Chapter 71 – The Night of the Clan's Destruction! Sarutobi, You Old Dog, Come Out and Speak!
"Danzō, do you really think what we're doing is right?"
"Sarutobi has already prepared to act tonight. Don't start hesitating now. You just don't want to take the blame. Just pin everything on me when the time comes."
"Danzō, I…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe, his eyes filled with unspoken conflict.
If the Uchiha hadn't gone too far this time, he wouldn't have agreed to Danzō's plan.
The Uchiha—such powerful assets, yet they were about to be wiped out. What a waste.
Sarutobi smacked his lips, silently sighing in his heart.
"Heh, Sarutobi, no need to say more."
As Danzō spoke, a cold sneer flashed in his heart. How could he not understand Sarutobi Hiruzen's thoughts?
He was willing to take the blame—but only for a price. Tonight, he would harvest the Uchiha's Sharingan.
That would significantly increase his chances of becoming Hokage.
Without the Uchiha—after eliminating the village's most powerful clan—the other ninja clans would become wary. Once Sarutobi died, and with Koharu and Homura supporting him, becoming Hokage would be within reach.
"Alright, I'm going to make preparations. Let's proceed according to plan. According to Itachi's intel, the Uchiha will rebel tonight. Once that happens, we'll mobilize the Anbu, Root, and the other clans—together, we should be able to eliminate the Uchiha!"
Based on the information from Uchiha Itachi, the Uchiha clan had already decided to rebel tonight.
As soon as they made a move, their forces would hold them back while the Anbu alerted the other clans to join in and wipe them out.
"If the Uchiha do not rebel, you are not allowed to act!"
"I know."
A shadow flickered across Danzō's eyes. Deep inside, he cursed Sarutobi Hiruzen for pretending to be a saint.
Even if the Uchiha didn't act tonight—he would.
How could Sarutobi not know that?
He definitely knew.
Leaning on his cane, Danzō slowly left the Hokage's office, returning to Root to make final preparations.
"Itachi, it seems like Konoha will take care of this themselves. I don't need to step in."
Obito stood atop a tree. From the intel he'd received from White Zetsu, it appeared the Uchiha would be wiped out by Konoha's own hand.
There was no need for him to intervene.
It seemed Itachi had no intention of acknowledging him either, but Obito didn't mind. He continued, "By the way, after all this is over, have you decided where to go? Want to join Akatsuki?"
Once the Uchiha were exterminated, it would be a perfect time for Itachi to join Akatsuki. If Sasuke survived, he could even help produce a pair of Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan in the future.
"I will leave Konoha and join Akatsuki. Don't forget our deal."
"Of course."
A cold smile flashed across Obito's face. In his heart, he sneered.
Itachi didn't care about his clan—he only cared about his little brother and Konoha.
His only conditions were: don't harm Sasuke, and never act against Konoha in the future.
So, in Itachi's heart, the Uchiha clan amounted to nothing!
Watching Itachi put on his Anbu mask, Obito felt a twinge of emotion. After tonight, the Uchiha would be reduced to dust.
"Can this really be done if Shisui is around?"
After Itachi left, Zetsu emerged from the ground, curious and skeptical.
Itachi had awakened the Mangekyō—that much he had revealed to intimidate Obito and prompt him to invite Itachi into Akatsuki.
But from Zetsu's point of view, a newly awakened Mangekyō couldn't possibly overpower someone like Shisui, who had possessed it for much longer.
Especially since Shisui's abilities were extraordinary.
"Who knows? I won't just sit and watch either. Tonight, I'll act. Since Konoha is dealing with the Uchiha, I'll take Shisui's Mangekyō as well."
Obito never intended to help exterminate the Uchiha.
He was here to collect Mangekyō and three-tomoe Sharingan.
Once this was over, he'd have enough spare eyes for Izanagi.
"Renji, do you think Itachi will really pass on the intel to Konoha?"
A bitter expression crossed Fugaku's face.
Itachi was the son he had pinned all his hopes on—yet now he had betrayed the Uchiha. Even Shisui, who had always trusted him, felt a surge of anger.
He had always believed Itachi merely wanted to reform the Uchiha—never imagining he had already become a traitor.
Back when Shisui acted as a bridge between the village and the clan, he never leaked information—he only tried to foster peace.
But Itachi's actions now chilled Shisui's heart.
"He will. He's an Uchiha who thinks like a Hokage."
"Traitor!!"
Uchiha Setsuna roared in fury. They had sent Itachi to infiltrate Konoha, and this is what they got?
He even leaked such critical intel to Konoha?
Although it had been Renji's idea to let Itachi know, he hadn't expected Itachi would repay the Uchiha clan's kindness like this!
"Leave him to me."
Shisui said coldly.
He had mentored Itachi all the way. If Itachi had strayed from the path, then it was his responsibility to deal with him.
"No rush. I'll make all the arrangements."
Renji stroked his chin, then gave some orders—making it clear the safety of the clan came first.
Late at night, at the Ninja Academy.
Sasuke nervously looked outside, sensing something ominous was about to happen.
Today, the academy had held a farewell ceremony to celebrate Sasuke's graduation. All his classmates were there. Sasuke had intended to leave, but since it was for him, he stayed.
Meanwhile, within the Uchiha compound—
The clan members had gathered together. The non-combatants were protected in the center, surrounded by Chūnin and Genin, with elite Jōnin who had awakened the three-tomoe at the outermost perimeter.
At first, when Renji summoned them all, they were confused. But since it was his command, they didn't question it.
When Renji revealed that Konoha planned to annihilate the Uchiha, the entire clan erupted in fury.
They had bled for Konoha, given so much—and now the village wanted to destroy them?!
