Chapter 26: Konoha Is Not a Monolith

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Sarutobi Hiruzen, sitting in the center, smiled and asked Uchiha Matsushige:

"However, thankfully we have Clan Head Matsushige among us! As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. Regarding Uchiha Madara's specific strength and details, I presume Clan Head Matsushige should be very clear, right!?"

Everyone in the conference room once again focused their attention on Uchiha Matsushige!

Uchiha Matsushige looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen's smiling face and was so angry he almost wanted to hit someone!

Isn't this indirectly forcing him to reveal the secrets of the Uchiha clan!?

However, things had reached this point, and he couldn't refuse to speak. If he didn't speak, it would give these Konoha bastards a reason to deal with the Uchiha clan!

Cursing him inwardly as an old fox, Uchiha Matsushige began his explanation helplessly:

"I apologize, Lord Hokage, but I truly don't know the specifics about Uchiha Madara. According to the records left by my Uchiha elders, Uchiha Madara's strength almost entirely comes from his Sharingan!

Without me saying it, Lord Hokage and the elders should have also heard that Uchiha Madara's Sharingan is an evolved version far surpassing the ordinary three-tomoe Sharingan – the Mangekyo Sharingan!"

At this point, Tsunade behind Sarutobi Hiruzen also nodded:

"That's right. I heard from my grandfather that this is the ultimate dōjutsu that is difficult for the Uchiha clan to awaken, possessing terrifying power!"

Uchiha Matsushige also nodded in agreement:

"Correct. This Mangekyo Sharingan is extremely difficult to awaken. For thousands of years, the only recorded ones who awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan were Uchiha Madara and his younger brother Uchiha Izuna, and both were renowned powerhouses of the Warring States period!

However, the method to awaken the Mangekyo was not recorded by our Uchiha clan. Therefore, for so many years, the Mangekyo Sharingan has almost become a legend within our Uchiha clan!

As for the specific power of Uchiha Madara's Mangekyo Sharingan, there are no detailed records either.

The terrifying technique Susanoo that Senju Tsunade just mentioned was only briefly touched upon in the clan's records. That's how I just found out!"

Uchiha Matsushige's words were half-truth, half-false, leaving those present uncertain for a moment.

The ill-tempered Danzō immediately lashed out at Uchiha Matsushige:

"Uchiha Matsushige! You've said so much, but it's all nonsense! Besides letting us know that the Mangekyo Sharingan is very powerful, we know jack shit else! Are you harboring ulterior motives, deliberately concealing information!?"

With the conversation reaching this point, the atmosphere instantly became tense. Uchiha Matsushige slammed the table and pointed at Danzō, roaring:

"Shimura Danzō! Don't make baseless accusations! Before Uchiha Madara, our Uchiha clan had no records of the Mangekyo Sharingan! After Uchiha Madara became clan head, he didn't reveal the secrets of the Mangekyo Sharingan to the clan. As for after Konoha was established, Uchiha Madara gradually drifted away from our Uchiha clan, and we know even less about his secrets!"

Uchiha Matsushige's outburst was reasonable and well-founded, stunning most people in the conference room.

Of course, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, Shimura Danzō, and Senju Tsunade didn't believe Uchiha Matsushige's bullshit!

Putting other things aside, just what these few knew about the Mangekyo Sharingan from the Second Hokage was more than what Uchiha Matsushige had just said!

It seemed unlikely to get anything more out of Uchiha Matsushige. Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Uchiha Matsushige and Shimura Danzō arguing across the conference table, his expression stern.

"Alright! Now is not the time for squabbling! You two, be quiet!"

The Third Hokage still held considerable authority at this time. The two stopped arguing, each sitting back down with ugly expressions.

Looking at the Konoha members present with varying expressions, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally said:

"Alright, since Clan Head Matsushige cannot provide more information, then there's nothing we can do. Next, it's time to properly discuss what we should do about Uchiha Madara?"

Time passed minute by minute. In the end, this Konoha high-level meeting lasted for a full three hours!

Three hours later, a series of top Hokage orders were issued from the conference room, rapidly transmitted to various parts of Konoha, and put into effect!

These orders were roughly as follows:

Effective immediately, Konoha is on highest alert! All ninjas must strictly adhere to their posts, perform their duties diligently, and be ready at all times to deal with the approaching great enemy!

More than half of Konoha's Anbu were dispatched to investigate the situation regarding Uchiha Madara throughout the ninja world. Any sign of activity must be reported to Konoha immediately!

Danzō's Root division was dispatched to cooperate with the relevant investigation work of the Anbu!

All clan heads must also heighten their vigilance, ordering the ninjas within their clans to be prepared for battle, ready to commence the defense of Konoha at any time!

Among these orders, only the first one was announced to the entire Konoha village. The others were secret orders. This meant that except for the Anbu and Root, who knew about Uchiha Madara's situation, other ordinary ninjas and civilians did not know.

There was no other way. If the civilians knew about Uchiha Madara, Konoha would descend into chaos!

It is worth mentioning that among these, the Konoha Military Police Force, belonging to the Uchiha clan, received the order to continue maintaining internal order in Konoha; Konoha absolutely could not fall into chaos!

Clearly, they were excluded from the core decision-making!

At this moment, the entire upper echelon of Konoha distrusted the Uchiha clan!

After the meeting ended, Uchiha Matsushige immediately returned to the clan and held a secret meeting. What they were plotting, no one knew.

Amidst all this turmoil, Sarutobi Hiruzen secretly visited the Senju clan compound one day to pay respects to the considerably aged wife of Hashirama Senju: Uzumaki Mito!

While Konoha was in a frenzy, over in Amegakure in the Land of Rain, Uchiha Madara was busy with fiery enthusiasm!

He had just arrived in Amegakure. The first thing he did was start a massacre!

Chapter end