Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

of course,

These so-called disciples are not genuine.

They had only received instruction from the Second Hokage at the Ninja Academy. In fact, only the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, could be considered the Second Hokage's direct disciple. Fortunately, the Second Hokage did not deny that the others called him their teacher, which was a form of recognition of their status as disciples.

Today, the disciples of the Second Hokage have all become high-ranking officials in Konoha and are prominent figures in the village.

Only the early-deceased Uchiha Kagami and the reclusive Akimichi Torifu are little known.

However, no one in the know would underestimate this strongest member of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. As the Second Hokage's direct bodyguard, he had left behind many legendary stories in the ninja world. But later, as he got older... to be precise, after the night of the Nine-Tails' rampage, the old man chose to retire and go home.

Now, he only occasionally goes out to hold meetings and relax as the head of the Akimichi clan... while also serving as the force of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio to keep order.

For example, today, Akimichi Torifu attended the meeting in place of his friend Choza at the invitation of Nara Shikaku. After all, the Third Hokage was preparing to attack the Uchiha clan, and no one was sure how the incident would turn out. In order to prevent more serious consequences, it was natural to make preparations.

"It's actually... Yang Release?"

Akimichi Tokifumi murmured to himself in a low voice, almost imperceptible to others.

In this day and age, when the name of the Senju clan has lost its former glory, the Akimichi clan are the masters of Yang Release techniques in Konoha Village. Their clan's Expansion Technique is derived from Yang Release techniques.

Akimichi Torifu, the fat old man, saw it clearly: the punch that Sogen used to send Danzo flying was definitely an application of Yang Release, just like Tsunade's monstrous strength technique. He wasn't a sensory ninja, so he couldn't be sure if the two were the same, but the only thing he could be sure of was that it was definitely Yang Release.

"Qu Feng, what's wrong?"

The third generation leader asked aloud.

He wouldn't underestimate this old classmate who had inner talent. Among the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Akimichi Torifu stood out and was taken in as a student by the Second Hokage, so he was definitely not a simple character.

"It's nothing, it just feels like this scene is familiar. It reminds me of when Madara Uchiha left the village. I was just a child back then!"

"Is that right?"

The Third Hokage gave Akimichi Torifu a deep look. He wasn't deaf yet; he had just heard the words "Yang Release."

"Torufu, what are you saying? How could this brat possibly be compared to Uchiha Madara!"

"Turn to the next room," Xiaochun retorted.

"Whatever you say goes!" Akimichi Torifu was too lazy to argue with anyone. There was no benefit in winning or losing, so why waste his energy and effort?

The fat old man just looked at the hole in the wall and the fact that Sogen and Danzo were fighting again in the corridor, and said, "Sarutobi, are you really going to start a war with the Uchiha? If you don't control the situation, it will get out of control. Don't blame me for warning you, unless you bring Jiraiya and Tsunade back, the village may not be able to deal with the Uchiha clan with its current strength."

As he spoke these words, he was also secretly wondering if the Uchiha clan was about to reach another peak.

Although the Ino-Shika-Cho trio have always been regarded as vassals and allies of the Sarutobi clan and staunch supporters of the Third Hokage, this subordinate relationship is actually quite short-lived. It originated from the Third Hokage's father, Sarutobi Sasuke, a powerful ninja who left behind a formidable reputation even during the reigns of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. Sasuke Uchiha's name comes from this.

Before Sarutobi Sasuke rose to prominence, the Sarutobi clan was just an ordinary ninja clan among countless others in the ninja world. They had no bloodline limit, no family secret techniques, and were not even as famous as the monkey clan, the summoning beasts they contracted.

The Akimichi clan has a much longer history than the Sarutobi clan, and their clan also inherited the secret technique of Yang Release. Therefore, Akimichi Torifu knows very well what kind of monsters the ninjas who can truly master Yang Release or Yin Release are.

To give a recent example, the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, mastered Yang Release to its peak, while Madara Uchiha mastered Yin Release to an unprecedented level. At least in the historical records of the Akimichi clan, no one has been stronger than these two.

Now, an Uchiha has mastered Yang Release, and the Sharingan, a bloodline limit, is itself a symbol of Yin Release... This is truly a disturbing combination.

Especially the immense life force that subtly emerges when he throws a punch...

The fat old man secretly made a hand gesture, so Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi, though surprised and puzzled, chose to slow down and did not resolutely follow the Third Hokage to rush out and stop the fight between Sogen and Danzo.

