darknovel Chapter 316 A Shocking Wisdom! Lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot!
Chapter 316 A Shocking Wisdom! Lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot!
Chapter 316 A Shocking Wisdom! Lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot!
The magnificent scene that appeared in his mind stirred Danzo's heart.
Half a lifetime of forbearance and scheming has now transformed into a surge of passion.
He could almost see a completely revitalized Root army, their Sharingan's crimson light flashing in unison in the darkness!
"Go—bring Longma here!"
Danzo turned around abruptly and gave a stern order to the only guard at the door.
The moment the words left his mouth, his voice betrayed a stiffness and hesitation that he himself was unaware of.
Upon receiving the order, the guard immediately bowed and accepted it, then turned to leave quickly.
However, just as the guard lifted his foot, memories of yesterday flashed through Danzo's mind.
In a flash, he suddenly raised his hand to stop him: "Forget it, there's no need to go."
The guard was startled by the sound and stopped in his tracks, turning around to look at Danzo with some confusion.
Danzo waved his hand, signaling him to return to his post and not ask any more questions.
After the guards left, Danzo fell into a brief silence, his one eye slightly narrowed, his expression shifting between light and shadow.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Shimura Danzo have been detected! Emotional value +300!]
"Although Ryoma is a trusted confidant, when it comes to recruiting Uchiha—whether it's the Anbu or Root, our relationship with the Uchiha has never been harmonious for a long time."
A glint flashed in his single eye, and he slowly nodded, his expression becoming resolute and cold.
"It would be most prudent for me to handle this matter personally."
Yes, I will go there in person to show my sincerity.
This not only demonstrates his respect for the Uchiha clan, but also highlights the authority of Shimura Danzo.
At least on the surface, that's the case.
Moreover, he had already lost his composure in front of Ryoma yesterday, allowing his confidant to witness his embarrassing state.
If Longma were to accompany me now, it would diminish my authority.
With this in mind, Danzo made up his mind to go alone.
Without further hesitation, he strode towards the base exit, head held high and walking with an air of utter indifference.
As they walked along the dimly lit passageways inside the base, members of the Root organization occasionally encountered Danzo, who would immediately stop what he was doing and bow respectfully.
However, Danzo keenly noticed that the number of people he encountered along the way was very small, and the bustling scene was no longer what it once was.
The bleak scene made him frown more and more, and a sense of annoyance began to rise in his heart.
What angered Danzo even more was that he noticed that among the few subordinates he encountered, several of them displayed the same panic and clumsiness as the useless young man from yesterday when they bowed to him.
He completely lacked the composure and discipline expected of a member of the Root organization!
waste!
A bunch of useless trash!
Danzo cursed inwardly, a cold glint of anger flashing in his single eye.
He suppressed his expression, not letting himself lose his composure, but contempt and anger churned within him: "It seems that what Longma said was true. Not only is Gen not what it used to be, but it has also declined in its basic qualities."
No wonder they haven't been able to keep even a few promising orphans in recent years. They've either been recruited by that guy Sakumo Hatake or snatched away by Orochimaru!
Thinking of this, Danzo clenched his fists involuntarily beneath his sleeves.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Shimura Danzo have been detected! Emotional value +400!]
The stark scene of decay before him filled him with pain, anger, anxiety, and hatred.
A sense of imminent urgency settled over me.
Danzo longed for the Uchiha clan's help more than ever before, to restore the glory of the Root!
This matter is urgent and must be addressed as soon as possible. Otherwise, if it is delayed any longer, the company will truly become a joke and exist in name only!
Thinking of this, Danzo quickened his pace involuntarily.
They hurried along, passed through the last hidden passageway, pushed open the disguised door, and walked out of the base.
The blinding sunlight suddenly shone on him, and Danzo squinted as he adjusted his eyes to the light.
After taking in his surroundings, he found himself in a corner of a wide street in Konoha Village.
It was early morning, and the streets were bustling with pedestrians and the cries of vendors filled the air, presenting a scene of peace and prosperity.
But for some reason, standing on the bustling street, bathed in the bright and warm sunlight, Danzo felt a sense of alienation that was out of place with the noisy and prosperous atmosphere.
He quickly realized that something was wrong.
The idle villagers, traveling merchants, and even a few ordinary Konoha ninjas passing by all cast strange glances at him upon seeing him.
It was filled with exploration and curiosity, and even mixed with a hint of disdain and wariness.
