Danzo's Greed

In the following days, the Third Hokage resumed peace talks with Kumogakure.

Previously, Kumogakure had been aggressive, probing Konoha in various ways.

But with the strong support of the Uchiha clan, Kumogakure had become a toothless tiger.

Unable to fight and unwilling to drag things out, they were left at Konoha's mercy.

Originally, Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, was supposed to be a deterrent, but he ended up hospitalized and became a hostage.

Kumogakure suffered significant losses in the negotiations, including paying three billion Ryo and giving up some of their scientific research technologies to Konoha.

Although these technologies might not be the latest, they were not easily available outside.

Not daring to keep everything for himself, the Third Hokage copied all the information and sent a set to Uchiha Natsuki.

On Eighth Street of Konoha, the merchants noticed something strange today: All members of the Uchiha Police Force were patrolling in groups of eight.

Whether patrolling or enforcing the law, the eight of them were inseparable.

Fortunately, the Uchiha had long been subdued on this street, and disturbances were rare.

The Uchiha's patrolling only aroused curiosity among some people.

But for Danzo, it was as if he had swallowed a fly. He hadn't even moved, and the way was already blocked.

"Are there no Uchiha moving alone?"

"Lord Danzo, all Uchiha members with activated Sharingan move together. There are never fewer than four in a group," reported his subordinate, Jito.

Recently, in addition to implanting a Sharingan in his right eye, Danzo used the last two Sharingans for experiments.

He wanted to understand how the Mangekyō Sharingan was awakened.

But it was to no avail. If the Mangekyō Sharingan could have been easily researched, the Uchiha clan would not have remained as they were.

Due to Danzo's actions, the Shimura clan had severed ties with many other ninja clans.

Without benefits, the Shimura clan's funding for Root was reduced.

Moreover, due to his previous actions, the Third Hokage had cut Danzo's budget.

This caused many of his experiments to come to a halt.

The Mangekyō Sharingan's power display by Natsuki at the Hyuga household made Danzo intensely envious.

But now, his stock of Sharingan was depleted.

So, Danzo set his sights on the Uchiha Police Force.

But before he could act, the Uchiha had seemingly anticipated his moves, and all members took precautions.

"Who leaked the information?"

Danzo's eyes darkened, pondering that it must have been Sarutobi Hiruzen, that old fox.

Only the Third Hokage could command a large number of ANBU. They were always the first to know about any disturbances in Konoha.

Sarutobi was friendly when he needed Danzo, but now that Danzo's power had grown, he was being suppressed.

"Check around the Uchiha compound for any opportunities."

Jito, concerned, asked, "Isn't that too risky? Even the Hokage's ANBU can't enter the Uchiha compound now."

Danzo smiled confidently, "That's because the Third was threatened by Natsuki. The Uchiha compound is large; can Natsuki guard it alone?"

"A large group would be unsafe. Send Ryoma Aburame to see if there's an opening."

Jito hesitated, "Lord Danzo, Ryoma Aburame is already detained by the Third Hokage in the heavenly prison."

"Quietly release him and tell him his illness can be cured if he helps capture an Uchiha with a Sharingan."

Reluctantly, Jito agreed, "Yes!"

In the heavenly prison, a figure in a black cloak leaned against the shadowy wall.

His muscular body had a faint blue-grey hue.

Footsteps approached.

Jito reached the cell door, "Ryoma."

Ryoma yawned and approached the door, "You are? Jito?"

Jito nodded, "Lord Danzo says your illness can be treated, but the condition is to capture an Uchiha with a Sharingan."

"A Sharingan? Capturing an Uchiha isn't difficult, is it?"

Ryoma had been in prison for too long to know about outside changes.

"No problem, when do we go?"

Jito felt a chill as he stood before Ryoma, his mind slowing down, "As soon as possible. Lord Danzo is getting anxious." With that, Jito opened the cell door for Ryoma.

Ryoma walked out leisurely, "Jito, do you know why I'm in here?"

Jito, uneasy, forced a calm reply, "I heard you killed a teammate."

"Do you plan to attack me?" Jito's unease grew into vigilance.

Ryoma spoke blandly, "I won't attack you, but my pets haven't eaten in a while, so… you'll have to endure."

"Mm! What…!" In an instant, Jito found himself immobilized, his chakra silenced.

Jito's vision darkened, and he died.

A swarm of near-invisible insects emerged from Jito's body, leaving a dry corpse behind.

Outside the Uchiha compound, Uchiha Kiyoshi was busy on the ground.

He set up chakra-conducting materials on the ground and inscribed barrier seals.

Rushing to meet a deadline, he and two others had been trained in barrier detection and finished a week ahead of schedule.

Kiyoshi's last task was the barrier node before him.

Since Uchiha Natsuki was promoted to vice clan leader, the Uchiha clan had transformed.

Though many members left, those who remained in Konoha no longer faced oppression or injustice.

On the contrary, Uchiha Police members were now highly regarded.

Because Eighth Street, patrolled by the Uchiha, had the best security in Konoha.

Other merchants often asked if the Uchiha would patrol their streets, looking dejected upon hearing no.

Seeing the clan's progress made Kiyoshi genuinely happy.

He wasn't a fighter by nature; he wanted a thriving clan.

Now that the Uchiha had withdrawn from Konoha's chaos, mission income had decreased due to safety-first policies.

But at least the oppressive atmosphere was gone.

Recently, the clan leader encouraged childbirth to replenish their numbers, offering substantial rewards for each new child.

Many families, already with children, planned for more.

Young Uchiha men and women were quickly pairing up, as the birth incentives equaled the reward for an A-rank mission.

Kiyoshi worked diligently and was ready to activate the barrier node and provide the Uchiha with a detection barrier.

Focused on his task, he didn't notice the approaching danger.

Black insects spread out, slowly closing in on Kiyoshi.

"Buzz... buzz..."

The sound of insects reached Kiyoshi's ears.

Instinctively, he infused chakra into the completed seal.

An invisible ripple expanded from the node.

Kiyoshi's mind registered countless chakra points.

Buzz! With a loud whine, a swarm of insects descended from above.

Kiyoshi rolled on the ground, narrowly avoiding the attack, which left a hole in the ground.

He stood, shouting, "Who dares cause trouble at the Uchiha compound!"

He activated his Sharingan.

Without a signal flare, he could only shout to alert the clan.

He never expected someone to attack near the Uchiha compound.

Ryoma Aburame emerged from the shadows, "Unlucky for you to meet me. Pity you're only at two tomoe."

Recognizing the man's strong chakra and physique, Kiyoshi realized he knew him.

"You're Ryoma Aburame!?" Kiyoshi's mind, always gathering information, remembered Ryoma being imprisoned.

"Wasn't Ryoma imprisoned in the heavenly prison?"