Hiruzen Sarutobi took in the carnage.
When he saw the Sharingan embedded in Danzo's arm and eye socket,
even his years of practiced composure could not keep his pupils from contracting sharply, his heart sinking.
The thing he feared most, the thing he least wanted to see, had been laid bare before everyone in the most extreme, most grotesque way.
"Everyone, stop!!!"
The Third Hokage's furious shout rang out.
The Anbu behind him quickly dispersed, taking up defensive positions.
The representatives of the various Shinobi Clans watched the situation with differing expressions, their faces full of shock and uncertainty.
Genya looked at the newly arrived Third Hokage and raised the container holding Shisui's eye.
He gave a clear, decisive signal.
All the Uchiha Jonin, who had been brimming with murderous intent and preparing to keep pressing Danzo or finish him off, stopped in unison. Even Fugaku and Itachi stepped back half a pace and reined in their chakra.
But they maintained their encirclement and their guard, the grief, anger, and suspicion in their eyes undiminished.
For a moment, an eerie silence settled over the battlefield.
On one side stood the Uchiha Clan, with irrefutable evidence and barely contained grief and fury, yet exercising restraint as they waited for an explanation.
On the other stood the Third Hokage and Konoha's various factions, who had to make an immediate decision in the face of this horrifying scandal and grave confrontation.
Konoha's ninja,
whether ordinary Chunin and below, representatives of the Shinobi Clans, or even some of the Anbu,
all felt cold sweat soaking their backs.
Caught between the confronting Uchiha Clan and the Third Hokage's authority, they felt as though they were standing at the mouth of a volcano about to erupt.
Hurry up and settle this... this atmosphere is suffocating!
*The