Chapter 61: Danzō: Damn Uchiha... and the Masked Man
"Hiruzen, you understand me."
Shimura Danzō looked Sarutobi Hiruzen straight in the eye, sincerity shining in his gaze, but unease filled his heart.
Shisui's right eye, along with my own arm, were stolen by that masked man.
But the other left eye didn't fall into Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands... could it have just vanished into thin air?
Sarutobi Hiruzen stared into Danzō's eyes, falling silent.
"This guy Danzō can't hide things from me. He probably really isn't lying."
Then, who took Shisui's eyes?
"Explain clearly to me the process of you snatching Shisui's eyes."
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen's grim face, Danzō also explained with an embarrassed expression: "I had already taken Shisui's right eye, but suddenly a masked man wearing a three-eyed cat-face mask appeared..."
Danzō recounted the entire process, though he still concealed the plan he and the masked man had to use the Hyūga clan to incite war.
Of course, he also didn't reveal the arm transplanted with Sharingan and Hashirama cells.
"The masked man snatched Shisui's right eye from your hands then disappeared. The Root members also battled Shisui, and were likely wiped out by Shisui in the end."
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned: "Within minutes, several Root members arrived as reinforcements, only to run straight into Uchiha Itachi, and were brought back to the Uchiha clan along with Shisui's corpse..."
Meaning, within just those few short minutes, Shisui was killed and his left eye was taken?
"Even if Shisui only had his left eye remaining, he was still an outstanding ninja. What kind of person could kill him without him being able to resist?"
"Was it the masked man of unknown identity who has appeared repeatedly, or was it an Uchiha clansman familiar with Shisui?"
For example, Uchiha Itachi or Uchiha Fugaku...
"Itachi and Shisui were like brothers. At such a young age, he possesses the magnanimity and thinking of a Hokage. He has absolutely no reason to attack Shisui."
"And Fugaku, as the clan head, always hoped Shisui could become the link between the clan and the village. Seems unlikely too."
Eliminate all impossible options, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath, saying gravely: "Danzō, that masked man... was it the same one who caused the Nine-Tails Rampage back then?"
The masked man who caused the Nine-Tails Rampage not only possessed Space-Time Ninjutsu but could also come and go freely within Konoha, completely ignoring Konoha's barriers.
Seizing the opportune moment this time to snatch Shisui's eye is not impossible.
"You mean that masked man claiming to be Uchiha Madara?"
Danzō froze, looking somewhat awkward: "Should be... probably... unlikely..."
After all, he had encountered both masked men. Their body shapes were completely different, their abilities completely different, and the difference in personality and aura was even greater.
That guy claiming to be Uchiha Madara, although he tried hard to put on an air of detached dominance, was actually just a rat hiding beneath a mask, afraid to show his true face.
He could only rely on so-called Space-Time Ninjutsu to do whatever he pleased, completely lacking the aura of the "Asura of the Ninja World".
Whereas that guy wearing the three-eyed cat-face mask...
"That guy is just a bastard who takes pleasure in toying with others!"
Whenever Danzō thought of that masked man, he couldn't help but grit his teeth.
He wished he could eat his flesh, drink his blood, break his bones, suck his marrow, sleep on his skin, pluck his hair.
This wasn't the first time the two had interacted.
Although that guy called him "Lord Danzō" with every other word, Danzō could hear the utter lack of respect.
Although his tone was full of amusement, Danzō could see the indifference and coldness in his eyes.
That kind of gaze was like looking at an ant.
Even if he crushed the ant underfoot, he wouldn't show the slightest emotion.
If one had to say, comparing the two masked men, the latter clearly resembled Uchiha Madara more.
Much stronger than that imposter who only had the form but lacked the presence.
"Regardless of what you're hiding, you should avoid appearing outside for this period. Root is also temporarily disbanded."
"Sarutobi, you..."
Danzō heard this and instantly snapped back, eyes wide, about to argue.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen cut him off directly: "Can you handle the Uchiha clan? They need an explanation, right?"
"..."
"I need to go clean up your mess now."
Facing Danzō's speechless expression, Sarutobi Hiruzen said seriously: "The whereabouts of Shisui's eyes, and the identity of that masked man – you must figure them out for me as soon as possible!"
Although Danzō's failure in this operation angered him greatly, after understanding some details, his emotions had calmed considerably.
Dealing with Danzō was absolutely impossible; Konoha needed him, this "Root" embedded deep underground.
"Sigh!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed deeply, turning his back to Danzō: "For the peace of the village, I hope Fugaku can consider the bigger picture."
As his voice fell, he left the room directly.
Behind him, Danzō's single eye revealed a trace of sinister venom and resentment.
"Sarutobi, no matter what, I must obtain the Hokage position..."
Only he could lead Konoha to the pinnacle of the ninja world, not pitifully guard one's own little turf like now.
To achieve this goal, he needed even greater strength.
"Sharingan... I need more Sharingan."
...
After leaving the office, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly walked towards the council chamber downstairs.
Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Uchiha Fugaku were already waiting there.
Uchiha Fugaku's expression was particularly grave and gloomy.
But Koharu and Homura fully utilized their special roles.
The two sat on either side of Fugaku, comforting him with awkward smiles.
However, when Sarutobi Hiruzen pushed the door open and entered, Fugaku's expression eased slightly as he greeted respectfully: "Lord Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded with a smile, then sat in the head seat at the front.
"I have already discussed the actual situation with Shimura Danzō. He did indeed want to seize Shisui's Sharingan, but..."
Hearing the first half, Fugaku's face initially showed delight.
But hearing him say "but", he instantly frowned, his expression somewhat displeased.
Is Sarutobi Hiruzen going to make excuses for Danzō again?
"But not only did Shisui escape completely unharmed, he even used genjutsu to restrain Danzō, severed one of his arms, and killed all participating Root ninja."
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused, then rephrased: "Root pursued Shisui, but by the time they found him, his Sharingan had already been gouged out by someone else."
"This..."
As soon as these words were spoken, not only did Fugaku show anger, but even the two advisors beside him revealed strange expressions.
They exchanged glances, both seeing the surprise in the other's eyes.
What's wrong with Hiruzen today?
Even a ninja hound wouldn't believe such an excuse.
(End of Chapter)
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