This strange look ignited Danzo's anger instantly.
He continued walking forward without looking to the side, but soon noticed something.
Many people, after passing by him, turned back and pointed at his back.
He vaguely heard them whispering to each other, and their tone was definitely not one of kind praise.
Even more shockingly, a young mother with her child, upon seeing Danzo approaching, acted as if she had encountered some kind of plague, hastily pulling her child to her side and forcefully avoiding him, as if afraid to get even half a step closer.
Danzo's brows furrowed suddenly, and a hint of annoyance and confusion flashed in his single eye.
What are these stupid villagers up to?!
When has he ever received such treatment?
The whispers and strange looks made him extremely uncomfortable, yet there was also an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Yes, it's familiar.
This scene seemed familiar, except that usually, it was not Shimura Danzo who was being pointed at and talked about behind his back, but others.
And now, he himself has become the object of whispers and ridicule.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Shimura Danzo have been detected! Emotional value +500!]
What the hell happened?
Danzo narrowed his eyes slightly and casually glanced down at himself.
They were dressed neatly and there was nothing improper about their appearance.
So what exactly are these foolish villagers muttering about?
Could it be that the incident in the Hokage's office yesterday, or the earlier rumors of my secret attack on Kakashi, have somehow spread throughout the village?
At this thought, a hint of ferocity flashed in his single eye.
Aside from these unfounded rumors, he couldn't think of anything else that would make these ignorant people dare to look at the dignified elder of Konoha, Root leader Shimura Danzo, with such a presumptuous gaze!
Hmph, a bunch of ignorant fools!
Danzo snorted angrily in his heart.
He never paid any attention to these ignorant fools, so why should he care what these good-for-nothings thought of him?
Right now, the people he needs to care for and win over the most are the Uchiha clan!
Only that powerful clan, which once made the entire Hidden Leaf Village wary, was the key to Danzo Shimura's comeback.
Thinking of this, Danzo forcibly suppressed the unpleasant feeling that felt like thorns in his back, straightened his back, and walked straight towards the Uchiha clan's residential area along the familiar street.
auditorium.
At this moment, Danzo's actions were being shown on the giant screen.
Ignoring the strange looks from the villagers along the way, he strode quickly toward the Uchiha clan's territory.
The scene drew varying expressions from the Konoha ninja in the audience.
"Huh? This direction—isn't that Uchiha clan territory?" Jiraiya stroked his chin, looking puzzled and curious. "Why did that old guy suddenly head that way? What's he up to?"
Orochimaru just smiled wickedly and slowly replied, "Judging from his eyes—he's probably come up with some brilliant idea again, thinking he's found the key to breaking the deadlock."
He was all too familiar with Danzo's greedy and excited expression at that moment.
Whenever Danzo Shimura wore this expression—a mixture of calculation, fanaticism, and a hint of desperate gamble—it often meant that he was preparing to implement what he considered a brilliant and groundbreaking plan.
Upon hearing these words, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened even further.
Although he didn't say a word, his face was tense and his brows were deeply furrowed, clearly indicating that Orochimaru's judgment was exactly what he was worried about.
He knew his old friend too well. Whenever Danzo showed this expression, it usually meant trouble was coming, just like when Danzo had somehow gone mad and thought of assassinating him back then.
On Konoha's side, both Jiraiya and Sarutobi had their own thoughts.
On the other side of the stands, on a high platform, the situation was quite different.
Madara Uchiha sat there quietly, with the new version of the masked man wearing a swirling pattern mask beside him, while Sasuke stood silently on Madara's other side.
Just like last time, Sasuke completely ignored the few familiar faces from Konoha from the moment he appeared. With a cold expression, he walked directly towards Madara Uchiha and sat down next to him without thinking.
Although he maintained a slightly distant relationship with Ban, and there was no intimacy between them, this action clearly indicated his stance.
But he chose Madara Uchiha's side.
This detail made Kakashi's heart sink. He stared intently at Sasuke, his eyes filled with complex and worried emotions.
At the same time, Kakashi glanced out of the corner of his eye and his attention fell on the mysterious person wearing an orange vortex mask next to Sasuke.
The masked man stood silently beside Madara from beginning to end, exuding an air of mystery and unpredictability.
"Another masked guy, and—" Kakashi frowned slightly, secretly observing him for a moment, a strange feeling rising in his heart.
on the screen.
