Outskirts of the Uchiha District.
In the forest—
Inzuki's shadow clone dissipated into mist.
That clone had been stationed here on standby after he remotely implanted Yasaka Spear into Mikoto.
At Inzuki's most critical moment, the clone had formed the Rabbit (卯), Boar (亥), and Goat (未) hand seals—activating Izanagi.
Thus, the final contingency was executed.
With the jutsu completed, the clone vanished, and the feedback it sent back activated Yin Release chakra within the real Inzuki, successfully unleashing Izanagi.
The principle was similar to Naruto having a clone charge nature energy for Sage Mode or thrust a Rasengan during battle.
A shift in fate was felt instantly.
Danzō's brow furrowed deeply. He gasped for air, sweat pouring down his face. His expression darkened with a deathly pallor. He raised his right hand to cover the now-hollow eye socket. His dim yellowed left eye glared at Inzuki with disbelief and exhaustion.
Once again, Danzō lost Kotoamatsukami. The last remnants of Yin chakra in his brain were instantly drained. With the added strain of recent jutsu use, his mind unraveled in an instant.
Inzuki wasn't in great shape either. Mentally exhausted, both of his eyes burned with searing pain—he wanted nothing more than to collapse and sleep on the spot.
Right now, he couldn't even lift a blade, let alone finish off Danzō. He stood there, still upright only by sheer willpower.
This… was the true battle between Sharingan.
It could be as dazzling as an explosive clash of Mangekyō powers—consuming everything in flames. Or it could be a quiet, strategic confrontation, like two shogi masters, every move steeped in lethal intent.
Unfortunately for Danzō… he was a terrible player.
At least, that's how Inzuki saw it.
Danzō never should have played a game of eyes with an Uchiha.
The Root members nearby—those still conscious and able to observe—felt their hearts sink once again.
"Lord Danzō… might have lost."
On the other hand, a few Uchiha who had managed to witness this moment seemed to glimpse the first light of dawn.
But neither side truly knew—was the battle really over?
Only Inzuki and Danzō understood the truth:
It was over.
Their skirmish had stirred up quite a ruckus, and the first wave of reinforcements would arrive in less than a minute.
Inzuki might not be able to kill Danzō himself, but behind him stood nine Uchiha.
He turned and looked calmly at the group helping Tamayo walk—his eyes silently sending a signal.
"Go help my brother..."
Tamayo weakly pushed Izumi away.
Izumi seemed to awaken from a trance. She handed Tamayo off to a teammate and instantly dashed toward Inzuki.
Having learned the truth of the clan massacre, their view of Inzuki had long since changed.
Uchiha Nanami and the remaining six Uchiha also moved. The Sharingan in their eyes flared crimson—three tomoe spinning into perfect formation. Their rage was palpable. With tightly gripped blades and killing intent in their strides, they lunged toward Danzō like predators pouncing on prey.
Inzuki didn't control them—this time, he wanted to see if they would move of their own will.
Even if they hadn't, Yasaka Spear could've forced them into action.
But in that case, anyone who refused to act now wouldn't be worth keeping around after Danzō's death.
Thankfully, Inzuki was relieved.
These were handpicked Uchiha from the younger generation—not necessarily the most gifted in terms of talent, but without a doubt, the most righteous in character.
Inzuki had never claimed to be a good person.
But deep down, he still hoped…
To live in a world full of good people.
After the events of the Uchiha Massacre, each of them had awakened their three tomoe Sharingan. Their ocular power had reached perfection. As for the Mangekyō... that was still a ways off.
"Damn it…"
Danzō watched the incoming Uchiha and instinctively took a few steps back. But he was too drained to muster strength—his body barely obeyed.
Inzuki calmly pulled out a cylindrical fluid container filled with densely packed Sharingan and held it in his palm. His tone was calm, deliberate:
"Danzō… every one of your assumptions was wrong.
Before I came here—
Only my right eye was a Mangekyō.
My left eye had already been replaced with an ordinary three-tomoe Sharingan.
And I still have ninety-nine Sharingan left."
