Chapter 66: Is This the World in Wakaho's Eyes? (1/2)

Before the Third Hokage arrived, the Uchiha's "encirclement" was divided into two parts.

One encircling Danzo.

And one encircling the Root ninjas.

"Hokage-sama!"

"Third Hokage-sama!"

"Third Hokage-sama!"

When the Third Hokage arrived, the Uchiha clan members automatically made way for him, showing their respect.

At this time, most Uchiha clan members still respected the "strongest of Konoha."

This respect wasn't only because the Uchiha revered strength; it was also ingrained from a young age.

The Third Hokage being called "the strongest Hokage" wasn't without reason... at least his skills in indoctrination were unmatched by both the First and Second Hokage combined.

In the original timeline, Obito's aspiration to become Hokage wasn't coincidental.

"Mm."

"Oh, you are... you've grown so tall?"

"Very good, very good."

"That's a nice sword!"

"Whoa, those muscles... you must have worked hard."

The Third Hokage, not wearing his battle armor this time, had one hand behind his back and the other holding a pipe. He nodded occasionally, as if he were strolling leisurely through the streets of Konoha, exuding a friendly demeanor.

He wasn't here to escalate the conflict; he was here to negotiate...

"Third Hokage-sama."

The Third Hokage finally reached Fugaku, who nodded in greeting, his expression showing a hint of helplessness.

The Third Hokage glanced at Danzo, who was sitting cross-legged on the ground with his eyes closed and left arm missing, and then at White Fang, who stood with his arms crossed, his expression calm and unyielding.

"Sigh."

"How did it come to this?"

The Third Hokage sighed, but he had already made a clear judgment of the situation.

Danzo, this guy... forget it, now's not the time to pursue internal matters.

White Fang, this child... never mind, I'll counsel him later.

Fugaku, this child, is still relatively easy to talk to.

Although he had become the Uchiha clan leader at a young age and had summoned all the Uchiha because of Danzo, Fugaku seemed to be someone who understood the bigger picture.

From Fugaku's reaction, it was clear that there was still room for reconciliation today...

"Third Hokage-sama." Fugaku spoke in a deep voice, "Elder Danzo is a high-ranking member of Konoha, respected by many. When I summoned the clan, I had no intention of harming him or the village. Please understand that, Third Hokage-sama."

"Don't be too tense, Fugaku." The Third Hokage waved his hand dismissively. "You are all ninjas of Konoha, all wearing Konoha's forehead protectors. Many young Uchiha were raised under my watchful eye..."

"The Konoha Police Force maintains internal stability; how could they harm the village... This is ultimately an internal misunderstanding within Konoha, and I'm here to help resolve it..."

With a left nod to the Konoha ninjas and a right nod to the Konoha Police Force, the Third Hokage's few words framed the situation as a "misunderstanding," attempting to downplay the issue.

But Fugaku, under the scrutiny of all his clan members, clearly couldn't afford to compromise.

As the head of the Uchiha clan, he couldn't allow the Sharingan of his clan to fall into outsiders' hands without giving his clan an explanation.

Yet, as the head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku also understood the consequences of forcing Konoha's higher-ups with all the Uchiha.

The old clan leader had repeatedly emphasized when passing the leadership to Fugaku:

The Uchiha's strength lies in the "past" and the "future." The "present" Uchiha is merely a significant clan within Konoha, nothing more.

In Fugaku's "Uchiha Revival Plan," there was no element of severing ties with Konoha at this moment.

At least not today, not now.

But that didn't mean Fugaku would compromise.

Just as Wakaho had predicted.