Countermeasure (Part 1)

The Third Hokage frowned deeply. He knew Shisui's character. For the sake of peace, even if something like this had happened, he would not have spoken of it in public.

What had happened to Shisui?

In truth, Natsuki had merely told Shisui that if he lied, the Uchiha Clan would immediately rebel.

If Shisui told the truth, he guaranteed there would be no rebellion tonight.

Danzo's expression shifted slightly before he calmly said, "I had not wished to stir up conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village, but things have come to this. I did indeed summon Shisui this evening, but Shisui attempted to assassinate me today. I saw through him and was forced to retaliate."

Natsuki looked at Danzo with a mocking smile. "Do you think anyone would believe that nonsense?"

Danzo flew into a rage. "You are merely an Acting Elder. What right do you have to speak to me here?"

Fugaku listened to the reports from the Uchiha Clan Members behind him. When he heard that Elder Natsuki had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, his eyes filled with both shock and delight.

It had been many years since the clan had produced a Mangekyō Sharingan wielder.

Moreover, Natsuki was still so young.

Fugaku raised his head and declared, "Elder Danzo, Elder Natsuki rendered great service by rescuing Shisui today. I have already appointed him Vice Clan Head. Does he have the right now?"

The Uchiha behind him stirred. How had Elder Natsuki suddenly become the Vice Clan Head?

Then they figured that the clan head was backing Elder Natsuki, and they quieted down again.

Danzo assumed Fugaku was supporting Natsuki and snorted coldly.

"It is a fact that Shisui attempted to assassinate me today. My Root can testify to it."

Who among those present was not shrewd? Everyone knew what kind of man Danzo was.

If Shisui had truly tried to assassinate him, he would have reported it to the Third Hokage long ago. Would he have come here pretending to be clueless?

Natsuki burst out laughing. "It is also a fact that Elder Danzo attempted to assassinate the Third Hokage today. Every Uchiha can testify to it."

The Uchiha Clan Members behind him erupted in thunderous laughter.

"That's right! I testify!"

"I testify too! I testify too!"

The surrounding ninja clans suppressed their laughter and turned their heads away.

The Third Hokage's expression shifted. He roughly understood what had happened, but he still coughed once.

"Since Shisui has been found, Natsuki... Vice Clan Head, this was a misunderstanding. Everyone, disperse."

"A misunderstanding!?"

Uchiha Natsuki changed his expression faster than turning a page.

"Third Hokage! Shisui's Sharingan is still with Danzo! And you call this a misunderstanding!?"

Danzo snorted. "Shisui failed in his assassination attempt, and now he is resorting to false accusations?"

Natsuki did not even glance at Danzo. He turned and gave Fugaku a look.

Then he thundered, "Third Hokage! Are you people from the Hokage faction openly trying to seize the Sharingan of our Uchiha Clan!?"

Uchiha Fugaku understood Natsuki's signal and said gravely, "Hiruzen Sarutobi! If Shisui's Sharingan is not returned, my Uchiha Clan will never let this rest!"

All the Uchiha Clan Members behind Fugaku silently activated their Sharingan.

For a moment, countless blood-red eyes turned toward the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage's face darkened like the bottom of a pot. Internally, he cursed Danzo's entire family. Look at the mess you've made. Now all of Konoha has to pay for it.

"Danzo, hand over Shisui's Sharingan immediately!"

Danzo's mouth twitched. He had never expected things to develop this far.

Yet he still made one final struggle. "I did indeed clash with Shisui, but I truly did not take his Sharingan."

Natsuki narrowed his eyes slightly, then took out a kunai.

The Third Hokage said in a deep voice, "Natsuki, calm down."

But Natsuki slowly placed the kunai against his Konoha Headband.

If the kunai cut across it, he would become a Konoha Rogue Ninja.

Natsuki shouted to all the ninja clans, "All of Konoha, look closely! This is how Konoha's upper ranks exploit our ninja clans! They will seize your bloodlines, secret arts, and property! Hyuga, you will be next!"

All the ninja clans present were the elite and pillars of their families; some were outright clan heads. Their expressions turned extremely grim.

The Hyuga Clan stirred even more, for their Byakugan was also a bloodline limit renowned throughout the ninja world.

Hiashi and Hizashi both wore faces like still water as they coldly watched how the Third Hokage would handle this.

The Third Hokage's expression changed drastically. If he drove a ninja clan into rebellion like this, the entire ninja world would laugh at the Hokage.

No clan would ever trust the Hokage faction again. This was digging at the roots of the Hokage faction itself!

"Hiruzen Sarutobi, listen carefully! Now! Immediately! At once, hand over Shisui's Sharingan!"

"Otherwise, our Uchiha Clan and Konoha will perish together! Konoha forced our Uchiha Clan into this!"

Uchiha Natsuki's expression was savage, his entire body hysterical, like a madman.

The Third Hokage felt ice-cold all over. The Uchiha Clan could rebel, but they absolutely could not be forced into rebellion.

If he gave the order to attack today, the Uchiha Clan would be destroyed, but Konoha would fall apart as well.

No ninja clan would serve under those who coveted their property.

All the ninja clans surrounding the Uchiha Clan had lost all Fighting Spirit. They looked at Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi with icy eyes.

The Hyuga Clan in particular, because if the Uchiha Clan fell, the Hyuga Clan would definitely be next.

Though the other ninja clans did not possess the Sharingan or Byakugan, they all had more or less some family property and secret arts.

If even the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan could be seized, then theirs would not be safe either.

The Third Hokage sighed. "In light of Danzo's wrongful conduct."

"Shimura Danzō is hereby stripped of his position as Hokage Assistant. Danzo, hand over Shisui's Sharingan immediately."

Danzo looked incredulous, his eyes dark and sinister like a venomous snake.

"Hiruzen! The Uchiha Clan cannot be trusted at all! Shisui's Sharingan is too dangerous. I will never hand it over!"

"Enough, Danzo!"

"I am the Hokage!"

Danzo gritted his teeth. "Fine. I will return and hand over the Sharingan immediately."

The Third Hokage turned his head. "Natsuki, is that enough?"

Natsuki sneered. "Even now, Danzo, you are still trying to play tricks with me. Shisui's eye is clearly on you. What are you going back to get?"

Danzo's expression changed as he prepared to argue.

Natsuki waved a hand. "Stop quibbling. Our Uchiha Clan has a secret art. Shisui's eye is in your right eye!"

Danzo's expression turned ugly. He truly had not known the Uchiha Clan possessed such a secret art. Had he known, he would not have come.

Now, he had absolutely no way out.

Under everyone's scrutiny.

Danzo could only grit his teeth and unwrap the bandages around his right eye. Inside was unmistakably a Sharingan.

The ninja clans erupted in an uproar. One of their village's upper ranks, the Hokage Assistant, had actually seized the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan.

And he had immediately implanted it into his own eye.

The Uchiha Clan naturally had no such secret art, but Natsuki had been certain that after obtaining Shisui's right eye, Danzo would definitely implant it directly into his own eye.

Even if it had not been Shisui's eye, Danzo's right eye would still have been a Sharingan.

Danzo was furious and resentful, but he had already provoked public outrage. Every ninja clan looked at him with hostility.

Who knew whether Danzo's next target would be their own clan?