<div>
<div>
A few days later.
<div>
<div>
Scandalous rumors about the Uchiha clan abruptly resurfaced among the Konoha populace.
<div>
<div>
However, this time, the people of Konoha seemed to have gained a newfound awareness, refusing to allow their emotions to be manipulated by the "secret ninja."
<div>
<div>
This sentiment was akin to children becoming more curious about something the more their parents forbade it.
<div>
<div>
Not only did it fail to suppress positive public opinion towards the Uchiha, but it also made the image of the secret ninja increasingly negative in Konoha.
<div>
<div>
"Shh, be careful what you say. This is a forbidden topic."
<div>
<div>
"Audacious! Do you have a death wish?!"
<div>
<div>
"I heard the ''secret ninja'' are offering a bounty of 500,000 ryō for rebels colluding with foreign villages. You dare wade into these murky waters at a time like this?"
<div>
<div>
"Who are these secret ninja anyway? How can such a dark force exist in our free and harmonious Konoha?!"
<div>
<div>
"This topic is untouchable!"
<div>
<div>
An invisible air of oppression once again enveloped Konoha.
<div>
<div>
A silent consensus seemed to have formed among the villagers:
<div>
<div>
[Regarding the secret ninja]
<div>
<div>
[Don''t think about it; if you must think, don''t talk about it; if you must think and talk, don''t write about it; if you must think, talk, and write, don''t sign your name; if you disregard all these rules, you''ll probably be taken away by the secret ninja.]
<div>
<div>
This phenomenon seemed to intensify in taverns, teahouses, and ninja tool shops throughout Konoha.
<div>
<div>
Kind-hearted villagers, overhearing strangers sighing nearby, would immediately intervene before a word was spoken, offering subtle warnings:
<div>
<div>
"Stranger, if you don''t want to be apprehended by the secret ninja… please refrain from engaging in conversations that defy them."
<div>
<div>
However, the turning point seemed to stem from a rumor, the origin of which remained unknown:
<div>
<div>
[Asuma Sarutobi, son of the retired Third Hokage, publicly protested in support of the Uchiha ninja and was subsequently arrested by the secret ninja.]
<div>
<div>
[In prison, Gojo Kaigetsu, advisor to the Fourth Hokage, patted Asuma''s shoulder and said, "Do what you believe is right! Just like I did!"]
<div>
<div>
[Asuma Sarutobi gazed into the distance with a resolute expression…]
<div>
<div>
[An anonymous minister… If a village chooses to suppress the will of its villagers and ninja to pursue freedom, it is undoubtedly a failed village.]
<div>
<div>
Gojo Kaigetsu and this anonymous minister seemed to have become spiritual leaders for the Konoha villagers, emboldening them to speak the truth.
<div>
<div>
Thus-
<div>
<div>
More and more voices began to rise from the populace.
<div>
<div>
The old ramen shop owner: "…If the secret ninja come to arrest me, no one will speak up for me anymore."
<div>
<div>
A random customer at a ninja tool shop: "If we remain indifferent to the injustice, bullying, and persecution faced by the Uchiha, we will ultimately be the ones who suffer!"
<div>
<div>
A ninja who had undergone "re-education" at the Konoha Military Police Force: "I''ve been to the Military Police Force headquarters. Their soldier pills are quite delicious."
<div>
<div>
A member of a small ninja clan: "Protecting the Uchiha means protecting ourselves!"
<div>
<div>
Fresh graduates from the Ninja Academy, still wet behind the ears, even paraded a bewildered Asuma Sarutobi, holding banners and emulating Gojo Kaigetsu''s fight for freedom of speech.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
<div>
<div>
"Stop persecuting the Uchiha! Stop persecuting the Uchiha! Stop persecuting the Uchiha!"
<div>
<div>
…
<div>
<div>
…
<div>
<div>
"Damn these unruly civilians! Unruly civilians!"
<div>
<div>
Danzo Shimura''s face darkened completely, his rage boiling over as he hurled his teacup to the floor.
<div>
<div>
He couldn''t understand why his previously infallible methods had failed.
<div>
<div>
He had clearly ordered Root ninja to warn the major clans, and Mito Kadach had been spreading subtle pressure throughout the village…
<div>
<div>
Initially, events unfolded as he had planned, but soon, it was as if they had hit rock bottom and bounced back with even greater force.
<div>
<div>
"They even dare utter such absurd statements as protecting the Uchiha."
<div>
<div>
"What went wrong?! Why aren''t the usual methods working anymore?"
<div>
<div>
"I understand now. They side with whoever wins." Homura Mitokado, his face grim, pushed an article forward. "Danzo, take a look at this ''Adaptability''… It''s about the source of the rumors."
<div>
<div>
"Someone is orchestrating all of this from the shadows!"
<div>
<div>
Danzo took the new issue of "Iki," his anger growing with each line he read.
<div>
<div>
Secret ninja… or rather, Root.
