Chapter 101: A Bitter Lesson for the Uchiha, Scolding Shisui

Konoha core area, Hokage building.

The Third Hokage, clad in battle attire, stood at the window looking toward the Uchiha clan lands on Konoha's outskirts, continuously exhaling Smoke; his mood fluctuated unpredictably.

"Reporting to Third Hokage, the Barrier over the Uchiha clan lands has already been opened."

An ANBU member teleported into the office and said urgently.

The Third Hokage sighed at the news, then furrowed his brows, looked at the surrounding buildings, and said gravely, "Go summon the three assistants."

"Yes!"

After the ANBU left, the Third Hokage addressed the empty office, ordering, "Notify each clan head that the assassins hidden within Konoha pose a grave threat; have them immediately rally the Clan Elite to stand by within their clan lands, and also dispatch people to seal off the remaining streets, forbidding anyone from leaving their homes."

"Yes!"

"Inform Shinzusuke and tell him to stay ready at all times."

"Yes!"

With each order issued, the Third Hokage finally relaxed his breath, but before he could open the Water Crystal Ball to assess the situation, the office door was violently thrown open.

"Rizhan, what on earth are you doing? First you strip me of my position, seize my money, dissolve my Root, and now you accuse me of neglecting the Will of Fire.

What? During the New Year I have to report to you whom I see or avoid seeing? You're really getting senile!

Now you make such a commotion to summon me; what exactly are you planning!"

Tuan Zang shoved the door open, and upon seeing the Third Hokage leisurely handling his Water Crystal Ball, he was incensed, shouting angrily and hurling curses nonstop.

The Third Hokage, seeing this, offered no explanation, merely whispering, "The Uchiha are planning a Coup."

"Heh heh, I thought it was... uh?"

Tuan Zang sneered, about to mock, but as he recovered his expression shifted sharply, his eyes showing shock, delight, and unease, which then turned into greed.

But he finally hesitated, saying, "They dare to rebel? On what grounds?"

It's not that he despises the Uchiha; the hard power is evident. Konoha, though long scarred by war and having lost much combat strength, has seen the Uchiha also fight on the front lines. Now they have not a single kaleidoscope left; with their meager strength to clash head‑on with Konoha, they can only meet death and clan annihilation.

Of course, if they truly fought, Konoha would not fare well either.

Such a self‑damaging act is something even he wouldn't commit; the Uchiha may have a flawed mind, but not that foolish, right? "The information was confirmed ten days ago; Shisui has already gone to intervene. If Shisui fails tonight, we will have to act to quell the chaos."

The Third Hokage spoke, relaying the contents of the Uchiha clan meeting from ten days ago to Tuan Zang.

Tuan Zang immediately snorted coldly, his chest slightly puffed out.

"Hmph, I have long said the Uchiha clan meeting harbored ill intent! Had you listened to me back then, we wouldn't be at this point!"

The Third Hokage smoked without replying; after all, the other had indeed guessed correctly, so he had kept the truth hidden for days to prevent Tuan Zang from taking relentless revenge.

Seeing the Third Hokage remain silent, Tuan Zang continued, "How can a mere Shisui stop a Coup? In my view, our move is only a matter of time. Return the Root's people to me; I will personally lead a force to annihilate the Uchiha!"

The Third Hokage waved his hand at the words, and someone immediately appeared to hand a piece of intelligence to Tuan Zang; upon receiving it, Tuan Zang saw it was the Leakage Diagram of the Uchiha clan lands' Barrier.

"Where are the Root's people?"

"They've already been dispatched near the Uchiha clan lands, but the Uchiha side has just begun; the rendezvous time with Shisui hasn't arrived yet, so we must wait a bit longer." "Wait for what?"

As the two spoke, Zhuan Ren Xiaochun and Shuihu Menyan finally arrived; upon entering, they heard the Third Hokage's admonition.

Tuan Zang turned back, displeased that the two were still moving so slowly at this moment, "The Village is about to be destroyed by those Evil Doers, and you still have the leisure to dawdle in arriving!"

"Evil Doers?"

The two were startled, then Zhuan Ren Xiaochun quickly recovered, looked at the Third Hokage and asked, "Is the Uchiha really planning a Coup?"

Shuihu Menyan furrowed his brows, remained silent, but his expression clearly indicated he also knew some information.

"How do you know?"

Tuan Zang was puzzled; he recalled that Zhuan Ren Xiaochun, like himself, had been confined in the clan lands and stripped of all duties at the Ninja Hospital, so how could she know such a secret?

Unexpectedly, Zhuan Ren Xiaochun merely gave him a cold stare without explanation.

Under her leadership, the Zhuan Ren family gradually prospered, while the once Sarutobi‑renowned Shimura Clan now only has a few big and small cats left; if Tuan Zang continues to trouble them, the Shimura Clan will have to sit together with the Hatake Clan.

"Exactly," the Third Hokage nodded, and recounted the details again.

The two's expressions grew solemn; Shuihu Menyan suggested, "Then first gather forces and wait a bit longer. With such a commotion, even if he fails, the Uchiha's power will be greatly diminished."

Zhuan Ren Xiaochun said, "Hmm, but there's another issue: if Shisui fails and the Uchiha launch a Coup, how should we deal with the Uchiha clan then?"

Facing this question, the Third Hokage furrowed his brows and smoked, Shuihu Menyan remained silent, and only Tuan Zang decisively said, "Kill all the higher-ups, spare some children and send them to the Root!"

Unexpectedly, the three shook their heads simultaneously; "The higher-ups can be killed, but the children cannot be sent to the Root."

The Third Hokage bluntly said, "Those who betray the Village are unforgivable, but the children and ordinary clan members are innocent. Shisui has already sealed off the streets of the Uchiha clan lands; as long as we act quickly, they won't know."

Zhuan Ren Xiaochun added, "This cannot be hidden; rather than conceal it, let Shisui bear the burden. For Konoha, I believe he would be willing."

Tuan Zang met her gaze, nodded, and said, "Fine, if he can survive, we can send him to the Root, where he'll live under a false name; I will train him properly. If he dies, that outcome would also bring him some solace."

"This"

The Third Hokage hesitated, "This is too inhumane; Shisui has given so much for Konoha, how can we make him bear such a reputation."

"If Shisui truly holds Konoha in his heart, he will understand this decision," Shuihu Menyan also urged.

Seeing the three agree, the Third Hokage sighed, remained silent, indicating tacit approval.

Elsewhere, within the Police Department, Tie Huo and the others under guard noticed the massive deployment of Konoha Elite Forces outside, and their faces turned grim.

Even though they knew they were under Soft Confinement by Shisui, they merely sighed, feeling relieved that they didn't have to choose sides in a potential Coup.

But when they saw the Konoha Elite Forces mobilize, they realized the Uchiha crisis had only just begun.

Now they must pray that Shisui can successfully stop Fugaku; otherwise, a split Uchiha fighting Konoha would end in an utterly tragic outcome.

(End of Chapter)