Dark Undercurrents

Konoha seemed peaceful today, but dark currents churned beneath the surface. Every member of Root had been arrested by ANBU.

All the Curse Marks Danzo had left behind had been removed, but the convictions of some of his most die-hard loyalists could not be changed at all. Leaving such people behind would be like keeping ticking bombs, so they could only be eliminated.

However, Danzo's die-hard loyalists were only a small minority. After all, completely destroying a person's independent will was not easy.

Root still had plenty of talent. Its members included people from Konoha's major clans, and all of them were elites. These were talents who would originally have entered ANBU but had instead been selected for Root.

Now, these talents naturally had to undergo adjustments and observation before being incorporated into ANBU.

With Danzo dealt with, Konoha was now entirely Hiruzen Sarutobi's domain. The other two advisors could not stir up much trouble. Hiruzen Sarutobi no longer intended to care about their old ties and was preparing to directly take down his former teammates.

All the major clans received the news.

Root's leader, Shimura Danzō, had attempted to assassinate Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi in the Hokage Building, only to be subdued by the Third Hokage in a single move. Root had been abolished and merged into ANBU. The Third Hokage truly lived up to his title as the strongest Hokage!

This news caused an enormous uproar.

Who did not know that Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi were as thick as thieves? They had been good brothers for so many years. Whenever anyone wanted to cause trouble for Danzo in the past, Hiruzen Sarutobi would always be the first to step up in his defense.

Danzo had tried to assassinate the Hokage? Root had been merged into ANBU? There had to be some conspiracy behind it!

At the Uchiha Clan Grounds, Fugaku Uchiha and several clan elders had gathered together, troubled by this matter as well.

The Fourth Hokage had been Fugaku Uchiha's friend, while his wife, Kushina Uzumaki, had also been friends with Mikoto Uchiha.

Because of that relationship, after the Fourth Hokage took office, relations between the Uchiha Clan and the village had greatly eased.

But now, both the Fourth Hokage and the Jinchūriki were dead, and the person suspected of controlling the Nine-Tails and causing the uprising appeared to have been an Uchiha Clan member with a Mangekyo Sharingan.

All of this would drastically change the Uchiha Clan's position in the village. During this period, they had already felt the hostility directed at them by Root and ANBU.

Now Root had actually been disbanded, and word of Danzo's assassination attempt on the Hokage had spread. No one could understand what Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi were trying to do. Could this be a conspiracy aimed at the Uchiha Clan?

"The news has been confirmed. Danzo's right arm was severed, and he is currently recuperating in the hospital. His die-hard loyalists have all been executed, while the remaining Root members have been detained by ANBU."

An elder spoke. It was already afternoon. The incident had taken place in the morning, and nothing about it had been concealed. Konoha's major clans had all received the news.

Fugaku Uchiha nodded, but his brows remained tightly furrowed. This had happened too suddenly, and it would have a huge impact on the Uchiha Clan.

Danzo had inherited the Second Hokage's will and targeted the Uchiha Clan at every turn. It was as if he would not rest until the Uchiha Clan had been exterminated.

Now that Danzo had been taken down by the Third Hokage, how would the Third Hokage treat the Uchiha Clan?

"What have you decided about that matter? Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi are fighting among themselves. Konoha is at its weakest right now, and this is precisely our chance for the Uchiha Clan to seize control of Konoha once again!"

The one who spoke was Setsuna Uchiha. During the Second Hokage's reign, he had incited clan members to rebel and was captured by ANBU and thrown into prison.

After the Second Hokage died, he was released and sent back to the Uchiha Clan. His current strength was infinitely close to Kage Level, and he was the leading figure among the Uchiha hardliners.

Setsuna Uchiha had long been dissatisfied with the Second Hokage's policies targeting the Uchiha Clan. Now, Danzo had been taken down by the Third Hokage.

The former Shinobi Hero had long lost his former vigor. Konoha's White Fang was dead, and only Orochimaru remained of the Three Legendary Sannin. Even Orochimaru looked as though he would soon be unable to remain in Konoha.

It could be said that Konoha was at its weakest now. This was the Uchiha Clan's opportunity!

Unfortunately, Fugaku Uchiha was more indecisive by nature. Caught between the Uchiha Clan and the village, he did not know what choice to make.

"Things have not reached that point yet. Let's wait and see for now."

Fugaku Uchiha's words won the approval of more clan members. Although the Uchiha Clan had extreme temperaments, more of them yearned for peace and had a strong sense of belonging to Konoha.

Similar discussions took place among all the major clans. Konoha's shinobi clans all believed that this was a scheme devised by Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi.

No one believed that Hiruzen Sarutobi would truly act against Danzo.

However, Danzo was currently lying unconscious in Konoha Hospital. With the facts right before them, it seemed they had no choice but to believe it.

For a time, everyone among Konoha's upper ranks and shinobi clans felt endangered.

Everyone believed Hiruzen Sarutobi had truly gone senile. He had worn Konoha down until less than a tenth of its strength remained. Konoha was still at war with the Rock Ninja and Lightning Ninja. Though no full-scale war had broken out, minor clashes never ceased.

The Nine-Tails Uprising had only just ended, and the people of the village were still nursing their wounds. Yet Hiruzen Sarutobi was starting an internal struggle at such a time?

Orochimaru naturally received the news as well. He had still been worried that Danzo would become an obstacle to his becoming Hokage, but Hiruzen Sarutobi had unexpectedly taken Danzo down directly.

"It seems Sensei has truly made up his mind this time."

Orochimaru's feelings were exceedingly complicated. Hiruzen Sarutobi had changed too much, leaving him unable to understand his teacher's true intentions.

However, the evidence had already been almost completely cleaned up, and now Danzo had been taken down as well. Could Hiruzen Sarutobi truly be planning to reform Konoha? Would he even move against the nobles of the Land of Fire?

"Orochimaru-senpai, the Hokage is looking for you."

When he looked up, he saw that distinctive white hair. It was Kakashi.

Orochimaru held White Fang in high regard, but he did not approve of White Fang's actions.

Human beings were far too small and fragile, and the essence of human nature was even more revolting.

"Come with me."

Kakashi Hatake froze for a moment, then nodded and agreed.

As a genius who had become a Jonin at twelve, Kakashi's talent was no weaker than White Fang's. However, the Sharingan held him back, preventing him from reaching Kage Level for so long.

Kakashi had once joined Root and ruined Danzo's plan to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi. Even so, Hiruzen Sarutobi had still pardoned Danzo.

Kakashi had also been present when Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Danzo today. Even now, he remained in shock.

Kakashi knew very well about the Wood Release bloodline within Root, as well as Orochimaru's human experiments.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could be said to trust Kakashi greatly. In the future, he would indeed become the Sixth Hokage.

The two walked one behind the other toward the Hokage Building.