A Show of Strength

Orochimaru watched Danzo leave, then turned toward the base. He had little interest in what was about to happen in Konoha.

He was more interested in seeing Danzo finish his confinement and reclaim his position as Root Leader. As the Third Hokage's Disciple, Orochimaru understood Danzo's character and his relationship with the Third Hokage. Konoha still needed a blade hidden in the dark.

Danzo never let a slight go unanswered. And the Elders Council had blocked far too many talented young Ninja from advancing.

Orochimaru had no wish to see the Elders Council survive, either. If both sides tore each other apart, he and the Third Hokage's other Disciples would gain more influence in the village.

The Uchiha training plan was in full swing. The leadership had approved Fugaku's proposal, and the clan's Ninja trained for two hours before or after their shifts.

Uchiha Tenjo had bought a large tract of wasteland from the Third Hokage and divided it into several training grounds.

At one of them, Uchiha clan members were spread out in pairs, sparring. Several senior members had come to watch their progress in their spare time.

Fugaku, Jin, Sanada, and the others were there too. Some were sparring, while others observed the clan's fighters.

Each pair had a crowd of Uchiha around them, Sharingan active as they studied the fighters' strengths and weaknesses.

Watching others fight could help them improve, too.

"Want to have a match, Fugaku? Just watching isn't much fun," Jin said.

Fugaku smiled. "Sure. I'd like to see whether I've improved lately."

His black eyes instantly became Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and an intimidating aura rolled off him.

Most of the Uchiha turned to look at Fugaku. With the Body Flicker Technique, he vanished and reappeared in the Training Ground.

As the clan's greatest prodigy, Fugaku's