Chapter 53: Even This Can Lead to Conqueror's Haki Awakening
Having briefly tested Uchiha Dali's strength, Danzo Shimura realized that even using the Body Flicker Technique, he couldn't touch his opponent.
As a cunning old fox, he immediately understood that continuing to fight was meaningless.
So, he changed tactics and decided to deal with the young man in another way.
Seeing him turn toward the Hokage's office, Uchiha Dali followed without hesitation, completely unconcerned about any tricks Danzo might play.
With his extraordinary perception, he could monitor Danzo's every move with ease, not to mention the Uchiha clan's Sharingan.
Additionally, with his advanced Flying Thunder God Technique, the outcome of a direct clash was uncertain, but if he wanted to leave, no one could stop him.
Seeing Uchiha Dali follow Danzo toward the office, Uchiha Shisui quickly followed suit.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane exchanged glances.
"It seems this Uchiha genius won't be easy to handle," Homura Mitokado murmured to himself.
"I just hope Danzo doesn't take overly drastic actions. The village cannot afford more turmoil right now," Koharu responded.
With that, the two tacitly turned away and continued walking outside.
---
Danzo led Uchiha Dali into the Hokage's office and unceremoniously sat in the Hokage's chair as if he were the leader of the Hidden Leaf Village himself.
"I've reviewed your records. Before heading to the battlefield, you had just completed the Chunin Exams."
"Now, it seems you already possess the strength of a Jonin."
Danzo slowly rotated his chair, facing Uchiha Dali and Uchiha Shisui, though his gaze remained fixed on Uchiha Dali.
"Do you want to contribute more to the village?" he asked.
He glanced at Shisui as well.
Understanding Danzo's nature, Shisui hesitated and opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Uchiha Dali answered first.
"Not interested."
"Let's discuss the real issue here. Why is the village hiding the contributions of the Uchiha clan in this war from the villagers?"
Uchiha Dali's tone was sharp, as if he were interrogating Danzo and determined to get an answer.
Seeing his attitude, a cold glint flickered deep in Danzo's eyes, but he did not react outwardly.
"Even if this issue were to be discussed, it wouldn't be with you. At the very least, your clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, should be the one asking."
"You may have some talent, but you are far too arrogant and disrespectful. This will only bring trouble to the Uchiha clan."
Danzo's response was icy.
Sensing the rising tension and fearing that Uchiha Dali might provoke the higher-ups again, Uchiha Shisui quickly tried to explain, "Lord Danzo, that's not what we meant. It's just that when our clan members returned, they saw how warmly the villagers welcomed other clans..."
"It was my order."
Danzo interrupted him.
This revelation was unexpected. Uchiha Dali and Shisui hadn't anticipated that Danzo would admit it so openly, and with such confidence.
"Lord Danzo, why?" Shisui asked, puzzled but keeping his composure.
Uchiha Dali, however, had no such patience.
"The high command's suppression of the Uchiha clan is getting a bit too blatant, isn't it?" he scoffed.
Shisui was startled by his words but remained silent this time.
He, too, wanted to hear Danzo's response.
Was the village leadership truly suppressing the Uchiha clan?
Danzo's face darkened.
Never in his decades of life had he encountered a ninja so blatantly disrespectful.
Even those who disliked him had never dared to speak to him in such a tone.
"I've already made myself clear. If an explanation is needed, your clan leader should be the one asking. A mere brat like you is far from qualified to come here and demand answers!"
As he spoke, an overwhelming pressure radiated from Danzo, an invisible yet tangible aura of authority.
Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Dali both felt their hearts tighten simultaneously.
"This aura... is this what they call 'killing intent'?" Uchiha Dali wondered.
Experiencing it firsthand was like stepping into an entirely new world.
His understanding of the oppressive force of powerful ninjas deepened.
"I wonder if this kind of tangible pressure is generated through chakra or something else? And how does it compare to Conqueror's Haki from the One Piece world?" he pondered.
The moment the thought crossed his mind, a system notification suddenly sounded in his head.
[You have earnestly attempted to unleash a powerful presence and have comprehended Conqueror's Haki!]
[Conqueror's Haki: An innate kingly aura. Without even making a move, one can use their presence alone to intimidate, stun, or even knock out opponents. Advanced levels of Conqueror's Haki can be transformed into a tangible offensive force, dealing actual damage to targets.]
By merely mimicking Danzo's pressure, he had managed to awaken Conqueror's Haki?
Uchiha Dali was pleasantly surprised.
At the same time, he confirmed a crucial realization.
The "killing intent" or "aura pressure" exhibited by strong characters in the Naruto world—such as Orochimaru's terrifying presence that paralyzed Sasuke upon their first meeting, or the overwhelming aura of Hashirama Senju upon his Edo Tensei revival, which cracked the walls around him—was fundamentally the same as Conqueror's Haki from the One Piece world.
They were simply called different names.
No matter what it was called, a power gained was a power gained.
Snapping back to the present, Uchiha Dali locked eyes with Danzo.
His gaze was sharp, like two blades clashing.
Utilizing his newly awakened Conqueror's Haki, Uchiha Dali launched a counterattack.
The moment his Conqueror's Haki surged forth, Uchiha Shisui and Danzo both showed visible shock.
For an instant, Uchiha Dali even saw beads of cold sweat appear on Danzo's forehead and cheeks.
Shisui, too, turned toward Uchiha Dali, his expression a mix of awe and uncertainty.