"Three members of the Shimura clan and two members of the Hyūga clan got into a fight due to an argument, damaging the street and causing a total loss of 500,000 in village public property."
"This is definitely the fault of the Shimura clan members. Release the two Hyūga clan members, detain the three Shimura clan members for fifteen days, and demand repair costs plus fines from the Shimura clan, totaling one million."
"One member of the Sarutobi clan was injured in a conflict with two members of the Gekkō clan and is currently receiving treatment at the Konoha Hospital."
"Hmm, the Gekkō clan members were acting in self-defense, so release them. Since the Sarutobi clan member is already injured and hospitalized, no need to detain him."
...
Inside the Guard Corps Captain's office, Uchiha Fugaku was reviewing recent security incidents in Konoha, following his policy to suppress the Sarutobi, Shimura, Mito, and Teruzuki clans.
The Guard Corps had originally been established to isolate the Uchiha clan, positioning them against other clans.
Now, Fugaku used this organization to trouble those four clans, while showing goodwill toward other clans he hoped to win over, and it was working well.
Aside from the Hatake clan, several other clans had shown clear signs of friendliness toward the Uchiha.
This only strengthened Fugaku's confidence in his strategy.
Knock, knock, knock!
After the knock, Uchiha Yakimi, with black hair tinged brown, entered the office.
"Captain, the body of Aburame Shibi has been dealt with."
"Hm."
Fugaku nodded.
Simply destroying the brain tissue wasn't enough to guarantee no leakage of information about himself—after all, there was the forbidden jutsu of Impure World Reincarnation.
Fortunately, only Orochimaru currently possessed that jutsu; it wasn't mastered in Konoha.
And Konoha would never seek help from Orochimaru—no matter if he resurrected someone with Impure World Reincarnation, Konoha wouldn't trust it.
Those resurrected were completely controlled by Orochimaru like puppets; it would be easy to frame someone falsely.
Still, this was a hidden danger. So after Aburame Shibi's body was brought back to the village for burial, Fugaku secretly sent someone to dissolve the corpse with a chemical solution to prevent it from being resurrected.
He had done the same with Uchiha Itachi's body before.
Of course, the best method would be to destroy the body at the scene.
But then they couldn't claim, "Killed by a Wood Release kekkei genkai ninja," so the destruction had to wait until after the body was back in the village.
"Also, just now there was news from the Konoha gate: Tsunade and her companion Shizune have already left Konoha!"
Uchiha Yakimi continued.
"Left?"
Fugaku exhaled in relief.
After all, Tsunade was an influential Kage-level ninja; if she stayed, she would inevitably interfere with his plan to eliminate Uchiha clan's hostile enemies.
Now that she left the village, clearly not wanting to be involved in village affairs, it was better.
"Any news from Shimura Daisuke's side?"
"No, they've been cautious lately, haven't left the village. Probably afraid of being targeted by the Wood Release kekkei genkai ninja."
Yakimi shook his head.
"Them being afraid to leave the village is troublesome. If they act inside the village, it's easier to expose themselves."
Fugaku frowned.
"The Harvest Festival is coming soon, and the Daimyō's manor will host the celebration. According to our information, the Shimura clan seems to have some relationship with the Daimyō faction and sends representatives every year."
"Some relationship with the Daimyō faction..."
Fugaku was surprised, his mind drifting to Danzo's stint as acting Hokage.
It was only because he had the Daimyō's support that he succeeded as acting Hokage.
He had thought Danzo was simply the most suitable at the time, but now realized there was this connection behind it.
"Most years, Shimura Daisuke attends the festival; sometimes Danzo goes as well."
Yakimi paused before continuing.
"This year should be no exception, but it's unknown who will attend."
"Whoever attends will be a valuable target!"
Fugaku's frown eased, and his voice turned cold and filled with killing intent.
If Shimura Daisuke attends, that's a perfect chance to eliminate him.
If it's Shimura Danzo, even better.
Danzo rarely left the village, mostly staying within Konoha, and even then mostly inside the heavily guarded Root base.
If Danzo goes this time, it's a golden opportunity to remove him.
"Keep close watch on Shimura Daisuke and Shimura Danzo. Once either leaves the village, report to me immediately."
"Yes, Captain."
Yakimi responded and left.
...
Several days later, inside a tatami room in the Shimura household, Shimura Danzo sat cross-legged, seemingly deep in thought.
Tap, tap, tap!
Footsteps sounded as the tall, slender Shimura Daisuke entered, bowed to Danzo, and then sat cross-legged.
"Danzo-sama, did you call for me?"
Although he was the head of the Shimura clan, Danzo's status was special—one of Konoha's three advisors and commander of the powerful Root faction—so Daisuke's position was beneath Danzo's.
"The Harvest Festival is in a few days. You will go to the Daimyō's manor to represent the Shimura clan at the celebration," Danzo ordered.
"Attend the Harvest Festival? Danzo-sama, maybe not this year?"
Daisuke's face showed reluctance.
The Wood Release kekkei genkai ninja was now targeting Konoha. Though not all who left the village were attacked, a few were, like the recent case of Aburame Shibi and two others.
But no one could guarantee they wouldn't be targeted.
For his own safety, Daisuke planned to stay in Konoha for the time being.
"Relations with the Daimyō must be maintained. This is extremely important for my path to become Hokage," Danzo said coldly.
"But the Wood Release kekkei genkai ninja..."
Daisuke was troubled.
If Danzo became Hokage, it would benefit the Shimura clan and himself. He was willing to help for that.
But with the threat of the Wood Release kekkei genkai ninja, leaving the village meant risk. How could he dare?
"There's no room for discussion. You must go. If you refuse, then the Shimura clan will replace you with a new head who will go."
Danzo's cold gaze threatened Daisuke.
He would not tolerate anyone spoiling his plan to become Hokage, not even his own clan.
Anyone who dared hinder him would be mercilessly kicked aside.
"Danzo-sama, I... will go."
Daisuke's face changed drastically. He no longer resisted and quickly agreed.
He understood Danzo well—his words were no empty threat. Danzo truly would do it, and very likely succeed.
Within the Shimura clan, Daisuke's position wasn't as strong as Danzo's, nor did he have nearly as many supporters.
If Danzo called a clan meeting to depose him, it would almost certainly pass.
"Then prepare and depart as soon as possible."
Danzo first spoke coldly, then his tone softened slightly.
"I will send an elite Root team to protect you along the way. Even if you encounter the Wood Release kekkei genkai ninja, they will buy you time, greatly increasing your chance of survival."
"Thank you, Danzo-sama."
Relieved by the news of Root's protection, Daisuke felt more at ease.
Though safety wasn't guaranteed, his chances of escaping alive had improved.
After all, there was only one Wood Release kekkei genkai ninja, and with Root's elite shinobi delaying him, Daisuke's survival odds had definitely increased.