Naruto: Uchiha Rejects Konoha

"Damn! Is that guy Sarutobi dissatisfied with me?"

Back in the dark room, Danzō punched the wall, leaving a clear fist mark and cracks.

Regarding today's incident, although the Uchiha clan made him very unhappy, it was the Third Hokage who fueled his hatred, because, in his view, the Uchiha did not participate in the process of competing for Kakashi's eye.

In other words, this failure was entirely caused by the Third Hokage. For Danzō, this was tantamount to a betrayal.

"Hiss~ Damn it! Without the Sharingan, the Hashirama cells are about to get out of control..."

Before Danzō could catch his breath, his right hand that had hit the wall suddenly squirmed, and his face contorted from the severe discomfort.

In his quest for power, he had developed an obsession with the Uchiha's Sharingan and had also studied the First Hokage's cells.

Before Orochimaru left Konoha, Danzō had already replaced his right arm with Hashirama cells. Of course, the technology was not mature enough, and nearly all experimental subjects transplanted with Hashirama cells had died, except for a rare few.

So, Danzō didn't dare to implant too many Hashirama cells in himself, limiting it to his right arm. Later, when he acquired Sharingan, he discovered that it could suppress the Hashirama cells, so he usually kept his right arm bandaged, with two Sharingan embedded within.

However, in his research on the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan, he had consumed the Sharingan in his possession severely. Now, even the only Sharingan left on his body had been taken away. The Hashirama cells, no longer suppressed, immediately began to riot.

Danzō hurried to his secret laboratory and placed two nearly inactive Sharingan on his arm, barely managing to subdue the rioting Hashirama cells.

"No! I can't go on like this. The First Hokage's cells are too powerful; I will be devoured..."

Due to his experiments, the two Sharingan had lost most of their vitality, let alone their ocular power. Although the Hashirama cells' riot was quelled, Danzō could still feel the instability within his arm.

Recalling the fate of previous experimental subjects who transformed into trees, he shuddered—turning into a tree was not an outcome he desired.

He had kept his Wood Style abilities a secret, considering it a trump card, but now, without the Sharingan, that trump card could become his own executioner.

"Damn Sarutobi Hiruzen! He's retired but still wants to stand up for the Hokage's position, and now he's driving me into a corner! And the damn Uchiha—I'll definitely obtain a new Sharingan. Don't think I fear moving against you..."

Danzō's one eye flashed with a cold, dark glint, looking eerie in the dimly lit secret room.

······

In the conference room of the Hokage building, all the clan leaders of the shinobi families were present, but Fugaku was out of the village, so the Uchiha representatives were Yagami and the Fourth Elder.

As for the reason behind the early convening of this high-level meeting, everyone was well aware, and Yagami's appearance here was not particularly surprising.

"It's enough to give an explanation in private. The Third Hokage's political skill is notable, but he's applying it in the wrong direction..."

Observing Sarutobi Hiruzen's arrangements and glancing at the scrolls on the table, Yagami couldn't help but sneer. Last night's incident could be written off as a misunderstanding, yet Yagami had requested that the Third Hokage give a public explanation, aiming only to shake up the village's standing. There was no need to address it in a high-level meeting.

The main reason for the Third Hokage's arrangement is to appease the sentiments of the ninja clans. After all, although last night's incident didn't involve too many other ninjas, as Hokage, he lacks evidence to confront the Uchiha clan directly. This leaves room for other shinobi to read into the situation and feel uneasy.

If even a prominent clan like the Uchiha can be falsely accused or troubled at will, then what fate awaits smaller clans?

How long can a Hokage who has lost the support of the shinobi populace hold his position?

Thus, it isn't only Uchiha that needs reassurance; the other clans also need appeasement. This high-level meeting serves to show those ninjas that he, the Third Hokage, is taking responsibility and will offer compensation and an apology.

"This high-level meeting is now in session.

I believe everyone knows the reason.

Regarding Danzō's attack on an Anbu shinobi of the same village and his attempt to implicate the Uchiha clan, the relevant information is recorded in the scrolls you have before you.

I have already stripped him of his position as an elder, and I have called you here to decide on this matter formally and to offer an explanation to the Uchiha clan, whom I wrongfully mistrusted."

Once everyone had arrived, Sarutobi Hiruzen got straight to the point. Though his words were straightforward, he was skilled in deflecting responsibility. He cast the conflict as a mere misunderstanding while shifting the blame onto Danzō.

If it hadn't been for Danzō's actions against Kakashi, misleading him, Sarutobi would not have targeted Uchiha…

"We, Uchiha, support the dismissal of Elder Shimura Danzō. We don't require any additional compensation. However, we request the family allowances that haven't been issued in recent years. Additionally, we hope that the village will grant us access to the Sealed Book," Yagami declared without waiting to see if the Third Hokage had more to say.

The Uchiha clan was currently increasing revenue and reducing expenditures to develop their industries, and the family allowance would be a welcome boost.

As for the Sealed Book, this was something Yagami had long sought. Although the techniques within were difficult to master, with so many members in the Uchiha clan, there was always the chance that someone would succeed in learning something valuable.

For those unable to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, Forbidden Techniques could still be of great value, if not to reach Kage-level strength, then at least as useful assets.

The Third Hokage's mouth twitched involuntarily. So, this is your idea that no other compensation is needed?

As expected, this kid Yagami still knows exactly how to press the old man's sore spots!

"I will arrange the subsidy, but the Sealed Book's access cannot be granted without restrictions. After all, it contains Forbidden Techniques, and those who wish to read it must pass a review."

Once the words were spoken, they were irreversible. Having summoned the clan heads of all the ninja families to witness this, Sarutobi couldn't afford to refuse Uchiha's requests outright; he had to display the appearance of willingness to agree.

After all, these two requests were not excessive. They simply involved finances and access to read the Sealed Book.

The family allowance, after all, was something that should have been paid regularly; the delay was due to an oversight by the Hokage's Office.

And access to the Sealed Book was also a right generally afforded to the shinobi clans, though the Uchiha had historically been excluded due to lingering suspicion.

In essence, these requests were merely the Uchiha reclaiming their rightful privileges, not making demands.

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