Danzo walked through the bustling streets of Konoha and soon arrived at the core area of the Uchiha clan's settlement.
In front of the residence of clan leader Uchiha Fugaku.
A vermilion gate came into view, which was ajar at the moment.
Danzo looked up and saw that the courtyard walls were high and the Uchiha clan's fan-shaped crest was faintly visible on the lintel.
He snorted coldly, without the slightest hesitation, and made no intention of giving prior notice.
As always, Danzo didn't consider himself an outsider at all. He, Shimura Danzo, could come and go as he pleased in the mere territory of the Uchiha clan!
-
So he swaggered over and stepped into the open door.
However, just as he stepped onto the stone steps in front of the door, before he could even step into the courtyard, a strong arm suddenly stretched out from the side, blocking his way.
"stop."
A cold, stern voice rang out simultaneously.
Danzo paused, his face immediately darkening.
He glanced to the side with his one eye and saw that the owner of the arm was a young man.
This person was dressed in the traditional dark blue kimono-style battle robe of the Uchiha clan, with a long sword hanging at his waist and a Konoha headband on his forehead. His face was extremely serious.
Danzo narrowed his single eye slightly, a cold glint flashing from it.
He sized up the young Uchiha clansman who dared to obstruct him, his mind rapidly searching for information.
Because Danzo had been targeting the Uchiha clan for many years, he knew the clan inside and out. Unless the person was a useless good-for-nothing or a commoner, he could usually pinpoint their identity very quickly.
"You are—Uchiha Inahi, aren't you?" Danzo's hoarse, deep voice carried undisguised chill as he directly addressed the other party's name, speaking with cold displeasure, "How dare you stop me? Do you know who I am?"
Danzo initially thought that perhaps the boy hadn't recognized him for a moment and was acting rashly. He thought that he only needed to explain himself and the boy would make way.
However, to Danzo's surprise, Uchiha Inaho showed no respect or willingness to yield after hearing this; instead, her face revealed an undisguised look of disgust.
Inahi remained in her position, blocking Danzo's path, her eyes coldly fixed on him. She said decisively, "I'm stopping you. The Uchiha clan doesn't welcome you. Leave now!"
The words fell like a blow to the head!
Even with Danzo's deep cunning, he was momentarily stunned. Then, he felt a surge of anger rise from the bottom of his heart, and the offended and humiliating anger made the veins on his forehead throb.
How dare a mere junior Uchiha guard speak to him in such a tone?!
Danzo struggled to suppress his anger and asked in a cold voice, "Do you know who I am?"
"Hmph, I don't care who you are." Inahisa's face was full of impatience, her body as immovable as an iron tower. "The affairs of the Uchiha clan are none of your business, you old ghost!"
Old ghost?!
Upon hearing this word, Danzo's face suddenly darkened to an ashen color.
He took a deep breath and decided to give this arrogant brat another chance.
"presumptuous!"
"I am Danzo Shimura, an elder of Konoha Village and leader of the Root organization! I have come here to discuss important matters with your clan head, matters concerning a crucial opportunity for the future of your Uchiha clan!"
"You, a mere gatekeeper, dare to stop me? If you ruin the great plan for the revival of the Uchiha clan, can you bear the responsibility?" Surprisingly, Uchiha Inaho did not waver at all after hearing this; instead, the look of disgust on her face deepened.
That pretentious old man —
Dao Huo scoffed, his eyes filled with disdain as if he were looking at a bunch of bedbugs.
"You have no right to meddle in the Uchiha's affairs!"
"Get out of here! Don't get in my way!"
Danzo was so enraged by the merciless insults that his face turned ashen and he was burning with fury.
He had never been so insulted before!
Even Hiruzen had never reprimanded him like this to his face over the years!
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Shimura Danzo have been detected! Emotional value +400!]
Although his power and prestige are not what they used to be, he is still a highly respected elder and advisor. When did a junior have the right to utter such foul language?!
Danzo's eyes blazed with fury, unable to suppress the urge to lash out.
He half-raised his hand, as if to immediately give the arrogant brat in front of him a lesson he would never forget.
However, at that moment, a squeak sounded!
A soft sound broke the stalemate.
Suddenly, the gate to the Uchiha Fugaku residence was pulled open, and a figure walked out from the courtyard.
Danzo looked in the direction of the sound and saw a middle-aged man with neat short hair walking out from behind the door. His narrow, squinting eyes revealed shrewdness and sharpness.
