Closing In Step by Step: Danzo Under House Arrest

"I said enough! Didn't you hear me?!" The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice exploded through the meeting room like thunder. With a loud bang, his palm slammed heavily onto the table, making even the teacups jump. The entire room instantly fell silent, every gaze fixed on the Hokage who was usually so mild-mannered.

Fugaku Uchiha remained completely unmoved. The respect in his eyes was gone, replaced by cold mockery and disdain. He slowly rose to his feet, stared directly at the Third Hokage, and spoke in a low yet forceful voice. "Fine, Lord Hokage. Tell us, then. How do you intend to give the Uchiha an explanation? Are we Uchiha not even allowed to submit an application?"

Fugaku's tone carried obvious provocation, as though he were questioning an opponent who had already lost his authority. Once, he had feared the Third Hokage deeply, as if the man were an unshakable deity. No matter how hard he tried, the Third Hokage had always suppressed him with ease. But now, everything was different. He could feel it—the Third Hokage could no longer keep him down.

This change had come solely from an offhand suggestion by Uchiha Chuan—to establish the Uchiha Ninja Academy. That proposal had not only opened Fugaku's eyes, but seemed to have awakened the Uchiha's three elders as well.

They had discussed the name Uchiha Konoha Second Ninja Academy themselves. In any case, they would not give anyone an opening to exploit. Wrap themselves in Konoha's banner, claim everything was for Konoha, say that the Uchiha were one of the clans that founded the village and the true orthodox lineage of Konoha, and that would be enough.

Thus, when Fugaku questioned the Third Hokage, every word landed with resounding force.

The Third Hokage fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking. His tone remained calm, but it carried unquestionable resolve. "Of course the Uchiha may submit an application. But in order to prevent ideological division within Konoha, we will not approve such an application under any circumstances."

"Clan Head, I told you Lord Hokage would never agree," the Uchiha First Elder sneered, his tone thick with ridicule.

"Ah, the people in the clan are too impulsive. If Lord Hokage refuses and they return to the Ninja Academy, they'll definitely be mocked," the Second Elder sighed, though a faint, imperceptible smile rested on his face.

"Yes. If being mocked causes them to lose all motivation, then our Uchiha will be finished." The Third Elder chimed in with feigned concern, his voice filled with hypocrisy.

The others in the meeting room, including the Konoha F4, watched the Uchiha Clan's performance with baffled expressions, unable to understand what they were plotting.

Fugaku paid no attention to their stares. He said lightly, "It doesn't matter. If you won't approve it, then we'll establish the Uchiha After-School Training School instead. Just like Root, ANBU's training base. But we cannot be as dark as Root. No matter what, we cannot destroy the future of the Uchiha."

The moment those words were spoken, the Konoha F4's expressions turned ugly, especially Shimura Danzō. A cold glint flashed through his eyes before he demanded in a chilling voice, "Fugaku Uchiha, what do you mean? If the Uchiha Ninja Academy cannot be established, do you think your Uchiha After-School Training School can be?"

Fugaku did not yield an inch. He shot back, "Why not? After the Shimura Clan's children leave the Ninja Academy, do you not provide them with your own training and instruction? We Uchiha do as well. Every ninja clan present, as well as every Jonin, trains their younger generation this way. If you want to ban it, then ban it all. If you target the Uchiha alone, are you trying to divide the Uchiha from the village?"

Danzō was left speechless by Fugaku's retort. Naturally, he could not publicly admit that he intended to divide the village and the Uchiha. He could only suppress his anger and explain, "That is private training by ninja clans. Your Uchiha training school, however, would train people openly. How can those be the same?"

Fugaku sneered, his voice full of derision. "Hmph. No matter what the Uchiha do, you people suppress us. But fine. Since you are Konoha's higher-ups, we'll follow your rules. Since this counts as private training, we'll have those receiving training temporarily join the Uchiha Clan and bear the Uchiha name. Once the training is over, we'll simply take back their Uchiha name."

"Damn it! How is that any different from public training?!" Danzō roared furiously, veins bulging across his face.

Fugaku did not care in the slightest. He replied coldly, "Just like your suppression of the Uchiha, at least there will be a fig leaf."

Those words were like a sharp blade, tearing straight through Danzō's disguise. The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly became tense enough to draw swords, as though a battle might erupt at any moment.

Just then, the Third Hokage suddenly spoke, his voice carrying unquestionable authority. "Enough! Starting today, Danzō is removed from his post as Hokage Advisor. Root will undergo a complete restructuring, and Danzō will be confined to his home for one year."

Those words were like a heavy hammer crashing directly onto Danzō's head. His eyes widened as he stared at the Third Hokage in disbelief. "Hiruzen, you..."

Everyone in the meeting room was stunned. No one had expected the Third Hokage to impose such a severe punishment on Danzō at this moment.

