What the hell is making games in the Ninja World?

In the Uchiha clan compound, the most powerful figures of the Uchiha gathered once again.

Uchiha Seijiro spoke in a deep voice, "Everyone, the Third Hokage has gone to meet with Kai-kun. They are currently talking alone at Kai-kun's home."

A hot-tempered Uchiha elder exclaimed, "We must go there immediately! Who knows what kind of schemes Hiruzen Sarutobi is planning? We cannot let Kai-kun be harmed!"

But this impulsive elder was quickly silenced.

Then, Uchiha Setsuna, who had once been the most radical among them, spoke calmly, "Everyone, I think you are overthinking this and reacting too strongly. Just as Kai-kun has brought great changes to the Uchiha recently, we should also trust him."

"With Kai-kun's intelligence, he likely anticipated that the Third Hokage would want to talk to him privately. The fact that Kai-kun never specifically mentioned this to us means he is confident and knows how to handle it."

"So, what we need to do is wait patiently for the result."

His tone was calm and composed, showing a level of trust in Uchiha Kai that surpassed any doubt. 

Uchiha Setsuna's attitude was one of blind faith, to the extent that he could justify any action Kai might take.

Hearing this, the other Uchiha leaders nodded, accepting his explanation.

However, Uchiha Fugaku, who wasn't blindly influenced by Setsuna's "authority," had a subtle expression on his face.

As the future clan head, soon to officially become the clan leader, Fugaku found Setsuna's trust in Kai-kun excessively blind. 

This extreme attitude contrasted starkly with Setsuna's former style, where he trusted only himself and regarded others as short-sighted fools. It seemed he had swung from one extreme to another.

"When did Elder Setsuna become like this? Could it be… after he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan?"

Fugaku pondered this and unconsciously recalled a past conversation he had with Kai about the Mangekyō Sharingan.

He remembered their discussion vividly:

Uchiha Kai: "The Mangekyō Sharingan is indeed the ultimate power of the Uchiha clan, but unlocking it often comes at a great cost."

Uchiha Fugaku: "I know. The ancient texts say it is only awakened after losing someone precious."

Uchiha Kai: "No, the significant cost I mentioned isn't that. It's about personality. Awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan often means that the Uchiha's personality will undergo a drastic change, leaning toward an extreme. This extremity could manifest in a positive way or a negative way. But regardless of the direction, their thinking will shift dramatically toward one extreme."

This was the conversation at that time.

When Uchiha Fugaku heard this back then, he simply noted it down mentally without commenting. After all, the Uchiha Clan hadn't seen a Mangekyō Sharingan in years. Even though these words came from Uchiha Kai, Fugaku couldn't confirm their validity.

Now, as the example of Uchiha Setsuna stood before him, Uchiha Fugaku finally understood what Uchiha Kai meant by "cost."

"If… I were to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, in which extreme direction would my personality shift? This feels as though it's a form of mental manipulation. If I truly become extreme, would I still be myself?"

Thinking deeper sent chills down Uchiha Fugaku's spine, and for the first time, he felt a sense of fear about awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan.

—

At the same time, in one of the Konoha higher-ups' offices, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu frowned as they listened to Danzo Shimura, who had come to them with urgent news.

Danzo stared at his two companions with his cold, single eye and said, "As I told you, Hiruzen went to meet Uchiha Kai alone and is currently speaking privately with that young Uchiha."

"With Hiruzen's personality, he's likely talking to that brat about things like the Will of Fire. He wants to use his outdated, conservative ideals to make that Uchiha kid embrace the Will of Fire."

"He's far too naive—so naive it's bordering on foolish. The older he gets, the more deluded he becomes. He's trying to pacify and recruit the inherently evil Uchiha Clan with his rhetoric. He's been Hokage for so long that he's completely forgotten the teachings of Tobirama-sensei. Even now, he dares to hold illusions about the Uchiha Clan."

"We must act. If we don't, Hiruzen's 'weakness' this time will give the Uchiha Clan an opportunity, and this inherently evil clan will inevitably plunge the entire village into chaos!"

Faced with Danzo's alarmist statements, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged frowns, both showing signs of hesitation.

While targeting the Uchiha Clan had long been the politically correct stance among Konoha's leadership—and in the past, they would have readily agreed with Danzo's words, as suppressing the Uchiha Clan benefited both them and their clans—now…

"Danzo, aren't you overthinking this? While it's true that the Uchiha Clan has a tendency to lean toward extremes, calling them inherently evil is going too far."