A killing blow—aimed straight at the soul.
Danzō's eyes bulged as he stared at the container. His aged face twisted in horror.
If only he had made it through tonight...
All those eyes…
They would've belonged to Shimura Danzō!
But now wasn't the time for regret. His only focus had to be survival.
In the shadowy woods, the sound of rushing footsteps echoed closer.
Dozens of shinobi were converging toward their location.
Danzō's blurred vision caught glimpses of shapes beyond the trees. Relief washed over him—it was Sarutobi's ANBU and several Konoha shinobi. They'd arrive in seconds. He just needed to hang on…
That thought had barely finished when—
Uchiha Nanami and another Uchiha appeared in front of Danzō. Their blades crossed—slashing mercilessly across his chest.
Splurt—!
A deep X-shaped wound tore through Danzō's chest. Blood sprayed wildly, splattering across the Uchiha's snarling faces, making them look even more vicious.
"DIE!!!"
Two more Uchiha flickered behind Danzō, one on each side, slashing upward with brutal precision.
Blades flashed.
Both of Danzō's arms were severed cleanly from the shoulders.
The remaining two Uchiha charged in from the ground and sliced off both of Danzō's legs at the knees.
"Gah—!!"
A scream of agony erupted from Danzō's throat. Blood poured from his limbs. Just as he began to collapse, Nanami and another Uchiha moved in again. Their blades crossed once more—this time targeting his throat.
Danzō stared at the cold steel inches from his face. And yet, he smiled weakly.
Because…
His life was still intact.
Crack—!!
A thunderous groan erupted like twisting wood. Suddenly, a massive tree burst from Danzō's right arm, rapidly growing and engulfing his body, wrapping around him like armor—leaving only his aged face exposed.
A sudden, violent twist of fate.
Nanami and his ally were shocked. Their blades struck only bark, unable to go any deeper.
The rapidly ascending tree knocked them back.
At that moment, Inzuki tucked the container away. He patted Izumi's shoulder—who had been supporting him—and gestured that he had recovered enough strength to move.
"Let's go. We won't get another chance to kill him for now."
Izumi snapped back to her senses and gave a small nod.
Hearing this, the six Uchiha—still consumed by bloodlust—were pulled back under the control of Yasaka Spear and retreated to Inzuki's side.
Izumi's two teammates helped Tamayo to his feet.
Tamayo stared at Danzō, dumbfounded.
"Danzō's mom… is a f***ing tree?!"
The Uchiha around him twitched at the corners of their mouths.
Tamayo's outburst seemed to snap everyone back to their senses.
The footsteps in the forest were drawing closer. Now was their best shot at escaping Konoha.
Just then, Uchiha Nanami noticed something and turned his head.
"Captain Inzuki… what are you doing?"
He saw Inzuki's expression grow grim.
Suddenly, Inzuki unsheathed his blade and slowly walked toward the tree-encased Danzō.
The other Uchiha were stunned.
So that's why Inzuki had recalled them to his side—he had recovered just enough strength to deliver the final blow himself.
"Captain! You have to get out of here!"
"Inzuki-senpai!"
"Leave us behind if you have to—just go! If you stay any longer, it'll be too late!"
The Uchiha shouted in panic.
But Inzuki didn't respond.
He simply raised his blade and, inch by inch, drove it straight into Danzō's chest—aiming for the heart.
Each inch that pierced the wood sent a jolt of agony through Danzō's aging body. Blood welled up in his throat and spilled from his lips.
Inzuki whispered coldly:
"Why are you pretending in front of me?"
Danzō glared back with rage, breath shallow.
When the blade finally sank in to the hilt, his life force collapsed.
His eyes slowly shut.
His head slumped forward—lifeless.
Like a withered tree.
The Uchiha stared in stunned silence.
Izumi recalled what Inzuki had said earlier:
"There's no chance to kill him right now."
And yet…
He did it anyway.
Her beautiful eyes widened. She stared in disbelief at the man standing like a mountain before her.
"Heh heh…"
Tamayo grinned, his teeth bloody.
A silly, content laugh escaped him.