Chapter 65: Shouldn't We Cut Danzo Again? (1/2)

"The selection process for the Root's heir is really brutal," Wakaho sighed.

"Is it now?" Orochimaru responded calmly.

"Yes, sensei. Uncle White Hair cut off Elder Danzo's left arm just to pass the test!"

"Is that so..." Orochimaru remained calm.

Wakaho blinked and, with a tone of regret, said, "It's a pity I didn't have time to bandage Elder Danzo's wound. I wonder if he's bled out by now..."

"..."

Orochimaru was silent for two seconds before replying, "That won't happen. Elder Danzo has some experience with arm injuries. He'll recover."

"..."

Wakaho sensed something was off. Orochimaru... had changed!

Wasn't he always protective of his beloved mentor?

Fugaku's signal flare had summoned every Uchiha ninja, surrounding Danzo tightly. The scene was like wrapping dumplings, yet Orochimaru wasn't the least bit anxious?

Alright then...

If you're not anxious, I won't be either.

Wakaho decided to sit down, roughly evaluating the current situation.

Fugaku had risen to the occasion. Upon seeing Danzo's Sharingan and getting no explanation, he unhesitatingly gathered the entire clan!

When that signal flare was launched, Wakaho was indeed a bit surprised.

The benefit of doing this was that it put pressure on Konoha.

But the downside was also clear: Fugaku was now in a difficult position.

Danzo refused to cooperate, wouldn't explain the origin of the three-tomoe Sharingan, and didn't even bother to lie, clearly intending to confront the Uchiha head-on.

The Uchiha had two choices.

Either make Konoha compromise and back down.

Or confront them head-on, defending the Uchiha clan's dignity at all costs!

They couldn't just become like the Hyuga clan next door, marked as cowards with tattoos on their foreheads, right?

Fugaku's signal flare made it clear that compromise was not an option.

But Wakaho also didn't think Fugaku had the guts to go all out...

From the outbreak of conflict until now, the Uchiha had subdued a dozen Root ninjas, but at most, they only severely injured their opponents. They didn't even dare to take lives...

If they couldn't kill subordinates, they certainly wouldn't dare to touch a high-ranking figure like Danzo.

Danzo refused to cooperate, and Fugaku didn't dare to strike hard, leading to a stalemate.

'Next, we'll just wait for the Third Hokage to come and smooth things over.'

Wakaho concluded.

The Third Hokage wouldn't abandon Danzo. He'd likely make some concessions to save Danzo while giving the Uchiha an excuse to back down.

And Fugaku was inherently indecisive.

In the original timeline, when the Uchiha rebelled, Fugaku chose the coup route mainly due to "public opinion."

Given Fugaku's "pseudo-tough" nature, if the Third Hokage made Danzo explain the three-tomoe Sharingan and concocted a story acceptable to the Uchiha, Fugaku would likely compromise.

'This won't do...'

Wakaho frowned slightly.

Although the plan for the first phase of the Five-Year Strategy was to develop steadily, promote harmony, ensure family happiness, and infiltrate Konoha, thereby opening the Mangekyo Sharingan.

But after all this commotion, all Danzo lost was an arm, and that wasn't even cut by him...

'It feels like there's a lack of personal involvement...'

Wakaho wasn't satisfied.

At the very least, he should be the one to cut Danzo, right?

Although Danzo didn't have the cells of Hashirama Senju now, he should still be able to withstand another blow, right?

Wakaho didn't plan to kill Danzo. It would be fun to mess around, but breaking ties with Konoha was not suitable.

He still intended to keep Danzo around to target the Uchiha, providing fodder for the rebellion.

But now Orochimaru was dead set on "sealing" him and the beast here, and forcing their way through wasn't appropriate...

'Then I'll have to use my trump card early...'

Wakaho pursed his lips.

He originally intended for Shisui to use this move, but given the current situation, it might not wait until then...

"Elder Danzo is truly a great ninja, sensei." Wakaho began his assault.

"Is he now..." Orochimaru responded calmly, but quickly sensed something amiss. He turned to look at Wakaho and couldn't help but ask, "Wakaho-kun... why do you think that?"

"Because he's an elder of Konoha."

Wakaho responded matter-of-factly, "And he's also a member of the Uchiha clan, having awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan. This proves he could never be a filthy rat."