"Yes, yes. Besides, the Uchiha clan is changing. They are working hard to integrate into Konoha, helping all the clans here. In such a short time, the Uchiha clan has already won over most of Konoha's ninja clans with their sincerity. I think our attitude toward the Uchiha clan needs to change as well."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu said one after another, showing their disagreement with Danzo Shimura's views.

This made Danzo's single eye widen slightly in disbelief, and then his expression darkened completely.

Damn it! This is a shameful betrayal!

It wasn't like this before. In the past, when they targeted the Uchiha clan, both of these Hokage advisors stood by his side, squeezing and pressuring Sarutobi Hiruzen together. Why has it changed so suddenly?

What happened?

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, seeing Danzo's expression, felt a little guilty and awkward, turning their gaze away.

Indeed, targeting the Uchiha was politically correct, but the Uchiha clan had given so much in terms of genjutsu game that it was hard to ignore. 

When the potential profits and dividends they could receive in a year were calculated, each of their clans got excited and praised the Uchiha, saying things like, "The Uchiha clan has a thousand-year heritage, and they handle things in such a grand way."

This wind naturally reached the two advisors, who were the clan representatives.

When their clans started speaking highly of the Uchiha clan and explained the benefits they could get, the two of them began to think, "The Uchiha is not bad now. They've changed, and it seems we don't need to target them anymore."

Now, although they felt a bit guilty, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura didn't feel they were wrong. 

After all, not just them, but all the major ninja clans in Konoha had clear interests tied to the Uchiha. 

Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, as Hokage, held this view. It was Danzo Shimura who clung to the old ideas, looking out of place.

With that thought, Mitokado Homura cleared his throat and said, "Danzo, as for our attitude toward the Uchiha clan, we think it can be like what Hiruzen said. We should observe them first and make a judgment later."

"Now, the Uchiha clan is actively seeking change. They have abandoned their previous arrogant attitude and are actively building relationships with all the major ninja clans. They have the intention to integrate into Konoha, and everyone is very welcoming."

"In this situation, continuing to treat the Uchiha the way we did before seems a bit inappropriate. So, our suggestion is that you leave the Uchiha alone for now and focus the attention of ROOT elsewhere."

Utatane Koharu nodded deeply in agreement: "Yes, recently, the ninja world is unstable. The other countries are quietly preparing for war, and the Third Great Ninja War could erupt at any moment. This is the time for your Root to focus its power outside of the Land of Fire."

Their exchange completely enraged Shimura Danzo, whose cold and sinister aura made people uncomfortable.

After a long silence, Shimura Danzo spoke in a deep voice: "You two are just like Sarutobi. Have you forgotten the teacher's warning? Have you forgotten the danger of the Uchiha clan?"

The cold, threatening words caused Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to frown, feeling displeased.

Although they were somewhat guilty because of their 'betrayal,' they did not think this was a reason for threats. After all, they were all members of Konoha Council. What right did Danzo have to speak to them in a tone like that, as if from a higher position?

So, Mitokado Homura spoke in a low voice: "Danzo, we are simply following the Hokage's will—don't forget, Hiruzen is the Hokage!"

"!!!" 

Shimura Danzo widened his single eye, and a sense of anger washed over him. He immediately stood up, "Just like Hiruzen, you will regret this one day!"

He turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him with a loud bang.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged glances, sighed helplessly, and without saying anything further, each went about their business.

Meanwhile, as Danzo left in anger, he also felt deep loneliness and fury. 

In this emotional state, his thoughts became more extreme—since all his former comrades had betrayed him, he would now target the Uchiha clan in his own way!

As for how to do that...

Heh, the rumors that even Konoha's White Fang couldn't endure are still a very useful tactic!

The Uchiha clan's reputation was always bad. While it had improved a little recently, it was still just a little. The Uchiha were still a proud clan, giving him plenty of room to work.

The inherently evil Uchiha clan—did they think they could reverse their reputation with such little tricks?

How naive!

I, the protector of Konoha, will show you that those of you who try to corrupt Konoha will never succeed!

The fake goodwill you're pretending to show now will be shattered by me—the one who upholds the will of the Second Hokage, who has given everything for Konoha.

I will expose your true and ugly faces to the entire village, so everyone can see your true nature!

With this thought, Shimura Danzo became resolute, his eyes burning with fierce determination.

This is all for the sake of protecting Konoha!

**********

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