In the corridor, Sogen and Danzo were already engaged in a fierce fight.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Ball!"

Danzo immediately used his most proficient Wind Release technique.

Caught off guard, he was sent flying by Zongxian's punch, which caused a slight tremor in his internal organs. His anger made him intend to kill Zongxian when he attacked.

"This technique is completely meaningless!"

Zongxian remained expressionless as he flicked his wrist and threw out shuriken. With the infusion of chakra, each shuriken possessed the destructive power of a D-rank Noble Phantasm.

The bullet-like high-pressure air mass was easily shattered by the shuriken, and the inexhaustible shuriken created several more holes in the wall. The terrifying destructive power even moved the Third Hokage, who was preparing to intervene in the battle.

Isn't the Uchiha school of shurikenjutsu known for its exquisite and unpredictable techniques? When did it develop such power?

Subconsciously, he recalled Akimichi Torifu's words about "Yang Release" and hesitated, wondering if it was true, as his wise old classmate had said, that the village might not be able to defeat the Uchiha without Jiraiya and Tsunade.

"Dragon Horse!"

Danzo growled.

The next second, a dark cloud of insects surged up from one side of the corridor, accompanied by annoying, shrill hissing, and pounced on Zongxian.

"Stop the water!"

Zongxian looked coldly at Danzo. Who did he look down on? He was not some lone wolf. He was now the head of the Uchiha clan and the new director of the Konoha Police Department.

Flames burst forth in the corridor, and Shisui, who was sighing inwardly, stopped Aburame Ryoma.

If he were to attack the Third Hokage, Shisui might hesitate, but if he were merely Danzo's lackey, then there would be no need to worry.

"Everyone, this is a private matter between my clan and Danzo. Please do not interfere!" Zongxian turned to look at the clan leaders in the conference room and issued a warning.

This also subtly indicates that the Uchiha clan does not intend to be enemies with other clans, provided that they do not come looking for trouble!

[41. How exactly does the Kaleidoscope activate in Chapter Forty-One? (Seeking votes! Seeking investment!!)]

For the first time in its life, the Hokage Building, which had enjoyed decades of peace and had never experienced any external threats since the village was founded, suffered a deep pain in its chest and abdomen.

Zongxian and Danzo fought fiercely. Before they even drew blood, the Hokage Building had already been thoroughly wrecked. As the administrative center of Konoha Village, its sturdiness was indeed top-notch, and it wasn't easily reduced to rubble.

This is also because both Sogen and Danzo refrained from using large-scale destructive ninjutsu. After all, this is the Hokage Building. If it were demolished today, who knows what kind of trouble it would cause in the village.

Danzo still longed for the Hokage position. He believed that it was better to use single-target ninjutsu with more concentrated damage than to waste chakra using wide-range, destructive ninjutsu.

As for Zongxian,

He had a great time!

From the moment Akimichi Torifu and the Ino-Shika-Cho clans chose to stand by, the clan leaders of many clans also wisely abandoned their plan to put pressure on the Uchiha with the Third Hokage. After all, even the Ino-Shika-Cho clan, who were vassals and allies of the Sarutobi clan, had backed down. They couldn't be blamed for not doing their best!

Thus, the situation has now become a confrontation between the Uchiha clan and Danzo. The Third Hokage is also hesitant because of Akimichi Torifu's attitude, wondering what kind of trump card the Uchiha have that made Torifu back down. He is unable to make up his mind for a while, and only scolds Sogen and Danzo to stop, but in fact he does not take any substantial action to stop them.

Anyway, as long as he doesn't get killed, it's not a big deal for Danzo to suffer a little.

The Anbu were ordered to evacuate the office workers inside the building and issue a gag order, forbidding anyone who witnessed the battle between Sogen and Danzo from spreading rumors. At least until the Hokage gave a clear order, these matters could not be leaked!

"Earth Release·Rock Stealing Stick."

Zongxian forms a hand seal with one hand.

The next second, a cluster of rocky clubs suddenly appeared on the floor like a hail of bullets.

This move, unsurprisingly, did not harm Danzo. However, Sogen was not using this move to hurt anyone; he simply needed a more convenient weapon. The shuriken was too sharp, and it would be troublesome if he accidentally killed Danzo.

And to be honest

Beating Danzo made him feel extremely happy, so happy that his eyes even felt slightly itchy.

perhaps,

Was Danzo the catalyst?

