"Lord Boro is dead!"
The four who had been traveling with Boro turned pale with shock when they saw him fall.
Ignoring the dozen or so "vessels" inside the carriage, they immediately turned and fled in all directions.
Even Boro, a member of the inner circle, had been killed — they, as mere outer members, stood no chance. Escape was their only option.
"Amaterasu!"
The No. 1 Spore Clone invoked Amaterasu, his gaze sweeping across the four.
"Ah! Aaaah—!"
Black flames erupted over their bodies, consuming them until nothing remained but ash.
He hadn't planned to capture and interrogate them — it was pointless.
Years ago, when the Uchiha clan had purged the underground black markets within the Land of Fire, they captured several agents working for the forces behind them.
But when those men were put under hypnosis for questioning, their bodies exploded instantly. Several Uchiha were injured in the blasts.
Interrogating the black market's underlings had proven useless. The only effective way was through surveillance and tracking.
Unfortunately, this time, the tracking operation had been discovered — and failed completely.
The No. 1 Spore Clone walked up to a tree and placed his hand on its trunk.
Using his unique ability, he sent the report of the failed pursuit back to Konoha through the network of roots and underground water veins.
---
Hokage's Office
"Tracking… failed?"
Fugaku Uchiha's expression tightened as he received the message.
The Mayfly Technique could conceal chakra, scent, and all traces of presence. Its ability to hide was so powerful that even most Kage-level shinobi couldn't detect it.
For the underground faction's operative to discover a clone in that state — it only proved how formidable that organization truly was.
What astonished Fugaku even more was the enemy's overwhelming regenerative ability.
With such regeneration, as long as even a portion of flesh remained, the man could revive completely.
If the No. 1 Spore Clone hadn't discovered the man's weakness and destroyed the core within his body, nullifying that regeneration—
—he might not have been the one standing victorious in the end.
"I knew that power behind the black market wasn't simple… but I didn't expect it to be this extraordinary."
Fugaku furrowed his brow.
He had suspected for years that the black market's backers were no ordinary group. Still, even he hadn't foreseen this level of strength.
The man who fought the clone clearly wasn't their leader, and yet he possessed Kage-level power.
If even their lower members were this strong, their overall might might not be any weaker than the now-destroyed Akatsuki.
"We've already alerted them. We must strike against the four Sarutobi clans immediately — otherwise, once they learn they've been exposed, they'll disappear and go into hiding."
Fugaku turned toward the door.
"Pass the word — village meeting in the conference room in thirty minutes."
"Yes, sir."
An ANBU operative answered and vanished to relay the command.
---
Thirty Minutes Later – Konoha Conference Room
All clan heads and elite jōnin from the civilian ranks were gathered.
Among them sat Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi.
Might Guy attended as one of the civilian shinobi representatives.
Sitting at the head of the table, Fugaku surveyed the room. Once everyone present had arrived, he began to speak.
"I've called you all here today because of an extremely serious situation."
"Lord Hokage," asked Hiashi Hyūga, "what has happened?"
Since Fugaku himself had rescued Hinata's younger sister, Hanabi, the Hyūga clan had grown increasingly close to the Uchiha.
"According to reliable intelligence," Fugaku said gravely, "the Sarutobi, Shimura, Mitokado, and Mito clans have betrayed Konoha and allied themselves with the forces behind the underground black market."
At those words, the room fell into uneasy silence.
Among the clan heads and elite jōnin, expressions shifted subtly — some shocked, some doubtful.
It was no secret that the Fifth Hokage had little fondness for those four clans. After all, they had once led the suppression of the Uchiha.
Now hearing that those same clans had betrayed the village, everyone's thoughts were mixed. Some believed it, others suspected slander.
"Is that true?"
Tsunade's voice carried clear skepticism. Though she didn't have fond feelings toward the Sarutobi families, she wouldn't tolerate false accusations against Konoha's own clans.
Konoha was the legacy her grandfather had built with his life's work — she would never allow anyone's personal grudges to endanger it.
"Shisui, come in."
Fugaku didn't seem angered by Tsunade's doubt. He had expected suspicion from her and others who knew his old grudges with those clans.
But their betrayal was real — and he had evidence.
A moment later, the door creaked open. The No. 1 Spore Clone, disguised as Uchiha Shisui and wrapped in bandages from his earlier battle with Boro, entered.
In his hands were dozens of detailed investigation reports on the recent activities of the four clans. He handed them out one by one.
The room filled with the soft rustle of turning pages.
Everyone read in silence. When they had finished, Fugaku spoke again.
"Additionally, Shisui personally witnessed the Sarutobi clan leader negotiating with members of the black market's organization — and even engaged one in battle."
"If anyone wishes to confirm this, he can use his Sharingan's secret art to display the recorded memory."
"Let me see it," said Tsunade.
The documents alone weren't enough to fully convince her. To truly confirm whether those clans had betrayed Konoha, she needed undeniable proof.
Shisui stepped forward and activated his Sharingan, projecting the memory of what he had seen directly into Tsunade's eyes.
Moments later—
"They really did betray Konoha!"
Tsunade slammed her hand against the conference table, fury blazing in her eyes like fire.
The evidence was irrefutable. There was no room for denial or excuses.
It was not a false accusation — the four Sarutobi clans had truly turned their backs on Konoha and pledged allegiance to another power.
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