<div>
<div>
When had Root ever arrested Gojo Kaigetsu?! Which Fire Country daimyo had made such comments? And when had the Fourth Hokage visited Gojo Kaigetsu in prison?!
<div>
<div>
Utter nonsense!
<div>
<div>
Not only was it nonsense, but the rumor conveniently skipped the beginning and middle, jumping straight to the Fire Country minister''s supposed statement…
<div>
<div>
It was not only fabricated but also taken out of context!
<div>
<div>
For the first time, Danzo experienced what it felt like to be wronged.
<div>
<div>
"Hmph, if I weren''t in Konoha, I might actually believe the lies spewed in this ''Iki.''"
<div>
<div>
Danzo immediately stood up. "Let''s go, Homura. We''re going to the Hokage Tower to demand an explanation from the Fourth."
<div>
<div>
"I don''t care how Gojo Kaigetsu deals with other villages."
<div>
<div>
"But to slander my reputation and sabotage my plan for the Uchiha… This ''Iki'' must cease publication! And Gojo Kaigetsu himself must clarify the false content within!"
<div>
<div>
Fuming, Danzo stormed towards the Hokage office, Homura trailing behind.
<div>
<div>
Before they could push the door open, they overheard the jovial conversation inside.
<div>
<div>
"Clan Head Fugaku, thank you for the support the Uchiha clan has shown for Konoha''s development."
<div>
<div>
"This five hundred million ryō is a ''token of gratitude'' from our clan elders."
<div>
<div>
Fugaku Uchiha spoke with heartfelt emotion.
<div>
<div>
In recent days, Elder Setsuna, a prominent hawk within the clan, had finally ventured into the village.
<div>
<div>
Upon his return, his eyes were red-rimmed.
<div>
<div>
He mumbled strange things like, "Do they think we can''t afford it? Give everyone a bottle."
<div>
<div>
Back home, he silently handed over his life savings to Fugaku, claiming it was money for soldier pills, entrusting Fugaku to pass it on to the Fourth Hokage for distribution.
<div>
<div>
The reason behind these peculiar actions… Fugaku understood after seeing the ninjas accompanying Elder Setsuna with their pockets stuffed with various soldier pills.
<div>
<div>
"However… we, the Uchiha, have one request regarding the use of these funds."
<div>
<div>
"Please speak freely."
<div>
<div>
Minato replied solemnly. At a time when the village desperately needed development funds, the Uchiha''s generous contribution was a godsend.
<div>
<div>
All of this was thanks to Gojo Kaigetsu, who sat in his advisor''s seat with his hands behind his head, forming a reverse triangle with his arms.
<div>
<div>
Fugaku''s expression turned serious. "We request that this money not be used to fund the village''s ''secret ninja.''"
<div>
<div>
While the clan and the village had reached a historic reconciliation, it didn''t mean the Uchiha had forgiven Danzo''s faction, whose core principles were rooted in the Second Hokage''s will.
<div>
<div>
"Oh~ the secret ninja, you say~"
<div>
<div>
Gojo Kaigetsu seized control of the conversation, patting his chest in assurance.
<div>
<div>
"Of course, we certainly don''t advocate for secret ninja."
<div>
<div>
"This money will be used for construction within and outside the village. We''ll prioritize both aspects, ensuring both are robust…"
<div>
<div>
Satisfied with the response, Fugaku nodded repeatedly. If not for the fear of eavesdroppers, he would have revealed his Sharingan to demonstrate his trust in the village.
<div>
<div>
Only after Fugaku Uchiha had left did Danzo and Homura enter the Hokage office.
<div>
<div>
Gojo Kaigetsu wasn''t surprised by their arrival in the slightest:
<div>
<div>
"Well, well, if it isn''t Elder Danzo and Elder Homura. We just had a meeting, and guess who wasn''t invited…"
<div>
<div>
"Hmph, I don''t have time for your nonsense."
<div>
<div>
Danzo marched towards Minato. "Fourth Hokage, I''m here to remind you of one thing."
<div>
<div>
"The Uchiha clan harbors treacherous ambitions. They still dream of usurping the First Hokage''s legacy. Fully accepting them is akin to shooting yourself in the foot with a kunai!"
<div>
<div>
"I suggest you immediately halt the publication of ''Iki'' and have Gojo Kaigetsu clarify the false content within!"
<div>
<div>
"Then, have Root secretly arrest those who spread rumors and escalate the situation in Konoha with malicious intent."
<div>
<div>
Minato''s usually amiable expression turned cold as he rested his chin on his interlocked fingers.
<div>
<div>
"Elder Danzo, I am the Hokage."
<div>
<div>
"The plan behind ''Iki'' has been personally approved by me and will remain in effect for at least five years."
<div>
<div>
"If your Root organization has nothing better to do…"
<div>
<div>
"Perhaps you should turn your attention to Kirigakure in the distance!"