Chapter 127: Aozora's Contingency Plan

In the meeting room, Tsunade and Fugaku exuded an overwhelming aura, making the atmosphere even more oppressive.

"Hmph!"

Fugaku scoffed coldly, suddenly concealing his three tomoe, saying, "I hope no one intends to tear down the Hokage Tower again today?"

Aozora anticipated the expectations of the Hokage side.

He knew the Hokage side believed the Uchiha wanted the Hokage seat, and would go to any lengths to block them.

Therefore, he first discouraged his clansmen's hopes to prevent reckless actions from disappointment.

Next, he shifted the Uchiha's objective from pursuing the Hokage title to weakening the Hokage's power and expanding their own influence.

Finally, Aozora prepared a contingency plan for Fugaku in case the Hokage faction questioned him about the Mangekyo.

Tsunade glanced at Fugaku with surprise and retracted her imposing presence.

Before anyone could fully process Tsunade's reappearance, Koharu Utatane brought up old business: "Fugaku, why did you conceal your awakening of the Mangekyo Sharingan?"

Fugaku's expression remained calm as he replied unhurriedly, "Firstly, I never actually concealed my awakening of the Mangekyo; I simply haven't had much opportunity to use it. Had I truly hidden it, casualties during Danzo's betrayal three days ago might have doubled."

[Susanoo] represents the ultimate power of the Mangekyo Sharingan, something newly awakened Mangekyo bearers like Fugaku couldn't master yet. Since Aozora didn't know how much the Hokage side understood about the Mangekyo, he didn't instruct Fugaku to lie.

Homura Mitokado interjected, "That was merely for self-preservation!"

Before Fugaku could respond, someone from the crowd spoke up: "Out of the nine Anbu squad captains, only four survived. With Commander Fugaku's strength, escaping the Hokage Tower without rescuing us wouldn't have been difficult."

The ninja Fugaku had saved three days earlier silently nodded in agreement, though guilt gnawed at them.

Fugaku acknowledged this person before continuing, "Secondly, Article Three of the Ninja Code states: 'Ninjas must remember to hide their information.' As a ninja, there's nothing wrong with me concealing my personal details."

Koharu pressed on, "Then why did the Nine-Tails have three tomoe Sharingan eyes? This clearly indicates it was controlled by a Sharingan Genjutsu."

Fugaku calmly responded first, "Understanding our immediate suspicion upon discovering the Nine-Tails was under Sharingan Genjutsu control, the Uchiha completely accept that. Therefore, during the Nine-Tails' Invasion, we followed the Hokage's orders and protected non-combatants under Anbu surveillance without making any sudden moves.

"Afterwards, we remained obedient, patiently waiting for the higher-ups to swiftly uncover the truth!

"To avoid escalating tensions, we even accepted a ridiculous Reconstruction and Revitalization Plan."

Fugaku stood up, his voice filled with sorrow and anger, "However! More than a year has passed, yet the higher-ups have not only failed to uncover the truth—they haven't even found a shred of new evidence!

"Does that mean the Uchiha will always be seen as villains? Will we constantly face suspicion and exclusion? Will you even go so far as to annihilate our entire clan?"

Listening to Fugaku's accusation, Aozora realized Fugaku was genuinely emotional! Trapped between Konoha and the Uchiha, Fugaku was indeed the most tragic figure!

Fugaku's heartfelt words moved the ninjas present.

While acknowledging the Uchiha's past arrogance, the clan had clearly become more accommodating over the past year.

Moreover, can we simply persecute an entire ninja clan based on mere suspicion?

If even the Uchiha are treated this way, what awaits others? Rabbit dies and fox grieves (a proverb that expresses sorrow for the fate of one's own kind).

"But look at Nine-Tails' eyes—he has three tomoe, solid proof that he was controlled by Sharingan genjutsu!" 

Koharu Utatane quickly spoke up, trying to shift blame onto the Uchiha.

