Chapter 2

The next day, Danzo appeared within the Uchiha clan grounds.

Yes, yesterday he had a sudden flash of inspiration—an Uchiha aligned with Konoha would be far better than an eradicated one.

Perhaps, he thought, he could even extend an invitation for them to join the Root.

The Root had only been established for a few months, and outsiders still knew little about its dark nature; fooling the Uchiha wouldn't be much of a challenge.

At worst, he wouldn't even need to plant the "Curse Tongue Eradication Seal" on them. After all, he had plenty of time and patience to bridge the gap between them.

Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Sasuke… Ah, three wielders of Susano'o.

The thought brought an involuntary smile to Danzo's lips.

Danzo's unexpected visit nearly startled Uchiha Yukibane, the clan head, who had been bedridden for years, into falling off the bed.

As a contemporary of Uchiha Setsuna, Yukibane knew well the village's distrust of the Uchiha clan.

Originally, he had hoped that the rise of the Third Hokage, with his more lenient nature, would finally grant his clan some breathing room.

But no one could have guessed that Danzo Shimura, the Hokage's advisor, would implement policies even stricter than those of the Second Hokage, specifically aimed at the Uchiha clan.

Now, seeing that "sly old fox" come to visit in person, Yukibane thought, He's definitely up to no good—like a weasel coming to wish the chickens a happy new year.

"Damn that Second Hokage," he cursed inwardly. "Even after death, he doesn't let us rest, leaving behind a legacy of Uchiha hatred."

Yukibane cursed Senju Tobirama under his breath, then had someone help him up to greet his guest.

In the guest room, Danzo sat in a chair, holding a teacup, eyes half-closed as if scheming something.

Several Uchiha members loitered outside, occasionally sneaking glances into the room.

By the doorway, Uchiha Kou and Uchiha Fengwu stood guard, wary that any of the clan members might lose their temper and burst in to confront Danzo.

This tense atmosphere persisted until Yukibane appeared.

"What could be so important that it brings the Hokage's advisor here personally? A message would've sufficed—why trouble yourself with a personal visit?"

Supported by two attendants, Yukibane dismissed the clan members gathered outside and sat opposite Danzo with great difficulty.

"This matter is far too important to entrust to others; I dared not neglect it."

Danzo placed his teacup on the table and, with practiced ease, drew an official document from his robes, passing it over.

Ever since the Root's founding, this gesture had become second nature to him.

Yukibane strained to read the document, squinting as he tried to make out the words.

"Oh… So you established an Anbu division recently?"

As the head of the Uchiha, Yukibane understood the significance of the document.

"Well, congratulations."

He uttered a polite but insincere response.

As if anyone doesn't know how much this snake despises the Uchiha, Yukibane thought bitterly. Now he's got an Anbu division under his control. Hah, his first command is probably to set up constant surveillance on us.

This dog actually has the nerve to come here and flaunt it.

Damn Shimura and his innate evil. If I weren't so old, I'd beat the crap out of him.

Yukibane's inner monologue continued to curse.

Danzo looked at the elderly clan leader, unimpressed. Is this old man half-blind or just slow? He's completely missing the point.

"Cough, cough. Clan Leader Yukibane, did you happen to notice the line at the bottom of the document? The one granting me authority to personally select Root members?"

Seeing the elder wasn't following, Danzo gave a deliberate cough to emphasize his point.

"Hm? Oh? Where? Where?" Yukibane pretended to examine the document further. "Ah… There it is. I'm not blind, you know. What's the rush?"

Initially intending to brush Danzo off, the old man found it hard to ignore the pointed reminder.

"Ahem… Honorable Hokage's advisor, surely you don't mean to suggest…"

Since the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, formed the Konoha Police Force from Uchiha clan members, the clan's influence had been heavily restricted.

Neither the Konoha Council nor other high-ranking positions were accessible to the Uchiha, and they weren't even deployed in external conflicts. Danzo was one of the staunchest supporters of this policy.

And now, his most notorious adversary had shown up, actively offering an invitation for the Uchiha to join Anbu, lifting the previous restrictions.

Either he wasn't fully awake, or Danzo was up to something.

From shock to excitement, and finally to cautious suspicion, Yukibane's gaze sharpened.

Danzo sensed his hesitation. "Clan Leader Yukibane, the mutual distrust between the Uchiha and the village has caused a rift—one neither side desires."

"If this continues, mistrust will inevitably turn into hostility, and that won't end well for anyone."

"As Hokage's advisor, I am willing to welcome the Uchiha clan into the fold. Of course, there are only two available slots."

"All of this is for Konoha."

For a moment, Yukibane felt as if it wasn't Danzo sitting across from him but the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

If not for that all-too-familiar line about "doing it for Konoha," he might have suspected an impersonator.

Finally, he could only assume this turn of events was some sort of sign from Uchiha Madara himself.

In a "friendly" discussion, they settled on two members of the Uchiha clan who would join the Root, and Danzo left in satisfaction.

Danzo hadn't expected things to go so smoothly; he'd assumed it would take more convincing.

Seems the Uchiha are really feeling the pressure.

"Clan Leader, Danzo has left the Uchiha compound."

Shortly after Danzo's departure, two Uchiha shinobi appeared before Yukibane to report his movements.

"Yes, understood."

Yukibane stood with the assistance of his attendants and approached the two shinobi.

"Inform the clan elders that we'll be holding a meeting at my residence tonight. Now, go quickly!"

"Yes, sir!"

The two shinobi bowed their heads and vanished instantly.

On Konoha's main street

Sensing an impending clash, the mood was solemn.

Ninjas walked briskly, faces serious, and even the civilians, sensing the tension, went about their tasks with anxious expressions.

"Lord Danzo, the Hokage has requested to know if you'll attend the Jounin meeting in half an hour."

An Anbu operative appeared before Danzo.

"The Jounin meeting?"

After a brief thought, Danzo shook his head. "No, tell Hiruzen I'm occupied with other matters."

"Yes, sir."

With the response delivered, the Anbu agent immediately disappeared.

These formal Jounin meetings are a waste of time, Danzo thought, Nothing is more important right now than recruiting for the Root.