He was wearing Uchiha clan clothing with clan crests embroidered on his cuffs, suggesting he held a high position within the Uchiha clan.
As soon as he stepped outside, he saw the tense scene at the door, and his brows furrowed, revealing his displeasure.
"What's all this noise about?" the middle-aged Uchiha asked coldly, his narrow eyes slightly opening. His sharp gaze first swept across Inahisa's face, then lingered on Danzo for a moment before he rebuked Inahisa with a warning tone, "The clan leader is receiving guests inside, don't you know?"
"Don't you have any common sense?"
These words, though seemingly a reprimand of Inaho, actually included Danzo, who was standing at the door, in the insult.
What kind of behavior is this, you two making a scene at the gate!
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Inahashi immediately dropped the arrogant expression he had shown towards Danzo and bowed his head respectfully in response.
He bowed to the middle-aged man, pointed at Danzo, and explained in a deep voice, "Eighth Elder, it's Danzo—he's here to cause trouble again."
As soon as the word "again" was uttered, Danzo and the middle-aged Uchiha man at the door, who was called the Eighth Elder, both had different expressions.
A cold mockery flashed in the narrowed eyes of the Eighth Hokage, while Danzo's single eye suddenly widened, and his mind went blank.
Here we go again, looking for trouble?!
Absurd! Utterly absurd!
This was his first time visiting Uchiha Fugaku, so where did this "again" come from?
Danzo immediately became alert.
He was certain that today was absolutely the first time in this dream world that he had taken the initiative to meet with Fugaku.
Before this, he had only occasionally met the Uchiha clan leader in public occasions among the Konoha leadership, and there had been no private contact between them, let alone him going to cause trouble!
Where exactly does this "again" come from?
Danzo's mind raced with thoughts.
Even considering the reality...
He not only did what he did very discreetly, but he also did it under the name of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Could it be that in the past storyline of this dream world, I have already had some serious conflict with the Uchiha clan?
Why do the Uchiha clan members now treat him as a formidable enemy whenever they see him?
If that's really the case—then his meticulously planned scheme to recruit the Uchiha clan today would have been aborted before it even began!
For a moment, Danzo was in a state of utter confusion.
However, Danzo is Danzo after all. Even though he had wavered in his heart, he still refused to give up easily on the surface.
At this moment, Yashiro stepped forward and stood side by side with Inahi, blocking the doorway. Their expressions were exactly the same—cold and disdainful.
Clearly, the other party was determined to turn him away.
However, Danzo refused to believe this superstition!
He displayed the demeanor of an elder, and said in a deep voice, "Eighth Elder, I advise you to let me finish speaking before making a decision!"
Upon hearing this, the Eighth Hokage of Uchiha narrowed his eyes and a hint of impatience flashed across them.
But before he could respond, Danzo spoke in a low voice: "I have come here today not to settle old scores, nor to listen to your complaints and accusations. I have come to bring your Uchiha clan an unprecedented opportunity!"
Uchiha Yatsuhoku and Inagi exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with doubt, but Danzo ignored them and continued, "A tremendous opportunity that will allow you to completely escape your current predicament and regain your former glory!"
After saying this, Danzo's eyes burned with anticipation as he eagerly awaited the other party's response.
However, the reaction he received was completely different from what he had expected.
Upon hearing this, the Eighth Hokage of Uchiha was slightly taken aback at first, and then his eyes, which were usually squinted, slowly opened, revealing an undisguised sarcasm.
Immediately afterwards, Yashiro suddenly let out a loud, unrestrained laugh.
"Hehehehe—an opportunity? To escape a predicament?"
The Eighth Generation's voice suddenly turned cold, filled with sarcasm: "Shimura, you old devil, do you even understand the situation? You can barely protect yourself, yet you have the leisure to come to the gates of our Uchiha clan and spout nonsense, talking about some bullshit opportunity?"
Before the Eighth Hokage could finish speaking, Inahikazuchi couldn't help but sneer, "That's right, what kind of situation is our Uchiha clan in now—"
Isn't it all thanks to you, Elder Danzo? How dare you mention opportunity?
As soon as he finished speaking, Danzo's body suddenly stiffened, and his previously confident expression froze instantly.
He never expected that the Eighth Hokage would accuse him so directly to his face.
Moreover, every single word is the truth!
But this shouldn't be happening!
There's absolutely no way the Uchiha clan could know this!
Danzo was filled with utter shock.
