Many had expected the Uchiha clan to make a statement, but few anticipated such a dramatic confrontation.
As the memorial ended, a single question lingered in the minds of Konoha's shinobi: What is more important—completing the mission or protecting your comrades? If forced to choose, which path should a shinobi take? And what if you were the one left behind, waiting to be saved?
The other clans of Konoha could not help but reflect on the actions of the Uchiha. If it had been their own family in the position of the Hatake clan, would anyone have stood up for them the way Uchiha had for Sakumo? The answer was clear—most would not have gone so far.
The major shinobi clans, especially those who valued their bloodlines and techniques, knew that in the cruel world of the ninja, self-preservation often came first. But the Uchiha had defied this, proving themselves willing to fight for an ally even after his death. It was a show of loyalty and strength that did not go unnoticed.
Uchiha's intervention had been planned from the start. After Sakumo Hatake's death, Uchiha Yang immediately sought out Uchiha Kagami's son, Uchiha Shōnin, and arranged a discussion with the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Uchiha did not demand punishment for anyone, nor did they seek revenge. Their goal was clear: to restore the honor of a fallen hero and to ensure that the Hatake clan was not left to suffer alone.
Every step was calculated. They had informed the Hokage of their planned entrance, their statements, and even the tone they would take. The Third had tacitly approved, knowing that suppressing the matter entirely would only worsen tensions. Yet despite this careful balance, it was Danzo Shimura who had derailed the situation.
Danzo had spoken out of turn, escalating the conflict and forcing the Hokage into a corner. He had tried to frame Sakumo as a failure, a disgrace. But his words had only given the Uchiha more ammunition. In his arrogance, Danzo had exposed his own hypocrisy.
In private, the Uchiha clan elders laughed at Danzo's blunder. The eldest Uchiha at the family meeting was not trembling with anger—he was shaking with suppressed amusement.
Yes, the Uchiha had to thank Danzo. His overreach had ensured that the Uchiha's intervention was not just effective, but overwhelmingly successful. In what Yang referred to as a "Tai Chi Combination" of strategy, they had used both direct confrontation and indirect influence to shift public sentiment.
Beyond the memorial service, they had also secured recognition from the Land of Fire's daimyo, ensuring that the Hatake clan would continue to hold prestigious positions, including among the Twelve Guardian Ninja. Business as usual—except that Sakumo, their greatest hero, was gone.
For the Uchiha, this solidified their role as protectors not just of their own, but of Konoha's ideals. It strengthened their alliances and reinforced their reputation as a clan that fought for justice.
Public Perception: The Villagers Begin to See the Truth
The villagers of Konoha had their own realizations. Why had Sakumo been shamed so quickly? Ninja failed missions all the time—why had this failure been turned into such a scandal?
The facts didn't add up. If Sakumo's failure had truly led to disaster, why was there no clear evidence of large-scale loss? Why had no grieving families come forward?
Instead, it was the suicide of Sakumo's teammate that fueled the rumors. But what if that suicide wasn't genuine? What if it was orchestrated?
The Uchiha had raised these questions carefully, without directly accusing anyone. And the villagers—many of whom had once spoken against Sakumo—began to rethink their stance.
Someone had clearly wanted to destroy Sakumo's reputation. Someone had spread the rumors. And that someone had to be an influential figure in the village.
It didn't take long for suspicion to fall on Danzo Shimura.
"Be careful of that man," the villagers whispered to one another. "He even discards his own allies. If he treats shinobi like tools, what does he think of us?"
The Third Hokage sat in his office, brooding over the fallout.
Sakumo had been his comrade. His death had been a mistake—one that Hiruzen himself had not foreseen. He had allowed the rumors to spread, thinking that Sakumo would recover in time. But he had underestimated the weight of public opinion, and now a hero was dead.
The Uchiha had been justified in their outrage. More importantly, they had acted within the village's rules. They had even coordinated with him in advance.
But Danzo...
Danzo had ruined everything.
Instead of quietly accepting Hiruzen's plan to honor Sakumo in a limited way, Danzo had gone on the offensive. He had turned a controlled situation into a full-blown crisis.
Hiruzen sighed. Danzo had been a valuable ally, but he was also a liability.
And now, the damage had to be contained.
The Official Response
To quell the unrest, Hiruzen issued an official decree:
1. Danzo Shimura was to be temporarily removed as Hokage Advisor. Given the delicate state of the village, Root would remain under his control, but all actions would be monitored.
2. Anbu operations were shifted under direct Hokage command. The captains would report only to Hiruzen to ensure stability.
3. A village-wide investigation was launched, led by the Uchiha clan and their Sharingan-enhanced tracking capabilities. Their cooperation with the Inuzuka clan's ninken allowed for an unprecedented level of security.
4. A massive counter-intelligence operation was put into motion. All enemy spies suspected of infiltrating Konoha were to be captured or eliminated.
5. The narrative was officially controlled. An investigation "revealed" that enemy spies were responsible for the rumors that led to Sakumo's downfall—spies who had also played a role in the assassination of Mito Homura.
Hiruzen had no choice. If he didn't take action now, the village's faith in its leadership would crumble.
"All for Konoha."
"At this time of crisis, we must stand together."
"All for Konoha, all for our shared home."
That was how Hiruzen framed it. That was how he ensured that, despite the turmoil, the village would move forward.
But deep down, he knew the truth.
Konoha's leadership had failed Sakumo.
And the Uchiha had made sure that the village would never forget it.