Chapter 497: The nouveau riche Sarutobi Hiruzen, throwing money around like crazy!

The higher-ups of the ninja clans were naturally not stupid.

Although they didn't know the specific situation, they still keenly sensed that something was off about this Uchiha affair today.

It had a slightly deliberate flavor to it!

However.

This matter had little to do with them, so they were naturally too lazy to intervene.

Therefore, a moment later.

Inside the entire Setsuna residence, only Sarutobi Hiruzen, the two elders, and two or three Anbu members remained.

Besides them.

There were only Shisui and the Uchiha under his command.

Shisui's face appeared extremely pale; a hint of remorse lingered in his eyes as he spoke softly to Sarutobi Hiruzen beside him.

"Lord Hokage, I am deeply sorry."

"I never imagined that Uchiha Jin would be so bold."

"Today, I gathered the Uchiha who were dissatisfied with Jin. I hadn't even thought about vying for power with Uchiha Jin; I just wanted to let everyone unite and have a meeting."

"But, I didn't expect."

"That guy Uchiha Jin wasn't even willing to negotiate with us."

"Instead, he gathered the entire Uchiha clan and attempted to wipe us out in one battle."

"I was indeed careless."

"And my strength, for the time being, is indeed no match for Jin."

"Now, sigh!"

"After finally gathering these people, Elder Setsuna is dead, Elder Yashiro is severely injured, and I am not lightly wounded myself."

"If Lord Hokage hadn't come in person, everyone here would likely have ended up dead."

"Here, I thank you, Lord Hokage."

"But now that we have been completely expelled from the Uchiha, I am at a complete loss as to how to live from here on."

"Lord Hokage, I need your help."

Shisui's expression was heavy.

He strictly followed Uchiha Jin's instructions, first stating that his actions had already received authorization from you, the Hokage.

Then, he immediately indicated that it wasn't that he acted rashly, but that Uchiha Jin lacked martial virtue.

He had only gathered his own people for a meeting to simply discuss future development, with no intention of a violent clash with Uchiha Jin.

But, he didn't expect.

Uchiha Jin lacked martial virtue and, without even listening to an explanation, attacked directly.

Now.

The Uchiha had suffered heavy losses, and even an elder like Uchiha Setsuna had died.

Now...

This group of theirs had been expelled from the Uchiha.

Next.

They couldn't even guarantee their own survival, so you, Lord Hokage, will have to figure it out.

Koharu Utatane: "..."

Homura Mitokado: "..."

If it were in the past, they would definitely have helped Sarutobi Hiruzen.

At the very least.

They would have chimed in to give Sarutobi Hiruzen a chance to play the 'good cop,' thereby better winning over Shisui's heart.

But, things were different now.

Having experienced the events of last night and today, they were already beginning to split internally.

So the two looked at each other and ultimately chose silence.

In fact, in the end.

They even found a random excuse and chose to leave just like that.

Yes.

Unless the Uchiha were too extreme and had begun preparing for rebellion, even endangering the village's high-level officials.

Otherwise.

They would not be of one mind with Sarutobi Hiruzen!

The current situation was clearly not that serious.

So, it was better to let Sarutobi Hiruzen handle this mess himself.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was completely bewildered.

He watched the backs of his two 'good friends' as they left, his eyes filled with astonishment.

He couldn't figure it out.

What happened to the rapport they had cultivated for so many years?

If you all leave, how am I supposed to perform alone?

But, there was no choice.

He couldn't just leave Shisui and these Uchiha to fend for themselves, could he?

After all, after this incident, everyone knew that this group had defected to him.

They had even shed quite a bit of blood for it, and even an elder-level figure like Uchiha Setsuna had died.

If he didn't care for them, how would the other ninja clans view him?

Who would dare to defect to him in the future? ===== CHAPTER 498 =====