Everything he did behind the scenes against the Uchiha clan, whether it was suppressing and monitoring them or stirring up trouble and sowing discord, was always done in secrecy. Moreover, he often did these things under the guise of the Third Hokage, never revealing them to the public.
In reality, the Uchiha clan remained unaware of Danzo's machinations until their extermination. However, the Uchiha clan in the dream—
Why does it seem like they already know everything?!
If the Uchiha had already learned of these dark secrets, then his earlier enthusiastic invitation would have been seen as a clumsy act, not only laughable but also a blatant insult and mockery!
Danzo felt his cheeks burning, and his heart was filled with shame and anger, so he couldn't speak for a moment.
As Uchiha Hachimoku watched his humiliated appearance, a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
The Eighth Generation Manored ...
Danzo's face alternated between pale and flushed, filled with shame, indignation, and frustration.
He never expected that the Uchiha clan's hostility and rejection of him would be so undisguised and so ruthless.
They couldn't be bothered with even the slightest bit of polite formality.
This was completely contrary to the picture he had envisioned before he came.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Shimura Danzo have been detected! Emotional value +600!]
Is it really time to just turn back and go home?
Wouldn't all the preparations he made today have become a complete joke?
Danzo was torn by inner turmoil.
Not only did they return empty-handed, but they were also publicly humiliated. How could they possibly save face?
However, if one were to recklessly reveal the entire plan, or even beg the Uchiha clan to agree to cooperate, it would be tantamount to humiliating oneself and handing over the initiative entirely to the other party.
The risk is just too great—but, however—
Danzo's gaze shifted to Uchiha Hachika's unyielding face, then caught a glimpse of the undisguised disgust and contempt in Uchiha Inahime's eyes. A surge of obsessive ruthlessness suddenly rose from the depths of his heart.
No! For Konoha, I will risk everything!
Thinking of the current dire state of the Root organization and the restless hostile forces, a hint of madness flashed in Danzo's eyes.
He took a deep breath and said, "Eighth Elder, listen to me carefully. I've come here today not to dredge up old scores or to listen to your complaints! I've come to present your Uchiha clan with a tremendous opportunity!"
"I invite your Uchiha clan to join the Root organization and become the true core strength of Konoha!"
Upon hearing this, the Eighth Hokage of Uchiha's previously cold and sarcastic expression froze, as if he couldn't understand the meaning of those words for a moment.
His narrowed eyes widened suddenly, his pupils filled with disbelief: "What did you say?!"
Even Dao Huo, standing to the side, gaped, stunned and speechless, no longer showing any disgust.
When Shimura Danzo saw the two men freeze in shock, he immediately assumed they were stunned by the earth-shattering recruitment!
He couldn't help but feel proud, and at the same time, anticipation arose within him.
Good, they're scared!
Perhaps, as he expected, they would immediately go in and report to Uchiha Fugaku.
Perhaps before long, the Uchiha clan head will personally come out to welcome Danzo, this distinguished guest, and listen attentively to his plans.
Danzo had even begun to imagine in his mind the scene of Uchiha Fugaku coming out to greet him, both surprised and delighted upon hearing the news.
Fugaku might be skeptical at first, but once he explains the conditions and benefits in detail, the Uchiha will definitely be tempted!
After all, the Uchiha clan desperately needs an opportunity to regain the trust and status of Konoha, and Danzo is just the one who can provide that opportunity.
He was confident that these conditions would be enough to persuade any ambitious leader!
Just as Danzo's mind was filled with these thoughts—
auditorium.
An uproar ensued.
Everyone from Konoha who knew the inside story showed expressions of utter shock and absurdity.
"What?!" Even Kakashi's eyes widened, completely stunned by Danzo's actions. "Dan-Danzo—"
He actually wants to recruit the Uchiha clan into Root?!
[Ding! Kakashi Hatake's emotional fluctuations have been detected! Emotional value +300!]
As an elite ninja from the Anbu, Kakashi was well aware of the rifts between factions within Konoha.
The Uchiha's Konoha police force has always been at odds with the Anbu and Root, with clear divisions between them.
Back then, Itachi Uchiha was considered a traitor by a considerable number of his clansmen simply for joining the Hokage's direct Anbu.
Moreover, it was the root that made the entire Uchiha clan submit to Danzo.
To Kakashi, this wasn't an invitation at all; it was an open provocation and an insult!
