After handing over all the prepared materials and documents to Orochimaru, the latter's attitude instantly made a complete one-hundred-eighty-degree turn. Without hesitation, he began urging Uchiha Ren to leave.
Ren had no choice but to comply. After reminding Orochimaru several times to pay special attention to researching the Caged Bird Seal, he left the underground research base.
He walked leisurely back toward the Uchiha Clan Compound.
However, as soon as he arrived, he noticed something was wrong.
Ever since Ren had caused that disturbance at the Hokage Tower, the tense atmosphere within the village had eased somewhat. In addition, Ren 's subsequent manipulation of public opinion had alleviated much of the conflict between the Uchiha clan and the village civilians.
Outwardly, the Uchiha clan had already returned to their normal daily routine—tight internally, relaxed externally.
But now, the situation inside the clan compound looked completely different.
Many Uchiha were acting as if they were facing a powerful enemy. Quite a few Uchiha shinobi had even changed into full combat gear, clearly prepared for battle.
"Clan Leader, you're finally back!"
Just as Ren was wondering what had happened, Uchiha Tekka rushed over with several members of the Konoha Military Police Force.
Judging from their appearance, they had clearly been waiting at the entrance of the clan compound for quite some time.
Ren asked calmly,
"Did something happen?"
Tekka's eyes were filled with vigilance and hostility as he replied indignantly:
"Clan Leader… Shimura Danzō is here!"
"Who?"
Ren paused, thinking he had misheard.
"Who did you say?"
"Shimura Danzō!" Tekka repeated.
"About half an hour ago, that Root leader brought two Root shinobi with him and came directly to the clan compound. He said he wanted to discuss something with you."
"Right now, Captain Uchiha Fugaku is receiving him in the Military Police headquarters' reception room. The First Elder and Second Elder are also there."
Ren nodded slightly.
"That's unusual."
"Come on. Let's go see what that old man wants."
With that, Ren headed toward the Konoha Military Police headquarters.
He truly couldn't understand Danzō's reason for coming.
Danzō's hostility toward the Uchiha clan was practically an open secret. During their previous encounters, Ren hadn't shown him even the slightest courtesy.
The two sides were already on the verge of completely falling out.
At this point, did Danzō really think he could still gain the Uchiha clan's support?
"Clan Leader…"
While Ren was deep in thought, Tekka moved closer and lowered his voice.
"This time Danzō only brought two people with him."
Tekka made a slicing gesture across his throat.
"The brothers are ready. Just give the order, and we can take care of it cleanly."
Ren glanced at Tekka's serious expression and suddenly felt a headache coming on.
Tekka was supposed to be an elite Uchiha shinobi—and previously one of Elder Uchiha Setsuna's trusted subordinates.
Did he really not think before speaking?
Ren asked calmly,
"Tekka, have you thought about why Danzō would dare to come to the Uchiha clan compound with only two people, knowing full well that our relationship with him is irreconcilable?"
Tekka froze.
He truly hadn't considered that.
He had only seen this as a rare opportunity to eliminate Danzō.
Ren continued without waiting for an answer.
"Shimura Danzō is a Konoha Elder, a Hokage advisor, and currently one of the most prominent candidates to become the Fourth Hokage."
"He came openly to the Uchiha compound with witnesses."
"That means he wants the entire village to know he came here."
"If anything happens to him inside the Uchiha compound—whether we did it or not—the Uchiha clan will be the prime suspects."
"Killing a Konoha Elder, a Hokage advisor, and a Hokage candidate…"
"How would that be any different from launching a coup?"
"So Tekka—rein in that overactive initiative of yours."
"Next time, use your brain before speaking or acting."
Tekka listened, only half understanding.
All he really grasped was that Ren rejected the idea.
Reluctantly, he muttered,
"But this is such a rare opportunity… what a waste."
Ren didn't refute him. Instead, he nodded slightly.
"You're not entirely wrong."
"This really is an opportunity."
"Huh?"
Ren smiled faintly.
"Danzō and the Uchiha clan are already sworn enemies."
"The fact that he came here personally means he's effectively lowering his head to us."
"He must have something he wants from us."
"Something he wants from us?" Tekka sneered. "Then he's dreaming. No matter what he asks for, we won't help him."
"Don't be so impatient."
Ren shook his head.
"The initiative is in our hands now."
"Let's play with him a little first."
Soon after, Ren arrived at the Konoha Military Police headquarters with Tekka and the others.
He dismissed them and instructed them to return to their normal duties.
Then he walked alone to the reception room.
Without knocking, Ren pushed open the door and entered.
Inside, Shimura Danzō sat across from Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Setsuna, and Uchiha Ya.
Two masked Root shinobi stood silently behind him.
No one had spoken.
The atmosphere was extremely oppressive.
"Clan Leader!"
When Ren entered, Fugaku, Setsuna, and Ya immediately stood up to greet him.
Ren raised a hand slightly and took the main seat.
Fugaku sat beside him and quietly explained the situation.
"Clan Leader, Elder Danzō suddenly came saying he had an important matter to discuss with you. But he insisted he would only explain after meeting you personally."
Ren nodded slightly.
Then he looked at Danzō across the table and spoke calmly.
"Elder Danzō is a rare guest."
"I wonder what brings you here today?"
From the moment Ren entered the room, Danzō's single visible eye had remained fixed on him.
When Ren spoke first, a hint of disdain flashed in Danzō's gaze.
Uchiha Ren was special…
But in the end, he was still too young.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi had been in this situation, Hiruzen would never have spoken first. He would have waited for Danzō to speak instead, thereby maintaining the initiative in the conversation.
Still, this was acceptable.
Danzō had no interest in playing political games with the Uchiha clan anyway.
He spoke bluntly:
"Uchiha Ren ."
"I won't waste time with pleasantries."
"I came here today to ask the Uchiha clan to support me in becoming Hokage."
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