Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

Danzo's expression softened considerably, indicating that his old friend wasn't entirely confused and had at least recognized the threat posed by the Uchiha clan. Although he was still a bit slow on the uptake, he did make sense on other issues.

Furthermore, the issue of the Nine-Tails going out of control is mentioned here.

Danzo immediately became alert.

Then another thought popped into my head.

"These things definitely need to be prepared in advance. As for the Nine-Tails, Hiruzen, I think we should entrust the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to Root for protection. I guarantee that nothing will happen to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and he will definitely become the most important force in the village in the future!"

The Nine-Tails is the most powerful of all the tailed beasts.

The events of decades ago were too distant, and Danzo and Hiruzen had not witnessed them firsthand. However, they had all seen the Nine-Tails' rampage a year ago. The Nine-Tails' terrifying power was enough to make even Kage-level shivers. If they could gain control of the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, they would be one step closer to becoming Hokage.

Danzo had this idea a year ago.

Now that he has this opportunity, Danzo cannot help but bring up the proposal again.

But it was clear that Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't give him that chance. A solemn look appeared in his cloudy eyes as the Third Hokage shook his head heavily and said, "Naruto can be left to the Anbu. Danzo, I have other important matters that I need you to handle!"

He looked very decisive and determined.

And the attitudes of Mitokado En and Koharu Utatane on the opposite side clearly indicated that they would not agree either.

"Hiruzen is right. Let the Anbu handle the Nine-Tails."

“Yes, Danzo, Root has a lot of responsibilities and is not really suitable to take care of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Let Hiruzen handle this issue.”

This forced Danzo to swallow back what he was about to say.

'Hmph, one day I'll get the Nine-Tails! And the Hokage position!'

Danzo lowered his eyelids slightly and said fiercely in his heart.

The agreement reached on the Uchiha clan issue, although not to immediately take action against the Uchiha clan, is already in line with my previous expectations, and the rest can be dealt with later.

Danzo had that kind of confidence.

Then.

After further discussions and reaching an agreement on contacting other major ninja clans and monitoring the Uchiha clan, the group...

Danzo left ahead of time, intending to return immediately to have a good talk with Orochimaru. A large part of his plan this time was for the sake of Orochimaru, the beloved disciple of the Third Hokage. Danzo was very much looking forward to gaining more benefits from Orochimaru!

"Yan, the Uchiha clan matter certainly needs to be dealt with, but I still feel there are many suspicious points in the previous disappearance case. The Anbu has made new discoveries, and I hope you can spare some attention to it over the next two days!"

I believed it, but I didn't completely believe it.

This is Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Moreover, this situation is indeed full of suspicious points. Even now, Hiruzen Sarutobi still finds it hard to believe that the disappearance case is related to the Uchiha clan. Of course, at this point, whether there is a connection or not is no longer important. After all, the Uchiha clan has already broken ties with the village, so they have to deal with them even if there is no connection. However, they must find out the truth.

Because this relates to whether a 'third party' exists!

"Yes, I understand what you mean, Hiruzen, don't worry!"

Mitokado Homura clearly understood this as well. If there was a connection, there was no need to elaborate. Even if there was no connection, the Uchiha clan still needed to be dealt with. However, while dealing with them, they also had to be constantly vigilant against the involvement of third parties!

99. The prelude to the riots.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Yan!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Homura Mitokado and said solemnly.

"Ah! Don't worry!"

Monitoring the Uchiha clan, contacting and winning over the Hyuga, Aburame, Akimichi, Nara, Kurama, and other ninja clans, and continuing to investigate the disappearances in the village—it can be said that Konoha is truly in a state of constant turmoil, with one crisis after another, and there is never a moment of true peace.

In the ninja world today, the most chaotic ninja village, apart from Kirigakure, which has been plunged into endless infighting due to Obito's meddling, is Konoha. Moreover, if these situations are not handled properly, they will inevitably cause a huge upheaval far exceeding the chaos in Kirigakure.

This is a situation that Hiruzen Sarutobi is determined not to see.

