The time had come: checking in atop the Nine-Tails' head

"Heavens! That's the Uchiha Clan's current head, Uchiha Fugaku! The Uchiha Clan is here! Our reinforcements are here!"

"Who would've thought that when the village was in its greatest peril, the only ones to come help us and protect it would be the evil Uchiha... smack! What did you hit me for?"

"Evil, my ass! Someone must've been deliberately smearing the Uchiha Clan all along. Once we get through this, I'm going to give the Uchiha a proper apology!"

"You're right! Count me in! Me too..."

Seeing Uchiha Fugaku arrive with the entire Uchiha Clan, the common-born ninja were filled with excitement.

Had some of the Uchiha not been holding them back, they would have rushed over to fight alongside them, ready to live or die together.

After all, this wasn't just a few people sent to help.

The entire clan had come to their aid!

How could they not feel grateful for such kindness?

Roar!

As those common-born ninja trembled with excitement, the Nine-Tails, stung by the sudden barrage of countless fireballs,

finally recovered.

But when it swung its enormous head around and looked at the Uchiha Clan standing before those common-born ninja,

especially Uchiha Fugaku and the others at the front, with their pairs of scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan,

it flew into a rage!

Roar!

The eyes of the people before it had reminded it of a terrible memory.

The next moment, the Nine-Tails lashed out with its massive claws and tails at once, targeting the Uchiha Clan before it.

The battle began again!

"..."

Facing the Nine-Tails' furious roar, Uchiha Fugaku, who had concealed the power of his Mangekyō Sharingan, did not hesitate. Following the order previously given by Shisui Uchiha, he led the Uchiha Clan in a charge from the front.

After all, if Uchiha Fugaku simply used his Mangekyō Sharingan to suppress the Nine-Tails and let everyone else leave safely,

then after the Nine-Tails Incident, people would only remember that the Uchiha Clan had nobly come to their aid.

At most, they would treat the Uchiha a little better when they met them in the future.

But if the entire Uchiha Clan came to help and returned with heavy casualties, the outcome would be completely different.

Then every Uchiha ninja who died in battle would be laid to rest in Konoha Cemetery.

That was a place reserved for heroes who had sacrificed their lives for the village!

From then on, the name "the evil Uchiha Clan" would change.

The Heroic Uchiha Clan!

If anyone tried to stand in their way then, Shisui Uchiha would only need to stir up the crowd a little.

Voices supporting the Uchiha would surely resound throughout Konoha.

At that point, it would only be a matter of time before the Uchiha truly rose to their feet.

And on the night the Uchiha heroes were laid to rest in the cemetery, he could seize the chance to utterly disgrace Danzo!

As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, the other great clans, and the council of elders...

Heh.

If they knew what was good for them, he could let them retire peacefully and enjoy their old age.

But if anyone insisted on courting death and reaching for things they had no right to enjoy,

then he would no longer need to show them any courtesy.

He was already planning to destroy Shimura Danzō, anyway. A few more would make no difference.

While Shisui Uchiha was thinking this, the Uchiha Clan had already begun a bloody battle against the Nine-Tails under Uchiha Fugaku's leadership.

"Everyone in the Uchiha Clan, stay calm! Follow my orders and split into three columns immediately!"

"First squad, escort the wounded villagers out of here! That is our top priority!"

"Second squad, provide long-range support with ninjutsu from the rear!"

"Third squad!"

At this, Uchiha Fugaku pressed his left hand hard against his Longsword, then yanked it across the blade.

Blood stained his clothes and palm red.

"Follow me into battle against this beast! Until the first squad completes its mission, we swear not to turn back!"

"The clan head is charging in! What do we have to fear? Brothers, charge with me!"

"That's right! We're the Uchiha, a clan born for battle, Konoha's First Family! It's just a beast! What are we afraid of?"

"Kill..."

For a time, battle cries shook the heavens.

The villagers being escorted away were moved to tears.

Every one of them remembered the sight of the Uchiha Clan risking their lives to hold back the Nine-Tails and give them a chance to escape.

"..."

A short while later, Shisui Uchiha looked at the Uchiha before him, who had already lost a fifth of their number, with over half severely wounded.

At last, he took a step forward.

Body Flicker Technique!

Whoosh!

The next moment, Shisui Uchiha appeared out of thin air atop the Nine-Tails' head, in full view of everyone.

"Nine-Tails, it's about time you settled down."

The sight made everyone present freeze for a moment.

Who was that guy?

How did he get up there?

That was the Nine-Tails! Hadn't he seen that even the entire Uchiha Clan could barely hold it back?

Wasn't going up there alone just asking to die?

Even the Nine-Tails was bewildered for a moment, and angrily raised a claw to swat him.

But the instant the Nine-Tails lifted its claw, its movements froze.

Its eyes filled with unprecedented terror!

Those eyes, those eyes...

Why was it those damned eyes again?!

The moment Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan cowed the Nine-Tails, the system's voice rang out in his mind.

"Ding! Congratulations, host! Check-in complete!"

"Check-in location: atop the Nine-Tails' head."

"Ding! Congratulations, host! You have received the check-in reward: Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"

Hearing the system's voice, Shisui Uchiha's eyes flashed.

"Deep Forest Emergence? Not bad at all. Too bad it isn't Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence with flowers."

The flowering version of Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence was an enhanced version of the technique, with a greater scale and flowers capable of knocking enemies out.

"Still..."

At this, the corners of Shisui Uchiha's mouth lifted slightly, and an exceedingly friendly smile appeared on his face.

"Rather than knock you out, I'd much prefer to beat you into submission."

"Wouldn't you agree, Nine-Tails?"

Immediately afterward, Shisui Uchiha formed hand seals and forcefully pressed his palms together!

Rumble...

The next moment, the ground throughout Konoha shook violently again. Vines and towering trees burst from the earth, instantly engulfing and binding the enormous Nine-Tails.

No matter how it struggled, it could not break free.

Shisui Uchiha's powerful technique, which had subdued the Nine-Tails in an instant, stunned every Konoha ninja present. All eyes turned toward him at once.

"Look! That's... that's the First Hokage's Wood Release!"

"Heavens! Has the First Hokage come back to life? Thank goodness! We're saved!"

"Lord First Hokage! Lord First Hokage..."

Amid the ninja's excited cries, Shisui Uchiha stood on the Nine-Tails' head and shouted while swinging his fists into its face.

"I am Senju Ye, disciple of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju!"

"Get down already, you beast!"

Bang! Bang! Bang...