Naruto: Cherry Blossoms in the Snow

Chapter 25: The Key to Solving the Problem [Part 2]

"What's the second method?" Fugaku Uchiha asked.

"To completely turn around the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha, you have to find the root of the problem," Sakura replied. "No matter how well you try, it won't work if there's someone inside sabotaging things."

"Danzo Shimura…" Fugaku naturally knew about Danzo, the man who had always looked down on the Uchiha. But Danzo was a Konoha elder, a longtime classmate of the Third Hokage, and in control of Root. Fugaku simply had no way to confront him directly.

"That's right. Danzo is a deeply contradictory character. He believes he's carrying on the will of the Second Hokage and that all his actions are for Konoha's good—but in reality, that's just self-delusion."

How to describe Danzo? Nine out of ten Naruto fans dislike him because he's responsible for so many tragic events—Uchiha Shisui's death, forcing Itachi to annihilate the clan, conspiring with Hanzo of the Salamander in Amegakure to kill Yahiko. Almost every act Danzo committed brought about immense tragedy.

Someone once said that if you find a tragedy in the Naruto world but don't know who caused it, then chances are it was Danzo. His reputation as Konoha's "pot-stirrer" is well-earned.

Despite all his wrongdoings, Danzo never believed he was wrong. He firmly convinced himself he was acting for Konoha's sake. Simply put, he's a classic case of someone lying so much that he eventually believes his own lies.

"Although I don't fully understand why he hates the Uchiha so much, one thing's certain: as long as Danzo lives, the Uchiha won't have a chance for peace," Sakura said, taking a sip of hot tea. "So if you want to truly fix the awkward relationship with Konoha, Danzo's fate is the key."

"But Danzo is a Konoha elder. Getting rid of him isn't that simple!" Fugaku said. He wanted to eliminate this troublemaker behind the scenes, but Danzo was protected by the elders and the Third Hokage, his longtime friend. If it weren't for that, Danzo's past deeds would have long made him the target of many enemies.

"I know that. To get rid of Danzo, you need the right timing and the moral high ground," Sakura said calmly. "You have to make everyone believe the Uchiha are the oppressed victims, forced to resist because of Danzo's persecution. Once you have that, you kill Danzo, then spread the truth about his past misdeeds. I doubt many villagers would sympathize with him."

"We've gathered plenty of dirt on Danzo. Whenever we need, we can bring it out. The only issue is timing…"

Fugaku frowned. Danzo was powerful and always hidden within Root's secret base. Killing him wasn't going to be easy.

"When to kill him can wait. What's important now are the crucial steps leading up to the plan," Sakura said, wagging her index finger. "First, have the Uchiha follow my earlier advice to ease tensions with the villagers—win over the majority's opinion. Second… wait."

"Wait for Danzo to provoke the Uchiha first?" Fugaku wasn't stupid; he understood Sakura's meaning. Once Danzo made the first move, the Uchiha could play the victim, positioning themselves as the oppressed. Then when the Uchiha resist 'reluctantly,' no one could blame them.

"Exactly. Knowing Danzo's personality, the sudden positive change in the Uchiha will definitely set off alarm bells in his mind. From what I know, Danzo never wanted to just limit the Uchiha's growth—he aimed to wipe them out completely."

Sakura's words left Fugaku Uchiha silent. To be honest, he still found it hard to fully believe. Even the Second Hokage, who was hostile to the Uchiha, had never truly intended to annihilate the clan.

"I understand your doubts, but time will prove everything I said. Danzo has been waiting a long time. If nothing unexpected happens, he will make his move within the next few years."

Sasuke was already four years old, and the canon timeline was only three years away from the Uchiha clan's downfall.

"Surely he won't be that reckless? No matter how much Danzo hates the Uchiha, wiping out the entire clan would surely draw universal condemnation. Even the Third Hokage wouldn't approve of such a thing," Fugaku hesitated.

"Normally, he couldn't just strike out of the blue. But what if the Uchiha were to rebel?" Sakura said. "If Danzo had that excuse, no one would dare protest him exterminating the clan."

"Rebellion!" Fugaku's grip on his teacup tightened suddenly, his expression darkening. Over the past two years, dissatisfaction within the clan toward Konoha had been growing louder. Not long ago, the elders had even approached him about the idea of the Uchiha becoming Konoha's ruling power. If Danzo used that as a pretext, no one would be able to argue after wiping out the Uchiha.

"The Uchiha clan isn't a monolith. Besides you, Fugaku-san, the clan leader, the elders hold significant power as well. You seek peace and reconciliation with Konoha, but they want far more than that."

In the original story, after Shisui's death, several Uchiha clan members had arrogantly confronted Itachi—who was the clan leader's son—with a defiant attitude. To be that brazen toward Itachi, they must have had backing, and the only force strong enough to challenge the clan leader were the elders.

"But this is also an opportunity!"

Sakura suddenly shifted her tone. "It's time for the Uchiha to undergo a transformation. Those old stubborn traditionalists clinging to past glories will only bring disaster. If they want to rebel, let them. Let them give Danzo the perfect excuse to act. And Clan head Fugaku, you can take this chance to purge the clan—preserve the peace-loving elite, and let the rebellious factions fight Danzo tooth and nail."

"What exactly do you plan to do?!" Fugaku asked in a low voice. The elders' power in the clan had grown so great that even he, as clan head, often felt powerless. Just as Sakura said, this could be the perfect opportunity to clean house and deal with the disobedient elements in the Uchiha.