For Shinji and Sasuke, even though Danzo had retired, he had always been keeping tabs on them from the shadows. So, the moment Shinji spoke, Danzo immediately recognized his identity.
Of course, Shinji had no intention of hiding anything.
Feeling the skeptical gazes around him, Danzo's brow furrowed tightly.
His current mood mirrored Sasuke's from earlier—anger and disbelief!
He never would've imagined that before he could even deal with Uchiha Shinji, the boy would boldly come for him.
And right off the bat, Shinji accused him of the grave crime of plotting against the Third Hokage, leaving Danzo momentarily shaken, unsure if Shinji actually had evidence or was just spouting nonsense.
Shinji's tone remained calm: "As an advisor elder, you knowingly broke the law, making your crime even worse! Come with us quietly for investigation, or face execution without mercy!"
"You want to kill me?" Danzo sneered.
Swish, swish, swish.
In an instant, a large group of Anbu surged out from the surroundings!
Undoubtedly, even though the Root had been disbanded by the Third Hokage, Danzo's status and influence still allowed him to control a significant number of Anbu through various means.
The reason his subordinates hadn't shown themselves earlier was to lure Sasuke into acting, so they could pin the crime of insubordination on him.
Faced with the sudden appearance of so many Anbu, the crowd of onlookers erupted into a commotion.
Darui shook his head: "Tch, even in a situation like this, I can't believe Hidden Leaf Village is still caught up in internal power struggles!"
Ringo Ameyuri spoke up: "Looks like the higher-ups in Hidden Leaf want to target the Uchiha clan. I wonder if the Fifth Hokage is involved! But since it's Uchiha Shinji, I can't help but step in to back him up!"
With that, Ringo Ameyuri drew her Raiga blade and stepped forward!
Darui was speechless.
This matter originally had nothing to do with him, and he had no intention of meddling in Hidden Leaf's internal disputes. But Shinji had just saved his life not long ago, and now that Shinji was in trouble, standing by would clearly be indefensible.
So, Darui stepped forward as well.
At that moment, Ryuzetsu and Chino arrived after hearing the news.
Learning that Shinji was facing off against Danzo, the two didn't hesitate for a second. They immediately joined the fray, surrounding Danzo, as if waiting for Shinji's command.
Danzo's expression grew darker as his gaze swept over Ringo Ameyuri from Hidden Mist Village, Darui from Hidden Cloud Village, and Ryuzetsu and Chino from the Grass shinobi, one by one.
These foreign shinobi, who seemed to have no connection to Uchiha Shinji, decisively entered the fray and firmly stood by his side—an outcome that far exceeded Danzo's expectations.
Seeing the other three members of Shinji's Anbu squad, each with calm expressions and no trace of nervousness, it was clear they, too, had resolutely chosen Uchiha Shinji.
Feeling his authority challenged, Danzo roared, "Insolent!"
One of Danzo's subordinates quickly spoke to Ringo Ameyuri, Darui, Ryuzetsu, and Chino: "This is an internal matter of Hidden Leaf Village. Please stay out of it!"
Ringo Ameyuri laughed: "Internal matter? Isn't this about apprehending a suspect who colluded with Orochimaru and plotted against the Third Hokage? As a member of one of the five great shinobi villages, how could I stand by and do nothing?"
Darui glanced at Ringo Ameyuri, surprised by how bold she was to mock Hidden Leaf's advisor elder like that.
Even so, he didn't back down.
Ryuzetsu and Chino wasted no words, immediately activating their Twelve Palaces, their killing intent palpable!
Danzo's rage boiled over: "Uchiha Shinji, are you trying to rebel?"
To be cornered like this by a kid barely out of the shinobi academy, only twelve or thirteen years old, in front of a crowd was a first for him.
He couldn't even fathom why these foreign shinobi were helping Shinji.
When he had dealt with Uchiha Sasuke earlier, everything had gone smoothly. With so many eyes watching at the hospital, not a single person had dared to intervene.
Yet now, the moment Uchiha Shinji stepped up, so many people dared to stand with him, a blatant challenge to the advisor elder's authority.
"Rebel? What are you, some village traitor, daring to resist Anbu enforcement?" Shinji's gaze shifted to the Anbu protecting Danzo, his voice icy: "Danzo is suspected of plotting against the Third Hokage. If you dare obstruct justice, you'll be executed without mercy!"
Danzo's subordinates exchanged uneasy glances.
This tactic of throwing around accusations was something their boss, Danzo, had always used against others. Today, it was a rare twist—they were the ones being accused of treason.
Still, they didn't back down. They knew Uchiha Shinji was just bluffing!
In an instant, a battle was about to erupt!
But just as the fight was about to begin, Shinji looked at Ringo Ameyuri, Darui, Ryuzetsu, and Chino, who had stepped up to support him, and said, "This is Hidden Leaf's business. You don't need to get involved!"
"Huh?" Ringo Ameyuri looked confused.
Ryuzetsu and Chino were equally puzzled.
Danzo and his subordinates had mixed reactions, with many thinking Shinji was afraid of escalating the situation beyond control.
Shinji, however, took a step forward, slowly approaching Danzo: "Just a bunch of trash. No need for your help!"
"Hmph!" Ringo Ameyuri sheathed her blade and stepped back.
Darui grinned, now able to watch the show with a clear conscience.
Though Ryuzetsu and Chino retreated to the sidelines, they remained on high alert, ready to jump in at any moment.
The onlookers held their breath.
A clash between Anbu and Anbu—or rather, Anbu and an advisor elder—was unthinkable in the past.
Yet here it was, unfolding before their eyes, leaving them anxious about how this storm would ultimately play out.
At that moment, Karin, following behind Shinji, whispered, "I'm sensing a large amount of chakra heading this way. It's likely the Fifth Hokage!"
Karin's Kagura Mind's Eye could precisely identify the chakra of anyone she was familiar with, but around Shinji, she still needed to be discreet.
"Take action. Make it quick!" Shinji waved his hand.
Mumei, who had been poised for action, instantly charged forward, hands flashing through seals: "Fire Release: Majestic Flame Destroyer!"
Boom!
In an instant, a massive wave of flames surged toward Danzo!
Though Danzo's subordinates were shocked by the sheer intensity of Mumei's Fire Release, their training kicked in. They quickly lined up: "Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Fire and water collided, unleashing a deafening boom as a thick cloud of steam spread, enveloping the entire grove.
The onlookers cried out and retreated, and even Ringo Ameyuri, Darui, Ryuzetsu, and Chino were forced out of the grove by the steam and heatwave.