The Hyuga Shall Stand Above, In The Heavens!

Konohagakure.

Central Square.

Almost everyone was stunned by Uchiha Satoshi's words!

The rest who could keep their sanity began to whisper among themselves.

"Avoid the disaster from the start?"

Does that kid even know what he's talking about?

What do you mean the Fourth Hokage didn't even have to die?

The villagers' emotions, along with the surrounding ninjas', were stirred up.

They stared intently at Uchiha Satoshi, ears perked up, afraid to miss any detail!

In a corner of the square, watching the frenzied Uchiha, Nara Shikaku couldn't help but stroke his chin and ponder.

As a member of Konohagakure's brain trust and the Hokage's chief strategist, Shikaku's intelligence was unquestionable.

He observed meticulously.

Uchiha Satoshi seemed confident, but his slightly trembling legs betrayed his unsettled heart.

Was it fear or excitement?

Let's set that aside for now.

Uchiha Satoshi must have received instructions from Fugaku to stand out and put on this show.

But according to Shikaku's analysis, Uchiha Fugaku didn't have the courage to wage war against the higher-ups. Even before this, his stance against the higher-ups was conservative, with no intention of a full confrontation.

So, 

the man standing behind Uchiha Fugaku...

Shikaku looked into the distance, where a man with flowing hair was embracing Yuuhi Shinku's daughter Kurenai with one arm and Orochimaru's female disciple Mitarashi Anko with the other.

At that moment, Kurenai was feeding the man sunflower seeds.

Could Fugaku's change be related to him?

What means did he use to make a Uchiha Patriarch, who lacked the courage to confront the higher-ups, take a stand?

Nara Shikaku, stroking his chin, was uncertain.

Compared to what Uchiha Satoshi was about to say, he was more interested in the patriarch of the Hyuga clan.

The reason was simple: anyone with a decent IQ had their suspicions. In fact, Uchiha Fugaku having his clansmen speak out was a clear strategy.

The old village chief and Danzo-sama were set up to take the blame.

But this strategy was beyond Uchiha Fugaku's intelligence to orchestrate, surely someone is behind this scene.

Considering Hyuga Hitoshi had spoken for the Uchiha at the meeting, it wasn't hard to guess who was behind it all. Even if Hitoshi hadn't planned everything, he was certainly involved.

With this in mind, Shikaku looked again at the man cracking sunflower seeds.

Sensing his gaze, the man turned and smiled at Konohagakure's chief strategist. Caught spying, Shikaku awkwardly looked away.

Patriarch Hitoshi, for his part, bore no ill will towards the strategist.

Seeking power in one's position and standing with the Hokage for the benefit of the clan was all fair.

But Hyuga Hitoshi was certain that after today, those who supported the old village chief would begin to doubt his capabilities.

Without a doubt.

Uchiha Satoshi had his speech ready, his voice raised, preparing to fire away.

But if nothing unexpected happened, something unexpected was about to happen.

As the old village chief stepped into the square, the farce orchestrated by Hitoshi and led by Fugaku was about to be determined.

Indeed.

When the old village chief heard that Uchiha Satoshi was about to fire his shot, he couldn't hold back any longer and rushed over as fast as he could.

Even though the old village chief always maintained a kind and amiable face, it now became somewhat gloomy and twisted.

It was evident that he was restraining himself.

He had intended to wait and see what the Uchiha were up to, then step forward to vouch for those who were captured, pinning the crime of assaulting the Anbu on the Uchiha.

But now he realized that Uchiha Fugaku had come prepared!

Nara Shikaku's analysis wasn't wrong either; Fugaku alone couldn't possibly be a match for the old village chief, nor could he have thought this far ahead, so initially, the Third Hokage didn't take it seriously.

But now he had no choice but to step in.

He had to interrupt Uchiha Cong's next words, claim his people back, and then immediately end this incident, minimizing its impact.

"Hehe, the guard squad is as responsible as ever, which pleases me greatly. If everyone had the sense of duty of Patriarch Fugaku, our village would surely become even stronger."

