Naruto: The Fifth Hokage [6]

Chapter 6: Danzo's End

"Lord Third, you have finally arrived," Makoto, who had been silent until now, spoke slowly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze swept over the half-destroyed remains of Danzo before settling on Makoto. "Uchiha Makoto, what exactly happened?"

"This morning, we received a mission from the village, but we were ambushed on the way," Makoto said calmly. "After the three of us eliminated the attackers, we found Danzo's remains among them."

"Ridiculous! How could Danzo possibly have tried to kill you?" Homura snapped, his voice filled with anger.

"Believe what you will, but this is the truth," Makoto replied indifferently. "During the battle, he exposed the Sharingan implanted in his arm. We executed him as a thief who desecrated our clan's blood. It was only after his death that we realized he was Danzo."

"Hiruzen, don't believe his nonsense! This is clearly a setup by the Uchiha clan after they murdered Danzo!" Koharu interjected.

"The Uchiha would never desecrate the remains of their own!" Fugaku, standing behind Makoto, retorted angrily.

Makoto remained unbothered by their accusations. Instead, he began removing the Sharingan embedded in Danzo's arm one by one, breaking the seals on them. The moment the suppression was lifted, the uncontrolled Hashirama cells within Danzo's body surged violently, reducing what remained of him into a grotesque, gnarled wooden mass.

"Is that… Wood Release?" some of the older ninjas murmured, recognizing the transformation. Meanwhile, Makoto gestured for Inabi, who unceremoniously dropped Tenzo from his back.

"During the battle, we captured this ninja who can use Wood Release. I trust I don't need to explain what that implies." Makoto's eyes bore into Hiruzen, his gaze unwavering.

"How dare he desecrate the remains of the First Hokage!" Even an elder from the Uchiha's dovish faction, a longtime admirer of Hashirama Senju, could not contain his fury.

Murmurs of uncertainty rippled through the ninjas on the Hokage's side. What Danzo had done was not just an atrocity—it was a direct betrayal of everything they stood for.

Realizing he could no longer stay silent, Hiruzen finally spoke: "Everyone, I will launch a full investigation into this matter and provide a proper explanation. I ask for your patience."

"We can't trust them!" A radical Uchiha suddenly shouted. "Makoto, are you leading us to war? You've awakened the eyes of Lord Madara! You must guide the Uchiha clan to its rightful glory!"

Shisui and Itachi, watching from within the crowd, felt a surge of panic. If this continued, the situation would spiral out of control.

Just as they prepared to intervene—

"Silence!"

Makoto's voice, filled with authority, silenced the radicals in an instant. The Uchiha who had been clamoring for rebellion just moments ago were left stunned. Even the elders of the fighting faction looked at him in disbelief.

At that moment, the three tomoe in Makoto's eyes spun, shifting into the shape of his Mangekyō Sharingan.

"What are you shouting for?" Makoto scolded, his voice cold and commanding. "Konoha was founded by Lord Hashirama and Lord Madara together. This village is our home! We drink the same water from the source, eat food from the same fields, and share in its prosperity. We are Konoha!"

Shisui and Itachi froze. Did Makoto… not intend to rebel?

"Clan Head, am I wrong?" Makoto turned to Fugaku.

Fugaku gazed at him for a long moment before stepping forward and bowing slightly to Hiruzen. "Makoto is correct. My clansmen were simply overwhelmed by emotion. I apologize for the disturbance, Lord Third."

The radicals hesitated, but under the pressure of Makoto's unwavering Mangekyō Sharingan, they wisely chose to remain silent.

"That is understandable," Hiruzen said, seizing the moment. "Even I would find it difficult to stay calm after witnessing such desecration. Fugaku, please have your people return home. I will ensure a thorough investigation and provide answers in due time."

"However, Lord Third, we require an answer now." Makoto's voice cut through the tense air as he pulled out the mission scroll bearing the Hokage's seal.

"This scroll—did you sign it?" He held it up to Hiruzen, a subtle smile on his lips.

Hiruzen's expression hardened. "Makoto, I did not assign any mission to you, nor is there any record of it in the mission hall." He needed to distance himself from Danzo as quickly as possible. With a glance at the twisted wooden remains on the ground, he made his decision.

"Then this was all Danzo's doing alone?" Makoto asked.

'Forgive me, Danzo.' Hiruzen sighed internally, but there was no other choice.

"Yes," he declared.

Makoto let out an exaggerated sigh of indignation. "How shameful! Lord Third dedicates himself tirelessly to the village, yet some seek to harm it for their own selfish gains! To think such villains lurk within the Hokage's inner circle!"

As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward Homura and Koharu.

"Makoto, I understand your frustration. Rest assured, I will get to the bottom of this," Hiruzen replied, though an ominous feeling crept into his heart.

"The Uchiha clan is willing to assist you in this matter," Makoto said, bowing respectfully.

"I appreciate your willingness to—" Hiruzen began, but his words faltered as he locked eyes with Makoto.

Those slowly rotating Mangekyō Sharingan…

A cold sweat ran down his spine. He suddenly recalled what Shisui had told him just the day before—that Makoto possessed a Dojutsu more dangerous than Kotoamatsukami.

Although he had reassured Shisui that such a technique would not change the village's situation, that didn't mean he personally was willing to fall under its influence. In fact, part of the reason he had allowed Danzo to act was to eliminate this very threat.

Now, however, he realized—Makoto was more formidable than any Uchiha he had ever faced.

With no other choice, Hiruzen exhaled deeply and conceded, "Very well. Since you are willing, I will entrust this matter to you."

As soon as those words left his mouth, the glow of Makoto's Mangekyō Sharingan faded. He bowed slightly.

"Understood, Lord Third."

Then, he turned to face his clansmen.

Just as Hiruzen was about to depart, Makoto's voice rang out once more:

"The Uchiha clan salutes the Hokage!"

Standing at the forefront of his clan, Makoto raised his right hand in a firm motion before bringing it to his chest where his heart rest.

"For Konoha, we dedicate our hearts!"

Behind him, the Uchiha clan—including even Fugaku—followed suit in unison.

"For Konoha!"