Naruto: Uchiha Rejects Konoha

"Hiruzen, what do you mean! You want to relieve me of my positions as Hokage's assistant and advisor elder? Just for one Uchiha?"

The Third Hokage was still contemplating how to handle the Uchiha in the future when Danzo stormed in, glaring at him.

Danzo had intended to let Root spread rumours about the Third Hokage in the village, but before his subordinates could act, Anbu blocked them and delivered a scroll relieving Danzo of his position.

"Just for one Uchiha? Danzo, I don't believe you don't know what happened today.

You saw it too—two Mangekyō Sharingan Susanoo. What could I do? Sacrifice the entire village and the Uchiha in a pointless battle? Or do you think Konoha's shinobi would fight the Uchiha, risking the extinction of their clans for the village? Do I have any other choice?"

The Third Hokage's face was grim as he recalled Itachi's words. The root of this issue was still Danzo—why would he stoop to stealing Shisui's eyes?

Shisui and Itachi had both once been loyal to the village!

"You can't just sacrifice me to appease the Uchiha! Hiruzen, don't forget that your lofty Hokage image was built with my help. I've worked for years to reach this point. You can't do this to me!"

Danzo narrowed his eyes. He had done countless unsavoury tasks to help Hiruzen secure his position, and now he was being dismissed with nothing but a seat on the advisory council. How could he accept that?

"Danzo! Everything you've done wasn't for me but for the village! I've made my decision, and you're no longer an assistant or advisor."

The Third Hokage took a calm puff from his pipe, but his tone was firm and resolute.

Despite his usual hesitance, especially with matters like sparing Orochimaru due to their bond, once the Third Hokage made up his mind, he didn't waver.

All for the village...

Hearing those familiar words, Danzo was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected the very words he used to manipulate others would be used against him.

"So that's how it is. But don't provoke the Uchiha any further. You understand why. I'll allow you to keep the position of Hokage's assistant, but Root…"

"Root cannot be disbanded! I can accept other conditions, but this is non-negotiable!"

Danzo and the Third Hokage faced off, the former determined. Losing the titles was tolerable, but Root was non-negotiable. Root was his foundation within Konoha's leadership.

"Danzo, don't forget—I am Hokage! Root must be disbanded, though I'll permit you to keep a small group by your side. Now, go!"

The Third Hokage's expression hardened, refusing to meet Danzo's gaze further, signalling the end of their conversation.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

In the end, Danzo lost the argument. Despite his high status, he was still facing the Hokage, who held ultimate authority in Konoha.

As a former teammate, he understood the Third Hokage's character well. Hiruzen might show some leniency, but if pushed, Danzo knew he would suffer the consequences.

Moreover, although Danzo coveted the power of the Uchiha Sharingan, the events of the day made him realize just how formidable the Uchiha had become.

From the perspective of both his clan and the village, provoking the Uchiha now would be irrational.

With all these considerations weighing on him, Danzo could only accept the consequences. After all, although the Third Hokage treats him differently from others, this trust hinges on Danzo not endangering the village—Hiruzen's bottom line.

---

Yagami had put much thought into ensuring Danzo remained compliant. From targeting the Shimura clan to restricting Root and stripping Danzo of his assistant and advisor titles, everything had been meticulously arranged.

Though it was just one sentence, Itachi's words had put Danzo in his place, effectively forcing him into early retirement, at least in name.

As Konoha processed the impact of the Uchiha's display of power, the surrounding nations in the Land of Fire were equally stunned by the intelligence their spies brought back.

In Iwagakure, the Village Hidden in the Rocks, Onoki read the report describing Susanoo, his usually impassive eyes dark with concern.

As one of the few shinobi to have faced Susanoo firsthand, he knew how difficult it was to withstand that kind of power. Merely being in its presence had created a crushing pressure.

The relationship between the Iwagakure shinobi and Konoha had always been tense, even hostile. Onoki couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Although the intelligence reported that relations between the Uchiha and Konoha were strained, who could predict what went on in the minds of the unpredictable Uchiha?

In Sunagakure, the Land of Wind, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, read the information with concern.

Though his village was allied with Konoha, he understood the fragility of that alliance, especially given the strained relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha.

After all, the Uchiha were still in Konoha, right?

The power of the two Mangekyō Sharingan was seen as Uchiha's strength, yet it was also considered Konoha's strength.

In Kirigakure, the village of the Mist, news travelled slower due to their isolated location. Even if they heard of it, they would likely remain indifferent, partly due to their geographical distance and partly because of Kirigakure's internal turmoil.

Compared to Iwagakure and Sunagakure, the strongest reaction came from Kumogakure, where the Fourth Raikage immediately held a small meeting in his office.

"So, the relationship between Uchiha and Konoha is so strained it requires force to maintain peace. This might be an opportunity for us."

After reading the information, Tutai frowned and added, "Although Uchiha is still in Konoha, it's clear that they have distanced themselves from the village."

"I agree, but we should still test the waters. Proceed with the plan and instruct the mission to observe the Uchiha's attitude when they reach Konoha."

After some thought, the Fourth Raikage realized he couldn't entirely rely on his hopes to manipulate the situation. After all, the Uchiha were still Konoha shinobi; internal conflicts didn't necessarily mean they would betray their village to an outsider.

With that, the Fourth Raikage had no choice but to shelve his ambitions and continue with the original plan.

If Yagami knew what Kumogakure was planning, he would certainly tell them they were overthinking it. If Kumogakure attacked Konoha, the Uchiha would most likely just watch from their compound.

The events in Konoha stirred quiet waves across the ninja world, though they did not openly surface.

Apart from the Shimura clan struggling to rebuild their compound, the village remained relatively calm. With Danzo suspended, he had become unexpectedly compliant, refraining from causing trouble, which reassured the Third Hokage.

As long as the Uchiha and Danzo didn't stir up trouble, the Third Hokage could focus on handling the Kumogakure mission. Although Konoha was the top village in the ninja world, it wasn't absolutely invincible.

Sunagakure and Kirigakure didn't pose much threat—Sunagakure could be a minor nuisance occasionally, and Kirigakure mostly kept to itself.

However, Kumogakure and Iwagakure constantly looked for weaknesses in Konoha, and it was clear that Kumogakure's mission to the village didn't have good intentions.

"Hokage-sama! You must help our Shimura clan!"

However, just as the Third Hokage began to relax, the voice of a Shimura clan member calling from outside his door shattered his brief peace…

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