Konoha: This Uchiha is extremely sneaky

Chapter 293 Danzo's Efforts

"They actually escaped..."

In his office in the Hokage Building, the elderly Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, watched the Nine-Tails raging in the distance, controlling his turbulent emotions.

With a somber expression, he began to arrange the village's defenses.

"Arrange for people to prevent those young ninjas from acting impulsively..."

"Summon the Dark Guard, Security Forces, Root, Guard Units, Sealing Squad..."

"Open the shelter and let everyone in the village take refuge there..."

Although he had received a warning from Minato Namikaze in advance, when the Nine-Tails was truly freed and he felt its violent chakra and overwhelming power, the Third Hokage still couldn't control his emotions. Even his voice trembled slightly when he gave orders to his subordinates.

"yes…"

With each command, masked members of the Dark Guard vanished from his side like ghosts.

"Hiruzen, the Uchiha must not be involved in this matter. Their Sharingan can control tailed beasts."

While the Third Hokage was busy dealing with the Nine-Tails, Danzo Shimura, leaning on his cane, uttered this sinister remark.

"Danzo... how dare you show your face here?"

The Third Hokage got angry the moment he saw this guy.

Previously, when the Fourth Hokage proposed mobilizing more manpower to strengthen the village's defenses, this guy interfered, saying that the Fourth Hokage was using this as an excuse to seize power, which made him hesitate and resulted in the current situation of insufficient preparation.

Unexpectedly, the other party appeared in front of me again at this time.

"Hiruzen, don't forget how that man manipulated the Nine-Tails to attack Konoha back then!"

Ignoring the Third Hokage's angry glare, Shimura Danzo continued, "Don't forget your teacher's teachings and admonitions!"

Being wary of the Uchiha clan was just one reason. For Danzo, sending his Root members to the front lines to deal with the Nine-Tails was something he simply could not accept.

All he has left is his past achievements. If he loses them all to the Nine-Tails, what will he have left to covet the Hokage's throne?

And this is also an opportunity.

If Minato Namikaze really gets into trouble in this incident, wouldn't his opportunity come?

Even if the other party escapes unharmed, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is his wife, and she can't shake off the responsibility for her rampage in the village.

If I handle things properly afterwards, I don't believe I can't get rid of that brat from the position of Hokage.

By then, how can I make my dream come true if I don't have a reliable force at my disposal?

"Uchiha..."

When the other party mentioned "that person," the Third Hokage seemed to recall a figure in a long black robe with a cold and stern face.

"Let the Uchiha help those villagers and protect those civilians," the Third Hokage said after a moment's thought. "Since it was you who suggested it, then you should do it!"

After saying that, he ignored Danzo and tightened his equipment before heading towards the rendezvous point of the Anbu and Jonin.

He had more important things to do than dealing with Danzo and the Uchiha.

……

"What did you say?"

"We Uchiha aren't allowed to participate in intercepting the Nine-Tails?"

Upon hearing this news, the neatly dressed Uchiha members looked as if they had been betrayed, and almost all of them turned ashen-faced.

"We've received orders that the Uchiha clan is forbidden from participating in the Nine-Tails interception mission, otherwise..."

This Root member didn't say what the consequences would be for disobeying orders, but the meaning was self-evident from his actions and the way the people behind him drew their swords.

"Whose orders did you receive?"

Just as Fugaku was considering whether to obey the order, a clear voice entered his ears.

"You must understand, the Fourth Hokage is in power now, and the other party hasn't shown up yet. Where did you get these orders?"

"Does it have the Fourth Hokage's approval?"

With Toshiro's shout, the entire scene fell silent as almost everyone turned their attention to the suddenly appearing ANBU members.

Only Uchiha Chie, who was standing next to Toshiro, was extremely nervous at this moment. She knew exactly what was going on with her boss.

If the truth comes out, she, as the subordinate, will be in big trouble.

"The order came from the village's higher-ups!"

Faced with the Uchiha's questioning, the leading Root members didn't care at all where their orders came from.

They are the root; all they need to do is obey Danzo's orders and complete the mission.

"Do as the village leadership orders!"

Looking at his clansmen and then at the number of secret agents in front of him, what could they do even if they disobeyed Gao Chen's orders?

Even if we break through the blockade of these root members, how much fighting power will they have left? In that case, it's better to obey Gao Chen's orders.

"team leader?"

This time it wasn't just Toshiro! Almost every Uchiha clan member present expressed their dissatisfaction towards their clan leader.

"Follow orders!"

Toshiro hadn't expected that even after he'd practically offered Fugaku an excuse, Fugaku would still hesitate so much. Truly, he was worthy of being the man who could train "one against seven."

"Um... I'm a little embarrassed, but... I'm actually a shadow clone!"

"The situation on the main body seems a bit urgent, so I'll be leaving now!"

After saying this, the shadow clone turned into a wisp of smoke and disappeared from the spot.

"..."

Suddenly, not only the Uchiha, but even the Root ninjas who had drawn their swords were speechless.

Using shadow clones to slack off is something most people do to some extent, but to use shadow clones to slack off in such an urgent moment tonight is a bit much.

"Chie, what exactly happened?"

Although the leader had left, the secretary had stayed behind. Almost everyone's eyes turned to Toshiro's secretary.

"This…"

Having been tricked by her boss, Uchiha Chie had no choice but to honestly recount in detail how her boss had used shadow clones to slack off while her main body went out "shopping".

Before the Uchiha clan members could even process the information they had just received, an orange-red barrier rose up in the direction of the village center.

"It's... a fire array!"

Looking at the barrier in the distance, many experienced Uchiha clan members recognized it as a barrier that could be used to restrict giant summoned beasts.

(End of this chapter)