That shouldn't be the case. No matter what, Danzo worked his way up from the front lines. How could he have such unrealistic and fantastical ideas?
Kakashi couldn't fathom where Danzo got the confidence and audacity to come up with such a fantastical idea when he was in dire straits in the dream.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing beside him, also looked astonished. He then shook his head slowly with a wry smile, his complex expression revealing helplessness and worry.
He reached up and pressed his slightly throbbing temples.
Recruiting the Uchiha clan—to join Root?
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply and murmured, "Danzo, Danzo—you truly always manage to surprise people."
At this moment, the third generation was filled with mixed feelings.
He never expected that Danzo, driven to the brink of despair in this dream, would come up with such a unique and ingenious plan.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at Danzo on the screen, whose face was full of self-satisfaction at his successful scheme, and a deep sense of powerlessness and sorrow suddenly rose in his heart.
"Danzo—do you really have no self-awareness at all?" He sighed deeply in his heart, his eyes filled with indescribable complexity.
"Or is it that in your heart, power and political promises can erase all hatred and division?"
Compared to the stunned silence of the Konoha people, the reaction on the other side of the audience was much more straightforward.
Madara Uchiha, who had been quietly watching the screen, suddenly let out a disdainful snort: "Foolish."
Ban shook his head slightly, a cold smile appearing on his lips.
His deep, icy eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Danzo on the screen, his gaze filled with contempt and disappointment.
"I originally thought that Danzo, whom Izuna valued so highly, would have some extraordinary insights or methods."
"Now it seems, it's nothing special."
"A typical parasite of power, a fool blinded by greed, immersed in self-constructed delusions, unable to even distinguish the most basic general trend and friend from foe—If Izuna saw that the student he once admired had turned out like this, he would probably regret his choice."
Ban's voice was filled with deep contempt.
Sasuke was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and glanced at Madara Uchiha with a hint of doubt in his eyes.
on the screen.
The scenario Danzo had hoped for did not occur.
There was no shock or submission from Uchiha Yatsuho and Uchiha Inahi, nor did Fugaku personally come out to greet him as he had imagined.
What awaited him was only a brief silence followed by two bursts of laughter that erupted almost simultaneously.
"Ha ha ha ha--!"
The Eighth Hokage of Uchiha laughed so hard he almost fell over, tears welling up in his eyes.
After he finished laughing, he looked Danzo up and down like he was looking at a monkey, and mocked, "Elder Danzo, did I hear that right? You're really joking! Your Root organization is about to fall apart, and you still have the leisure to come to the gates of our Uchiha clan to recruit soldiers?"
Dao Huo stood to the side, arms crossed, sneering and hitting the nail on the head: "Exactly! Worry about your rotting roots first! Haha—"
Don't look back and find you can't even keep someone to guard the gate for you; that would be a huge joke!
"You!" Danzo's face turned ashen, his one eye wide open.
The back-and-forth between Yatsushiro and Inahiko was like two awls piercing his lungs. How could they know that the root tissue had deteriorated to such a state?
-
Didn't Ryoma say this was an internal secret?
What alarmed Danzo even more was that the attitudes of Uchiha Yasuo and Inaho were no longer simply based on their dislike of him personally. Rather, it seemed as if they were confident that Danzo's death was imminent, which was why they could so brazenly mock and humiliate him.
What gives them the right?
Hasn't the Uchiha clan always been in a suppressed position in Konoha?
How could they dare to be so disrespectful to this elder?
They even knew the root's predicament perfectly!
Danzo felt a sudden alarm bell ring in his mind, and an extremely ominous premonition welled up in his heart.
All of this seemed to confirm his worst-case scenario.
As his thoughts raced, he suddenly heard faint voices coming from afar in the courtyard.
Inside the courtyard of Fugaku Uchiha's residence, two voices approached from afar, one after the other, heading towards the main gate.
"—Minato, rest assured. This matter concerning Sakumo-senpai is not only about you and your master, and the Hatake clan, but also about the dignity and stance of our Uchiha clan. Our Uchiha clan will never stand idly by in this matter."
The speaker was Uchiha Fugaku, whose voice was deep and firm, his tone revealing determination.
Immediately afterward, another clear and gentle voice interjected, "Danzo has repeatedly attacked the Uchiha clan in secret, and especially Kakashi—this time the evidence is irrefutable, we absolutely cannot let him get away with it as he has in the past!"
That voice—it's Minato Namikaze!
