Chapter 50: Scheming Against the Uchiha
At that moment, Sasuke's proud expression hadn't even had time to change — his face was frozen in pure shock.
"Impossible!!!"
"How could I, Uchiha Sasuke, be defeated by some plain-looking outsider?!"
Encased in snow, unable to move, Sasuke simply couldn't accept the reality in front of him.
The children who had been watching were equally stunned. None of them had expected the fierce and commanding Sasuke from just moments ago to be taken down so easily.
A group of little girls finally snapped out of their daze and hurried forward, trying to brush the thick snow off Sasuke's body.
Meanwhile, Naruto scratched his head in confusion.
He hadn't expected his usually quiet friend to beat that cocky Sasuke so easily either.
The reason Yota was able to win so effortlessly was because he possessed a remarkably powerful kekkei genkai — the ability to manipulate the weather itself.
However, due to his young age, Yota's control over his ability was still immature. Most of the time, his powers activated in response to his emotions:
When he was happy, the skies above would clear into brilliant sunshine.
When he was sad, torrential rain would pour down from nowhere.
Yota could also manipulate the weather with precision.
For instance, he could condense a downpour into a single focused area, creating a flood of rain so heavy it could crush an opponent to the ground.
This incredible power, however, came with a cruel price — just like Kimimaro, Yota suffered from an incurable bloodline disease.
Had he not encountered Tsunade and Kabuto, he likely would have died around this age, just as he did in the original timeline — only to be later revived as an experimental subject through Orochimaru's Edo Tensei.
Under the distant tree, Itachi slowly turned his head toward Kabuto, his normally placid eyes now hiding a sharp, almost murderous glint.
After all, the boy who had just humiliated his precious little brother was currently under Kabuto's care.
Feeling Itachi's icy gaze boring into him, Kabuto adjusted his glasses and pretended not to notice, though a bead of cold sweat rolled slowly down his forehead.
Izumi, watching this unfold, covered her mouth with one hand, barely managing to stifle her laughter.
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At the same time, in the Hokage's office...
"Hiruzen," Danzo said grimly, seated across from the Third Hokage. "I've received word that the Uchiha clan has already begun plotting a coup."
"The situation is dire. We must act immediately."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow furrowed deeply. After a long pause, he responded,
"I've heard similar whispers from Shisui. There are indeed radicals within the Uchiha — but it hasn't reached the point of an organized rebellion yet."
"At this stage, any heavy-handed action would only inflame tensions further."
Danzo slammed his hand on the table, face twisted in anger.
"Hmph! Sarutobi Hiruzen, it's your cowardice and indecision that have brought us to this point!"
"This slow, gradual erosion strategy you favor — weakening the Uchiha bit by bit — it's utterly useless!"
Danzo gritted his teeth.
"As much as I despise the Uchiha, I have to admit they are blessed with terrifying natural talent.
Not only the likes of Uchiha Yusuke, but even among the younger generation, powerful individuals keep emerging."
"And your plan to pull Uchiha Itachi into the Anbu via Shisui's influence? That's already failed.
If anything happens to Shisui and he slips beyond your control, do you really think we'll still be in any position to match the Uchiha?"
As he spoke, Danzo couldn't help but recall a confrontation he'd had with Yusuke about a year ago — a memory that still filled him with unease.
Back then, Root had discovered a child who possessed a powerful kekkei genkai — the ability to control the weather.
Danzo immediately ordered his men to bring the child back to Root for "safekeeping."
Unfortunately, the operatives returned empty-handed.
The child, as it turned out, was staying temporarily with none other than the Uchiha clan — even residing in Yusuke Uchiha's household.
Upon learning this, Danzo was unwilling to give up.
He decided to personally lead an operation to forcibly take the boy.
But when he arrived at the Uchiha district and confronted Yusuke Uchiha, Danzo quickly realized something shocking —
Yusuke was no longer someone Root could deal with.
The moment the two sides faced off, Yusuke released a pressure so overwhelming that Danzo and every Root ninja present found themselves paralyzed, unable to move a muscle.
It wasn't just fear — it felt as though their very souls were being crushed.
In reality, Yusuke had already mastered the technique of external spiritual pressure — and it was this ability he used to completely cow Danzo into submission that day.
This incident was no secret to Hiruzen Sarutobi either.
Originally, Hiruzen had believed that with Danzo personally leading the mission, success would be guaranteed.
Never did he expect Danzo to return empty-handed.
When Hiruzen later questioned him about it, Danzo never admitted the real reason — that he had been utterly terrified.
Instead, he brushed it off, claiming that he simply didn't want to risk escalating tensions with the Uchiha at that time.
Now, hearing Danzo's analysis of the Uchiha's growing strength, Hiruzen shifted slightly in his seat, leaning back against his chair and closing his eyes in deep thought.
After a long pause, he finally opened them and spoke:
"Then we'll use Shisui's eye to control Fugaku Uchiha."
"Although Fugaku's authority over the clan has weakened, he's still the head — and a formidable shinobi in his own right."
"If we can seize control of him, we can then move swiftly and decisively against the Uchiha radicals."
But Danzo immediately objected.
"No!"
"Shisui's so-called 'Kotoamatsukami' technique has never been tested. Its true effects are uncertain. And if it fails, it will only alert the Uchiha — and expose Shisui's identity."
Yet while Danzo's words sounded rational, his true motives were quite different — there were three main reasons behind his opposition:
First, Danzo coveted Shisui's Sharingan.
He had no intention of allowing Shisui to use "Kotoamatsukami" now, especially given its notoriously long cooldown period. He wanted those eyes for himself — intact and full of potential.
Second, even if Shisui succeeded in controlling Fugaku, the man would only listen to Hiruzen, not to Danzo.
That would shift the balance of power even further into the Third Hokage's favor, making Danzo's dream of becoming Hokage even more distant.
Third, Danzo harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Uchiha.
In his eyes, the Uchiha clan had no right to exist at all — it would be far better to eradicate them completely.
Hearing Danzo's firm rejection, Hiruzen hesitated, then asked:
"Then what plan do you propose?"
A cold smile crept onto Danzo's lips.
His left eye, visible beneath the wrappings, narrowed into a thin slit, flashing with a chilling light.
"Of course I have a plan."
"As long as you give the word, I guarantee it will succeed."
"And once it's done, the Uchiha — this cancer — will be wiped from the shinobi world for good."
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