The old village chief's face was full of praise, affirming Uchiha Fugaku's actions, indicating that Konohagakure needed talents like him.

However, those who knew the old village chief could tell there was a 'but' coming.

"But... being responsible is good, there's no need to interrogate these few."

Sarutobi pointed at the Anbu pinned to the ground, a flicker of anger in his eyes.

If they hadn't been captured, he wouldn't have been so passive.

"Waste."

He didn't dare to call these people waste to their faces, but Danzo, who had come to watch the drama, did.

Clearly not as intelligent as the old village chief, he had no idea how unfavorable the current situation was for the higher-ups, and he even felt excited about the old village chief's setback.

Damn, you think you can push me out? Serves you right!

But the Third Hokage clearly had no time to indulge in Danzo's antics.

He took a deep breath, looked around, and spoke again.

"These individuals are Anbu ninjas, carrying out a secret mission I arranged. It's due to some misunderstandings that they were captured by Patriarch Fugaku."

As soon as he said this, the square was filled with whispers.

Caught by the guard squad while on a sneaky mission?

These Anbu must be traitors, right? But it seems Hokage-sama is determined to protect them?

"I will have them reflect upon returning, and I will also give Patriarch Fugaku an explanation, so let's end this matter here."

It had to end here!

Continuing would mean waiting for Uchiha Satoshi to finish his barrage, and by then it would be too late!

Even if doing so confused the villagers and was akin to bowing to the Uchiha, he had no choice.

Isn't it bowing to the Uchiha?

They captured his direct troops, and he had to rush to give them an explanation, which was essentially a veiled surrender, trying to downplay the seriousness of the situation.

Unfortunately.

If it had been the old Fugaku, he would have seized this opportunity to exchange resources with the Third Hokage and gain some benefits for the Uchiha clan.

Well, okay.

The current Patriarch Fugaku was also interested in this, and Hyuga Hitoshi saw through Fugaku's thoughts with just a glance, which he didn't find disappointing.

After all, everyone understands the principle that you can't make bricks without straw; if Fugaku really had the ability, the Uchiha clan wouldn't have fallen into his hands.

So, Patriarch Hitoshi naturally stepped forward.

"If the village chief has spoken, then take the person away."

Hitoshi showed his magnanimity, and the old village chief's face lit up with pleasure, thinking this was Hyuga Hitoshi's gesture of goodwill, giving him a way out.

But he was mistaken; Patriarch Hitoshi hadn't finished speaking. He lifted his chin towards Uchiha Satoshi.

"Hey you, continue speaking. The young and old masters of our village are all ears!"

Continue speaking?

The Third's expression changed, "Patriarch Hitoshi, what I mean is let's call it a day on this matter."

He was hinting at Hyuga Hitoshi, believing the other party would surely catch on.

But things went contrary to his wishes.

Patriarch Hitoshi shook his head with a grave expression.

"The matter of the Third Hokage's anbu can be let go, but the Nine-Tails' chaos cannot be settled so easily."

"The Nine-Tails' chaos is a matter of great importance, causing our village to suffer greatly. How many people were hurt? How many children lost their parents? You, the old village chief, must have seen all this."

"And now, the Uchiha brother has clues, which naturally should be made public."

After a pause, Hyuga Hitoshi looked at the old village chief with confusion.

"No way? The old village chief doesn't think those people deserved to die, does he? He doesn't think that if the Nine-Tails goes out of control again, even though there are good methods available, there's no need to use them, and it doesn't matter if all the villagers die?"

In an instant, the sword named moral hijacking was hanging over the old village chief's head!

Under everyone's gaze, sweat seeped from the old village chief's forehead, and his hand holding the cigarette began to tremble.

Finally, he pointed shakily at Uchiha Satoshi, but before he could give an order.

The surrounding villagers erupted first!

"Let him speak!"

"Let him speak!"

The roars were continuous, but they sounded like the most beautiful music to Fugaku and Uchiha Satoshi, who had never experienced such a thing before.

They had finally grasped the knife called public opinion.

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