Fugaku shot back, "Only the Uchiha in Konoha can use Sharingan genjutsu? Leaving aside the fact that our clan has existed since the Warring States era and some of us have gone our separate ways, is it true that no one else can use Sharingan techniques? Everyone knows that a Sharingan can be transplanted."

After Fugaku finished speaking, murmurs rippled through the crowd. People recalled the growing fame of the Copy Ninja Kakashi. And those who had attended the meeting held three days ago remembered the eight Sharingan embedded in Danzo's right arm.

Homura Mitokado interrupted, "Don't twist things around! Everyone knows Kakashi's Sharingan was transplanted, and it lacks the potential to evolve into Mangekyou."

"No potential? In such a short time, his Sharingan developed from two tomoe to three tomoe—something extremely rare in our clan's history!"

Fugaku fired back before shifting topics—it was clear no one would believe Kakashi had awakened Mangekyou.

"Through years of war, many among us have sacrificed their lives, and numerous Sharingan were lost. We don't even know how many people secretly transplanted the Sharingan eyes. Take rogue ninja Danzo for example—one man alone possesses eight Sharingan eyes!"

Since Danzo had revealed his arm in front of many witnesses, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only nod reluctantly.

Still, he added, "All eight Sharingan on Danzo's arm were Three Tomoe ones!"

Fugaku replied coldly, "My eyes appear as Three Tomoe when I'm not using Mangekyou dojutsu either. Besides, that's eight Sharingan altogether. What exactly can be achieved through the combined Dojutsu power of eight Sharingan eyes? How can we possibly know?"

Indeed, just one pair of Three Tomoe Sharingan might create a jonin-level ninja. Then what about eight?

Homura Mitokado continued, "Even so, your Uchiha clan still remains suspect!"

Fugaku countered icily, "Then let me ask the three elders a question—have you truly tried to investigate the truth after the Nine-Tails' attack?"

Hiruzen asked, "What are you implying?"

Fugaku replied, "Nothing special. It's just that if the three of you cannot conduct proper investigations, then perhaps the Konoha Military Police Force needs to show you how it's done. There were plenty of clues left behind during the Nine-Tails' invasion, and one of them was glaringly obvious—the information regarding the Nine-Tails jinchuriki itself. Only a small number of high-ranking officials and Anbu guards present knew about the whereabouts of the Nine-Tails jinchuriki.

There couldn't have been more than a hundred people involved. May I ask—after over a year, has anyone investigated how the information about the Nine-Tails jinchuriki was leaked?"

Koharu, Homura, and Hiruzen exchanged silent glances for a moment.

Fugaku said bitterly, "You haven't even started investigating in over a year!"

Hiruzen responded, "We did investigate—but all those involved are trustworthy people!"

Fugaku sneered, "Even rogue ninja Danzo?"

Hiruzen hesitated at that remark.

Fugaku continued, "Danzo possessed information regarding the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, and his right arm contained eight implanted Sharingan eyes. He also held Wood Release abilities capable of suppressing tailed beasts. Isn't he far more suspicious than I am?"

Everyone in attendance looked at each other. Indeed, compared to Fugaku, Danzo seemed to have far better access—and motive—to control the Nine-Tails.

Hiruzen Sarutobi defended himself, "Back then, Danzo hadn't revealed his [Sharingan] yet!"

Fugaku questioned him, "Didn't you see Danzo's right arm three days ago? Why do you suspect the Uchiha—who founded Konoha and have protected it—even though a rogue ninja was more suspicious than us?"

The three had no words to say, looking somewhat discouraged.

After all, Danzo was a rogue ninja while the Uchiha had remained loyal to Konoha.

This fact was undeniable!

Their counterattack failed to leave even a scratch on the Uchiha.

Sighing inwardly, Hiruzen turned his gaze toward Fugaku.

He steeled himself for the Uchiha's final blow, already prepared to step down if needed.

However, much to his surprise, after making his stance clear, Fugaku simply sat back down without another word. Instead, the man in white kimono sitting beside him stood up.

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