"Danzō, how many times have I told you? Address people by their title while at work!" The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, spoke in an icy voice, his gaze cutting into Shimura Danzō like a blade. "You have indeed targeted the Uchiha too much. How many times have I told you that the Uchiha are part of the village? You refused to listen time and again, and because you held such a high position and great authority, you caused the repeated misunderstandings and conflicts of late. Go home and reflect on yourself properly."

Danzō's face turned ashen. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles went white. He glared at the Third Hokage, unwillingness and fury flashing through his eyes. Yet in the end, he still gritted his teeth and said word by word, "Fine. Fine. Fine. Reflect, is it? I'll reflect!" With that, he abruptly turned and strode out of the meeting room. His footsteps echoed down the corridor, each one seemingly venting the rage in his heart.

The atmosphere in the meeting room remained heavy. The Third Hokage slowly withdrew his gaze and turned toward Fugaku, sincerity entering his voice. "Clan Head Fugaku, are you satisfied now? Konoha's higher-ups have no intention of targeting the Uchiha. That was Danzō's own excessive behavior. Before, because he had made too many great contributions, I believed his mistakes were minor and kept protecting him instead of dealing with him. I never expected matters to spiral out of control to this extent. But it is not too late to mend the fold after the sheep are lost. From today onward, I will correct him properly. I hope Clan Head Fugaku will be magnanimous and not lower yourself to his level."

As Fugaku listened to the Third Hokage's words, his face remained respectful, but a cold glint flashed deep in his eyes. He nodded slightly, his tone calm yet edged. "You flatter me, Lord Hokage. I am not an unreasonable man. Since Lord Hokage has said so much, naturally I will respect your wishes and not cause you further trouble. Since the Uchiha Second Ninja Academy cannot be approved, then we will not establish it. However—" His tone abruptly sharpened. "I ask Lord Hokage to improve the quality of education at Konoha Ninja Academy. How can teaching only the Three-Body Technique be enough? Chakra attributes, nature transformation, shape transformation—even beyond that, every student should be taught at least three to five techniques, especially the Shadow Clone Technique. Only then can Konoha become stronger and more prosperous. Otherwise, what is the point of raising a group of cannon fodder?"

Before the Third Hokage could speak, Utatane Koharu coldly interjected, "Clan Head Fugaku, we discussed this long ago. The reason we do not teach them during their Ninja Academy years is because they need to be tested first. Otherwise, if they are not tested, it will be very easy for serious trouble to arise. When that happens, who will take responsibility for the losses?"

Fugaku sneered and swept his blade-like gaze toward Utatane Koharu. "Hmph. Then improve your management standards. The capable rise, and the incompetent fall. If Advisor Koharu believes she cannot serve as an advisor to a stronger Konoha, she can resign."

Utatane Koharu's expression immediately darkened, but unlike Danzō, she did not flare up directly. Instead, she replied in a strange, mocking tone, "Clan Head Fugaku, you only raise problems, while we need to solve them. Your Uchiha cannot even resolve the villagers' complaints, so what right do you have to question us?"

Fugaku smiled faintly, a trace of mockery in his tone. "We did not handle them well before, but we are handling them quite well now."

Seeing the atmosphere grow tense again, the Third Hokage hurriedly spoke and threw the matter to the Jonin present. "Enough. Suggestions like this require everyone's agreement. Does everyone agree to add more content to Konoha Ninja Academy's curriculum?"

His gaze swept across the room, his calculations already made. Sure enough, Shikaku Nara was the first to step forward. His tone was mild, but his evasion was obvious. "Lord Hokage, Clan Head Fugaku and Advisor Koharu both have valid points. Therefore, I believe the matter of expanding the Ninja Academy curriculum should be considered carefully over time."

The other ninja clan heads also echoed him. "Yes, I think it needs to be considered carefully as well."

Seeing this, the Third Hokage smiled faintly and turned to Fugaku. "Clan Head Fugaku, do you still insist? If you do, we can hold a vote."

Fugaku's gaze was cold, and he answered without hesitation. "Then let us vote. Those in favor of expanding Konoha Ninja Academy's curriculum, raise your hands."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Uchiha Clan's Jonin raised their hands in unison. Hatake Sakumo slowly raised his hand as well. However, the other ninja clan heads and Jonin remained silent one after another. Even the civilian Jonin hesitated for a moment before quietly lowering the hands they had been about to raise.

The atmosphere in the meeting room became exceptionally oppressive. Fugaku's gaze swept across the crowd before finally settling on the Third Hokage's face. The Third Hokage smiled faintly, his tone mild yet carrying an unquestionable decision. "The vote is over. Clan Head Fugaku, you should reconsider the matter of expanding Konoha Ninja Academy's curriculum."

Fugaku took a deep breath and slowly lowered his hand, a respectful expression returning to his face. "Yes, Lord Hokage."

In an instant, the tension in the meeting room seemed to vanish like smoke, and the regular Jonin meeting returned to harmony once more. Yet beneath that surface calm, undercurrents surged. Everyone knew that this contest was far from over.