The Orphanage Outside Konoha
On the outskirts of Konoha, the orphanage had regained its warmth.
After returning, Yakushi Nono resumed her life as director. Though caring for children was repetitive work, she found endless joy in it.
Five years had passed since she left.
The children she once took in were now thirteen or fourteen.
Aside from Kabuto—taken away by Danzo—others like Urushi had already become shinobi.
Most of them were only average chunin at best, but they could support themselves through simple missions. Urushi, freshly promoted to genin, had already begun sending part of his mission earnings back to the orphanage.
To the younger children, he was their dependable big brother.
The orphanage had survived those five years without collapsing.
With the large sum Akihito provided, Nono renovated the buildings and purchased supplies.
She was deeply grateful.
Akihito had not only allowed her to return—
He promised she would never again be forced into long-term infiltration missions.
As long as she could serve as an ordinary Konoha shinobi under him, she was willing to remain loyal.
After all—
Being a ninja came with a salary.
The Third Hokage's subsidies had always been inconsistent.
Relying on others was unreliable.
Relying on herself—and aligning with Akihito—was far more practical.
If Akihito truly became Hokage one day, supporting an orphanage would be trivial.
Nono had already made up her mind.
She would follow Uchiha Akihito.
Hokage Tower — The Confrontation
Inside the Hokage meeting chamber, Konoha's leadership gathered.
The meeting had barely begun when the two advisors launched into accusations.
"Uchiha Akihito," Homura snapped.
"You've only just taken office, yet you've been replacing key personnel across departments without consultation."
Koharu added sharply:
"You expanded ANBU without approval and diverted funds and equipment from Finance and Logistics."
"This abuse of authority is unacceptable."
Akihito remained silent.
When Danzo had been Hokage Advisor, he had siphoned far more resources.
Where had their outrage been then?
The clan heads—Hiashi Hyuga among them—remained quiet.
Hiruzen sighed inwardly.
The high council was no longer his one-man stage.
Using the great clans to pressure the Uchiha no longer worked.
Yet the two advisors, oblivious to the shifting balance, continued.
"If you cannot provide a proper explanation," Koharu declared,
"We will consider removing you from the position of Hokage Advisor."
Akihito lazily cleaned his ear.
"I merely exercised my authority."
"And since when," he added lightly,
"do advisors possess the power to remove a Hokage Advisor?"
The room stilled.
Homura and Koharu froze.
They had grown accustomed to wielding authority under Hiruzen's prestige.
They had forgotten—
They did not have that power.
If even the Hokage required legitimate grounds to remove an advisor, who were they to threaten dismissal?
And as expected—
Voices rose.
"Akihito has just taken office, and you already speak of removal?"
"Are the advisors targeting the Uchiha?"
"If advisors can dismiss a Hokage Advisor," Uchiha Masato sneered,
"can we dismiss advisors?"
Uchiha Tetsuyaadded mockingly,
"Perhaps we should start with you two?"
The advisors' faces turned green.
They fell silent.
Akihito leaned back and closed his eyes.
Hiruzen felt a headache brewing.
He was about to smooth things over—
When Danzo stepped forward.
"Young people are impatient," Danzo said coldly.
"In my view, only I am fit to serve as Hokage Advisor."
Akihito's eyes opened.
"Only you?"
"I don't think so."
He tossed a thick dossier onto the table.
"The Police Force has uncovered some matters from your tenure."
"Let's take a look."
No more pretending.
Time to lay the cards down.
The Evidence
Danzo's expression changed instantly.
He knew exactly what he had done.
Even one piece surfacing could ruin him.
"Uchiha Akihito!" he roared.
"Are you attempting to frame me?"
"Frame you?" Akihito smiled.
"You haven't even seen the contents."
The documents circulated.
Finally—
They reached Hiruzen.
He read.
And his heart sank.
Year 24: Unauthorized forbidden jutsu experiments. Seventy civilian deaths.
Year 27–30: Assassination of thirty-six Uchiha clan members to obtain Sharingan.
Year 48: Human experimentation with Orochimaru. One hundred nine children killed.
…
Thirty years.
Nearly a thousand Konoha lives.
Not only Uchiha.
Hyuga.
Nara.
Yamanaka.
Akimichi.
Inuzuka.
Aburame.
Even members of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans.
Danzo did not discriminate.
If he needed you—
You were expendable.
Hiruzen felt cold sweat bead along his spine.
This was too big.
Even he could not shield Danzo from this level of outrage.
He slammed the table.
"Danzo! Look at what you've done!"
He threw the dossier at him.
Danzo flipped through it—
And froze.
How?
How had everything been uncovered?
Facing the hostile stares of nearly every clan head, his back felt icy.
But he could not admit it.
Not now.
Not ever.
"Those are nothing but Akihito's accusations!" Danzo barked. "They're unverified!"
Hiruzen hesitated.
He had intended to sit back and let Danzo and Akihito balance each other.
If Danzo collapsed completely—
Akihito would become unchecked.
But before he could speak—
Akihito continued calmly.
"If words aren't enough, let us examine evidence."
He looked straight at Danzo.
"Remove the bandages from your right eye and right arm."
"Let everyone see."
The air grew heavy.
Danzo's face darkened.
"My injuries are severe," he said stiffly.
"I cannot display them publicly."
Akihito smiled thinly.
"I wasn't asking."
"I am ordering you, as Chief of the Konoha Military Police, to submit to investigation."
Danzo exploded.
"You have no authority!"
"You are no longer Hokage Advisor," Akihito replied evenly.
"You are a jōnin."
"All jōnin fall under the jurisdiction of the Police."
"Are you resisting law enforcement?"
Danzo fell silent.
By Konoha law—
No one could refuse.
Even the Hokage.
Hiruzen finally stepped forward.
"This is a serious matter. Perhaps my ANBU should conduct the investigation."
He was trying to take control.
Akihito didn't allow it.
"Each department has its function."
"Why is the Hokage interfering in Police matters?"
"Unless—"
He paused deliberately.
"Are you involved in Danzo's activities?"
"Are you attempting to shield him?"
Three direct questions.
Hiruzen's face changed dramatically.
If suspicion fell on him—
His decades of reputation would shatter.
Danzo was valuable—
But not worth his own downfall.
After a long silence—
Hiruzen closed his mouth.
He would not intervene.
Final Stand
Danzo sensed it.
A chill ran through him.
He turned to the advisors desperately.
"Will you just stand there and watch him?"
Homura stood.
"This is the Hokage's chamber! You dare disrupt order?"
Koharu barked:
"Uchiha Akihito is disrupting the meeting!"
"ANBU—arrest him immediately!"
For a moment—
Danzo saw hope.
If chaos erupted—
He could still survive.
He had allies. Networks. Influence.
He was not rootless.
But Akihito only smiled.
Hiruzen had not responded.
And without the Hokage's command—
The ANBU did not move.
The advisors had overstepped.
Again.
Akihito looked at them calmly.
"The Hokage has not issued that order."
"And you… do not have that authority."
The room fell into absolute silence.
The blade had already reached Danzo's throat.
And this time—
There would be no retreat.
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