Naruto's Strongest Force - Chapter 19

Root Headquarters.

Danzo flipped through the report in his hands, which detailed the damage inflicted on the Uchiha clan.

“You’re saying, this extensive damage was caused by Fugaku and Itachi?”

A member of Root confirmed, “Yes, Danzo, the clan’s buildings were mostly destroyed. The scene was like several Kage-level fighters had clashed.”

How could the Mangekyo Sharingan be so assertive?

Danzo paced back and forth. Previously, Shisui had only told him about the Kotoamatsukami.

And even when he was forced to reveal his Susanoo in an attack, it wasn’t this formidable.

Of course, he didn’t know that the Uchiha’s Susanoo had several stages.

Moreover, Shisui wasn’t in good condition then, and his fighting spirit was weak.

So, Shisui’s use of Susanoo was very conservative.

“How many people did Itachi take with him?”

“Lord, the exact numbers aren’t clear yet, the Uchiha aren’t cooperating. But it’s estimated that hundreds left.”

“What did the Third say?” Danzo’s eyes narrowed, and his figure was shadowed, his emotions unreadable.

Root replied, “The Third Hokage said tonight there was only a departure, not a rebellion.”

Hearing this, Danzo slammed his cane down hard on the floor.

“Hmph, the Third has truly grown old.”

“To still protect the Uchiha, with their wild ambitions…”

“Send our people, spread the word in the village tomorrow that due to the Third’s incompetence, Itachi Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha led a defection.”

“Yes, sir!”

After his subordinate left.

Danzo walked into the darkness, his eyes glinting with greed.

The Mangekyo…

…

Hyuga Household.

Hyuga Hiashi, Hyuga Hizashi, and other elders.

We are also reviewing the investigation report.

The destruction at the Uchiha clan area was like a tailed beast ravaged it.

Could we, the Hyuga clan, achieve this?

As one of Konoha’s two great clans, the Hyuga had always been compared to the Uchiha.

During the Third Shinobi World War, they were equally matched.

Although they were disadvantaged in numbers, the Byakugan’s reconnaissance capability was highly valued.

Didn’t you see the Hidden Mist’s eagerness when they got their hands on a Byakugan?

So, the Byakugan is also very strong.

But now, it turns out the Uchiha clan had produced two Mangekyo Sharingan wielders, one of whom was the clan head, Fugaku Uchiha.

Even more impressively, the other was Itachi, who was only eleven years old.

His future growth was boundless.

“Head of the clan, the Uchiha sent us this this morning.”

Hiashi opened it to see a letter of recommendation from Fugaku.

It was suggested that Hizashi should take over as captain of the guard due to his illness and inability to manage the village guard duties.

The rest was Fugaku’s advice and plans for the development of the guard force.

It had been prepared in advance.

After Hiashi, Hizashi, and the other main family elders read it, they understood Fugaku’s intention—he was signaling a complete withdrawal from Konoha’s power structure.

Although Fugaku had mentioned this before, they expected it to come slowly.

And in such a decisive manner.

The destruction of the Uchiha clan area was intentional, as those houses were essentially empty.

There were almost no casualties. A real battle wouldn’t allow you to evacuate personnel first.

“I think, ever since Uchiha Natsu returned, Fugaku seems to have changed,” said Hizashi.

The other elders, all intelligent people, knew what Fugaku was like before and after Natsu returned. They all saw through Natsu’s intelligent maneuvers.

Hiashi finally said, “No matter what, the Uchiha have completely relinquished their past rights, and Itachi took quite a large group with him. The village has no reason to target them anymore.”

“Fugaku has given us such a great gift upon his departure, and we, the Hyuga, cannot be ungracious.”

Hiashi paused, “There are still a few Uchiha left in the guard force. Let them continue to manage their own district, and double their compensation.”

Hiashi’s tone changed, “Hizashi, which candidates are there in this batch of Jounin Exam, besides Hinata?”

Hizashi nodded, “Yes, head of the clan, besides Hinata, there’s Neji, and in this batch, there are also Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji…”

Hizashi named all the notable young shinobi of Konoha’s current generation.

As major clans, they always researched the children’s backgrounds in advance, studied on their own, and set up relationships early for prospects.

Hiashi nodded, “Have Neji form a good relationship with Sasuke.”

Yes!

Hiruzen Sarutobi, oh Hiruzen, I wonder if you will regret this?

…

I am speaking of regrets.

The Third already had some.

He had seen the destructive capability of the Uchiha firsthand.

While he was relieved that they hadn’t fought before, he also regretted not treating the Uchiha better.

Now, the Uchiha were no longer playing with him.

Early in the morning, Fugaku submitted his resignation and a recommendation letter.

The resignation stated his failure as a clan leader led to a disagreement with Itachi, prompting his departure from Konoha.

He had resigned and recommended Hizashi take over his duties, stating that no one else could handle them.

Also, there was a statement about the Uchiha relocating.

Due to the damage to their clan area, the Uchiha moved their entire clan five kilometers outside the village to rebuild.

The distance of five kilometers was interesting because the maximum range of Konoha’s barrier was exactly five kilometers.

The Uchiha’s message was clear: “Don’t use the barrier to say you’re protecting us; we’ll handle our own security.”

But also, “Don’t come to monitor us; we’ll do our own thing.”

Since you didn’t classify Itachi as a rogue ninja, the Uchiha are still part of Konoha, just living a bit farther away.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the stack of papers in front of him.

It felt more exhausting than a full day of administrative duties. Fugaku not only resigned himself, but other high-ranking members of the guard force did the same.

This includes the Third Elder Uchiha Taku and Fourth Elder Uchiha Yohai, leaving no one from the Uchiha in the management layer.

Only a few dovish Uchiha remained at the lower levels, and their numbers needed to be more significant.

It was Uchiha’s way of ensuring someone was left to look after their business interests.

Previously, the Third Hokage had tried everything to keep the Uchiha confined to the guard force and even used public opinion to make the villagers suspicious of them.

He feared that one day, the Uchiha would grow too powerful and seek the position of Hokage.

But now, the Uchiha were not playing that game anymore.

You, the Hokage, don’t allow the Uchiha to hold power, so we don’t aim for that anymore and give it up entirely.

Moreover, it was hard to say whether Itachi’s departure was instigated by Fugaku or devised by Natsu.

Because this move struck right at Konoha’s Achilles’ heel.

Firstly, the Uchiha publicly claimed that someone was after their Sharingan, which prompted their departure.

Secondly, they flexed their muscles, showing the full might of the Mangekyo Sharingan to all, making everyone reconsider the cost of targeting the Uchiha.

Thirdly, they eliminated a threat. Itachi’s departure took many Uchiha elites, and the Uchiha no longer had so many people left. They could cite an insufficient workforce if you wanted to command the Uchiha.

Fourth, if you acted against the Uchiha, at least three pairs of Mangekyo Sharingan were ready to fight. And crucially, you didn’t know where Itachi was or when he might appear.

Lastly, the timing. Konoha was currently signing a peace agreement with Kumogakure.

At such a critical moment, if the Third ordered the Anbu to pursue the Uchiha, his leadership would be at risk.

Now, the Uchiha were just “departing.” If you pushed them into rebellion, Kumogakure would no longer come to sign a peace agreement but to start a war.

It was all Danzo’s fault. If he hadn’t decided to take Shisui’s eyes unilaterally, things wouldn’t have gotten to this point.

Remember, both Itachi and Shisui were close to the village.

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