Closing In Step by Step

Uchiha En's question cut into the heart of every Clan Head present like a knife.

Hyuga Hiashi frowned.

The Byakugan, like the Sharingan, was a Kekkei Genkai that could be stolen. If the Konoha High Command could target the Uchiha Clan, what about the Hyuga Clan? Would their turn come one day?

Shibi Aburame adjusted his sunglasses without a word.

But the slight tension in his shoulders betrayed his unease.

The Ninja Dog beside Tsume Inuzuka snorted. She reached out to pat its head, but her gaze remained fixed on Uchiha En.

The Clan Heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans exchanged glances.

Shikaku Nara's smile faded, and his expression grew serious.

"This just got... interesting," he murmured.

Seeing the situation turn ugly, Hiruzen Sarutobi hurriedly stood.

"Enough!"

He raised his voice, cutting off Shimura Danzō before he could lash out.

"Danzo, sit down."

Danzo's face turned livid, but the Hokage had spoken. He could only snort and sit back down.

Hiruzen Sarutobi swept his gaze across the room, his tone softening.

"Everyone, the village would never seize a clan's Kekkei Genkai or jutsu. You have my word. Since Konoha was founded, we have always emphasized unity and trust. Every clan is a pillar of Konoha. The village would never destroy its own foundations."

He sounded sincere, and his tone was gentle.

In the past, those words might have reassured everyone present.

But now...

A cold smile touched Uchiha En's lips.

"Is that really true, Lord Hokage?"

He looked Hiruzen Sarutobi straight in the eye. His voice was quiet, but everyone heard him clearly.

"You may have no such intentions, but that doesn't mean others don't."

His gaze shifted to Shimura Danzō.

"Elder Danzo, do you dare remove the bandage over your right eye? Let us see whether you're truly blind in that eye, or whether... you've implanted one of our Sharingan."

The room fell instantly silent.

Every gaze fixed on Shimura Danzō's right eye.

The eye wrapped in white bandages.

Shimura Danzō's expression changed sharply.

Bang! He slammed the table and rose to his feet.

"Utter nonsense!"

His voice seethed with barely contained anger.

"Lies! How could my right eye be a Sharingan? You're trying to talk your way out of this and distract everyone!"

He pointed at Uchiha En, his voice icy.

"We're here to discuss Uchiha Itachi, not me! Stop changing the subject!"

Uchiha En remained perfectly calm.

"Why so angry, Elder Danzo?"

He spoke without hurry.

"The fact is, one of our clan members saw you personally lead members of Root in an ambush against our prodigy... Shisui Uchiha. You stole his Mangekyō Sharingan."

Boom!

The room erupted.

"What?!"

"Shisui Uchiha? Body Flicker Shisui?"

"Wasn't he missing? Danzo was the one who..."

Whispers spread through the meeting room like a rising tide.

Uchiha En had no intention of stopping.

He turned to the other clan Clan Heads and raised his voice.

"There's something you all need to know. That eye is terrifying."

"Because its Sharingan ability is called Kotoamatsukami."

"It can forcibly change a person's will."

"In other words, if Danzo uses that eye on anyone here, he can forcibly change how they think. If he wants you to kill yourself on the spot, you will."

"If he wants you to betray your clan, you will."

"If he wants you to marry your daughter to him, you will."

Uchiha En deliberately delivered that last line lightly, with a hint of mockery.

But no one could laugh.

The faces of every ninja in the room changed drastically.

Hyuga Hiashi's pupils contracted.

He clenched his fists without realizing it.

Kotoamatsukami could change a person's will?

Did that mean Danzo could have used that eye to turn anyone who opposed him just now into a Puppet?

Shibi Aburame quietly rested a hand on his ninja tool pouch.

Tsume Inuzuka's Ninja Dog let out a low whine, as though it sensed danger.

Shikaku Nara narrowed his eyes.

He looked at Uchiha En, then at Shimura Danzō's bandaged right eye.

Then he spoke.

"Elder Danzo, since the Uchiha Clan Head has raised the question, why not clear your name?"

His tone was casual, as if he were suggesting something trivial.

"Remove the bandage and let everyone see whether he's lying. That would prove your innocence."

On the surface, he was speaking up for Danzo.

In truth... he wanted Danzo to uncover his right eye.

Once Shikaku Nara had spoken, the others chimed in.

"He's right, Elder Danzo. Take it off and let us see."

"If you're innocent, the truth will speak for itself."

"If there's no Sharingan, then Uchiha En has slandered you, and you can punish him for it."

Shimura Danzō's face darkened like a storm cloud.

He gripped his cane, teeth clenched.

"Enough!"

He slammed the table and drove his cane hard against the floor.

"I am an elder advisor to Konoha! What gives you the right to demand that I remove my bandage?"

His voice rang with fury and murderous intent.

"Uchiha En, you are slandering the Konoha High Command! That's another crime to add to your list!"

Faced with Shimura Danzō's furious outburst, Uchiha En did not back down. He slammed the table and stood as well.

Bang!

His palm struck the tabletop even louder than Danzo's had.

"Elder Danzo!"

Uchiha En's voice was sharp as a blade.

"Konoha belongs to all of us."

"Not just the four of you."

He stared fixedly at Danzo's right eye.

"Feeling guilty? Afraid to show your right eye?"

"Afraid everyone will learn you've been stealing other clans' Kekkei Genkai?"

"Afraid they'll learn you even gouged out the eyes of one of your own?"

Every question struck home.

The tension in the meeting room was like a string stretched to breaking point.

Hyuga Hiashi took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

"Elder Danzo, I also think... you owe us an explanation."

His voice was calm, but his position was clear.

The Hyuga Clan had sided with Uchiha En.

Tsume Inuzuka joined in. "Exactly. It's just a bandage. What's the big deal?"

Shibi Aburame said nothing, but gave a slight nod.

The Clan Heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans exchanged glances again.

Shikaku Nara sighed.

He knew there was no easy way to settle this now.

Shimura Danzō stood there, face livid and chest heaving.

Seeing the situation spiral out of control, Hiruzen Sarutobi hurried to smooth things over.

"All right, all right! Stop arguing!"

He raised his voice, trying to bring the room under control.

"Today's meeting is primarily about what happens next with the Uchiha Clan. As for Danzo's right eye, that's a private matter. There's no need to discuss it here."

Uchiha En gave a cold laugh.

"Lord Hokage, are you covering for him?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression stiffened slightly.

"I'm not covering for anyone..."

"Then were you involved too?"

Uchiha En cut him off.

"Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan is in Danzo's right eye socket as we speak, and you won't even let anyone check?"