said a few words for you during that meeting?"

Uchiha Fugaku finally could not hold back any longer.

Such irrational behavior rarely happened to him, but Danzo put far too much pressure on him. It was not merely Danzo's attitude; even his allegiances were often impossible to figure out.

In this war, Danzo had completely changed his previous attitude and represented the village in trying to accept the Uchiha Clan. Fugaku had thought about it for a long time, yet could not find any reason that would make someone change their stance so quickly.

And it was as if Danzo had long known Fugaku would ask this. He responded calmly, "It was because you spoke up for me that I changed my view."

Danzo had expected Fugaku to question him, but he had not expected him to lose his composure so quickly.

He had prepared his explanation long ago, along with all sorts of reasons to wash away the mistakes committed by the previous owner of this body.

"Just that simple?" Uchiha Fugaku clearly did not believe him.

If Danzo had truly changed his opinion of the Uchiha just because Fugaku had said one sentence for him, then Danzo was not Danzo. He had probably been possessed by someone.

"Just that simple."

Danzo nodded and said gently, "Do you know why I used to be so hostile toward the Uchiha?"

"Why?"

"Because you are uncontrollable, too emotional, and unable to see the bigger picture." Danzo gave the reason he had long prepared. It was an explanation he had painstakingly devised based on the original story.

Seeing Fugaku's puzzled gaze, Danzo continued, "The Uchiha Clan is like the blood flowing through your veins—far too impulsive and emotional."

"In many matters, you cannot see the overall situation, just like those radical voices within your clan."

Danzo stood and walked to Fugaku's side, pointing at his eyes. "Do you know how the Sharingan awakens, and how it evolves?"

Fugaku could roughly guess Danzo's meaning. With a grim expression, he replied, "Through intense emotional stimulation."

"Correct. Through intense stimulation."

Danzo smiled, guiding Fugaku's thoughts along his own rhythm. "Many Uchiha could be called madmen. Especially those so-called geniuses—they are madmen among madmen."

"They are too emotional and not calm enough. Under intense stimulation, they awaken the Sharingan, but at the same time, they may make unexpected decisions."

"For example, acting on the battlefield without obeying the commander's orders. Or choosing the clan over the village, even choosing brothers over the clan and friends."

"Too irrational, too selfish. That is my assessment of most Uchiha."

Danzo held out both fists before Fugaku.

"As one of Konoha's elders, every decision I make is for Konoha. I could even sacrifice my own Shimura Clan."

"Konoha is the greater family, while a clan is only a smaller family. For Konoha's sake, I can only eliminate the unstable factor that is the Uchiha."

His words were righteous, leaving Uchiha Fugaku unable to refute them.

Because that was the truth.

Too many people in the clan had done far too many wrong things because of friends and relatives. That included acts that harmed the village, and even the clan itself.

"Because I disregarded the objections of most of the clan and agreed with your decision to stand with the village, you think I am different from the others?" Uchiha Fugaku widened his eyes. He had never expected that his momentary approval would make Danzo change his view of the Uchiha.

"The facts prove that I was right."

Seeing Fugaku say the words he wanted to hear, Danzo's smile widened. "Not only you—your son, Uchiha Itachi, possesses the same qualities as you."

"He can think calmly and make the correct choice, treating Konoha as a true family."

"Itachi?"

Uchiha Fugaku's eyes widened. Could it be that Itachi had leaked the clan's information?

"It wasn't Itachi who leaked the information about your clan. It was Shisui." Danzo saw through his thoughts and smiled.

Fugaku: .

You knew that too?

"Managing one's expressions is a field of study. Guessing what you are thinking is another." Danzo smiled, as though he had once again seen through Fugaku's doubts.

"There is much knowledge in this world that no one has tried to understand or explore. The only benefit of hiding in the shadows is that I have plenty of time."

"That time has allowed me to study countless things that the people of the shinobi world do not know."

By now, Danzo could spout lies effortlessly. Some things became habits after doing them long enough.

One lie concealed another, link after link.

As for Uchiha Shisui, Danzo had also spent a great deal of effort setting a trap back then, waiting for Shisui to confess to him bit by bit before finally bringing him under his command.

Fugaku looked at Danzo and nodded doubtfully.

If what Danzo said was true, then he was unquestionably a genius—a genius who could live quite comfortably even if he abandoned his identity as a shinobi.

"Lord Danzo, the Cloud Hidden troops that were originally expected to arrive the day after tomorrow have suddenly accelerated. They may reach the border tomorrow," an urgent voice called from outside the tent.

"Understood."