On the morning of the next day after the intelligence arrived from the front lines , or rather from Shimura Danzo , a strange rumor spread among the people of Konoha, which was that one member of the Uchiha family had conspired with the enemy to kill many members of Konoha.
The news spread at a crazy speed as if someone was secretly promoting it, otherwise how could something like this secret matter leak out.
The impact of this news was catastrophic for the Uchiha Clan, which had been trying to integrate into Konoha since the founding of Konoha.
Inside the Uchiha Clan headquarters, within Naka Shrine, where a clan meeting was currently being held. Only the elders, the jonin, and the geniuses were qualified to participate.
"Azuna look at what your damned son has done, you had better give us a good explanation or else…"
"Or else what!? What will you do!?"
Azuna answered calmly while staring at the second elder who was being unreasonable. What explanation were they expecting? The Uchiha people had always been hot-blooded fools. Just look, even now only a few felt that something was wrong when the news appeared about Sean's defection and the conspiracy involving the killing of clan members and Konoha ninja.
The second elder became angry when he saw Azuna's attitude and wanted to scold him, but he was interrupted by the fourth elder.
"Calm down second elder, Azuna has nothing to do with the actions of his sons. This is not the time for us to fight among ourselves, rather we should focus on containing the side effects of this matter. The reputation of our clan has been greatly affected because of Sean's actions…"
"So what do you suggest fourth elder!?"
Asked the third elder who was taking a neutral stance. He was not from the dove faction led by the fourth elder that tried to flatter Konoha's leadership in order to strengthen relations , or so they believed , nor from the extremist faction led by the second elder that sought to seize the leadership of Konoha.
They were still living in the illusion that the Uchiha Clan was still the same clan that dominated the other clans during the Warring States Period.
The fourth elder cast a side glance at Azuna, whose veins were bulging on his forehead, and said coldly:
"I suggest that we capture Sean Uchiha and hand him over to..."
Before he could even finish his words, an angry voice exploded. It did not come from Azuna but from a young man who appeared to be in his mid or early twenties, with long black hair covering his ears.
The three-tomoe Sharingan was spinning inside his angry eyes.
"You damn stupid ignorant fools, none of you asked why Shawn did what he did. All you see is restoring the clan's pride and reputation…"
What followed was a scene that could frighten any outsider. Dozens of blood-red eyes appeared, all focusing angrily on the young man who had just called everyone stupid and ignorant.
"Flippant !!"
"Azuna control your damned son…" shouted the second elder angrily while pointing his finger at Azuna.
"Shinosuke, calm down…" said Azuna in a tone hiding the raging anger in his voice.
Shinosuke, one of Shawn's brothers, gritted his teeth angrily. He wanted to say more but under his father's stare he forced himself to sit down and suppress his anger.
"Ahem, everyone calm down. Respect the sanctity of this place. You are not children!!"
Spoke the Uchiha Clan leader, who had been merely observing. His words succeeded in easing the tense atmosphere in the hall.
He turned to look at Azuna, who was sitting surrounded by his two sons, and said:
"Azuna, it seems you had some kind of communication with Shawn!? "
" Do you mind telling us the other part of the story? I do not think that child Sean is capable of doing what he is accused of, isn't that right Koji?"
Koji, whom the clan leader had pointed to, was a man in his forties. There was a gloomy expression on his face.
Koji was the father of Noji Uchiha, whose death had been confirmed. He knew the truth behind what happened because Azuna had told him everything, so he did not doubt Sean. How could he, when he had watched the boy grow up in front of him.
" EVERYONE! , Sean is innocent of all the accusations… Shimura Danzo was behind what happened…"
The clan leader's expression changed. He could no longer maintain his calm. It never crossed his mind that someone behind the matter would be one of the Hokage's advisors.
He did not doubt the truthfulness of Koji or Azuna. He knew very well Danzo's bias and racism toward the Uchiha.
He cursed Danzo in his heart. He was angry but he could not oppose Konoha's leadership because of the loss of only a few members. Even if he wanted to, he had no power to do so.
He controlled his chaotic emotions and slammed the table in front of him to attract the attention of the clan members who had fallen into chaos because of Koji's statement.
Fortunately his prestige was still high among the clan members. He managed to stop the chaos and attract their attention. He stared calmly at both Koji and Azuna and asked:
"Azuna , Koji, this is a serious accusation. It is not as if I refuse to believe it, just show me the evidence that condemns elder Danzo and I will make sure justice is served for you…"
Azuna frowned immediately after hearing the clan leader's words. It was not as if he had not expected this to happen, but he could not stop himself from feeling disappointed toward his clan that had fallen to this state.