But does the activation of the Mangekyou Sharingan not require the stimulation of negative emotions? Or is it that one's Yin Release technique is profound enough, and the power in one's eyes has accumulated to the limit of the three-tomoe Sharingan, so that one does not need that intense despair, which is enough to leave a deep impression, as fuel to ignite the brilliance of the Mangekyou Sharingan?

perhaps,

That's the correct answer.

In his view, power itself is neither inherently good nor evil. However, compared to fleeting moments of pleasure, the deeper, more enduring despair and sorrow can generate far more powerful fluctuations of spiritual energy in the Uchiha clan, propelling the Sharingan towards a higher level of evolution…

Of course, this was just a fleeting thought in Zongxian's mind. As for whether it was true or not... he could do some experiments later when he had the chance. The most important thing right now was to continue beating up Danzo in front of him and maintain this brief and fleeting pleasant mood. Maybe he could unlock the Kaleidoscope today.

He reached out and broke off a rock stick.

The power of "Knights Never Die Barehanded" seeped into the staff in his hand, making the staff, which was originally not very strong, suddenly indestructible. He swung it with great force, directly shattering Danzo's wind release technique. His physical strength exploded, and he rushed in front of Danzo. The strike, which was perfectly controlled, made Danzo feel deep pain, but it did not mean that he lost the ability to resist.

of course,

Danzo was not just a passive target who would only take hits.

The Hokage who dared to dream of seizing the Hokage position was indeed quite capable. His silent Wind Release technique sliced ​​through Sogen's sleeve, leaving bloody wounds on his arm. Although it didn't reach the bone, it was still quite painful.

"Can it only stop the bleeding?"

Zongxian silently felt the changes in the wound on his arm.

Clearly, his Yang Release technique skills had not reached the level of the First Hokage's "healing without hand seals." He couldn't even heal these superficial wounds; he could only stop the bleeding. Sogen had no complaints about this, since Samehada could help him practice Yin Release techniques as well as Yang Release techniques.

However, he focused most of his energy on practicing Yin Release Techniques, and although he had entered the realm of Yang Release Techniques, he was still far from mastering them.

But that's enough.

Whether it was stopping the bleeding from the wound, or the already considerable physical strength and speed... he was already very satisfied. Desire is the driving force that propels humanity forward, but excessive greed is also a poison that destroys people.

Furthermore,

At this point, Sogen needed to stain his sleeves and clothes with blood to prove that Danzo was actually quite capable, so that the Third Hokage and the others wouldn't rush to take sides. After all, judging from the current situation, Danzo, who had repeatedly used Earth Release: Hardening Technique to protect himself, seemed to be fine, while the blood-soaked Sogen made people worry that he might collapse at any moment.

Of course, Zongxian's tricks are not meant to fool everyone.

There were quite a few skilled sensory ninjas present, but—

Since his younger brother was forced to commit suicide to protect him, Hiashi Hyuga has lost the ambition to compete with the Uchiha for the title of Konoha's most powerful clan. He also harbors resentment towards the Third Hokage, who chose to back down in the face of coercion from the Cloud Ninja.

He wouldn't ruin such a good show at a time like this.

Then there's Yamanaka Inoichi, the class monitor of the analysis class. He glanced at the composed old man, Touko, and chose to remain silent.

However, even without the ninjas reporting the news, the Third Hokage, who wasn't yet senile, noticed the little trick that Sōgen was playing.

Just as he was about to make his move in a fit of shock and anger, Zongxian, overjoyed, chose to take the blow of Danzo's Vacuum Blade head-on with his right leg. He also swung the rough and simple stone stick in his hand, which was so hard that even Danzo's Vacuum Blade couldn't cut through it, and smashed it down hard on Danzo's right leg.

The sound of bones breaking was like heavenly music to Zongxian.

The only drawback was that Danzo was tough enough; even though his right leg was smashed to a bloody pulp, he didn't utter a single cry.

"Fine... considering you helped me open that door, I'll let you be the first to see my eye technique!" Sogen approached Danzo, who was leaning against the wall to keep himself from collapsing, and said with a laugh in a voice that could only be heard within a foot of him.

In that instant, his scarlet eyes underwent a dramatic transformation.

From this day forward, Uchiha Munen breaks the Uchiha clan's rule that one must endure hellish, desperate pain before awakening the Mangekyou Sharingan.

Uchiha

It is possible to happily awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan!