Once again, the top figures of the Uchiha Clan gathered in the clan estate.
Uchiha Masanobu spoke in a low voice, "Everyone, the Third Hokage has gone to meet with Kei-dono. They're currently speaking privately at his home."
An elder with a hot temper immediately shouted, "We must go at once! Who knows what schemes Hiruzen Sarutobi might be plotting—we cannot let Kei-dono be harmed!!"
He was promptly silenced.
Then, surprisingly, Uchiha Setsuna—once the most radical among them—spoke calmly: "There's no need for panic, everyone. Just as Kei-dono has brought immense change to our clan, we must also learn to trust him."
"With Kei-dono's wisdom, he must have long foreseen that the Third Hokage would seek him out. The fact that he didn't make a special point to inform us only means he has full confidence and already knows how to handle it."
"So all we need to do is wait calmly for the outcome."
His words were tranquil and composed—an unquestioning trust in Uchiha Kei, to the point of mentally rationalizing any action he might take.
The other elders nodded in agreement.
Only Fugaku, the soon-to-be official Clan Head, wore a subtle, complex expression.
To him, Setsuna's faith in Kei had grown blindly extreme. Once someone who trusted only himself and dismissed others as short-sighted, Setsuna now represented the complete opposite.
"When exactly did Elder Setsuna become ...? Was it... after awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Fugaku's thoughts drifted to a casual conversation he once had with Kei.
Uchiha Kei had said, "The Mangekyō Sharingan is indeed the ultimate power of the Uchiha... but awakening it often comes with a terrible price."
Fugaku had replied, "I know. The old texts say it only appears after one loses someone they cherish."
Kei responded, "No, I mean something deeper. The real price... is your personality. Awakening the Mangekyō changes you. It pushes your character to an extreme—sometimes toward light, sometimes toward darkness. But either way, it changes your thinking entirely."
At the time, Fugaku had simply noted Kei's words without comment. After all, no one had awakened the Mangekyō in generations. Even if Kei said it, there was no way to confirm it.
Now, with Setsuna before him, Fugaku finally understood what Kei meant by 'price.'
"If I awakened the Mangekyō... which extreme would I be pushed toward? It's almost like being under mental manipulation. If I changed... would I still be me?"
The thought was terrifying. For the first time, Fugaku felt a flicker of fear toward awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan.
At the same time, in one of the Hidden Leaf's inner offices, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu frowned as Danzo Shimura approached them.
Danzo's lone, cold eye fixed on them. "As I said, Hiruzen went to meet Uchiha Kei in private. He's speaking with that brat alone."
"With Hiruzen's nature, it's clear—he's going to spout something about the Will of Fire, trying to win that Uchiha brat over with idealistic drivel."
"He's too naive—so naive it's practically foolish. And the older he gets, the more senile he becomes. Trying to pacify the inherently evil Uchiha Clan with his nonsense... He's forgotten Tobirama-sensei's teachings completely."
"If we do nothing, this moment of 'weakness' from Hiruzen will give the Uchiha an opening. And then, this inherently evil clan will drag all of Konoha into chaos!"
Danzo's alarmist tone made Homura and Koharu exchange uneasy glances.
In the past, they would've nodded without hesitation. Suppressing the Uchiha had always been politically correct, and doing so had benefited both their clans.
"Danzo, aren't you being a little too paranoid? The Uchiha may have extreme tendencies, but calling them inherently evil is too much."
"Exactly. Besides, the Uchiha are changing. They're actively integrating into the village, supporting other clans. In just a short time, they've earned the trust of many shinobi families. I think our approach should change too."
The two of them spoke in turn, clearly not on Danzo's side.
Danzo's eye widened. His face darkened. Fınd the newest release on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽
Damn it. This was betrayal—plain and simple.
These two had always stood with him when it came to the Uchiha, always pushing Hiruzen into a corner with him. Why the sudden turn?
Seeing Danzo's expression, Homura and Koharu shifted their gaze awkwardly.
It was true—suppressing the Uchiha had been politically correct. But this time, the clan had brought too many benefits through the genjutsu game.
When their clans saw the projected earnings and dividends, excitement exploded. The praise came pouring in—"The Uchiha are truly a noble clan! So generous!"
Naturally, this sentiment reached the two advisors.
Hearing it from their own kin, along with concrete benefits, they began thinking, "Maybe the Uchiha aren't so bad after all."
They still felt a bit guilty, but that wasn't reason enough to be threatened. After all, they were also part of Konoha's leadership. Who was Danzo to lecture them?
Homura cleared his throat. "Danzo, I think we should follow Hiruzen's lead here. Let's observe the situation first."
"The Uchiha are changing. They've let go of their arrogance and are working to befriend the other clans. Everyone welcomes this new direction."
"In this climate, continuing our old tactics feels inappropriate. We suggest you redirect Root's attention elsewhere."
Koharu nodded. "Yes. The shinobi world is growing restless. Other nations are preparing for war. The Third Great Ninja War could break out at any moment. Now is the time for Root to focus beyond the Land of Fire."
Their words sent Danzo into a spiral. His aura turned even more frigid, unsettling to the core.
After a long silence, Danzo spoke in a low voice: "So you two are like Hiruzen now—forgetting sensei's warnings? Forgetting the danger the Uchiha pose?"
His tone was cold—and laced with threat.
Homura and Koharu scowled. Their earlier guilt evaporated.
Sure, they might've flip-flopped—but that didn't give Danzo the right to speak to them like that.
Homura retorted, "Danzo, we're simply following the Hokage's will. Don't forget—Hiruzen is the Hokage!"
Danzo's eye widened. Rage burned through him as he shot to his feet.
"Just like Hiruzen... you'll regret this one day!"
He turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Homura and Koharu looked at each other, then sighed.
Danzo, meanwhile, was fuming.
And in his anger, he felt more isolated—and more determined than ever.
If his former comrades had all betrayed him, then he would act alone.
Heh. Even the White Fang of Konoha once crumbled under the power of rumor. And the Uchiha—already burdened with a poor reputation—gave him plenty of room to work.
Inherently evil Uchiha... You think your little tricks will change public perception?
I, Root's true protector of the Leaf, will show you that corruption has no place here!
Your false goodwill—I will shatter it. I will expose your true, ugly nature for all the village to see!
With that thought, Danzo's resolve burned with intensity.
This was all—for the sake of Konoha!