NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: There Are Bad Guys Within The Hokage's Ranks
"Hokage-sama, you've finally arrived." Kuragami Uchiha, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
"Kuragami, what exactly happened?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked after glancing at the half-severed corpse of Danzo on the ground.
"This morning, we received a mission from the village, but we were ambushed on the way."
Kuragami Uchiha said calmly. "The three of us eliminated all the attackers, and among their corpses, we discovered the body of Danzo-sama."
"You're lying! There's no way Danzo would ambush you!" Homura Mitokado roared in anger.
"No matter what you say, these are the facts."
Kuragami remained composed. "During our battle, he revealed the Sharingan embedded in his arm. We took him for a thief who had stolen the Kekkei Genkai of my clan and killed him, only to realize afterward that he was, in fact, Elder Danzo."
"Hiruzen, don't believe his nonsense! This is clearly the Uchiha Clan trying to frame Danzo after killing him!" Koharu Utatane interjected.
"The Uchiha Clan would never desecrate the bodies of their kin!" A senior Uchiha elder behind Kuragami roared.
"And what we found wasn't just the Sharingan."
Kuragami responded without any anger. He then began removing the Sharingan eyes from Danzo's arm one by one, undoing the Sealing Technique that had been placed on them.
Without the suppression of the Sealing Technique, Hashirama's cells immediately went out of control, consuming Danzo's remains and turning them into a twisted wooden stump.
"Is that… Wood Style?"
Some of the older ninja present immediately recognized what had happened. At the same time, Kuragami signaled to Inoka, who then dropped Yamato onto the ground.
"During our battle, we also discovered this ninja capable of using Wood Style. I believe I don't need to explain what that implies."
Kuragami said while his gaze locked onto Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"He actually dared to desecrate the first Hokage's remains!"
It was an elder from the Uchiha's pacifist faction who spoke out in outrage.
This elder had always revered the first Hokage, so he could not accept such an act.
The expressions of the ninja on the Hokage's side also showed signs of wavering. After all, Danzo's actions were akin to defiling their very beliefs.
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew he could not remain silent any longer. "Everyone, I will personally conduct a thorough investigation into all of this and ensure that justice is served. Please, give me some time!"
"We can't trust them! Kuragami, lead us in rebellion! You've awakened Madara-sama's eyes! You can lead the Uchiha Clan to glory!"
The angered voices of radicals within the Uchiha Clan called out.
Shisui and Itachi Uchiha Uchiha, who were among the crowd, panicked. But at this moment, the clan had already been swept up in hysteria.
The two exchanged glances and simultaneously made a decision to stop this, even at the cost of their lives.
However, before they could act, Kuragami Uchiha suddenly turned around and shouted: "Silence!"
The Uchiha Clan, who had been shouting about rebellion just moments before, were instantly stunned into silence. Several of the more radical elders looked at Kuragami in disbelief.
At this moment, the three-tomoe Sharingan in Kuragami's eyes had transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan. He then reprimanded them mercilessly: "What nonsense are you spouting?! Konoha was founded by the first Hokage and Madara-sama together! We were born here, and we grew up here. This is our home! We drink from the same Naka River; we eat from the same rice fields; we are part of this village!"
Shisui and Itachi Uchiha Uchiha were both taken aback by his words. Could it be that Kuragami had no intention of rebelling?
"Clan head, don't you agree?" Kuragami turned his gaze toward the silent Fugaku Uchiha.
Fugaku Uchiha stared deeply at Kuragami before stepping forward, bowing slightly toward Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Kuragami is right. My clansmen were simply too agitated earlier. I apologize for the commotion."
Some of the radical members of the Uchiha Clan wanted to argue, but when they saw the Mangekyō Sharingan in Kuragami's eyes, they wisely chose to remain silent.
"I can understand."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, seizing the opportunity to defuse the situation. "Even I would struggle to remain calm if I saw my clansman's remains treated this way. Fugaku, have your people return home. Once the investigation is complete, I promise to give you all a satisfactory explanation."
"However, Hokage-sama, we do need an explanation right now." Kuragami suddenly spoke again. At the same time, he pulled out the mission scroll he had received that morning, stamped with the Hokage's official seal.
"Hokage-sama, did you issue this scroll?" Kuragami asked with a smile.
"Kuragami, I never issued such a mission, and there is no record of it in the mission office."
Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly responded, eager to sever ties with Danzo.
"So this was all Elder Danzo's doing?" Kuragami pressed.
Forgive me, Danzo, Hiruzen thought to himself. But no matter what, he had to cut ties.
"That's correct."
Hiruzen said while looking at Kuragami.
"How despicable!"
Kuragami immediately showed an expression of righteous indignation. "Hokage-sama dedicates himself tirelessly to the village, yet some people, for their own selfish desires, commit acts that harm the village! There are bad guys within the Hokage's ranks!"
As he spoke, Kuragami deliberately swept his gaze over Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
"Kuragami, I understand your anger. Rest assured, I will get to the bottom of this."
Hiruzen Sarutobi reassured him, unwilling to argue after hearing Kuragami's declaration of loyalty.
"Hokage-sama, in light of these events, the Uchiha Clan would like to assist you in maintaining order."
Kuragami said while bowing slightly.
"Kuragami, I appreciate the offer… "
Hiruzen started to respond, but as he lifted his gaze, he saw the Mangekyō Sharingan slowly spinning in Kuragami's eyes.
"Hokage-sama, the Uchiha Clan is willing to serve you."
Kuragami repeated again.
Sweat trickled down Hiruzen's forehead as he realized this was Kuragami's true goal all along.
He recalled what Shisui had told him yesterday about the dangerous ability that Kuragami possessed.
While it was true that controlling him directly would have little impact on Konoha's overall situation, it didn't mean he was willing to be manipulated himself. He had let Danzo act partly because he wanted him to step into this minefield for him.
But at this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally understood that Kuragami Uchiha was more formidable than any Uchiha he had ever dealt with.
After letting out a long sigh, Hiruzen finally said: "If that is your wish, then I leave this matter in your hands."
At that moment, the Mangekyō Sharingan in Kuragami's eyes faded, and he bowed slightly to Hiruzen.
"As you command."
Kuragami replied, then turned to look at his clan.
Just as Hiruzen was preparing to leave, Kuragami's voice echoed once more: "Uchiha Clan, salute to the Hokage!"
Standing at the forefront, Kuragami swung his right hand up to his forehead and declared: "Loyalty!"
The entire Uchiha Clan, including Fugaku Uchiha, followed his lead, raising their hands in salute: "Loyalty!"