Konoha Anbu headquarters, three floors underground.
There is no sunshine here all year round, and the humid air is filled with the smell of mold and blood. The torches on both sides of the corridor dance with dim light, stretching the shadows on the wall very long.
Danzo was sitting on a chair deep in the room, half of his face hidden in the shadows. His single eye was staring at the kneeling Root ninja in front of him, and his fingers were tapping the armrest.
"Say."
The kneeling ninja lowered his head. "Lord Danzo, Uchiha Clan Three days ago, twenty elites were dispatched, led by the clan leader Uchiha Fugaku himself, to the east of Land of Fire to wipe out the bandit gang 'Black Wolf Group'."
"Casualties?"
"None."
Danzo's fingers stopped.
"None?"
"Yes. According to the intelligence, it only took Uchiha Clan a few dozen minutes to kill more than fifty bandits, including the rebel leader Black Wolf." The ninja paused, "They brought Black Wolf's head back to the village and showed it to the public at the entrance of the village. Now the villagers are talking about this, saying that Uchiha Clan protected their safety."
Danzo's one eye narrowed.
"Uchiha Fugaku..." His voice was very low, as if he was talking to himself, "He has changed a lot in the past two years."
Although the previous Uchiha Fugaku also had ambitions, he was more step-by-step. Police Force did whatever he had to do, without crossing the line or taking the initiative.
But now...
Danzo Thinks of the changes in the Uchiha Clan in the past two years.
First, by promoting the concept of "serving the people", Police Force began to take the initiative to help villagers solve various problems. Although the effect was not obvious, it at least improved the villagers' attitude towards Uchiha.
Then this time we took the initiative to eliminate the bandits.
On the surface, this is to protect the safety of the villagers. But in fact...
"They are trying to win people's hearts." Danzo stood up.
"Uchiha Clan has frequently bought people's hearts in the past two years, and now he has taken the initiative to eliminate the bandits and rebellious ninjas in Land of Fire..." Danzo turned around and looked at the ninjas kneeling on the ground, "They are getting more and more restless."
This Anbu Ninja didn't speak, just lowered his head.
Danzo walked back to his seat and sat down again.
"Minato Namikaze is still too young." There was a hint of disdain in his tone, "He doesn't know how to check and balance Uchiha."
After Minato Namikaze came to power, his attitude towards the Uchiha Clan was very friendly. Although he was firm on some key issues, in general, he still gave Uchiha a lot of freedom.
According to Danzo, this is completely wrong.
Uchiha Clan, are inherently unstable factors. Their Sharingan, their pride, their desire for power... these are all destined to make it impossible for them to remain content.
"Lord Danzo, then we..." Ninja asked cautiously.
Danzo was silent for a moment.
"Go, let Shisui Uchiha keep an eye on the Uchiha Clan." His voice was very calm, "Let him find out what Uchiha Clan wants to do."
The ninja was stunned for a moment.
"But...Shisui Uchiha He..."
"What?" Danzo looked at him with one eye.
"Shisui Uchiha recently... seems to be somewhat resistant to Root's mission." Ninja hesitated, "Last time I asked him to monitor the movements within the Uchiha clan, his report was very perfunctory."
Danzo's brows furrowed.
Shisui Uchiha is the genius he poached from the Uchiha Clan.
Danzo has always regarded Shisui Uchiha as the trump card to check and balance Uchiha Clan. But recently...
"Is there something wrong with his mind?" Danzo said coldly
"Yes, Lord Danzo, Shisui Uchiha are too idealistic and always want to solve problems through peaceful means."
Danzo stood up and walked to this Anbu Ninja.
"Go tell him this is an order. If he refuses..." Danzo's voice became colder, "Then find someone else."
This Anbu Ninja shuddered.
"Yes."
He took the order and left.
The room fell silent again.
Danzo walked back to the window and looked at Konoha outside.
"Uchiha Clan is a hidden danger after all." He murmured to himself, "If Minato Namikaze doesn't know how to check and balance them, then I will do it."
A cold light flashed in his one eye.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Clan Compound.
Uchiha Fugaku is sitting in the study, looking at a letter on the table.
The letter was written by Senju Chen, and the content was very simple:
"Uncle Fugaku, congratulations on your victory. However, be careful next time. A big tree attracts wind. The higher the reputation of the Uchiha Clan, the more vigilant some people will be."
Uchiha Fugaku put down the letter and rubbed his eyebrows.
He knows who the "certain people" Senju Chen is talking about.
It's the senior officials in the village who have been checking and balancing them Uchiha Clan in the dark.
These old guys are deeply influenced by Second Tobirama Senju and have always been hostile to the Uchiha Clan.
"Alas..." Uchiha Fugaku sighed.
He knew that although this operation to eliminate bandits was successful, it would also attract more attention.
"But..." Uchiha Fugaku's eyes flashed with determination, "Uchiha Clan has no way out."
In the past two years, he has followed Senju Chen's suggestions and implemented the concept of "serving the people." Although the effect is not obvious, it has at least improved the villagers' attitude towards Uchiha.
And this time, the suppression of rebellious ninjas and bandits has made Uchiha Clan's reputation skyrocket.
As a result, most of the opposition voices within the clan disappeared.
The elders and young people began to recognize his decision.
"Now that you've come this far, let's keep going." Uchiha Fugaku stood up and walked to the window.
Outside the window is the night view of Uchiha Clan Compound, with lights on in every house.
He knew that the road ahead would be more difficult.
But he has no choice.
The next day, early morning.
Senju Chen is exercising in the yard, sweat dripping from the tips of his hair.
As soon as he finished a set of push-ups, he heard a knock on the courtyard door.
"Chen-kun, are you there?"
Senju Chen raised his eyebrows, walked to the door, and pulled Gate of Opening.
There was a young man standing outside the door, about seventeen or eighteen years old, with short black hair and clear eyes.
It's actually Shisui Uchiha.
"Shisui? Why are you here today free?" Senju Chen smiled and got out of the way.
"Come in quickly."
The two of them walked into the house and sat down.
Senju Chen poured a cup of tea for Shisui.
Shisui Uchiha also picked up the teacup and took a sip.
"Chen, how is Rin Nohara?"
"Don't worry, I've already made arrangements."
"Well, that's good..."
"How have you been lately? Uncle Fugaku talked about you last time when he came to visit. He said that you haven't been back to the clan much lately."
"Well, I've been on a mission lately..."
After that, Shisui started staring at the tea in silence, but Senju Chen knew that Shisui Uchiha came this time not only to learn about Rin Nohara's previous affairs.
Senju Chen felt that Shisui in front of him seemed to be engaged in some kind of ideological struggle and was hesitant to speak, so Senju Chen did not make a sound, just waiting quietly for Shisui Uchiha to speak.
After a while, Shisui Uchiha raised his head, as if he mustered up great courage, and asked.
"Chen, do you think...Uchiha Clan, what you are doing now is right?"