Chapter 65: 63: A Family's Reflection
The following day, around noon.
"Investigations are complete, Hiruzen."
Inside the conference room at the Hokage Building, Homura and Koharu, the senior advisors, sighed lightly after going through the scroll's contents. Their frown indicated their shared discomfort.
The scroll contained information relayed by Konoha's frontline commander, Orochimaru. The report exposed discrepancies between the mission to attack Suna supply point and the actual situation. This error led to severe dispersion of Sakumo's team's combat strength and placed them on the brink of annihilation within Suna's encirclement.
While the root's involvement was not explicitly stated, as seasoned advisors, they recognized the subtext.
All arrows pointed to another esteemed Konoha elder, Shimura Danzo.
The root ninja had used deception to incriminate Sakumo's team. They had even infiltrated Hokage's Anbu, contributing to the debacle.
"What is your take on this matter?" Hiruzen, said to them expressionlessly.
While Homura and Koharu may have aimed to exonerate Danzo and shift the blame to Sunagakure, the others weren't naïve. Such a strategy would only exacerbate the already grim situation.
"Danzo has gone too far this time..."
"Is 'too far' even an adequate description?"
Hiruzen's expression darkened abruptly. Placing an agent within the Hokage's Anbu was a transgression he could bear.This chapter was first shared on the Ñøv€lß1n platform.
However, his stance represented his own views, not those of the Uchiha clan.
This aspect truly complicated the issue.
Assigning Uchiha Ruri to Sakumo's team for training had been a negotiation between him and Uchiha's top echelons.
Now, with the team barely initiated, a catastrophic incident had occurred. How would Uchiha's leadership perceive their Hokage?
"How do you plan to handle this situation? He is, after all, a senior figure in the village, one who has contributed extensively over the years, countering numerous threats to the village..."
Listening to Homura appeal on behalf of Danzo, Hiruzen irritably waved his hand, silencing him.
"Where is Danzo presently?"
"In the Land of Grass."
"And his response?"
"He claims everything is proceeding as usual, except..."
"Except what?"
"His four subordinates were on a covert mission in the Land of Rivers. For unknown reasons, they've vanished, presumably met their death."
Hiruzen nodded upon hearing this explanation. "I've got a grasp of the situation. I'll discuss matters with the Uchiha. You establish contact with Danzo. Urge him to be forthright and cease these unnecessary actions. Deciding how to address Uchiha remains my responsibility as Hokage. Root interference is unwarranted."
Danzo's audacious behavior could likely be attributed to Hokage's recent leniency towards the Uchiha—a potentially dangerous signal for the radical faction of the root.
The Uchiha's status within Konoha was complicated. While not fully assimilated into the village, they weren't entirely detached either.
Much like Konoha's governing body comprised both conservatives and radicals, the Uchiha community mirrored these divisions.
Regardless of their political leaning, The Uchiha's overarching ambitions was clear.
They sought increased influence in Konoha, a voice in village matters, and some even harbored aspirations of becoming Hokage, overthrowing the Senju clan.
Once the objective was clear, Hiruzen surmised that handling the rest would be straightforward.
Barring the Danzo incident, he might have managed to mend relations between Uchiha and the village before the next Hokage assumed control. This could have alleviated some of the tensions.
"I trust this lesson will prompt Danzo's restraint..."
Hiruzen sometimes found dealing with Danzo was confusing. With a sigh, he hoped that the man's character would evolve towards greater moderation.
Homura and Koharu remained silent. Danzo didn't attain his leadership position by being straightforward.
"Let's visit the Hyuga clan to explain the situation. While you plan to address Uchiha singlehandedly, entrust others with the task. However, remember, regardless of how you seek to placate Uchiha, never place complete trust in this clan. Among them, many ninjas harbor the same dangerous sentiments as that individual."
Casting Hiruzen a searching glance, Homura concluded and exited the conference room with Koharu.
"Uchiha Madara... his Mangekyou Sharingan..."
Hiruzen sat contemplatively, murmuring to himself.
Uchiha Madara's clash with the First Hokage at the Valley of the End had left an indelible mark on Konoha.
Though Uchiha Madara emerged as the loser, the First Hokage's following death upon returning to the village marked the onset of an era unrestrained by restraint. Within a few years, the First Great Ninja War erupted.
Madara Uchiha's notoriety stemmed from his mastery of the Mangekyou Sharingan—a pinnacle of dark, unknown power documented in Uchiha history.
Tobirama Senju, his teacher, repeatedly asserted that those who awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan descended into an abyss of darkness, forfeiting their humanity.
Arrogance, extremism, madness—they'd commit actions defying common sense and unsuitable for the ordinary.
Identifying this evidence would inevitably implicate the root, with the ringleaders inevitably exposed.
Elder Sora let out a sigh; he knew Ruri's response would be like this. Having watched Ruri grow up, he was well-acquainted with her retaliatory nature.