"Azuna it is your right to defend your son, who among us would not do that. But accusing a high-ranking elder is a serious matter that may drag the Uchiha Clan into chaos…"
Said the fourth elder nervously as if imagining the situation the clan would fall into if they showed a rebellious stance.
Azuna closed his eyes and sighed sadly.
"this is Just as Sean expected…" he muttered under his breath.
He opened his eyes and stared at the clan leader who had shaken his head.
"Leader, do what you see fit, I will not interfere, but… just do not regret your decision."
After saying that he ignored the angry voices, stood up and left the hall accompanied by four people , his two sons, Koji, and his youngest son who decided to follow him.
....
On the same day, when night fell, the Hokage's office, which was still lit, received a guest who should not have been here.
Hiruzen said sharply with anger while staring at Danzo sitting on the sofa, who had disobeyed his orders and left the camp to return to Konoha
"Danzo have you lost your mind, how dare you even suggest something like this!! If Mito-sama learns about this matter she will..."
Danzo interrupted him sharply.
"tsk ! Look at you, you are the Hokage and yet , you still take the opinions of others into consideration. What kind of Hokage are you…"
Danzo smiled mockingly inside when he saw Hiruzen not responding.
"Mito Uzumaki! That title changed the day she married the First Hokage. Now she does not belong to the Land of Whirlpools, she is the current jinchūriki, the war weapon of Konoha…"
He softened his tone and added in a low voice
"Hiruzen I know she helped you suppress the voices of others so that you could sit on the Hokage's throne. It is natural that you are grateful and respect her. But if you continue to take her opinion in every step you take, how will others look at you…"
"Yes the Land of Whirlpools is our ally, but are you sure this will continue like this in the future!? Have you thought about what will happen when Mito Uzumaki dies, the link between the two villages!?"
"What if they decide to ally with other villages!? It is better to eliminate this threat…"
"Danzo enough…"
Hiruzen slammed the desk hard and stared coldly at his friend.
Danzo's face darkened. He hated that tone Hiruzen had acquired after becoming Hokage. It reminded him of that moment that could have changed everything.
If only I had been faster than Hiruzen, the teacher would have chosen me.
This had always been Danzo's greatest regret.
He gritted his teeth and said with sharp eyes
"Sarutobi , Leave it to me . Just pretend that you know nothing about this matter. I will do the dirty work…"
"If anything goes wrong I will be your scapegoat…"
He raised two fingers.
"I only have two requests…"
Danzo stopped speaking and did not clarify the requests. He wanted to make sure Hiruzen agreed.
Hiruzen raised his pipe and placed it in his mouth. It was the only thing these days that gave him a feeling of relieving stress.
He closed his eyes and leaned back in the Hokage's chair thinking deeply about Danzo's words. He could not deny that some of what his old friend said was true. Currently the Uzumaki-Konoha alliance was supported by Mito Uzumaki, and he could not know whether it would continue like this in the future.
He did not have the courage to participate in the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools, but Danzo's last words left him a way out.
He opened his eyes and stared sharply at Danzo.
"You will bear responsibility for your actions. You had better hide your involvement in this matter otherwise do not blame me for showing no mercy…"
"Now tell me what requests you have. I warn you do not ask for something extreme…"
Danzo nodded annoyed, but his annoyance quickly disappeared when he thought of the gains he would obtain from this operation.
"Give me seven ANBU teams and some funding. The second thing is that I want you to refuse the request of the Land of Whirlpools to send reinforcements…"
Hiruzen frowned after hearing Danzo's greedy demands.
"Seven ANBU teams, why not take the entire ANBU…"
Ignoring the anger in Hiruzen's voice, Danzo said mockingly:
"that would be great …"
"You!…"
Hiruzen sighed helplessly.
"Only one team is what I can give you. Danzo this war has exhausted the ANBU organization. I cannot allocate..."
Danzo interrupted him.
"Hiruzen, one team is not enough. At least give me five…"
"Danzo!!…"
"Three…"
Danzo raised three fingers.
"I want only three teams. I will not accept less than that…"
Hiruzen sighed and agreed.
"Fine, you will have it. Three teams only. As for the second matter…"
He stroked his beard and added:
"Konoha is currently in a state of war and cannot provide the force to support the reinforcement of the Land of Whirlpools…"
This would be the refusal he would give as Hokage when the Land of Whirlpools sent a request for reinforcements.
Danzo nodded in satisfaction and then stood up to leave and begin his plan.
"There is no need to inform Homura and Koharu about this matter. It is better if it stays only between us…"
His steps paused slightly when he heard Hiruzen's words. He had completely forgotten about the two of them , or rather he had never considered them equals despite holding the same position as him.
He had always seen himself as better than the others, even the Hokage.