"Clan Head, just say the word—let's rebel!"
"That's right! Why should they get to be Hokage, and we're stuck being stepped on all our lives?!"
Do good people deserve to be bullied?
The Uchiha had already made countless concessions—yet they still faced extermination. Why?!
"It's almost time to lay everything bare, isn't it?"
By Renji's side, Uchiha Setsuna leaned over and whispered into his ear.
He felt the time was right. Renji gave a subtle nod. "Everyone, tonight we will act. We will no longer retreat. Our concessions only lead them to push further. This is not rebellion—we are cleansing the rot within Konoha!"
'Rebellion'—such an ugly word.
What they were doing was overthrowing a decaying Konoha and building a new one.
"Heh… Quite the fantasy, isn't it? Should I take that statement to mean the Uchiha are committing treason?"
At the entrance of the Uchiha compound, Danzō led a group of Root ninjas as he slowly stepped into their territory.
And right as he arrived, he heard that declaration. That alone should be enough justification to act.
Truthfully, Danzō had already made up his mind before coming here. Justified or not, he was going to strike. But now that he'd caught the Uchiha speaking such rebellious words—acting became even more righteous.
"Danzō! You old dog—you dare show your face here?!"
Uchiha Setsuna, with his volatile temper, couldn't help but curse upon seeing Danzō.
Especially that arm!
Renji had once told them that the arm was filled with the Sharingan of their Uchiha brethren!
He wanted to expose Danzō's hypocrisy on the spot, but recalling Renji's earlier instructions, he held back—for now.
"Heh, if the Uchiha are plotting rebellion, why wouldn't I come? We're here to eliminate traitors!"
As he spoke, Danzō signaled to several nearby Root operatives.
Clearly, now that the Uchiha were prepared to resist, it was time to summon the other clans to join in wiping them out.
"Danzō, why doesn't your master Sarutobi Hiruzen come out himself?"
Renji was genuinely curious. At this point, when they could act under a justifiable cause, why was Sarutobi still hiding in the shadows?
Was that hypocrite still trying to maintain his virtuous image?
"Heh, Renji, have you lost your mind?"
A dark glint flickered in Danzō's eyes. Soon, he would be adding Renji's three-tomoe Sharingan to his collection.
His master? Sarutobi Hiruzen?
What was he—a dog?
"I haven't lost my mind. We Uchiha are already prepared to act. And the Hokage still hides in the shadows? After being a coward for so long, won't he show some courage for once?"
Was that old bastard really planning to play it safe forever?
Even now, he didn't dare appear?
"Renji, why is the Uchiha clan rebelling?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. Since he had been acknowledged and called out, there was no longer any reason to stay hidden.
He arrived with the Anbu and the two elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
Originally, he hadn't planned to appear, but after Renji openly admitted their intent to rebel, he realized there was no more need to find someone else to take the blame.
The Uchiha had chosen the path of destruction. And now that the entire clan was standing in resistance, as Hokage, he couldn't simply turn a blind eye.
This wasn't like in the anime. Back then, the Uchiha were wiped out by Obito and Itachi before they could even begin resisting. That was why Hiruzen never showed up.
But now, the Uchiha were fully armed and prepared. He couldn't pretend not to see it.
"As Hokage, do you really not know why we Uchiha are rebelling? Do you not find it laughable to ask such a thing?"
Renji nearly laughed in disbelief at Hiruzen's question.
Unbelievable.
This man had worn the mask of virtue for so long that he'd forgotten who he really was.
Now he had the gall to ask why they were rebelling?
Hiruzen's face darkened, because deep down—he did know. But he couldn't say it out loud.
"Renji, we gave you back your clan land. We made concessions elsewhere too. And now you want to become Hokage? When we say no, you rebel? Is the title of Hokage something to be seized through threats?"
Koharu Utatane sternly questioned Renji, knowing full well that in moments like these, they had to seize the moral high ground.
The other clans were on their way. Once they arrived, they could attack the Uchiha with full force.
"That's right! You Uchiha really are a pack of insatiable wolves!"
Homura Mitokado echoed the accusation.
This drew sharp, venomous glares from many Uchiha present—but they couldn't find the right words to argue back.
"You're wrong. The ones who are truly insatiable are the lot of you. The Mitokado and Utatane families weren't even noteworthy clans in the past—and now they've risen to mid-tier families. You all know how much you've exploited your positions. During the wars, we fought on the front lines while you handled logistics. In truth, you parasites gave the least and took the most. And now you've got your eyes on Uchiha's businesses too? So who's really insatiable here?
And as for fighting over the Hokage position—I have a question. Is Hokage your private property? Why is it that when you take the seat, it's righteous, but when we pursue it, we're thieves?"
Good!
Renji's words immediately stirred pride in the hearts of the Uchiha.
They were not good with debates, but Renji's sharp counterattack brought them immense satisfaction.
"Heh, I've got nothing more to say to you people. Since you've chosen rebellion, be prepared to die!"
One of Danzō's Root operatives swiftly whispered into his ear. That confirmation brought Danzō some relief.
Everyone had arrived.
Surrounding the Uchiha compound, ninjas from various clans had sealed off all exits. Their elders, clan heads, and elite fighters were already entering the Uchiha district.
At the sight of the Uchiha confronting Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others, many of them were shocked.
They had assumed this was just a skirmish.
But now, seeing the Uchiha fully assembled—
This wasn't just a clash.
The Uchiha clan was really about to take action against Konoha?!
"This is bad. This is the worst-case scenario!"
Nara Shikaku sighed in frustration, rubbing his forehead as his eyes swept across those in the standoff.
The scene he most feared was unfolding.
No matter who won now—Konoha would pay the price.
(End of chapter)
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