After returning to the main camp in the Land of Water with his Root members, Danzo quickly noticed a significant change in the attitudes of the other clans' jonin toward Uchiha Fugaku, the commander. Compared to three months ago, their respect had grown considerably.
Such was the power of strength.
Despite the various conflicts between clans within the village, a strong commander on the battlefield was someone everyone could acknowledge.
...
Inside Uchiha Fugaku's tent…
"Elder Danzo…" Fugaku tested the waters with polite inquiries.
"You are the commander. I am merely responsible for intelligence," Danzo stated plainly, making his stance clear.
However, his attention was focused on the young man standing behind Fugaku.
"Uchiha Shisui, is it? War truly is the cradle of geniuses…"
In just three months, the orphaned Uchiha Shisui had already risen to stand at Fugaku's side.
Noticing Danzo's gaze, Shisui turned and offered a gentle smile.
Danzo remained expressionless, giving a small nod before closing his eyes to rest. Yet, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment—there was no system prompt in his mind.
Upon returning to the main camp, Danzo had no choice but to put his research activities on hold. After all, human experimentation was not tolerated in the ninja world.
With his duties now limited to intelligence gathering for Fugaku, Danzo found himself unexpectedly idle. Even his Root members were relegated to routine security tasks.
This was a deliberate arrangement by Fugaku—either as a form of special treatment or simply to keep Danzo from interfering too much.
Even in large-scale assaults, Fugaku kept Danzo stationed at the rear while personally leading the troops into battle.
Over the past two months, Danzo had grown accustomed to this newfound leisure, spending most of his time secluded in his tent, developing new jutsu.
Yet his Root members remained active. Their masked figures seemed to possess an almost magnetic pull toward civilian-born ninja.
It was common to see them teaching battlefield tactics, chakra control, and even basic jutsu to these lesser-trained shinobi.
Bound by the Root doctrine, they treated their comrades with an unusual sense of camaraderie, devoid of the typical coldness expected of shinobi.
Like bonfires on a battlefield, their presence attracted those who were fearful and uncertain.
...
Night fell, casting a tranquil silence over the camp, but a dim light still flickered inside Fugaku's tent.
"Danzo possesses Kage-level strength… Perhaps we could have him hold off one of their top fighters while we create a breakthrough," Fugaku proposed, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry.
"Fugaku, I don't know why that old fox Danzo has remained neutral, but he is certainly no friend of the Uchiha," the Second Elder replied, his voice laced with reprimand before he closed his eyes again.
"We must tread carefully. This war is our clan's opportunity… We must not end up like the Hyuga," the Fourth Elder added. Though he did not explicitly state his stance, it was clear he did not trust Danzo either.
Fugaku sighed inwardly. While Konoha's army held the upper hand in this war, their elite forces were not overwhelmingly superior.
Despite winning several key offensives, they had yet to completely crush the enemy.
As he furrowed his brows in thought, Shisui suddenly spoke up.
"If we keep dragging this out, our forces will suffer heavy losses. When we return to the village… perhaps we could split our forces and have Elder Danzo—"
"That's enough, Shisui." Fugaku cut him off.
"Understood, Clan Head. I spoke out of turn," Shisui immediately apologized, bowing respectfully.
The elders, who had initially frowned, slowly relaxed, paying no further attention to Shisui.
Once the meeting concluded, Fugaku had his men escort the elders back.
Glancing at Shisui, who had remained silent since his reprimand, Fugaku could not help but admire the young man.
Not only was Shisui immensely talented as a shinobi, but he also possessed keen insight into the dynamics between the village and the clan.
"You realize your words might have displeased the elders?"
"But if this drags on, Kumogakure and Iwagakure will be watching for any opening… If we cannot end this war quickly—"
"You're absolutely right."
Fugaku nodded in agreement with Shisui's analysis.
However, his expression shifted slightly as he continued, his gaze sharpening.
"But this is also an opportunity—an opportunity for the Uchiha to secure a place in Konoha's upper echelons. Only by leading the village to victory can our clan carve out its rightful position. Do you understand?"
"But…"
Seeing the conflicted look on Shisui's face, Fugaku sighed inwardly.
"Shisui, you are a shinobi of Konoha, but you are also the pride of the Uchiha. Do you understand?"
Fugaku agreed with Shisui's ideals. However, his years as clan leader had made him keenly aware of the deep-seated prejudices on both sides.
There was no room for reconciliation. The only path forward was for the Uchiha to seize their voice in the village, step by step.
Patting Shisui on the shoulder, Fugaku looked at him as if he were seeing his younger self.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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