Danzo heard it clearly and was immediately struck as if by lightning, his body swaying.
Before the words were finished, two figures walked out of the courtyard side by side and appeared in front of the mansion gate.
Fugaku Uchiha, who was always serious, had a faint smile on his face at this moment.
And the handsome blond ninja beside him was none other than Minato Namikaze!
Fugaku and Minato stood side by side, both with resolute expressions, and it seemed that they had just reached some important consensus.
And clearly, the core of their discussion was how to deal with Shimura Danzo!
Danzo felt his mind go completely blank.
Why is Minato Namikaze here?
Judging from the current situation, Minato and Fugaku Uchiha have a close relationship and are joining forces to deal with me!
In a flash, Danzo suddenly remembered a fatal connection that he had previously overlooked.
Kakashi!
Kakashi Hatake is not only the son of Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha, but also a disciple of Minato Namikaze!
In this dream, Danzo had ambushed and attacked Kakashi, almost killing Minato!
Given Minato Namikaze's protective nature towards his confidants, how could he possibly let this go so easily?
He will definitely pursue this to the end and seek justice for Kakashi.
As for Fugaku Uchiha—the Uchiha clan and Hatake clan had always had a rather distant relationship in Konoha, but now Fugaku was willing to stand with Minato for the sake of the Hatake clan—in an instant, all the scattered clues were connected into a complete and clear narrative.
Danzo's mind was in constant turmoil, and he almost lost his balance.
Minato Namikaze's gaze fell on Danzo.
That handsome face, which usually wore a sunny smile, was now devoid of any smile, only displaying a cold scrutiny and disappointment.
Minato didn't say anything immediately, but he turned slightly to stand with Fugaku at the doorway, protecting Yatsushiro and Inahisa behind him.
This small gesture has already revealed our stance.
Fugaku Uchiha crossed his arms, stared at Danzo expressionlessly, and said coldly, "Elder Danzo, what brings you here uninvited?"
'
Fugaku asked the question knowingly, his tone full of distance and wariness, showing no intention of being a guest of Danzo.
Faced with the combined appearance of these two top Konoha fighters, Danzo felt a tightness in his throat and was almost speechless for a moment.
A thousand thoughts swirled in his mind, Danzo's expression shifting between anger and uncertainty. Finally, he managed to open his mouth, attempting to offer a few words of explanation and salvage some of his dignity: "I merely—"
However, before he could speak, Fugaku impatiently raised his hand to interrupt, "If it's not urgent, please leave. The Uchiha clan's territory does not welcome guests with ulterior motives. Minato and I still need to see the Hokage, so please make way."
Yashiro and Inahisa stood behind Fugaku, both revealing cold smiles upon hearing this. They stared at Danzo with predatory eyes, as if they would swarm him and forcibly drive him away the moment he made the slightest move of resistance.
"You—" Danzo's one eye was bloodshot, and he trembled with rage.
He wanted to get angry, but he knew that getting angry at this moment would only make him more passive and embarrassed.
He came to the door today full of self-confidence and high aspirations, but in the end, not only did his plan completely fail, but he also ended up in such a humiliating and disgraceful situation!
An intense feeling of shame, anger, and resentment surged within him.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Shimura Danzo have been detected! Emotional value +800!]
Danzo scanned the faces in front of him.
Fugaku Uchiha was as cold as ice, Minato Namikaze had a chilling glint in his eyes, and Hachiha and Inahisa had mocking smiles on their faces.
Everyone was looking at him like he was a loser!
At this moment, Danzo finally realized that his actions today had not only yielded no results, but had also likely hastened his own demise.
"Good—very good—" He suddenly chuckled hoarsely, gritting his teeth as he uttered a few words, "Uchiha Fugaku—Namikaze Minato—you just wait and see!"
The threat sounded like a bluster born of anger and frustration.
Fugaku and Minato just stared at him coldly, their eyes even more wary, and remained unmoved.
Danzo's face burned with rage; he wished he could tear these hateful fellows to pieces immediately!
But reason told him that he was now completely isolated and weak, and that continuing to entangle himself would only bring him humiliation.
"Hmph!" Danzo flicked his sleeve, turning his head away in fury. "We'll see!"
After uttering those harsh words once more, he finally lost all face and turned around abruptly, walking away quickly without looking back.
The hunched figure, filled with dishevelment and resentment, disappeared into the Uchiha clan's territory.
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