Chapter 120: Clan Meeting

Night fell and Konoha had returned to peace.

A hall in Training Field No.3 temporarily replaced the Grand Conference Room in the Hokage Tower.

Under the bust of the First Hokage, Third looked worn out. Behind him stood Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu with solemn expressions.

At the center of the hall were clan heads, department leaders, and elite Jonin of the village.

"...Thank you all for your hard work! After discussions with Elder Homura and Elder Koharu, we have decided to hold a high-level meeting this Friday. I will explain everything then. For now, please return to your posts and continue to stabilize the situation in Konoha!"

Everyone acknowledged and left, but Fugaku stayed behind.

Thinking Fugaku was trying to take advantage of the chaos, Homura coldly said, "Chief Fugaku, please return to your post. Konoha can't handle any more chaos right now."

After Danzo's incident, Fugaku no longer had the slightest respect for Konoha's leadership. He shot a cold look at Homura and calmly said, "What do you mean, Elder Homura? The one causing damage to Konoha is Danzo, and it's Uchiha that are keeping Konoha stable!"

"You..." Homura was speechless.

Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples and asked, "Fugaku, what do you want?"

Fugaku replied, "Hokage-sama, I'm sure you've already seen the Sharingan on Danzo's right arm."

Sarutobi apologized, "Forgive me. It was my negligence."

Fugaku remained cold, showing not even the slightest relaxation from the Third's words.

"I don't want to question the past, but our Police Force will search Danzo's base."

Homura responded, "That's impossible! Anbu hides too many important secrets of Konoha. The consequences would be severe if they were leaked..."

Fugaku didn't say anything, merely fixed his gaze on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen said, "I promise you that after the Anbu are investigated, everything belonging to the Uchiha will be returned to you!"

Fugaku replied, "Hokage-sama still trusts the Anbu, but I don't trust them anymore!"

Fugaku's words made Hiruzen Sarutobi's face tighten!

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu wanted to protest angrily, but Sarutobi stopped them.

"I'll approve the Uchiha sending personnel to participate during the investigation of the Anbu. If something belongs to the Uchiha, they can take it directly. Does that sound okay?"

Fugaku thought for a moment and nodded. "Fine."

Only then did Sarutobi say, "Good. Then I'll leave security management of Konoha to the Police Force these few days."

Fugaku nodded and left the training field as well.

Only Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Sarutobi remained in Training Field No.3. Homura no longer tried to hide his feelings and directly said, "Hiruzen, Uchiha Fugaku has grown increasingly arrogant. Where's his respect toward us now?"

"Let it go, Homura," Koharu Utatane replied. "We should focus on the high-level meeting in two days."

Upon hearing this, Homura also suppressed his anger. "Danzo was such a fool—being caught by the Uchiha, forced into fleeing the village and damaging our reputation."

Koharu added, "Hiruzen, have you become too soft-hearted? Why let Danzo escape? He knows far too many of our most sensitive secrets."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a bitter smile, "He mastered the Wood Release and used the First's ultimate jutsu, [Grave of Roots]!"

Homura Mitokado asked in astonishment, "Then how did he survive?"

He knew that although this Wood Release technique was extremely powerful, it was a suicide move meant to take enemies down with oneself.

Sarutobi shook his head. "That I don't know."

Koharu Utatane sighed, "Now that he has fled, it's too late to say anything."

"If Danzo turns traitor, we're all responsible for it," Homura added. "If the Uchiha seizes this opportunity to make trouble, Hiruzen might have to resign!"

Sarutobi replied guiltily, "I really do carry a lot of the blame for Danzo turning out this way!"

Then he continued, "I can step down as Hokage, but I cannot leave the position in the Uchiha's hands! They're too narrow-minded and warlike... and Fugaku Uchiha has awakened the Mangekyou."

Homura's eyes widened in shock, then he said coldly, "So they were definitely behind the Nine-Tails' attack!"

Koharu sighed again, "Let's talk with the other ninja clans these two days. The current political landscape of the ninja world has become increasingly volatile and treacherous. Only Hiruzen can maintain stability for Konoha!"

Adjusting his glasses, Homura added, "We should also prepare for the possibility of losing the Hokage position..."

...

When Fugaku returned to the clan compound, the silver moon already hung high in the sky, yet the Police Force headquarters still blazed with lights.

Inside the Police Force building, captains, vice-captains who remained in the village, and various idle jonin had all gathered within the main hall.

"Go to the meeting room first!"

The meeting room was large but offered limited seating, forcing many jonin to stand.

Aozora respectfully stood behind Fugaku, offering his seat to senior clan members.

Fugaku took the central seat. The Police Force meeting—more accurately, the Uchiha clan meeting—officially began.

Soon, Iron Blue, captain of the third police squad, spoke first, "Chief, I heard today Elder Danzo Shimura ran off taking three Anbu squads with him. Casualties among the direct Anbu under the Hokage have been severe."

Fugaku showed no change in expression as he nodded slightly, "Five Anbu squad leaders were killed."

Upon hearing this, Iron Blue's face flushed with excitement, "Their authority has greatly declined after this incident. This is a golden opportunity for our Uchiha clan!"

Even Hachidai, known for his usual composure, nodded in agreement, "Clan Leader, indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like this. No matter what, during the Third's tenure both his disciple and best friend have defected. He carries heavy responsibility!"

Shimura Aoki, captain of the fourth squad who had come back to the village to recover from wounds, also voiced his opinion, "As long as we initiate impeachment proceedings, the Third won't escape punishment and will surely be forced to step down. Then would be our chance!"

Inabi and others raised their voices one after another, making it clear that this was Fugaku's chance at the Hokage position.

Privately, Fugaku agreed with their arguments, though he didn't immediately voice his own opinion.

Surveying the excited clan members before him, he turned his gaze to Aozora standing behind and asked, "Aozora, what do you think?"

Unlike five months ago, Aozora was no longer the invisible nobody in the clan.

Rising to chunin faster than anyone else, slaying a veteran jonin in a single blow, fighting off many Iwagakure shinobi—one story after another kept shaking the clan members' beliefs.

Though few had met him in person due to his limited social life, almost every Uchiha had at least heard of him.

Everyone in the clan knew about Aozora — the genius youth known for his striking appearance, formidable strength, and remarkable insight. Despite his young age, he'd already become the personal aide to the clan head.

Following Fugaku's gaze, everyone looked over and saw Aozora hiding behind Fugaku.

His face still carried a touch of youthful innocence, yet could not hide the sharpness of his refined features. Those deep eyes, like endless starry skies, were particularly unforgettable.

What a noble young man! He truly lives up to being our Uchiha genius.

Under the expectant and appreciative gazes of the clan members, Aozora felt somewhat embarrassed. His current opinion might actually differ significantly from theirs.

Wanting to avoid drawing too much fire, Aozora said, "I deeply respect the judgment of all my uncles here."

Unlike before, Aozora no longer had to make bold moves to grab attention. He could now voice his thoughts with more subtlety.

"But... I don't think this is the right time for the Uchiha to pursue the position of Hokage!"

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