Chapter 28: The First Light (Part 1)

Is this considered self-destruction?

Nanshu realized that this was the perfect opportunity to use the power of the Cloud Ninja to bring down Danzo. Just as he instinctively wanted to seize the chance to beat a drowning dog, Uchiha Fugaku stepped in and stopped Nanshu's actions.

Fugaku looked back at Nanshu; he completely understood the other's thoughts, but now was not the best time.

"Why won't you let me, Lord Fugaku..."

Nanshu did not notice that his form of address for Fugaku had changed, from the somewhat distant Clan Head Fugaku to Lord. In a sense, this also represented Nanshu's acceptance of Fugaku's leadership position. To be honest, if there were such a superior in reality who could go all out for their subordinates, I wonder how many workers would be able to show a bright smile.

Fugaku did not offer an explanation, merely casting his gaze toward the Third Hokage. Setting aside whether there was conclusive evidence, if Danzo insisted that the Cloud Ninja were making false accusations, the Uchiha would be unable to do anything to him. Moreover, as long as the Uchiha Clan remained a thorn in the side of Konoha, the Third Hokage would not allow Danzo to fall.

"Be patient, Nanshu. It isn't over yet."

Fugaku narrowed his eyes slightly, revealing a sharp, piercing glint.

"... Yes."

Nanshu took an unwilling look at Danzo, even though he really wanted to kill this old bastard. …………

"Unacceptable, absolutely unacceptable!!"

"This is simply a corrupt and rotting village!"

When the Cloud Shinobi realized they had likely been "betrayed," anger eclipsed their reason, even leading them to act in a way that threatened the Hokage to his face.

As the leader of the Cloud Shinobi, Baton was furious and cursed loudly. They wanted an answer from Danzo, but the latter had no intention of acknowledging them from start to finish. Danzo's eyes were fixed firmly on the Third Hokage, as if he wished he could kill him with a single blade. This attitude made Baton and the Cloud Shinobi feel even more humiliated.

Being used by Danzo from beginning to end and then discarded like a pawn—this unspeakable sense of humiliation and frustration deeply stung the pride of the Cloud Shinobi present.

"Third Hokage, are you intentionally shielding the murderer? Are you not afraid of the retaliation from the Cloud Ninja Village!?"

"This is a deliberate act of breaking the alliance! We Cloud Ninja will not let you off!"

"You want to shield your own people just because they killed someone? Konoha has already lost even the most basic sense of shame!"

The Cloud Shinobi were consumed by rage and had lost their basic reason. They absolutely could not accept that after working so hard, it had all been for nothing, and they had even lost their own leader's life for it.

Amidst the fear of failure and the anger of being toyed with, Baton shouted in fury!

"Konoha are all liars, it's all lies! Go to hell, Third Hok..."

However, before Baton could finish his sentence, a silver flash of light suddenly appeared before his eyes!..

With a slash that tore through the air, a sharp, bright silver short sword was pressed against his neck before Baton could react.

At the same time, a silver-haired figure appeared behind him like a ghost.

"..."

The silver-haired figure wore a dog-head mask and the attire of the Anbu, giving off a cold, distant feeling. He issued a low threat through the mask.

"Watch your tone. Otherwise, these will be the last words you ever speak."

In that instant, Anbu appeared one after another around the Cloud Shinobi, surrounding them completely.

Swish! Swish! A uniform sound of blades being drawn rang out through the venue.

A murderous aura permeated the entire scene!

"Cloud Shinobi, this is not a place where you can act recklessly!"

Over a dozen sharp, gleaming long swords were aimed at the Cloud Ninja and the others. The cold killing intent spreading through the air made these Cloud Shinobi realize that the Anbu were not joking. …………

At this moment, the Third Hokage gazed at Uchiha Fugaku and said earnestly: "Konoha is a big family, and everyone living here is my family. If I could just hand people over to you simply because I feared war, then I would be far too derelict in my duties as Hokage."

"The Konoha that was created and established by the various great clans was for a better future. It was not so that our own clansmen could become sacrifices to be sold out at will."

The Third Hokage slowly closed his eyes, then opened them.

"Fugaku, these words you spoke... I will keep them firmly in my heart."

"... You are too humble."

Fugaku nodded with a cold expression.

"This incident was indeed us being too impatient, focusing only on appeasing the anger of the outside village while ignoring the most important thing. That is, everyone and every clan in the village is actually our family."

"The meaning of Konoha's existence is not to compromise for the sake of peace, even at the cost of sacrificing one's own family; rather, protecting one's family at all costs, no matter what happens, is what makes a true Konoha Village."

This familiar closing statement...

Nanshu muttered to himself.

Are you going to recite that famous quote next? Wherever the leaves fly...

"Wherever the leaves fly, the fire will burn. The shadow of the fire will shine upon the village, and the leaves will sprout anew. Only when one wishes to protect those they cherish most does a ninja's true power manifest."

The Third Hokage said with a solemn face.

"Today, I have once again deeply realized the value of this will passed down from the First Hokage."

Do not be deceived; the Third Hokage did not choose a side. He simply made the choice most advantageous to Konoha and himself after carefully observing the entire development of the situation.

In reality, the Third Hokage had originally intended to "passively sacrifice" Nanshu to appease the Cloud Ninja's anger, but Danzo was too impatient.

If Danzo had only targeted Uchiha Nanshu, it might have been fine, but his excessive greed and relentless pressure made Uchiha Fugaku realize the severity of the situation. Danzo did not hide his malice at all, making Fugaku realize that regardless of whether Nanshu was sacrificed, the worst outcome could not be avoided. Instinctively resisting the oppression of power was Uchiha Fugaku's subconscious reaction.

The Third Hokage also knew very well what Danzo wanted, but while he tacitly allowed Danzo to move against Nanshu, he absolutely would not agree to dragging Fugaku into it. Boiling a frog in warm water requires time and patience, but Danzo had set up the frying pan directly.

The Third Hokage could even foresee that if Uchiha Fugaku and the Root moved against each other, the Uchiha Clan would inevitably take the opportunity to start a riot.

For the Third Hokage, it was just a matter of simple addition and subtraction: see which side's consequences were more severe and abandon that one. Thus, he gave up on the threat of the Cloud Ninja, who were far away, and chose to extinguish the fire in time to prevent the imminent Uchiha crisis. The entire process involved almost no personal emotion; it was a choice made entirely out of political necessity.