Flames raged across the battlefield, burning away all traces.
Nearby buildings were reduced to ashes under the violent inferno.
Uchiha Kuro slowly lowered his hand, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes as he muttered softly:
"Danzo… did you really think I was that weak?"
After several system rewards, Uchiha Kuro's strength had already reached the level of an elite jōnin.
How could he possibly fail to notice a few Root operatives?
Trying to kill him?
Impossible.
As for why he only struck now…
Swish.
Kakuzu appeared, looking visibly displeased.
"You called me out… just to show me a corpse?"
He had thought there'd be some extra money to earn.
Uchiha Kuro shook his head lightly and smiled.
"No. Many thanks for your protection, Mr. Kakuzu. Fortunately, you arrived in time and saved my life—otherwise I might have died to those assassins."
"Truly worth every coin."
Kakuzu frowned.
He understood perfectly—this guy wanted to stay hidden and use him as a shield.
But…
"Hey, I'm only hired to protect your children. This isn't part of the agreement."
Uchiha Kuro replied calmly:
"To thank you for saving my life, I've decided to reward you with one million ryō."
Kakuzu fell silent for three seconds.
"…As long as I don't have to pay for the buildings you destroyed, I suppose I can take responsibility for this."
"Then I thank you, Mr. Kakuzu."
Uchiha Kuro smiled faintly and walked back toward the Uchiha compound.
His wives had already rushed over after hearing the news.
Another payout—secured.
Kakuzu felt sweeter than if he'd swallowed honey.
Still, as he looked at the nearly destroyed street, he cast a deep glance at Uchiha Kuro's back.
No wonder this man never asked for protection.
Because—
he didn't need it at all.
Everyone had underestimated the current head of the Uchiha clan…
…
News spread quickly throughout Konoha:
Uchiha Kuro of the Uchiha clan was assassinated in broad daylight. A fierce battle broke out within the village, and the attackers were ultimately killed by Uchiha's hired guard.
Danzo frowned upon hearing it.
"Failed to kill him? That shouldn't be…"
But after reading the detailed report, he relaxed.
"So… interference from several powerful ninja disrupted the plan. Uchiha Kuro, your luck is truly remarkable."
How could a mere chūnin survive such an assassination?
Obviously—
Might Guy and the others had interfered.
And that final figure—
Kakuzu.
If he had arrived just a moment later…
Danzo might have already taken Uchiha Kuro's eyes.
"Kakuzu… a bounty hunter famed across the black market. Seems his strength exceeds even his reputation…"
…
Compared to Danzo's calm—
The Third Hokage nearly spat out his tea.
"Damn it, Danzo—what are you thinking?!"
This incident wasn't hard to investigate.
Danzo's crude plan left too many holes.
And Root's combat style was unmistakable.
Before he could even confront Danzo—
The major clans stormed in angrily.
The Third Hokage roared inwardly but had no choice except to clean up the mess.
"This is clearly the work of the Cloud Village coveting Konoha's bloodline limits!"
With a single declaration—
He defined the entire incident.
Then, under the incredulous gazes of the clan leaders, he issued a diplomatic protest to the Cloud Village, demanding compensation.
Perhaps the strongest diplomatic stance of his entire administration.
Of course—
The Cloud Village would probably treat it as nothing more than noise.
The clan leaders didn't believe a word of it.
But Danzo had been thorough.
All Root operatives were dead—erasing every trace.
Even the manipulation of patrol routes had been cleaned up.
Without evidence, and with the Hokage's protection—
Danzo once again walked away unscathed.
The clan leaders could only swallow their anger and leave.
Danzo, as a blade, was extremely effective.
Under the Third Hokage's rule, the clans had all been weakened.
Without solid proof—
They had no power to oppose the Hokage.
…
But the villagers of Konoha were furious.
In fifty-nine years since the village's founding—
No enemy had ever attacked within Konoha itself.
Even the Nine-Tails incident eight years ago had been, at its core, an internal matter.
And now—
Someone dared to carry out an assassination in broad daylight, in a busy street?
Was Konoha still the strongest ninja village?
The patrol forces should commit seppuku!
Who could guarantee their safety?
Rage spread through the village.
…
At this moment—
Uchiha Kuro personally brought his wives to visit every household that had suffered damage.
"I'm truly sorry. This happened because of me. If not for the attempt on my life, you wouldn't have gone through this."
His tone was sincere.
"No, no—this is the scheme of enemy villages!"
The victims quickly reassured him.
"Lord Uchiha Kuro, you are innocent!"
After all—
The compensation he paid far exceeded the value of their homes.
In their eyes, he had to be innocent.
Uchiha Kuro apologized again, then joined them in cursing external enemies.
A shared sense of unity emerged.
"Damn it! Konoha's patrol forces have grown lax!" Uchiha Kuro said angrily.
"When the Uchiha were in charge of the Police Force, something like this would never have happened!"
The victims immediately echoed:
"That's right!"
"When the Uchiha handled security, Konoha was truly safe!"
"Compared to the current patrol forces, the Uchiha were far more reliable!"