Due to the lockdown in the village, Kuragami Uchiha encountered no obstacles on his way to the Hokage building.
The only people he came across were a few Konoha Military Police Force members dragging some beaten-down criminals back to headquarters like dead dogs.
When they greeted him, Kuragami smiled and returned the gesture, reminding them to finish up quickly so they could collect their bonuses and Jutsus before clocking out.
Hearing this, the Konoha Military Police Force members cheered and, in their excitement, landed a few more kicks on the nearly unconscious criminals.
By the time Kuragami arrived at the Hokage building, Kakashi had also just arrived. The two exchanged a knowing smile before walking in together.
After a brief report, Kuragami and Kakashi swaggered straight into the Hokage's office.
Before the third Hokage could even speak, Koharu Utatane immediately lashed out: "Kuragami Uchiha, what was the meaning of the Konoha Military Police Force's actions tonight? Is the Uchiha Clan trying to—"
Before she could finish, Kuragami's Mangekyo Sharingan activated instantly, releasing a surge of chakra that flooded the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly stood up and slammed his desk while roaring in rage. "Enough!"
His sudden outburst cut Koharu off mid-sentence.
Meanwhile, beside Kuragami, the chakra forms a massive, dark skeletal arm adorned with glowing blue runes. The arm of his Susanoo reached into the corner of the room, pulling out two chairs.
Kuragami casually sat down and gestured for Kakashi to do the same.
Kakashi smirked slightly, adjusted his attire, and took a seat.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed upon seeing this. The Uchiha's ultimate power is the Mangekyo Sharingan's Susanoo.
The last time he had seen this ability, he had been just a boy. Though Kuragami's manifestation of it did not yet compare to the godlike strength of Madara Uchiha, his effortless display made it clear: This wasn't even close to his full power.
And more importantly...
Hiruzen glanced at Kakashi, who was now seated beside Kuragami as an equal. Their open display of unity left no room for doubt; they were allies.
Hiruzen scowled at Koharu and Homura, the two elders whose foolish actions had driven Kakashi straight into the Uchiha's camp.
He had already seen everything unfold through his crystal ball. The way former fourth Hokage loyalists had blocked the Jonin squad from intervening, and the moment Kakashi stepped forward to carry the banner left behind by the Fourth Hokage, forming a new faction within the village instantly.
At the same time, Kuragami had silently amassed an army.
Hiruzen realized he no longer held the initiative.
"Advisor Koharu."
Kuragami leaned back in his chair, smirking. "You should be careful with your words. Once spoken, they can't be taken back."
"You—" Koharu seethed in anger.
After warning the other party, Kuragami Uchiha was too lazy to talk to her anymore and turned back to look at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hokage-sama, tonight the Konoha Military Police Force was attacked by rioters manipulated by malicious people. In response, we were forced to enforce a lockdown and suppress the disorder. We regret not informing you sooner, and we ask for your understanding."
"I've already looked into the situation."
Hiruzen forced a smile. "You handled it well, Kuragami. Maintaining order in the village is the duty of the Konoha Military Police Force. This matter must be dealt with seriously."
"Hiruzen!" Homura exclaimed in shock.
"It's late."
Hiruzen interrupted, his tone firm. "And you two aren't young anymore. Someone escort the two advisors home to rest."
Before negotiating with Kuragami, Hiruzen knew the first step was removing these two idiots from the room. Their presence would only make things worse.
Back when the Uchiha lacked the power to stage a coup, Hiruzen could overlook their ignorance. But now, the Uchiha did have the power. If these two elders kept running their mouths, they would only accelerate disaster.
"Oh, no need for that, Hokage-sama."
Kuragami's smile widened. "Since they care so much about the village, it's only fair they stay and listen. After all, what I'm about to say concerns them as well."
"What do you mean?" Koharu gritted her teeth.
Before she could get an answer, a massive explosion rocked the southern part of the Hokage building.
Hiruzen, Homura, and Koharu's expressions all tensed. The explosion, especially in the latter two, came from the direction of their clan compounds.
"What did you do?!" Homura asked through gritted teeth.
"I merely sent people to arrest criminals who had colluded with the rebel ninja Orochimaru, harmed fellow villagers, and spread slanderous rumors to tarnish the reputation of our village's heroes."
Kuragami replied casually while leaning back in his chair.
"It just so happens that all of these criminals belong to your two clans, advisors, and the now-deceased former leader of the Root, the rebel ninja, Danzo Shimura."
Kuragami's words, though spoken with a smile, sent a chill down their spines.
"Just an arrest operation, correct?" Hiruzen lit his pipe and exhaled a cloud of smoke while staring intently at Kuragami.
"Of course."
Kuragami met Hiruzen's gaze fearlessly while still smiling. "Shisui Uchiha himself is leading the operation. If you don't trust me, surely you trust your own Anbu, don't you?"
Hiruzen nodded slowly while reaching for the crystal ball on his desk. After infusing it with Chakra, he activated the Crystal Ball Jutsu.
Soon, images from the targeted clan compounds appeared within the crystal ball.
A massive green humanoid figure, glowing with ethereal energy, stood in the center of the battlefield, completely unfazed by the barrage of jutsu being hurled at it.
With just a casual swipe of its hand, the enemy ninja collapsed in droves.
"What... Is that?"
Koharu and Homura were utterly stunned.
Kuragami, ever the helpful one, answered with a grin.
"This is the Uchiha Clan's ultimate power, Susanoo."
He turned to them, his smile never fading. "I suggest you start thinking about how you'll explain yourselves to the Hokage. According to the evidence obtained from interrogations tonight, the rumors that have been circulating in the village these past few days... were all orchestrated under your orders."