Chapter 75: Uchiha Iizumi's Justice Will Not Be Coerced

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt unsteady on his feet. As he shot a series of subtle glances, several Anbu Ninja immediately broke formation and darted off toward the direction where Danzō had been taken.

When Hiruzen sensed Kakashi shifting to follow, he called out sharply:

“Kakashi, stay behind.”

That single sentence halted Kakashi mid-step.

It was Hiruzen’s cautious instinct that kept Kakashi from chasing after Danzō—after all, Uchiha Iizumi had just declared in front of everyone that Hatake Shūmatsu’s death was tied to Danzō. The Hokage feared Kakashi might be overwhelmed by rage.

Even though he knew Kakashi wasn’t the type to let emotions cloud his judgment, he couldn’t afford to take chances.

Because…

Hiruzen Sarutobi was already developing a psychological shadow from Uchiha Iizumi.

Every time he thought he could predict what would happen, something entirely unexpected would unfold.

After a long pause, Hiruzen fixed Uchiha Iizumi with a cold, penetrating stare. His voice lowered, heavy with warning:

“Iizumi… I hope you, who hold such power in your hands, do not turn it against your own fellow shinobi. I know you seek Justice—but Justice must be rooted in protecting the village.”

He knew Iizumi wouldn’t listen.

But what he said wasn’t meant for Iizumi. It was for the others.

So that, when the rest heard it, they wouldn’t think the Third Hokage was shielding Danzō out of personal favor—but out of duty to the village.

As for whether to punish Iizumi severely for openly defying the Hokage’s command in public?

Hiruzen swiftly dismissed the thought.

Danzō’s fate still haunted him.

If he pushed too hard against a now-powerful Iizumi… Hiruzen couldn’t guarantee how many lives would be lost before he could bring the man down.

…

“Looks like the dust has settled for now…”

Hyūga Hiashi murmured softly, the words meant only for the handful of Hyūga shinobi behind him.

“Hokage-sama… tonight, we conceded to Uchiha Iizumi. But he didn’t fully yield—he only gave in halfway. After all, he still protected Danzō.”

“Lord Hiashi,” one of the Hyūga jōnin whispered, concern lacing his tone, “could Danzō have ever tried to steal our Byakugan?”

Hiashi paused for half a breath. His eyes flickered with a shadow of contempt.

That resentment was directed solely at Danzō.

“Every branch member bears the Cage of Birds seal. Danzō could never break it.”

The jōnin fell silent.

Because he was a branch family member himself.

The Cage of Birds… was the eternal shadow over every Hyūga branch member.

…

“Uchiha Iizumi… he must have awakened the highest level of the Sharingan—our Uchiha clan’s legendary power. The Mangekyō Sharingan… the divine eye said to see through all three realms, wielding power that shakes the heavens and the earth!”

The members of the Uchiha Investigation Corps were utterly transfixed.

Compared to the living, breathing Mangekyō Sharingan before them, Danzō’s fate had already faded into irrelevance.

A true Mangekyō wielder—right here, in front of them!

“Fugaku Clan Head… he might have it too! I saw his eyes from a higher vantage point earlier—he’s not using the standard Three Tomoe Sharingan!”

The revelation sent shockwaves through the Uchiha ranks.

Two Mangekyō Sharingan users… in a single night?

Could this be the dawn of a new era for the Uchiha? Was it finally time they reclaimed true authority over Leaf Village?

“Fugaku-sama… he just stopped us from helping Iizumi,” a voice cut through the reverie, cold and merciless. “He’s on the Hokage’s side—not ours.”

The more radical members of Uchiha Shun fell silent.

Their clan leader… was turning against them.

Was there anything more crushing than that?

“And as for Uchiha Iizumi…” Another Investigation Corps ninja spoke, voice calm. “Would such a man ever be swayed by others?”

…

At the moment the fourth Sharingan on his arm slowly closed, it became clear:

Within just one night, Danzō had already activated the forbidden technique Izanagi four times.

Yet…

The divine flame burning deep within his soul—no matter how hard he tried—refused to be extinguished.

In less than two minutes, Danzō had been consumed by the Flame of Divine Retribution, dragged screaming into the depths of hell, only to be reborn through Izanagi’s invincible reset.

This cycle repeated again and again.

His body and spirit were being torn apart.

“Is there… no way out?”

“What is the way?!!”

The Sharingan on his arm had dwindled to just five. With the two implanted in his eyes, he had only six minutes left.

When a fresh wave of crimson flames erupted from his feet, Danzō’s pupils reflected pure, endless despair.

The searing agony—burning through flesh and soul—was unbearable. He couldn’t adapt. He couldn’t numb himself.

His entire body erupted in flames.

“AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!”

The Root shinobi around him were just as desperate.

They’d exhausted every technique they knew—medical ninjutsu, sealing jutsu, Water Release.

They’d poured their entire lives’ training into fighting the flame—yet it remained unstoppable.

Even sealing it into a scroll failed.

When Izanagi flared once more, Danzō seized his own wrinkled, twisted face.

His fingers clawed deep into his skin, drawing blood.

Panic and despair consumed him.

A single thought emerged—Just give up.

“No! That flame… even if it burns me to hell, it follows my soul!”

Danzō’s eyes widened in terror.

The soul… the body…

He clenched his jaw so hard, a tooth shattered.

But before he could grasp the fleeting thought, the flame ignited again—wrapping his body and spirit in unbearable torment.

His mind shattered under the pain.

“AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

When his body reappeared whole—untouched—Danzō stared, trembling with dread, at a Root ninja who stood frozen, utterly helpless.

The man was the second most skilled in sealing techniques within the entire Root organization—besides Danzō himself.

Danzō had even secretly copied forbidden sealing techniques from the Scroll of Seals, bypassing Hiruzen’s approval, just to train this one.

“Gen! Use it!”

The fourth Sharingan’s Izanagi was nearly over. Danzō formed the hand seal frantically, screaming in desperation:

“Use Shinigami Binding! Now! The flames started from my legs—cut off my legs’ souls, you fool!! AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!”

“Danzō-sama, I haven’t mastered that technique yet—”

“SHUT UP!!”

Danzō roared, face red with fury.

“DO IT! Or I’ll kill you myself!!”

…

…

Recommended New Book:

Title: Rebirth: My Adopted Sister Can’t Speak

Last life, I was deceived by a wicked woman—she married my father, drained him of every coin.

This life, I’m fighting back. I’ll find a good stepmother. And that white-haired aunt? She looks perfect.

So I adopted my mute kindergarten classmate as my little sister.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end