Even now, Hiruzen Sarutobi still doesn't believe the disappearance case has anything to do with the Uchiha clan. There are too many suspicious points. Most importantly, the Uchiha clan has no reason to do such a thing. However, even if there is no connection, the village can no longer resolve the issue with the Uchiha clan unless Fugaku and Shoji, the most radical and dangerous members of the Uchiha clan, are completely eliminated. Even now, Hiruzen Sarutobi still intends to adopt the same strategy as his mentor, Tobirama Senju, only on a wider scale.

The Uchiha problem is the Uchiha problem.

The disappearance is a disappearance, but if my premonition and judgment are correct, and there is another dangerous force in the village, it must be investigated in time. The two are not contradictory and need to be carried out simultaneously.

Danzo Shimura's actions further fueled Hiruzen Sarutobi's suspicions.

If all of this is related to Danzo, then Hiruzen Sarutobi also needs to reconsider how to deal with Danzo and Root. The 'assassination incident' at the beginning of the year is not completely over yet. The same problem needs to be viewed from two perspectives.

'Hopefully, things won't get too bad!'

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on the veranda of his own courtyard, looking at the bright sun hanging high in the azure sky. A faint look of solemnity appeared in his slightly cloudy pupils as he silently pondered in his heart.

We must concentrate all our efforts and energy on handling the current affairs.

This is Hiruzen Sarutobi's judgment.

Not only did he arrange for his two advisors and close friends, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, to take action, but he also planned to send ANBU to his disciple Orochimaru's house over the next two days while waiting for Shisui's possible visit. Given the current state of chaos in the village, the Third Hokage intended to use the power of his disciple to handle the situation, especially when it involved the Uchiha clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew better than anyone how terrifying the Mangekyou Sharingan was, and it wasn't just Orochimaru who knew. Almost at the same time, a team of Anbu, acting on the orders of the Third Hokage, left and headed south to find Jiraiya, who was traveling abroad, and bring him back to the village!

This was something that even Shimura Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu didn't know. Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade were the three genius disciples personally trained by Sarutobi Hiruzen. In the vast Hidden Leaf Village, these three were the people Sarutobi Hiruzen trusted the most. Danzo had no idea that his plan couldn't fool Hiruzen at all. The case of the disappearance would continue to be investigated steadily, and Sarutobi Hiruzen even took the initiative to summon Jiraiya back to the village because of this.

It can only be said that things rarely go according to plan or follow a predetermined script.

Danzo was like that.

The Uchiha clan is an example of this.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who issued these orders, was the same.

Because at this moment, the Third Hokage never expected that one of his most trusted disciples was already planning to defect and flee the village soon!

Therefore, in one's own home.

Orochimaru was greeted by members of the Anbu dispatched by the Third Hokage. After being summoned to his house that evening, Orochimaru's first reaction was that his experiments and the capture of village ninjas and civilians had been completely exposed.

He casually replied to the ANBU, assuring them that he would arrive on time.

On the other hand, the decision is also made deep in one's heart.

He was going to defect from Konoha tonight.

Although his experiment still had a small part left to complete, it didn't matter much. To put it bluntly, Orochimaru had already completed the most crucial part of the final stages of the experiment before the night of Shoji's arrival. All that was left was to clean up the mess. He originally planned to leave nothing to the village, but now it seemed that this was unavoidable.

But it doesn't matter anymore.

"Sarutobi-sensei is quite perceptive, but it's too late. After today, everything will be different, Sarutobi-sensei!"

Orochimaru's pale face revealed a cold glint as he murmured something in a low voice.

The conflict between the Uchiha clan and the village.

Orochimaru learned of this immediately, and the Mangekyou Sharingan that Shoji had revealed immediately piqued Orochimaru's interest. However, Orochimaru did not believe that Shoji was the same person from a year ago, since his performance seemed too unsteady.

After many years, members of the Uchiha clan have finally advanced their Sharingan to the Mangekyou Sharingan, which is an ultimate temptation for Orochimaru, who is tirelessly pursuing supreme power and immortality.

Even though Orochimaru's desire for the Mangekyou Sharingan wasn't as intense as it was later in the original story, the combined power of the Mangekyou Sharingan and Madara Uchiha was still significant enough.

However, now is not the most appropriate time.

He wanted to leave the village first, since he didn't believe the Uchiha clan could be dealt with so easily. He would have plenty of opportunities to deal with this Shoji-kun in the future.

