Naruto: I am Uchiha Fugaku

The meeting lasted the entire morning and only concluded around noon.

The Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja possessed formidable strength and spatial ninjutsu, able to come and go without a trace he had already become a major threat to Konoha.

After this meeting and several prior discussions, Konoha finally formulated a new strategy to deal with the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja:

To form a Kage-level task force to hunt him down!

This would be the most elite squad ever assembled in Konoha's history, with every member being of Kage-level strength.

The provisional members of this task force were Uchiha Shisui, Jiraiya, and Tsunade.

Jiraiya and Tsunade, as two of the legendary Sannin, naturally possessed Kage-level strength.

As for Uchiha Shisui, while many had heard rumors, this time it was officially confirmed by the Third Hokage himself—Shisui had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and likewise possessed Kage-level strength.

However, there was one problem: Jiraiya and Tsunade were not currently in the village, and their whereabouts were uncertain. Tracking them down would be difficult.

Even if they could be located, convincing them to join this task force wasn't guaranteed—both of them had a tenuous relationship with the village at this point.

And given their current status, they couldn't be forced to comply.

Thus, the Kage-level squad remained just a concept for now whether it could truly be formed remained to be seen.

"Uchiha Shisui has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and reached Kage-level power. Congratulations, Clan Head Fugaku!"

"To have such a genius emerge from your clan, Clan Head Fugaku, congratulations!"

"Congratulations to Clan Head Fugaku!"

As they exited the conference room, many clan heads smiled and offered their congratulations to Uchiha Fugaku.

Some of them were from clans who had recently warmed relations with the Uchiha.

Others had previously had little to do with the Uchiha.

With the emergence of a Kage-level ninja, the Uchiha Clan's status and influence within the village would undoubtedly rise.

These clans, seeing the growing power of the Uchiha, were now looking to build ties.

"Thank you, thank you. You're always welcome to visit the Uchiha compound," Fugaku responded with a warm smile to the clan heads who came to greet him.

Though he was well aware that Uchiha Shisui had long been brainwashed by the Third Hokage and was, in truth, a traitor to the clan with no real loyalty…

It didn't stop him from using Shisui's name to elevate the Uchiha Clan's standing and forge connections with other clans.

"Hmph—"

Shimura Danzō passed by, cane in hand, followed closely by Shimura Naoya.

Hearing the flattery from the other clan heads and seeing the smug look on Fugaku's face, Danzō sneered inwardly.

The more pleased Fugaku was now, the more crushed he would be when he learned the truth.

Danzō was already looking forward to seeing Fugaku's reaction when he found out Shisui wasn't loyal to the Uchiha Clan at all but to the Third Hokage.

However, he figured Fugaku wouldn't live to see that day.

Because before that happened, Danzō would have already eliminated him.

"I'll tell you the truth right before you die!"

Danzō had made up his mind—to reveal Shisui's betrayal to Fugaku right before killing him, so he would die in rage and agony.

"Seems someone's in quite the foul mood."

Catching a glimpse of Danzō's darkened expression as he departed, Fugaku's smile widened even more.

A few days ago, during the standoff at the Guard Department, and again today during the meeting, he had deliberately guided the discussion to make everyone believe the Wood Release ninja was targeting Konoha because of Danzō.

All of it was meant to provoke Danzō.

To ignite his hatred—to make him furious enough to act personally.

Only that way could Fugaku bait Danzō out of Root Headquarters.

Danzō had been holed up in the heavily protected Root base for years. Without this approach, drawing him out was near impossible.

And with all that protection, not even Fugaku could assassinate him.

Inside the Hokage Tower conference room, everyone else had left. Only the Third Hokage remained, still seated in deep thought.

Snap, snap…

He puffed on his traditional tobacco pipe, smoke swirling as he pondered.

After a long while, he came back to himself. His gaze shifted toward the conference room door as he spoke.

"Go summon Crow."

"Yes!"

A member of the ANBU stationed at the door responded and quickly departed.

Before long, a masked young man arrived—it was Uchiha Shisui, codename: Crow.

"Hokage-sama."

Standing before the Third Hokage, Shisui bowed respectfully, genuine admiration showing even from beneath his mask.

This elderly man, even in his later years, was still striving for Konoha's peace.

He was someone truly worthy of Shisui's loyalty.

"Mm…"

The Third Hokage nodded with a gentle smile, like a kind elder caring for a junior.

After a brief pause, his expression turned more serious.

"Last night, the Wood Release ninja killed the heads of three clans. This is one of the most serious incidents since the founding of the village."

"After discussion, we've decided that you, Jiraiya, and Tsunade will form a fully Kage-level team to eliminate this threat."

"The Wood Release ninja is now a major threat to Konoha. I'm willing to do my part to eliminate him," Shisui replied immediately.

"Good. Your sense of duty has always pleased me. If only more people in the village had your dedication," the Third Hokage praised, clearly satisfied.

Then, he continued:

"I summoned you not just to inform you of the village's decision—but also to seek your opinion on something."

"What is it?" Shisui asked curiously.

"Last night, when the Wood Release ninja attacked the Iwasaki Clan Head, the commotion drew attention. Iwasaki clan members rushed over…"

"When they arrived, they saw the clan head killed by Wood Release."

"Afterward, the ninja used Earth-Style to escape. Though the clan members pursued him, he still managed to kill a few more before fleeing underground."

"The Wood Release ninja possesses space-time ninjutsu. Logically, he could have escaped immediately using that. Since you've fought him before, what do you think made him choose Earth-Style escape instead?"

Shisui fell into deep thought for a moment before finally answering:

"I have two theories."

"What are they?" the Third Hokage asked.

"My first theory is this: just like how a Mangekyō Sharingan eventually leads to blindness with excessive use, perhaps the enemy's eyes are already severely damaged. Unless absolutely necessary, he avoids using Mangekyō powers."

"That's reasonable. And the second theory?" Hiruzen asked, nodding.

Shisui hesitated for a moment, then said:

"My second theory is… this person may not actually be the Wood Release ninja. He might be an imposter!"