This was also the result Yan had aimed for.
"Very good."
The goal had been achieved. Yan stood and prepared to leave. After taking two steps, he looked back at Shisui.
"Shisui, do you know? I've never liked you much. But I have to admit, you're a selfless and great person. Forgive me, but I can't be like you—because what the Uchiha clan needs right now isn't selflessness."
He paused, his gaze sharp.
"Also, I hope you distance yourself from Itachi in the future. I believe you understand what I mean. The clan doesn't need so many selfless individuals. Itachi is thoughtful and intelligent, but I don't want him standing with you. For the clan. For the village. For the Fire Nation."
Itachi had already begun to deviate, but it wasn't irreversible yet. There was still time.
Yan believed that, given time, he could mold Itachi into the clan's most loyal and dangerous weapon—its number one "little wolf dog."
That's why Shisui needed to stay away.
His selflessness would always subtly influence Itachi.
After Yan departed, Shisui immediately went to the patriarch's courtyard. Fugaku was waiting for him.
"Patriarch…"
Shisui began, but was cut off.
Fugaku shook his head slightly and set down his teacup.
"Shisui, what Yan said reflects my intentions as well. I hope you will shoulder this responsibility for the clan, the village, and the Fire Nation. At this time, there are few we can trust. You're a perceptive individual. I believe you understand."
Danzo had even attempted assassination. Could the Third Hokage possibly share such sentiments?
During the protection mission for the daimyo, no one could be trusted freely.
Not even the Third Hokage.
This meant, during this critical mission, Shisui could trust and obey only one person—himself.
"Patriarch, I understand. I'll ensure the daimyo's safety—even at the cost of my life."
"Very good."
Fugaku nodded in satisfaction, though inwardly he sighed: Shisui, for the sake of the clan and the village, I can only wrong you.
Soon, the police department issued a notification: the Hokage had ordered that no Uchiha was to leave the Uchiha district or the police headquarters before dawn.
This directive from the Hokage's office further validated Yan's warnings.
At least, in Shisui's eyes, it was confirmation.
The Third Hokage was busy suppressing Danzo and dealing with Root, and feared Yan would leak the information.
So he had the police force and the Uchiha compound locked down. No one could leave until the matter was settled.
But attempting to keep secrets through lockdown alone was a fantasy.
Yan had anticipated the Third Hokage's moves. He knew internal channels would be sealed, so the information had to come from outside.
If news leaked from the village, it would implicate Uchiha.
But if it came in from the outside world, the Uchiha could deny involvement.
The Third Hokage would be forced to blame the daimyo, assuming the leak had originated from his side.
The objective was clear: get the world to know the truth before Konoha could cover it up.
That night, Danzo lost Root—the organization he had painstakingly nurtured. He also lost his Hokage Advisor status, and was sent to a secret location to "retire."
To prevent Danzo from causing further chaos, the Third Hokage only allowed him to retain five loyal subordinates.
After resolving the matter, the Third Hokage sent Mitokado Homura to the daimyo's estate as a gesture of goodwill from the village, while he remained in Konoha to monitor Danzo.
Danzo's obsession with power ran deep. Losing everything so suddenly could drive him to desperation.
To preempt that possibility, the Third Hokage chose to remain in the village. Homura would instead represent the village in the daimyo's court.
As for Shisui, he was assigned to protect the daimyo on his journey—alone.
Shisui arrived at the daimyo's mansion ahead of the others and met the man himself.
The daimyo was pleased to learn that the famed "Shisui of the Body Flicker," a hero of the Third Shinobi World War, had been sent by the Uchiha to protect him.
This move convinced him of Uchiha's sincerity, greatly improving his impression of both Yan and the clan.
The matter should have ended there, but the Third Hokage's troubles were only beginning.
Because to dismantle Root, all of its hidden archives had to be seized and reviewed.
Iwagakure and Kumogakure Join Forces at the Daimyo's Mansion, Konoha Becomes Everyone's Target!
Since Danzo's people and the Root members could no longer interfere, the Third Hokage uncovered something he hadn't expected.
Root had hidden many horrifying secrets—experimental subjects, research materials, and classified records.
"How dare he!!"
The Third Hokage roared in fury like a lion. Koharu looked toward the sky, sighing silently. Danzo had truly fallen this time.
If this evidence hadn't been uncovered, then after smoothing things over with the daimyo, Danzo might've reclaimed his position.
But now… it was over.
The stacks of forbidden materials made her scalp numb. Was this even human?
What enraged the Third Hokage most was that, according to ANBU investigations, news of Danzo's plot to assassinate the daimyo had already spread throughout the daimyo's estate and its surrounding areas.
Even the commoners in the Land of Fire had heard rumors about the secret department called "Root."
The news was spreading like wildfire, and even seemed to be leaking beyond Fire Country's borders. ANBU tried to suppress it but were helpless.
In Konoha, they could manage such a crisis. But this had originated from the daimyo's mansion.
They couldn't silence nobles or servants. Even if ANBU had enough manpower, they wouldn't dare act recklessly.
Having too many ANBU operating openly around the daimyo would alarm him further.
The Third Hokage's fury was split evenly between Danzo and the daimyo.
Root had harbored too many unspeakable acts, all done in darkness. Now, the daimyo had exposed them to the world.
The leak had started from the daimyo's estate, and the Hokage could only attribute the betrayal to him—not the Uchiha.
The mansion buzzed with rumors, and it was only a matter of time before other countries caught wind.
Iwagakure and Kumogakure, the nations most wary of the Fire Country and Konoha, were the first to receive the news.
Thanks to ninja hawks and special summoning beasts, their information networks were swift. The scrolls containing the explosive report arrived on the desks of Onoki and the Fourth Raikage by that very afternoon.
Could this be our opportunity?
Staring at the scroll's contents, Onoki fell into deep contemplation.
The Third Great Ninja War had ended inconclusively. Onoki was still bitter, always yearning to bite into the Land of Fire again.
Raikage Ai was even more direct—he burst out laughing gleefully.
Both saw an opportunity.
Even if war couldn't be declared, this was the perfect time to damage Konoha's prestige.
If they could drive a wedge between the daimyo and the Hidden Leaf, all the better.
Kumogakure took the lead, issuing a statement on behalf of the Fire Nation's daimyo, condemning Danzo and the Third Hokage.
Iwagakure followed closely, fanning the flames.
The situation rapidly deteriorated. The entire world believed Danzo had indeed plotted to assassinate the daimyo.
This was a black mark Danzo could never wash away—not even in death.
As voices of condemnation poured in, even small nations began to criticize Konoha.
The Third Hokage was overwhelmed. He had no time to deal with Uchiha matters anymore.
As for Danzo... he had lost even the right to move freely. All he could do now was fade into obscurity—for the foreseeable future.
The burden on Yan's shoulders suddenly lightened.
Even he hadn't expected a single false report to have such a tremendous impact.
If I leak more secrets, would the entire ninja world erupt in chaos?
"Captain, are you feeling unwell again?"
Izumi's face was full of concern. She followed him everywhere, even into the restroom, afraid he might collapse.
"I'm fine. You're just too talented, and I can't keep up."
Yan, slightly pale, gave a small smile and shook his head…