Konoha: This Uchiha is extremely sneaky

Chapter 402 I was just making empty promises, I didn't expect you to take them seriously!

"Danzo, what do you want to do?"

The Third Hokage, able to read Danzo's tone perfectly, immediately knew what wicked scheme Danzo was plotting and quickly spoke up.

"I won't allow you to act recklessly!"

Things are different now than before. Back then, he was young, and he had Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and White Fang.

Now, Konoha's peak fighting force has either left, died, or defected, and even he himself is getting old.

If they were to attack the Uchiha clan at this time, even just one Uchiha Toshiro would be too much for them to handle. How could they not hesitate to act against him?

If things go wrong, the village could fall apart.

"I know!"

That's the truth, how could he not know? But things have developed to this point because of the other party's leniency. If they had listened to him earlier, things wouldn't have come to this.

"The Uchiha clan has truly produced a wealth of talented individuals over the years!"

"How long has it been since the old generation of Uchiha Shigeyama passed away? Now the younger generation has Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Toshiro to hold their own."

"The younger generation is equally impressive, with Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi who awakened his Sharingan at the age of eight."

"Have you thought about what will happen after they grow up?"

Although the Third Hokage sternly rejected him, Danzo remained calm, knowing he had plenty of ways to persuade the other party.

"The Uchiha... are also part of the village!"

"They are also our comrades-in-arms, our...comrades!"

As the Hokage, especially an old Hokage who was starting to consider his successor, how could the Third Hokage not have thought about this issue?

The Uchiha clan's power was becoming increasingly uncontrollable, which was a headache for him. If Jiraiya and Tsunade were still around, along with Kushina, he would have some confidence to try and solve this problem.

But with only Kushina present, he dared not make any rash moves.

"Speaking of which, I have to thank you. 'Shisui of the Body Flicker' is indeed a great name. If it weren't for your tireless efforts in making him famous, how could that kid have become so well-known in the ninja world at such a young age!"

When Shisui was only twelve or thirteen years old, his reputation as the "Shisui of the Body Flicker" had already spread throughout the ninja world.

The fact that Shisui was able to achieve this effect was partly due to his own exceptional strength, but more importantly, it was due to the Third Hokage's help. If he hadn't mobilized the power of Konoha to help create momentum, how could such an effect have been achieved?

"I watched Shisui grow up. He inherited Kagami's 'Will of Fire' very well. I believe he will be an excellent Konoha ninja."

"Moreover, judging from his performance, he has not disappointed me and has consistently performed excellently."

He had taken notice of Shisui several years ago when the boy asked him to serve at the border of the Land of Water.

Shisui not only inherited Kagami's bloodline but also his will, making him an Uchiha whose thoughts were not limited to one clan.

Seeing this, he also planned to nurture the other person well, just like his teacher, the Second Hokage, hoping that the other person could become one of the bridges between the village and the Uchiha clan.

Of course, this is also a method used by the Hokage to influence the Uchiha clan.

"He is not the mirror, and now is not the time for you to have just ascended to the throne."

He had always tacitly approved of the Third Hokage's expectations, but Shisui and Kagami were ultimately different.

"Shisui's performance was more than just living up to your expectations."

"No... I should say he far exceeded your expectations."

Looking at the Third Hokage, whose expression remained relatively calm, a strange light flickered in Danzo's single remaining eye.

"He's starting to build up his influence... what does that mean... you, the Hokage, can't be unaware of it!"

It should be said that Danzo was very good at protecting his resources. He would immediately notice anyone who posed a threat to his position as Hokage and make corresponding arrangements.

Shisui had been quite active during the missions recently, and the Third Hokage hadn't noticed anything yet, but this white glove had taken precautions first.

And they immediately found the Third Hokage.

"Shisui, he..."

Upon hearing Danzo's words, the Third Hokage was momentarily at a loss as to how to respond.

The promotion of "The Will of Fire" strongly encouraged Konoha ninjas to strive for the goal of becoming Hokage, which inspired young people with dreams to fight, struggle, and sacrifice for it.

However, when an Uchiha clansman truly fought for this goal, following the ideology of the 'Will of Fire,' the Third Hokage's heart was filled with complex emotions.

Especially when the other party had the support of Uchiha Toshiro, Uchiha Fugaku, and the Uchiha clan behind them, one inappropriate thought after another popped into his mind, which he then suppressed one by one.

The current situation in Konoha does not allow for intense clashes within the village, especially when the opposing side has a powerful figure like Uchiha Toshiro.

hiss!

He took a deep drag on his cigarette, and as the pungent smoke filled his stomach, the Third Hokage thought about many things.

He had the earnest guidance of his teacher, the Second Hokage, the camaraderie with Kagami Uchiha, the voice and appearance of the Fourth Hokage, and the unruly nature of the Uchiha clan.

"Danzo, we can't have an open conflict with the Uchiha. We're all Konoha ninjas, comrades from the same village."

After a long while, the Third Hokage slowly exhaled the smoke from his lungs and said in a low voice.

The billowing smoke, the dim lighting, and the fiery red hat all concealed the Third Hokage's face, making it impossible to discern his expression.

"…I know!"

Having gotten what he wanted, Danzo was very satisfied. As long as the Third Hokage nodded, he had plenty of ways to ruin Shisui's reputation.

As for completing all this, not breaking ties with the Uchiha clan is an extremely simple condition.

"And... what are your plans to do about the Uchiha clan?"

"Are we going to leave them to the fifth generation?"

Having obtained the answer he wanted, Danzo did not give up, but instead looked at the Third Hokage again.

The Uchiha clan has been a problem since the village was founded, and he doesn't believe the Third Hokage doesn't want to resolve this problem sooner rather than later.

"Uchiha...we must prioritize peace!"

Looking up at the photos of the First and Second Hokage on the wall, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not express any opinion on the Uchiha issue.

"Should we prioritize peace?"

Although the Third Hokage only said this one cryptic sentence, Danzo, who had been his partner for many years, knew his comrade very well and was very perceptive in capturing the information in his words.

Moreover, the way the other person looked at the portrait of their ancestors also revealed the inner struggle they were going through.

(End of this chapter)