"It won't work. Did you kill the four root ninjas? Without proof of their deaths, as long as Danzo refuses to admit it, he can deny any involvement. Besides, the Senju clan is currently engaged in a major event, so it will take some time to process," he explained.
Elder Sora was likely concerned that Ruri might present the corpses of the root ninjas to the Yamanaka clan for identification. Whether this was a directive from Hokage himself or another high-ranking official, it underscored the Yamanaka clan's dedication to the task.
She wasn't surprised; she had expected this response.
Consequently, Shiraishi's careful treatment of the four root ninja corpses had been in vain.
"After the war, the Hokage will rein in the root and promise that such incidents won't recur. If Danzo acts against this, he'll face sanctions. Furthermore, Hokage permits you to revisit the Book of Seals and select one ninjutsu from it."
"That's certainly generous. But that's not what I desire, Elder Sora," Ruri retorted.
Raising her gaze, her eyes, a mix of black and white, fixed upon the Four Elders unflinchingly.
"Not these?" the Elder assumed Ruri's demand would cease here. After all, having another opportunity to consult the Book of Seals and select a potent ninjutsu practice from it was a privilege most Jōnin could only dream of. It was undoubtedly advantageous for Uchiha as well.
But this matter had not been addressed within the clan's confines; it had been discussed in secrecy with Hokage.
"No matter how formidable the sealed book's ninjutsu may be, it won't quell my anger. I seek the clans power. Also, with all due respect, individuals like Shimura Danzo are exceedingly perilous. People like him will eventually bring disaster upon us Uchiha. We must seize this opportunity to expose him, even if it means compromising the vitality of Uchiha..."
Ruri's demeanor was icy, and a strong intent to kill emanated from her eyes.
Fugaku appeared hesitant on the side, seemingly keen on diffusing the tension.
The Four Elders, instead of being affronted by Ruri's strong words, wore disdainful smiles. "Ruri, you're overestimating Shimura Danzo. The Shimura family and the root are unworthy adversaries for Uchiha. Danzo, the covert mouse, can only engage in manipulation and subterfuge behind the scenes. In the face of Uchiha's overwhelming might, these petty tactics are futile."
Their implication was that handling people like Shimura Danzo would be a waste of Uchiha's energy.
"Keep this evidence for now. I can promise that the next time Danzo attempts such a scheme, we'll act according to your plan. But I doubt Danzo will have the courage to continue targeting us Uchiha."
The Four Elders exuded unwavering confidence in Uchiha's power as they spoke.
Ruri glanced at Elder Sora's self-assured expression, her head bowing slightly.
"I understand, Elder. I'll follow your guidance," she conceded, her clenched fists and fluctuating chakra aura betraying her inner turmoil.
Elder Sora comfortingly patted Ruri's shoulder. He knew her reluctance and offered reassurance, "Ruri, you still have much to learn. Politics involves continual compromise between conflicting parties. While your talent surpasses Fuyue's, in this aspect, it remains a glaring weakness."
"Is this all for the Hokage position?" Ruri's voice turned cold.
Elder Sora smiled with understanding. "The Uchiha will strive for the position of the Fourth Hokage. Now that you understand this, think about it."
With that, he rose from his seat, and Fugaku followed suit.
As they departed, Ruri remained seated, her gaze fixed on the floor.
A somber and heavy atmosphere lingered in the room.
"This is truly tedious," she murmured.
Though she recognized the Elders' deliberation, their decision was far from what she desired. She vehemently disagreed with their stance.
Uchiha wielded considerable power, but it shouldn't serve as a pretext for disdain. In this world, staying vigilant for a thousand days only to be thwarted by a thief for one day was nonsensical.
She stood up slowly, turned, and peered out of the room.
The retreating figures of the Four Elders and Fuyue were still visible.
"Elder Sora, I don't oppose your choice, but I hadn't anticipated you'd misunderstand me from the outset."
It was vexing. More than that, it was disheartening.
Coming here had been a waste of her time. She'd have been better off returning for some rest.
Ultimately, strength determined everything, whether for a clan head or Hokage.
Similar to ninjas, absent the pretense of power, no matter how eloquent one's words, they'd fall on deaf ears.
Should the Uchiha clan adopt the Senju clan's path to Hokage, would that mean they surpassed the Senju?
It was self-deception. The moment the First Hokage fell, the Uchiha had already failed.
Most of the Uchiha's present agitation stemmed from their pride in co-founding Konoha with the Senju.
However, unlike the Senju clan, no Uchiha ninja had ever become the Hokage.
Unwillingness and envy had given way to obsession for the elder Uchiha, like the other eders.
Ruri hoped this intense obsession of Hokage's would not take root in the Uchiha.
"Without power, no matter how lofty a dream, it's but an illusion. A Hokage who doesn't punish those who frame comrades isn't worth believing in. I must find like-minded comrades within the clan..."
In an instant, her pupils turned crimson, and within her red irises, three inky black tomoe manifested one by one.