Orochimaru took one last look at the setting sun outside.

Then he strode back into his underground chamber.

He needed to pack up, and once night fell, he would leave the village immediately!

After all, he believed that during this period, the vast majority of the Anbu and Root forces were definitely keeping a close watch on the Uchiha clan, which was his best option.

The gazes of all parties intertwined, creating a chaotic situation where no one could discern each other's intentions, as the sky gradually darkened.

As the entire Hidden Leaf Village was enveloped in night.

Konoha Village.

On the eastern city wall.

Orochimaru stood there, taking one last deep look at his 'hometown' where he had lived for over thirty years.

A hint of determination and indifference flashed in his eyes.

Without hesitation, he leaped out of the village and disappeared into the vast night, officially embarking on the path of betraying Konoha.

And this moment.

The Third Hokage, still at home waiting for his disciple to come and discuss important matters, was unaware that his most admired disciple had already defected and would never return!

100. The atmosphere became increasingly tense and anxious.

The restless, resentful, and confused atmosphere contrasted sharply with the seemingly orderly behavior within the Uchiha clan at this moment. When time rewinds to the afternoon, the Uchiha clan's highest secret meeting concludes, and dozens of clan members return ahead of time. Under the leadership of the eight elders, they spread the clan's plan to secede from the village within a small circle.

Aside from a small number of indifferent people, more than 70% to 80% of the remaining clansmen expressed doubt, reluctance, resentment, and restlessness. Those with more volatile tempers thought it was a cowardly act of escapism, while those with deeper and more complex feelings were very reluctant to leave Konoha. The former were almost all young people, while the latter were all elderly people.

Between these two main emotions, there are other emotions mixed in.

Even so, under the common will of the clan's high command, especially after the eight elders emphasized the correctness and rationality of the plan in different ways, these people still silently obeyed the clan's decision.

The elderly people were reluctant to part with the village, which was understandable, but they were also relieved. Not everyone was willing to start a coup. No matter how proud the Uchiha clan was, some members still had good relationships with the village. These Uchiha clan members were unwilling to actually fight with the village. They could take a more rational view of the relationship between the clan and the village.

Now we are leaving the 'hometown' where we have lived for decades!

But without a doubt, this was indeed the best choice, so these people only sighed, but had no complaints.

The only problem was the most impulsive young people in the clan. Elders Xuanlan, Qianhui, and Zongxuan tried to persuade them from both a rational and emotional perspective, focusing on the survival of the clan and the safety of their loved ones.

But after all of these things were made public...

Even the most stubborn young Uchiha will eventually see reality clearly. Even if they don't, they will still choose to be headstrong. However, under the overwhelming trend of the clan's supreme will, these people will not cause any ripples. Almost everyone will eventually bow their heads and obey the clan's orders.

This was something that could have been expected.

Furthermore, to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, a group of clansmen, led by Gu Yuan and Yashiro, were monitoring the clan's evacuation. One reason was to prevent the mysterious Uchiha from appearing a year ago and any potential accomplices from causing trouble, and the other was to prevent some simple-minded and impulsive clansmen from doing anything rash.

It can be said that this two-pronged approach is in place.

The clan's separation plan is proceeding in an orderly manner. Like others, after the clan meeting, Shoji immediately returned home and explained everything to his grandmother, Uchiha Chihaya, before starting preparations for the evacuation.

Chihaya seemed to have anticipated this day, showing no surprise whatsoever, and even her feelings towards her grandson's Mangekyou Sharingan remained largely unchanged.

Just as Si finished speaking, a look of emotion appeared on her aged face, and she said in a low voice, "Our clan has to come to this point in the end. Don't worry, Si. Grandma will take good care of Xiaoyang and Xiaoxiao. You should go and do what you should do!"

The old man always gives his grandson the greatest encouragement from behind the scenes. This was true five years ago, it was true a year ago, and it is true now.

"Yes, Grandma, you, Xiaoyang, and Xiaoxiao will be among the first to leave the village tomorrow night or the early morning of the day after tomorrow. I will arrange for Uncle Wu's family to travel with us. Everything else is up to you, Grandma!"