[The Next Day]
[Konoha]
Ordinary civilians of the Uchiha clan went on living in Konoha as usual.
But some combat personnel went to linger around the areas near various clans.
Because those sent by the Uchiha were all elites, even the Anbu weren't sure if they had been shaken off, or perhaps they had unknowingly fallen under a genjutsu.
They had no choice but to report all gathered intelligence upward.
Most of the people the Uchiha sent out were intentionally creating diversions.
But on the Hyuga side, it was real.
Uchiha Norihiko, being extremely skilled, successfully delivered Konan's explosive tags into the hands of Hyuga Koshin.
And he told him about the action that would take place that night.
So Koshin could prepare early.
After all, in Uchiha's eyes, Koshin should be a discarded pawn of the Hyuga clan. Death was certain, and he probably had some conflict with the Main Family. After all, if the Main Family truly wanted Koshin dead, he wouldn't be able to escape with his caged bird seal.
But what the Uchiha didn't know was that they too were being used by Koshin.
After Koshin took the explosive tags delivered by the Uchiha, he personally delivered them to the designated locations under the pretense of patrol duty.
After all, Koshin was now the only elder of the Branch Family and was highly respected by the Branch Family's younger members.
So he was able to do it without anyone noticing.
After finishing all of this, Koshin returned to his room.
Not long after, Sota came to request an audience, "Lord Koshin, we've received intel that the Uchiha are planning a coup tonight."
"And members of the Uchiha have been seen around the major clans of Konoha, though they all just circled around briefly and left."
Koshin lightly waved his hand, "No matter, this is just the Uchiha putting on a show for Konoha."
"Report all this intel to the Main Family through proper channels, let them handle it themselves."
"But tonight probably won't be peaceful."
"Sota, remember, no matter what the Uchiha do tonight, we of the Hyuga Branch Family must not get involved."
"We must protect our own surviving strength."
"Yes!"
After Sota left.
Koshin took out several storage scrolls and placed them into a special pocket.
Then went alone to Sota's residence.
———
[Hokage Office]
Third Hokage, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura were all present.
And with the sound of a cane tapping, Danzo, after being in a coma for a week, entered the office.
With the door closed, only the four of them remained in the room.
These four were originally students of the same teacher.
Now, the four most powerful people in Konoha were also them.
Anyone with a bit of common sense would know what was about to happen.
"Danzo, look at the mess you've caused," Koharu said angrily.
Danzo swept a cold gaze over.
He had no intention of arguing, Koharu definitely knew this had been instigated by Hiruzen.
This was clearly a move to put pressure on him by leveraging the Third Hokage's authority.
As expected, Hiruzen spoke, "Enough, Koharu. What we need now is to resolve this matter."
Danzo tapped his cane on the ground, producing a crisp sound, "Let's not play games, Hiruzen. Everyone knows how this matter came about."
Hiruzen signaled with his eyes to Homura, who then spoke, "Currently, more than three hundred bounty hunters have gathered around Konoha."
"Spies from various nations are also present, all wanting to probe Konoha's internal situation."
"This morning, the Uchiha acted frequently, continuously contacting other clans, and all their combat personnel are prepared."
Danzo's eyes contained both gloom and cruelty, "When Root attacked the Uchiha that day, you shouldn't have stood by and watched."
"This evil clan, the Uchiha, keeping them around only invites disaster."
The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe, "Itachi turned the tables, we in Konoha have no justification to wipe out the Uchiha."
The Third had a point. At that time, with the situation so tense, other ninja clans were all feeling insecure and collectively became spectators.
Those Anbu might not have been able to handle the Uchiha.
Everyone knew the Uchiha were powerful. At the same level, they could fight three to one.
Not to mention, there were three Mangekyo Sharingan users among them.
Danzo was unconscious, and neither Koharu nor Homura would sacrifice their own people.
Even with all of Hiruzen's Anbu, it was uncertain if they could win.
"Hiruzen, you've grown more and more cowardly. Just announce the Uchiha as traitors, how many of them could resist us?", Danzo was a man who liked to take risks. If he were Hokage, he would have declared the Uchiha clan guilty of treason on the spot.
But Hiruzen wasn't like that. Without certainty, and unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn't recklessly sacrifice his clansmen.
He slowly took another puff of smoke, "Our people at the borders have reported sightings of Uchiha members heading toward the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth."
"Although we don't know yet who they're contacting, Uchiha's current posture is clearly a provocation aimed at me."
Danzo had already picked up on the Third Hokage's underlying message.
He darkened his face, "Hiruzen, what are you planning?"
The Third Hokage said calmly, "You will step down from the position of Hokage advisor."
"Your title as an elder will also be revoked, pending investigation."
Danzo's eyes were as gloomy as a venomous snake, "You're discarding the donkey after it's done turning the mill, Hiruzen!"
The Third Hokage slowly puffed on his pipe, "The Uchiha may be bluffing, or they may genuinely be contacting other villages."
"Konoha needs peace, so I have to wrong you this time."
'I do the dirty work, and now I have to take the fall,' Danzo's eyes blazed with fury, and he shouted at the Third Hokage, "HIRUZEN! Do you think backing down this time will satisfy the Uchiha?"
"They're wolves at heart, uncontrollable."
"We should seize this chance to wipe out the Uchiha entirely!"
The Third frowned, set down his pipe, and tapped it on the table, "Enough. Your dismissal is final. The Uchiha matter is no longer yours to worry about."
Danzo snorted in anger, "You'll regret this! Hiruzen!"
"Enough! I am the Hokage!", The Third Hokage slammed the table and scolded back angrily.
Danzo gave the three of them a cold look, then opened the door and left.
BANG!
The heavy slam of the door caused it to shake violently.
The Third Hokage watched Danzo leave in a rage, brows deeply furrowed.
'Danzo, I hope you can behave yourself at a time like this.'
The Third ignored Danzo. For now, it wasn't about whether Danzo agreed or not. They had to stabilize the Uchiha.
Calling Danzo here today was only to inform him, he wasn't allowed to object.
However, Root under Danzo was complex and deeply entrenched. Even without his titles as Hokage advisor or elder, the Root members loyal to Danzo would not disperse. After all, they'd all been brainwashed into Danzo's image.
Koharu's face showed a trace of worry, "Hiruzen, what if Danzo causes trouble for us now?"
The Third Hokage slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, "I'll allocate a fund to him."
The Third's private vault was very well-stocked. Not only did it contain the inheritance of the Fourth Hokage and his wife, but also that of the Senju clan.
At a time like this, giving Danzo some monetary compensation would keep him from doing anything desperate.
Koharu nodded, clearly agreeing with Hiruzen's decision.
"What now? Convene a high-level council?", Koharu asked.
Hiruzen shook his head, "Too many people covet the village, we need to teach them all a lesson in one strike to intimidate them."
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