c21: The Hokage's Shadow
"Remember this well, I am the Hokage of this village!!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's sharp gaze swept across the council chamber, his eyes meeting each elder's in turn, his voice steady yet filled with suppressed fury.
The meaning behind his words was unmistakable Konoha exists under his command.
His authority was absolute.
So, his expression implied, you need not fear offending the Uchiha. As long as I stand as Hokage I will protect you.
A low murmur passed through the gathered jonin and clan representatives.
Some looked visibly encouraged by the Third's declaration.
But when they considered the deeper implications, their courage faltered once again.
Even if the Hokage could shield them now...
Could he protect them forever?
After all, the Uchiha clan not only possessed unmatched Sharingan power but also controlled the Konoha Military Police Force the law within the village.
If they ever wanted revenge, there would be countless chances to act from the shadows.
And ever since Uchiha Fugaku had begun gaining influence after the Third Shinobi War, the clan's prestige had soared.
The Uchiha name now carried weight that even the Hokage's words could not easily suppress.
So, as the quiet tension spread, the smaller clans the Ino–Shika–Cho trio, the Aburame, and others silently chose the path of neutrality.
To meddle in the growing conflict between the Hokage's office and the Uchiha clan would be courting disaster.
Best to keep one's head down, they thought.
Otherwise, who knows how one might die in this crossfire…
When no one raised a hand in support, a shadow of irritation flickered across Hiruzen's face inwardly, he cursed Cowards, all of them.
Then, as if struck by a thought, his eyes turned toward the silent figure standing among the clan heads.
His lips curved into a practiced, almost genial smile.
"Patriarch Hyuga Hiashi," Hiruzen said, voice calm but edged, "as the leader of Konoha's most noble clan, how do you view this matter? Surely the Hyuga share the village's burdens. Are you interested in… participating in this venture?"
The corner of Hiashi's mouth twitched.
Damn this old fox!
To call the Hyuga the "most noble clan" right now was no compliment, it was a trap.
If he refused, others would whisper that the Hyuga feared the Uchiha.
But if he agreed, it would look like he was siding with the Hokage becoming a pawn in this political struggle.
Should real conflict break out with the Uchiha later, it would be the Hyuga who paid the price.
As expected of the Professor, Hiashi thought bitterly. Every word hides a scheme.
Still, Hiashi Hyuga was no fool. With calm dignity, he activated his Byakugan for an instant the veins near his eyes tightening as he read the atmosphere of the room and replied evenly:
"The Hyuga clan does not stoop to fighting over profit. We are guardians of Konoha, not merchants. Others may compete for such matters if they wish."
A fleeting but unmistakable flash of killing intent crossed Hiruzen's eyes.
"Disdain to compete, is it?" he thought coldly.
A hidden jab at my greed… and a reminder that the Hyuga no longer trust the Hokage's office since the 'Hinata Affair'.
Indeed even years after the Kumo kidnapping incident, Hiashi still carried resentment toward the Third for how the village had handled it.
To him, Hiruzen's moral words were little more than politics wrapped in hypocrisy.
And so, behind that polite council hall silence, the rift between Konoha's great clans widened yet again —
a quiet tremor that would one day erupt into tragedy.
Although fury burned quietly within him, Sarutobi Hiruzen kept his expression composed. He exhaled a thin stream of smoke from his pipe and said faintly,
"I was merely giving you all an opportunity to strengthen the village's economy. But since none of you are interested... very well, let's end the meeting."
His calm tone masked his irritation, but everyone in the council room felt the unspoken pressure in his words.
They bowed quickly, exchanging uneasy glances, and began leaving one by one.
When the last clan head had gone, the room fell silent.
Hiruzen turned toward the wide window overlooking Konoha the rooftops glowing in the late afternoon light and stood there in thought for a long time. Then he spoke in a low voice:
"Anbu," he called quietly.
A masked operative emerged from the shadows and knelt.
"Report this meeting to Danzo," Hiruzen ordered. "Tell him exactly what was said here."
The operative vanished instantly.
The Third's eyes hardened. The Uchiha must not be allowed to accumulate more wealth or influence. If their hands reach too far, the balance of the village will crumble.
But his own position as Hokage made it impossible to move directly against them at least, not openly.
And the other clan heads, including Hyuga Hiashi, clearly lacked the will to take sides.
So be it, Hiruzen thought coldly. When diplomacy fails... the Root will move.
After all, that's what it exists for the unseen blade of Konoha, hidden in the earth until called to strike.
---
Root Base – Underground Konoha
In the dim light of the Root headquarters, Shimura Danzo's expression was as cold as steel after hearing the report.
"That old fool Hiruzen... once again pushing the dirty work onto me," he muttered. "I told him years ago that the Uchiha should have been restrained before they regained strength. Now, he finally sees the consequences of his hesitation."
But after a pause, Danzo straightened and said grimly,
"No matter. If it's for the village, I'll bear the burden. The Hokage's weakness only justifies my resolve."
He tapped his bandaged arm against the desk, deep in thought.
"The great clans have grown complacent the Ino–Shika–Cho, the Hyuga, even the Aburame. No sense of the Will of Fire, only comfort. Perhaps... they all need a reminder."
In Danzo's mind, that "reminder" meant fear the only tool that maintained obedience.
Just then, a hoarse, serpentine voice slithered through the chamber.
"It's been a long time, Danzo."
From the shadows emerged a tall, pale man. His face was almost white as bone, with violet eyeshadow extending to his nose and a pair of blue earrings that gleamed faintly in the dim light.
Orochimaru.
Danzo narrowed his eyes. "You've been hiding well. I haven't been able to contact you since you left the village. What brings you back now? You sensed that we're moving against the Uchiha... and you want to take advantage of the chaos, is that it?"
Orochimaru chuckled softly, his forked tongue flicking briefly across his lips.
"Now, now don't make it sound so unkind. We're still partners of a sort, aren't we? And besides... your ambitions and mine often align."
Danzo said nothing. His gaze instead shifted to the figure standing behind Orochimaru a man entirely wrapped in pale tissue-like skin, with only his strange, faintly glowing eyes visible.
Orochimaru's smile widened. "Ah, allow me to introduce you. This is Shin one of my most promising experimental subjects. He possesses a rather unique condition. His cells accept any foreign organ... without rejection. Isn't that fascinating?"
With that, Orochimaru grasped Shin's sleeve and tore it away.
Danzo's single visible eye widened slightly.
The man's arm was covered with implanted Sharingan, each one blinking faintly in the dim light like red embers.
"This...!" Danzo's voice dropped to a whisper.
He knew better than anyone the pain of organ rejection. Even after years of training, the Sharingan he had transplanted from Uchiha Shisui had yet to become truly his. He could use its power only in brief bursts before the strain became unbearable.
But this man this Shin bore dozens of Sharingan, all functioning in unison, without any visible side effects.
It was both horrifying and... intoxicating.
Orochimaru watched Danzo's reaction closely and smiled, his tone dripping with amusement.
"Consider this a gift, Danzo. If you truly desire to wield the power of the Sharingan for the sake of Konoha... then Shin may prove indispensable to you."
Danzo's gaze hardened again. He looked away from the arm and back into Orochimaru's serpentine eyes.
"I'll consider your offer," he said flatly.
He didn't trust Orochimaru not fully. But power... power was something he could never turn away from.
And in that silent underground room, the shadow of Konoha thickened once again.
---