Chapter 42: Loyalty or Betrayal (Part 2)
Upon seeing the documents placed in front of him by Uchiha Douhuan, Aburame Shibi's hands trembled slightly despite his best efforts to maintain composure. Though his face remained hidden behind the traditional Aburame Clan sunglasses and mask, his slightly shaking fingers betrayed his inner turmoil.
These documents contained evidence of treason and corruption far worse than the previous ones related to Aburame Ryoma. Not only did it detail heinous crimes carried out under Danzo's Root, but it also implicated both Shimura and Mitokado clans.
It was not just a matter of Root's brutality; it also demonstrated that Root had made extensive use of oil-based poisons produced through Aburame Clan's insect techniques. Additionally, there was evidence that Aburame Ryoma had been heavily involved in various operations involving kidnapping and assassination, and his activities were not limited to just Konoha but spanned multiple countries.
What was worse, the document revealed that Shimura Danzo had secretly formed alliances with Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane, further dragging the Mitokado and Utatane Clans into the mud.
In other words, the document didn't just expose Root's sins, but also the collusion of three major clans. If this were to be exposed, the village's political landscape would undergo an earthquake.
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A Strategic Move
Aburame Shibi's mind raced. He was not stupid—he immediately grasped Douhuan's intentions. This was not just about Root's crimes. If Douhuan decided to release these documents, two more prominent clans would face public outrage. In the ensuing chaos, Uchiha could easily consolidate their political influence and fill the power vacuum.
"Douhuan-sama..." Shibi swallowed his anxiety. "This... these documents..."
"Impressive, aren't they?" Douhuan smirked slightly, sipping his tea. "Such a thorough and incriminating list. You have to give credit to Danzo, don't you? He never left any loose ends, and all his moves were well documented—whether out of paranoia or just plain meticulousness."
Shibi could feel his palms sweating inside his gloves. The Aburame Clan had always prided themselves on staying neutral and calm, even in dire situations. But right now, he felt like his family's future was dangling over the edge of a cliff.
"What... what are your conditions?" Shibi finally managed to speak.
"Conditions?" Douhuan leaned back, his eyes gleaming. "Shibi-san, you misunderstand me. This isn't about conditions. It's about doing what is best for Konoha. After all, we are all loyal shinobi of the village, driven by the Will of Fire."
"The Will of Fire..." Shibi repeated mechanically, his mind still spinning.
"The way I see it," Douhuan continued, his tone conversational, "we cannot afford another political scandal tearing the village apart. Imagine if it became public that three of the most influential clans were colluding with a traitor. Imagine the public outrage. It would destroy the village's unity."
Shibi remained silent, knowing exactly what Douhuan was hinting at.
"And to avoid such chaos," Douhuan went on, "we need someone to step up, take the initiative, and publicly condemn Root and those responsible. Someone to show the village that the Aburame Clan is not just innocent, but actively working to root out corruption."
Shibi hesitated, still unsure of the full scope of Douhuan's plan. "So... you want us to cooperate with the investigation?"
Douhuan nodded. "Precisely. But not just cooperate. You must lead the charge. As one of the trusted clans of Konoha, your clan's stance will set the tone. If Aburame Shibi himself takes the initiative to expose these crimes and openly condemn Danzo, it will establish your clan as a pillar of justice. Who would dare question your loyalty then?"
Shibi realized that Douhuan's strategy was to use the Aburame Clan as a spearhead to strike down Root and its remaining loyalists. By being the ones to expose Root's crimes, they would not only cleanse their reputation but also firmly align themselves with the new power structure forming around the Uchiha Clan.
"But..." Shibi voiced his concern, "the other clans... especially the Mitokado and Utatane Clans... won't they retaliate against us for being the ones to expose them?"
Douhuan's smile widened. "Who said you'll be alone in this? The Uchiha Clan will stand by your side. Once the public perception shifts in our favor, even the Third Hokage will have no choice but to distance himself from those corrupted factions. You won't be alone in this storm."
Shibi took a deep breath, then finally nodded. "I understand. I will convene the clan's council and make the necessary arrangements."
Douhuan nodded approvingly. "Smart decision. With your clan taking the moral high ground, the rest of the village will naturally follow suit. Plus, once your clan helps to eliminate the remnants of Root, the village will no longer view the Aburame Clan with suspicion."
Shibi glanced at the documents once more, then carefully set them aside. "Very well. We will proceed as you advise, Douhuan-sama."
Douhuan stood up, patting Shibi on the shoulder as he moved to leave. "It's the right decision. Konoha needs strong leadership in times like this. Stand tall and show them the Aburame Clan's resolve."
As Douhuan walked out of the compound, his mind was already calculating the next moves. With both Inuzuka and Aburame Clans now allied, the political chessboard of Konoha was rapidly shifting. The once isolated Uchiha Clan was now becoming a powerful force, capable of shaping the village's future.
As he left, he murmured to himself, "When forced to choose between loyalty to a traitor or loyalty to the village, it's obvious which side to pick. The Uchiha Clan will stand at the pinnacle."
The night air was chilly, but for Douhuan, the path ahead felt unusually warm and promising.