Dignity was as fragile as a sheet of thin paper before absolute power.
Uchiha Yao looked at the figure below, who had aged twenty years in an instant, with contempt. This was how the weak ought to look.
Uchiha Yao dispelled the Susanoo so mighty it could make gods tremble.
He landed on the ground and stood before Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Yet the oppressive feeling did not lessen in the slightest.
"Very good."
"Now."
"Take your people and leave this place."
"Everything belonging to Root, from its buildings to every document and every ninja tool inside, is the spoils of war of us Uchiha."
"Hokage-sama, you have no objections, do you?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's body trembled violently once more.
This was an order to leave.
Before everyone, he, the Third Hokage, was being driven away like trash.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's clouded eyes were filled with humiliation.
But he could only nod.
He could only obey Uchiha Yao's words.
"...Let's go."
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around with difficulty.
Two ANBU hurried forward and supported his unsteady body.
Konoha's shinobi followed behind their Hokage with their heads lowered, like defeated roosters.
Mitokado Homura, who had been scared out of his wits, was carried away like a dead dog.
No one dared to look back.
After tonight.
Konoha's skies had changed.
The sun rose as usual the next day.
The streets of Konoha remained crowded with people and full of life.
The aroma from breakfast stalls, children's laughter, and the hurried footsteps of shinobi heading for mission assembly points—everything was no different from usual.
But to those who truly stood at the center of Konoha's power, the air today carried an entirely different scent.
Hyuga Clan, Main Family residence.
Hyuga Hiashi had not slept all night.
He sat quietly on his knees in the tea room.