Chapter 52: Ch 52 - Danzo's Death Day, Uchiha's Big Day 2
The gentle spring breeze carried the sweet scent of flowers, as the sun shone brightly in the sky. Birds chirped melodiously, creating a serene atmosphere.
On this tranquil day, most of the villagers in Konoha had gathered at Memorial Square, dressed uniformly in black. The Hokage had called upon everyone to attend Danzo Shimura's funeral.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood solemnly in front of the newly engraved tombstone. His eyes swept over the gathered crowd, and a frown creased his brow.
He turned to an ANBU operative beside him, signaling silently. The operative immediately stepped forward.
"What's going on? The turnout is lower than expected," Hiruzen muttered. His voice carried a hint of irritation. "And why are there no women? Are the women of this village so few in number?"
"Hokage-sama," the ANBU whispered, "the Uchiha clan... they haven't come."
"What?" Hiruzen's expression darkened. "Did my subordinates fail to inform them?"
"They were informed, Hokage-sama," the ANBU responded hesitantly, "but they still refused to come."
Hiruzen sighed deeply and shook his head. "Forget it. If they don't want to come, so be it."
He understood why Haruto, the head of the Uchiha clan, would choose to stay away. After all, Haruto was privy to the dark truths surrounding Danzo—truths that had ultimately led to their bitter confrontation.
As the funeral ceremony progressed, mourners stepped forward to lay white flowers before Danzo's tombstone. Once this ritual was complete, Hiruzen cleared his throat, preparing to address the gathering.
However, just as he began to speak, a sudden commotion broke out.
BOOM! CRACKLE!
The sound of explosions echoed through the air, drawing everyone's attention toward the sky.
"What's happening?!" someone exclaimed.
"Did Danzo's spirit rise from the grave?" another muttered nervously.
"No, it's fireworks!" a younger voice interjected. "Someone's setting off fireworks in the village!"
"Fireworks? Today of all days?"
The murmurs grew louder as people realized the explosions originated from the direction of the Uchiha compound.
"Isn't that where the Uchiha clan resides?"
"Wasn't it Haruto Uchiha who played a key role in Danzo's downfall?"
"Tsk, tsk... Setting off fireworks during Danzo-sama's funeral. That's bold, even for the Uchiha."
Hiruzen's face turned a deep shade of crimson as the murmurs spread. With a tight jaw, he turned to the ANBU operative.
"Go to the Uchiha compound immediately," he ordered. "Find out what's going on."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
The ANBU member vanished in a blur, returning mere minutes later with a report.
"Hokage-sama," the ANBU began hesitantly, "Haruto Uchiha... is hosting a wedding."
"A wedding? But didn't Haruto marry last year?"
"Yes, but... this time, it's another wedding—he's marrying additional wives," the ANBU explained awkwardly.
Hiruzen's lips twitched in frustration, but he quickly schooled his expression into a calm demeanor. After a brief pause, he gave a soft, mirthless chuckle.
"Well, perhaps it's a coincidence. After the funeral, we'll pay the Uchiha clan a visit."
The ANBU nodded and stepped back as Hiruzen turned his attention back to the gathered crowd. He raised a hand to regain their attention.
"Everyone," he began, his voice firm, "please stop watching the fireworks and focus on the ceremony. I have a few important matters to address before we conclude."
The murmurs died down as the crowd turned their attention back to the Hokage.
"First of all, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who came to pay their respects to Danzo. He was a loyal servant of Konoha, dedicating his entire life to the village. He lived to the age of 65—a life of service and achievement."
A momentary silence followed his words, but Hiruzen's next statement shattered the solemn atmosphere.
"However, I must also address his transgressions. There are certain truths about Danzo that cannot remain hidden any longer."
The crowd shifted uneasily, sensing the gravity of the Hokage's tone.
"Danzo committed three major crimes," Hiruzen continued, his voice resolute. "First: two and a half years ago, he orchestrated the death of Uchiha Shisui, a prodigious ninja and hero of Konoha. Danzo stole Shisui's Sharingan for his own selfish gain."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
"Second," Hiruzen pressed on, "he illegally transplanted the cells of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, into his own body, seeking to enhance his power."
The revelation left the crowd stunned, but Hiruzen's final statement caused an uproar.
"And third—perhaps the most heinous of all—Danzo was the mastermind behind the Uchiha clan massacre. He manipulated a young and impressionable Uchiha Itachi into killing his own people, all in pursuit of the clan's Sharingan. After the massacre, Danzo harvested the Sharingan from the corpses and grafted them onto his own arm."
The crowd erupted in shock and outrage.
"Uchiha Shisui? The hero of the Third Ninja War? How could he kill such a man?!"
"And the massacre... Danzo was behind it all along?"
"To desecrate the dead for power—what kind of monster does that?"
As the villagers' voices grew louder, their anger evident, Hiruzen remained composed.
"Danzo's crimes were grave, and the weight of his actions ultimately led him to take his own life this morning. Perhaps it was the guilt that overwhelmed him—or perhaps it was the shame of his deeds being brought to light."
Meanwhile, among the crowd, the village's leading ninja families exchanged uneasy glances.
Nara Shikaku furrowed his brow, his analytical mind racing. "It's not like Hokage-sama to reveal such damaging information publicly. Something feels... off about this."
His companions, Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza, nodded in agreement.
"The timing of this disclosure is strange," Inoichi murmured.
"Not to mention the fireworks from the Uchiha compound," Choza added. "It's as if these events were deliberately juxtaposed."
Shikaku sighed. "I have a bad feeling about this. Konoha is on the verge of a significant shift—mark my words."
As the Hokage concluded the funeral, the sounds of celebration from the Uchiha compound continued to resonate across the village.
---
Uchiha Compound
Inside the Uchiha compound, the atmosphere was one of joy and revelry. Lanterns adorned the streets, and tables laden with food stretched as far as the eye could see. Children laughed and played, while adults raised their cups in celebration.
At the center of it all stood Haruto Uchiha, dressed in ceremonial robes, flanked by his new brides. Retsu, his first wife, stood gracefully by his side, smiling softly at the scene before her.
Haruto raised his glass, addressing the crowd. "Today, we celebrate not only this union but also the resilience of the Uchiha clan. Let this day remind us of our strength, our unity, and our unyielding spirit."
The crowd cheered, raising their glasses in unison.
Retsu leaned closer to Haruto and whispered, "You know this will cause quite a stir in the village, don't you?"
Haruto smirked. "Let them talk. The Uchiha will no longer bow to anyone—not even the Hokage."
---
Back at the funeral, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but glance in the direction of the Uchiha compound, his expression unreadable. He knew Haruto's defiance would not go unnoticed, and the repercussions of this day would echo far into the future.
As the fireworks continued to light up the sky, the village of Konoha stood at a crossroads—caught between the shadows of its past and the uncertain path that lay ahead.
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