Chapter 26: Danzo's Dark Hand

"Hiruzen, this Uchiha Akira's talent is terrifyingly high. Even Shisui and Itachi weren't as strong at his age as he is now!" Danzo said seriously as he entered the Hokage's office after Uchiha Akira and his group had left.

"He's still just a child," the Third Hokage replied in a calm yet firm tone, glancing at Danzo.

"Hiruzen, don't tell me you haven't noticed the undercurrents within the Uchiha clan. They're becoming restless. Have you forgotten how our teacher guarded against the Uchiha?" Danzo continued, his voice filled with urgency.

"If Uchiha Akira makes a significant impact at the Chunin Exams in the Hidden Cloud Village, the Uchiha clan's prestige will soar even higher. It would be best if Uchiha Akira doesn't return alive," Danzo warned, his tone turning cold.

Indeed, Uchiha Akira was still just a child.

But his talent was frightening. In just a few months, he had awakened his Sharingan and evolved it to the two-tomoe stage.

That's why he needed to be dealt with before he fully matured.

"Danzo, what are you planning!?" The Third Hokage, recognizing the implications of Danzo's words, frowned deeply.

"I intend to make sure Uchiha Akira doesn't come back. Otherwise, such a genius will only fuel the Uchiha's ambitions further," Danzo said seriously.

"Is that why you deliberately had Shisui sent away? Danzo, stop this. I'm the Hokage!" The Third Hokage declared firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"Hiruzen, I bear the darkness of the village. You are the shining, righteous Hokage, but you've been in the light too long. Remember, a tree cannot thrive without roots in the darkness to absorb nutrients," Danzo said, his gaze unwavering as he stared at the Third Hokage.

"Fugaku, Shisui, Itachi... If we let Uchiha Akira grow any further, who will be able to keep the Uchiha in check?"

"Don't forget, White Fang is dead, Minato fell in battle, Orochimaru defected, and both Tsunade and Jiraiya have left the village!" Danzo pressed on, his presence unyielding.

The Third Hokage fell silent.

Indeed, with the deaths of White Fang, Minato, and the defection of Orochimaru, as well as Tsunade and Jiraiya leaving the village, Konoha's elite forces were severely weakened.

The Uchiha clan, on the other hand, was producing genius after genius.

If another decade passed and the Uchiha clan did decide to launch a coup, would the village have the high-level forces necessary to suppress them?

As the Third Hokage reflected on this, he realized he couldn't be sure.

When it came to Konoha's prodigies, Kakashi was the most renowned.

However, while Kakashi's achievements were remarkable—becoming a Genin at five, a Chunin at six, and a Jonin at twelve—after the death of his comrades, he had almost become a shadow of his former self, losing himself in Jiraiya's novels.

Though, the Third Hokage had to admit, Jiraiya's novels were...

CoughCough!

Realizing where his thoughts were going, the Third Hokage quickly brought himself back to the matter at hand.

Upon careful consideration, he acknowledged that in another decade or so, the village might indeed lack the top-tier strength needed to keep the Uchiha in check.

"Danzo, Uchiha Akira is still a Konoha ninja. I will not allow you to harm a Konoha ninja!" After a moment of silence, the Third Hokage declared firmly.

On the surface, it seemed like the Third Hokage was still refusing to let Danzo act against Uchiha Akira.

But Danzo could tell that Hiruzen was starting to waver.

"Don't worry, you're the Hokage. I'll follow your orders. I won't personally make a move against him," Danzo said, nodding as he gave his assurance.

With that, Danzo turned and left the Hokage's office.

"Sigh…" The Third Hokage sighed quietly, gazing out of the window in the direction of the Uchiha clan grounds.

If it were possible, he wouldn't want things to escalate to this point.

But he too could sense the growing restlessness within the Uchiha clan.

And as time passed, the number of powerful Uchiha members only increased, threatening to tip the balance of power.

As Hokage, he couldn't allow this to happen.

As Hokage, he was responsible for the safety and well-being of all the villagers.

He had to prevent not only external threats but also internal conflicts within the village.

Konoha was in no condition to withstand a civil war right now.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Uchiha Akira and his group had spent nearly half a month traveling and had finally arrived in the Land of Lightning from the Land of Fire.

Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 84 at patreon.com/Emik01.