Chapter 33: Red Eyes, Black Secrets

The hallway pulsed with danger.

Root operatives moved in silently, faces hidden beneath emotionless masks. No shouting. No threats. Just the cold hum of killing intent.

Shina's Sharingan glowed brighter.

> "We don't kill," he said sharply. "We expose."

Itachi and Shisui nodded. They understood — this wasn't just a fight. This was evidence-gathering. Proof they could take to the Hokage… or use as leverage against Danzo.

> But first, they had to survive.

Shisui vanished with a flicker, disarming the first two attackers before they could react. Itachi followed, precise and quiet, disabling chakra points with surgical strikes.

Shina stayed behind, holding the scroll tight to his chest.

One Root operative lunged from the side.

Too slow.

Shina ducked, swept the man's legs, and slammed his fist into his gut with chakra-enhanced strength. The masked shinobi folded like paper.

> "Seal the exit," he heard from one Root captain behind him. "Recover the scroll!"

> "Not today."

Shina formed quick hand seals. "Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu!"

A massive stream of flame exploded through the tunnel, forcing the enemy into retreat. The fire curled along the walls, not aimed to kill, but to buy time.

> "Go!" Shisui yelled. "Tunnel 4B is still clear."

The three dashed toward the alternate exit, dodging kunai and darts. Itachi dropped smoke bombs behind them. Shisui left behind a genjutsu trap — any pursuers would be caught in an illusion of endless darkness.

When they burst out into the open air behind the training cliffs, the stars were still visible overhead.

> "We made it," Itachi said, chest rising and falling. "But they'll know it was us."

Shina held up the scroll, eyes fierce. "Good. Let them."

---

The Hokage's Dilemma

Two days later.

Sarutobi stared at the scroll on his desk. Danzo stood across from him, expression unreadable.

> "You deny authorizing this?" the Hokage asked quietly.

Danzo didn't flinch. "I authorize many things for the sake of the village."

> "Harvesting the Sharingan from Uchiha corpses is not one of them."

> "It would have strengthened Konoha. You know it."

> "At what cost, Danzo?"

Silence stretched. Sarutobi knew this wasn't just about one project. It was about control. About the line between security and oppression.

> "I should strip you of your command," the Hokage said.

Danzo turned, one eye glinting beneath shadow. "Then do it."

Sarutobi didn't. Not yet.

But a line had been crossed — and someone had to be watching now.

---

The Uchiha Repositioned

Fugaku stood at the head of the Uchiha assembly hall. This time, his words were not defensive.

> "Thanks to my sons — and Shisui — the truth of Root's operations has been uncovered. The Hokage has suspended Danzo's access to clan affairs."

Murmurs. Some disbelief. Some triumph.

Shina stood off to the side, arms crossed. He hated speeches. He preferred action.

Still… this was a win.

But he didn't smile.

Because he knew Danzo wasn't finished.

And neither was the storm coming to the Uchiha.

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Final Scene: One Step Ahead

In a distant chamber beneath the village, Danzo sat alone, unwrapping the bandages from his right arm.

> "They think they've won."

Revealed beneath the cloth — multiple Sharingan embedded along his forearm.

> "Let's see how long their peace lasts."

And in the shadows, something stirred.

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