Chapter 4. Countermeasures (Part 1)

The Third Hokage furrowed his brow. Knowing Shisui's character, he realized that something significant must have transpired.

What had occurred with Shisui?

In reality, Natsuki had whispered to Shisui that if he lied, the Uchiha clan would immediately rebel. However, if he told the truth, there would be no rebellion that night.

Danzo's expression shifted slightly before he calmly stated, "I didn't intend to instigate a conflict between Uchiha and the village, but the situation has escalated. I did summon Shisui this evening. However, he attempted to assassinate me today, and when I discovered his plot, I was compelled to defend myself."

Natsuki regarded his story with a disdainful expression. "Are you trying to deceive us with such a story?"

Danzo, angered, retorted, "You're just an acting elder. What right do you have to address me in this manner?"

Fugaku, receiving reports from Uchiha members at the rear who observed Elder Natsuki activate the Mangekyō Sharingan, with a mix of shock and delight in his eyes. The clan had lacked a wielder of the Mangekyō Sharingan for many years.

Furthermore, Natsuki was still quite young.

He raised his head and declared loudly, "Elder Danzo, Elder Natsuki displayed remarkable courage in rescuing Shisui today. I have appointed him as the deputy clan leader. Do you find him qualified now?"

The Uchiha members behind Fugaku were stirred with curiosity. Why had Elder Natsuki suddenly become the deputy clan leader? However, sensing the clan leader's support for him, they grew quiet once more.

Danzo, believing Fugaku was endorsing Natsuki, snorted coldly. "Shisui indeed attempted to assassinate me today, and my ROOT members can attest to it."

The individuals present were no strangers to the complexities of ninja life, and they were well aware of Danzo's nature. If Shisui had indeed tried to assassinate him, Danzo would have reported it to the Third Hokage. Why would he act oblivious upon arriving?

Natsuki chuckled. "It is true that Elder Danzo sought to assassinate the Third Hokage today, and every Uchiha here can testify."

Laughter erupted among the Uchiha tribesmen.

"Yes! I bear witness!"

"I testify too! I testify too!"

The surrounding ninja suppressed their amusement, exchanging glances.

Sandaime's expression shifted as he grasped the probable situation, though he still cleared his throat.

"Now that Shisui has been found, Natsuki... the deputy clan leader, this is just a misunderstanding. Let everyone leave."

"Misunderstanding!?" Uchiha Natsuki turned around faster than flipping pages.

"The Third Hokage! Shisui's Sharingan is still with Danzo! Are you telling me about a misunderstanding!?"

Danzo snorted coldly: "Shisui failed to assassinate me, and now it's a frame-up?"

Ignoring Danzo, Natsuki turned back to Fugaku and gave him a discreet wink.

Then he declared sternly: "Sandaime! Are you, the Hokage, openly attempting to steal the Sharingan from our Uchiha clan!?"

Uchiha Fugaku, understanding Natsuki's signal, spoke solemnly: "Sarutobi Hiruzen! Shisui's Sharingan has not been returned! The Uchiha clan will never relent!"

All the Uchiha clan members behind Fugaku silently activated their Sharingan. For a moment, countless red eyes stared at the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage's face darkened, and he cursed Danzo and his entire lineage in his thoughts. The good deeds he had accomplished would now be overshadowed by the repercussions for all of Konoha.

"Danzo, hand over Shisui's Sharingan immediately!"

Danzo grimaced; he hadn't anticipated the situation would escalate to this extent.

However, he continued to make a final struggle: "I did have a conflict with Shisui, but I genuinely didn't take his Sharingan."

Natsuki narrowed his eyes, then pulled out a kunai. The Third Hokage said solemnly, "Natsuki, calm down."

But Natsuki slowly placed the kunai on his Konoha forehead protector. Drawing the kunai down would mark him as a traitor to Konoha.

Natsuki shouted to all the ninja clans: "Everyone in Konoha is watching; this is the oppression of our ninja clans by the top management of Konoha. They aim to seize your kekkei genkai, skills, and property. Hyuga, you're next!"

All the ninjas present, elite and pillars of their families, some even clan leaders, wore grim expressions. The Hyuga clan, in particular, caused a commotion as their Byakugan was also a renowned kekkei genkai.

Hiashi and Hizashi had stern faces, observing how the Third Hokage would handle the situation.

The Third Hokage seethed with anger. If a ninja was forced into rebellion like this, the entire ninja world would witness a mockery of the Hokage. No family would trust the Hokage lineage any longer. It was like undermining the very roots of the Hokage line!

"Listen! Now! Immediately! Hand over Shisui's Sharingan!"

"Otherwise, we Uchiha and Konoha will be dead! This is what you Konoha forced us to do!"

Uchiha Natsuki's expression was ferocious, and he appeared hysterical, like a madman.

The Third Hokage felt a chill run down his spine. The Uchiha clan could rebel, but they should never be forced into rebellion. If he gave the order for action today, the Uchiha clan would be destroyed, and Konoha would crumble.

No ninja would willingly serve under someone who coveted their property.

All the ninjas surrounding the Uchiha now had no intention of fighting, looking at Danzo and Hiruzen with cold eyes. The Hyuga clan, in particular, was on edge, as they realized that if the Uchiha clan fell, they might be next.

While other ninjas didn't possess Sharingan or Byakugan, they, too, had family property and secret techniques that could be at risk if the Uchiha's Sharingan were to be taken away.

The Third Hokage sighed, "In light of Danzo's wrongdoing, I hereby dismiss Danzo Shimura from his position as Hokage's assistant. Danzo, immediately hands over Shisui's Sharingan."

Danzo was in disbelief, his eyes as gloomy as a poisonous snake.

"Sarutobi! The Uchiha clan cannot be trusted at all! Shisui's Sharingan is too dangerous. I will never hand it over!"

"That's enough, Danzo!"

"I am the Hokage!"

Danzo gritted his teeth, "Okay, I'll hand over the Sharingan right away when I get back."

The Third Hokage turned to Natsuki, "Is that acceptable?"

Natsuki sneered, "Even now, Danzo, you're still trying to deceive me. Shisui's eyes are clearly in your possession. What do you mean 'get back'?"

Danzo's expression changed, and he was about to defend himself.

Natsuki waved his hand, "Stop quibbling. Our Uchiha family has a secret technique, and Shisui's eye is in your right eye!"

Danzo looked ugly. He genuinely didn't know about the Uchiha family's secret technique. If he had, he might not have come.

Now he was completely helpless.

Under everyone's gaze, Danzo had no choice but to grit his teeth and untie the bandage on his right eye, revealing a Sharingan inside.

The ninja clan erupted in uproar. The village's top brass, the Hokage's Assistant, had attempted to steal Uchiha's Sharingan and immediately implanted it in his eyes.

While it was clear that the Uchiha clan did not possess such a secret technique, Natsuki was convinced that Danzo would install it directly on his eye after acquiring Shisui's right eye. Even if it wasn't Shisui's eye, Danzo's right eye still bore the Sharingan.

Danzo seethed with hatred and anger, realizing he had offended the public. Every ninja present regarded him with unkind expressions.