The Hyūga shinobi's expression darkened. He was about to speak further when Shuoye Uchiha raised a hand slightly.
"I appreciate the Hyūga clan's goodwill," Shuoye said calmly. "But today's matter will be handled by the Uchiha ourselves."
His tone left no room for argument.
Then he looked at Danzō Shimura.
There was no respect in his gaze—only contempt.
"The Shimura clan," Shuoye said coldly, "since when did dogs find the courage to bark in front of the Uchiha?"
"Have the Third Hokage come out and face me."
Danzō's face twisted with fury.
"Shuoye! Add another charge to your crimes! Such insolence—"
"Enough."
The word had barely left his mouth when Shuoye moved.
A flash of silver cut through the air.
Danzō's arm fell to the ground.
Blood sprayed.
The scene was so abrupt that for a moment no one reacted.
Danzō staggered backward in terror, attempting to retaliate—but in the face of Shuoye's overwhelming presence, resistance felt meaningless.
"I don't repeat myself," Shuoye said softly.
His voice was colder than steel.
The Konoha shinobi stood frozen.
They had seen Shuoye fight.
They had seen his power.
But this—this decisiveness—this cruelty—
It was different.
Even Ay felt a chill run down his spine.
Shuoye… ruthless as ever.
Danzō's expression warped in rage and humiliation.
"Kill him!" he roared.
The attack had come too fast. Had he not reacted in time, he might not even have had the chance to activate Izanagi.
The Root shinobi surged forward.
Across from them, the Uchiha stood unmoving.
Their eyes sharpened.
Their chakra rose.
The air itself seemed to split between two tides of killing intent.
Root shinobi were disciplined, hardened.
But before the Uchiha's natural ferocity—their blazing Sharingan and crushing chakra—they felt the pressure.
Many swallowed unconsciously.
They're not human… they're weapons.
The clash erupted.
Root attacked with precision.
The Uchiha responded with overwhelming dominance.
Each exchange made the disparity clearer.
Root's blows felt like pebbles against steel.
The gap was undeniable.
Shock spread among them.
They had underestimated the Uchiha.
Badly.
Just as the confrontation reached its peak—
"Enough!"
The voice cut through everything.
Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared.
"Cease immediately!"
Authority filled his tone. Even the wind seemed to hesitate.
All movement stopped.
Hiruzen turned toward Danzō, his expression tightening in visible displeasure.
"Danzō. What is the meaning of this?"
"Why provoke Shuoye?"
There was reproach in his words.
But something sharper flickered behind his eyes.
Danzō gritted his teeth. Now was not the moment to quarrel.
"I was enforcing protocol," he said stiffly. "Requesting cooperation. He—"
He stopped.
Excuses sounded hollow even to himself.
Hiruzen's gaze shifted to Shuoye.
His expression hardened.
"Shuoye, your actions are excessive. Whatever the grievance, you cannot act like this."
"You will provide an explanation."
"And you will accept punishment."
The air tightened.
Then—
A metallic shriek tore through the silence.
Before anyone could process what was happening, a blade pierced through Danzō's torso from behind.
Blood blossomed across his robes.
Time seemed to freeze.
"What—?!"
Gasps filled the gate.
Danzō looked down slowly.
The sword trembled within his chest.
Confusion.
Fear.
Rage.
Why is it me again?!
"Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen's chakra erupted violently as he lunged toward Shuoye.
But when he reached the spot—
Nothing.
Shuoye's figure dissolved like mist.
Only scattered afterimages remained, along with faint traces of illusionary chakra.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique… combined with genjutsu?"
Hiruzen's heart sank.
"Shuoye! You dare attack Konoha's leadership in front of everyone?! Are you rebelling against the village?!"
The unspoken thought lingered:
If that blade had struck him instead—
The consequences would have been unimaginable.
Then Shuoye's voice echoed from every direction.
Calm.
Mocking.
"Third Hokage-sama, you wanted an answer."
"I've given you one."
"Take a look at Danzō."
"After what's hidden on his body…"
"Wasn't that strike justified?"
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