"..."
They wanted him, Hiruzen Sarutobi, to shout here?
He was the illustrious Third Hokage. Even if he had stepped down and was no longer Hokage,
he was still a highly respected figure in Konoha!
Besides, given the distance between the Uchiha Clan's gates and the clan head's residence, he would have to scream like a shrew in the street.
Otherwise, Naruto would never hear him!
At that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned ugly. Even the smile on his lips was becoming difficult to maintain.
Seeing that none of Hiruzen Sarutobi's persuasion had worked, Shimura Danzō stepped forward again to back him up.
After all, there was no way he could accept the Uchiha Clan gaining custody of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!
"You!"
But before Shimura Danzō could say anything more, Hiruzen Sarutobi caught him firmly with his left hand.
A moment later, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag on his pipe to calm himself, then nodded slightly to Uchiha Fugaku.
"In that case, we'll come back another day."
"Safe travels. I won't see you out."
Uchiha Fugaku watched their departing backs without expression.
"..."
Only after watching Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō leave completely did Uchiha Fugaku return to his residence.
As soon as he entered, he bowed respectfully to the man brewing tea before him.
"My lord, they've all left. I've confirmed there are no spies."
"Understood."
Shisui Uchiha nodded slightly at his words.
Then he turned to look into the room, where Naruto had fallen asleep alongside Uchiha Fugaku's youngest son, Sasuke Uchiha.
Now that Naruto had become the new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he was undoubtedly a focus of attention for Konoha's major clans, the Anbu, and Root.
He was little different from a hot potato.
But if the Uchiha Clan could legitimately keep him in their care long-term, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, and the others would have to think twice before making a move against them.
After all, Naruto was no demon fox now, but a hero's son. That was no longer a secret in Konoha.
He had even ordered Uchiha Fugaku to send the civilians who had voluntarily stayed behind into the half of Konoha that had suffered little damage, spreading word of Naruto's identity.
As long as they made it through tonight, he would call the shots tomorrow.
Then Uchiha Fugaku could announce that Shisui Uchiha and all the other clan members on missions outside the village were on their way back to attend the funeral of the heroic Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
That way, the Anbu, Root, and Konoha's major clans would all fear the Uchiha's strength and be unable to act openly.
Then, at the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze's funeral, he could begin pinning the blame for the Nine-Tails on Danzo.
He would utterly destroy the man's reputation!
Not long after Shisui Uchiha had that thought, his scarlet Mangekyō Sharingan
suddenly gleamed with an eerie light.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō certainly moved fast. Hardly any time had passed, yet they had already assembled a force and come back to kill.
There might even be members of Konoha's other major clans among them.
"Fugaku, stay here and guard Naruto and Sasuke. If anyone approaches, just kill them."
"Of course, I doubt anyone will make it past my eyes alive."
As Shisui Uchiha finished speaking, his figure vanished.
Body Flicker Technique!
When Shisui Uchiha reappeared, he was behind two shinobi with longswords strapped to their backs.
"Tell me, is there any point in our clan head doing this? Even Uchiha Fugaku was wounded that badly. How could the other Uchiha be in any better shape?"
"Exactly. The Uchiha must be at their weakest right now. If our clans join forces with the Anbu and Root, we can wipe out the evil Uchiha Clan once and for all!"
Several major clans?
The Anbu, Root...
Sure enough, seeing the Uchiha Clan lose so many members on the battlefield had made those old bastards eager to claim a share of the spoils.
"Tell me, are you really that eager to test how much strength the Uchiha have left?"
"What?"
"What!"
The moment Shisui Uchiha's voice rang out, the two shinobi from Konoha's major clans paled.
Without the slightest hesitation, they hurriedly retreated in opposite directions, both forming hand seals.
But before they could unleash their ninjutsu, two flashes of sword light streaked across their necks.
"Heh, you people..."
Slash!
The sword light flashed and vanished. Blood bloomed in the air like flowers, reflecting the moonlight and illuminating Shisui Uchiha's icy eyes.
"You're still far too impatient."
"Wouldn't you agree, my thirty-four friends who are still breathing?"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
As Shisui Uchiha finished speaking, every shinobi who had come to probe the Uchiha Clan's current strength turned to stare at him.
They drew their weapons, radiating cold killing intent.
"Since he's spotted us, kill this Uchiha brat."
"Exactly. As long as we stop him from going back to warn them, we can still carry out our mission!"
"Carry on?"
Shisui Uchiha smiled coldly.
A moment later, he slowly drew the Kusanagi Sword Orochimaru had given him.
He held the Kusanagi Sword horizontally before him, its blade reflecting his scarlet Mangekyō Sharingan.
Terrifying waves of chakra surged wildly from his body, overwhelming everyone present in both quality and quantity.
"None of you are leaving here alive."
"..."
Feeling Shisui Uchiha's horrifying chakra, all the remaining shinobi panicked.
"What terrifying chakra! Could this guy be Shisui Uchiha?"
"Impossible! Shisui Uchiha was transferred to the border ages ago. There's no way he could be here. Don't panic! Attack together!"
"Exactly. He's just one man. There's no way he can..."
Slash!
Before the remaining thirty-four shinobi could react, their bodies were cleaved in two.
And the one man attacking them had somehow become ten!
It was the Shadow Clone Technique!
"No way I can what?"
Shisui Uchiha spoke indifferently as he wiped the Kusanagi Sword in his hand.
Before him, his nine shadow clones took out cloth sacks and packed the shinobi's heads inside.
It was understandable that the Anbu and Root would act. After all, their hostility toward the Uchiha Clan was nothing new.
Besides, he had already made plans to deal with them.
But those major clans in Konoha had joined forces with the Anbu and Root to test the Uchiha's strength so quickly.
That truly came as something of a "surprise."
"Heh heh heh. Since you clan heads are so enthusiastic, the Uchiha must mind their manners and give you a few gifts in return."
"..."
Before you continue