The Evil of this Uchiha Zheng!

The first to stop Sarutobi Hiogo was not the Uchiha clan.

It was the Anbu.

Five or six Anbu members wearing eerie masks dropped from the sky in an instant, blocking the path of Sarutobi Hiogo's revenge squad, their voices urgent.

"Clan Leader Hiogo, what... what are you doing?"

Sarutobi Hiogo roared in fury: "Out of my way!"

"Lord Hokage has expressly forbidden..."

"Get lost!"

The Anbu shinobi exchanged glances but stood firm: "Apologies, stopping you is Lord Hokage's order."

"If you wish to advance, you'll have to step over our corpses!"

"You think I wouldn't?!"

By now, Sarutobi Hiogo had completely lost his mind, disregarding even Hiruzen Sarutobi, let alone his Anbu subordinates.

The Anbu shinobi understood this well, but they could not defy Lord Hokage's command.

"Hurry, inform Lord Hokage!"

"Yes!"

Two of the Anbu immediately sped away, while the rest gritted their teeth, ready to hold the line here.

Sarutobi Hiogo sneered: "Since you want to die..."

"Then I'll grant your wish!"

"Kill!"

A full twenty to thirty members of the Sarutobi clan charged forth with great fanfare and ferocious momentum. This force was far too conspicuous not to draw the attention of the entire Konoha.

Many other clans silently observed this scene.

This matter was no trivial affair; in the eyes of many shinobi, it marked the true beginning of civil war and rebellion.

The Sarutobi clan versus the Uchiha clan...

If war truly broke out, it would undoubtedly mean the split of the entire Konoha village.

More critically, behind the Sarutobi clan—was it just Clan Leader Sarutobi Hiogo, or the current Lord Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi?

Who could say for sure?

For a moment, the Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho, Inuzuka, and Aburame clans all held their breath, hiding themselves well and silently watching the situation unfold.

After killing three Anbu, Sarutobi Hiogo led his forces down, continuing their charge toward the remote Uchiha clan compound.

The Uchiha clan, responsible for Konoha's public order, naturally detected all of this immediately.

Fugaku Uchiha was inwardly shocked.

He hadn't expected Sarutobi Hiogo to defy Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders, let alone lead so many elite shinobi to truly attack the Uchiha!

This was no different from declaring war!

Cold sweat dripped from Yashiro Uchiha's forehead.

"Clan Leader, the time for decision has come!"

"If we back down now, the Uchiha clan will be doomed beyond recovery!"

"But if we order war, it will be a fight to the death with no end!"

"Whatever path we take, a decision must be made!"

Fugaku Uchiha's heart was also in turmoil.

Frankly, he was not a hardline hawk. If not pushed to the brink, he did not want to gamble the fate of the entire Uchiha clan against Konoha.

Because he knew the outcome would likely be a loss.

But what good would retreat do?

At this moment, Tekka Uchiha, Yakumi Uchiha, Inabi Uchiha—the village's elite jonin and the core strength of the Police Force—all surrounded him, awaiting his command!

One order could decide the Uchiha clan's destiny.

Yet Fugaku Uchiha found it hard to decide.

"Clan Leader..."

"Clan Leader!"

Fugaku Uchiha gritted his teeth: "Let's go! I will meet them in battle!"

In an instant, the entire Police Force headquarters boiled with fighting spirit and righteous fury.

"Yes, Clan Leader!"

At this point, Fugaku Uchiha had no choice but to stake everything.

He had just led his squad out of the Police Force when they encountered Sarutobi Hiogo's group by the banks of the Naka River.

Both sides were instantly at daggers drawn, a fierce battle on the verge of erupting.

Fugaku Uchiha took a deep breath.

"Chief Hiogo, what is the meaning of this?"

Sarutobi Hiogo roared, "Fugaku, spare me the nonsense—hand over Uchiha Qianyu!"

"Otherwise, don't blame us for showing no mercy!"

Behind him, the Sarutobi clan zealots also howled in fury.

Behind Fugaku Uchiha, the Uchiha clan members were equally enraged.

"How dare you! Trespassing into Uchiha clan grounds—you're clearly courting death!"

"The Sarutobi clan wants war? Then let it be war!"

"Do you think the Uchiha clan would fear you?!"

Fugaku Uchiha raised his right hand, halting the surging fury behind him.

He said coldly, "Is this an order from Lord Hokage?"

Sarutobi Hiogo screamed, "What if it is? What if it isn't?"

"Then it isn't."

"In that case, your trespass into Uchiha grounds is tantamount to a declaration of war against the Uchiha clan."

"Chief Hiogo, have you prepared yourself for that?"

"Spare me the nonsense! Either hand over that beast Uchiha Qianyu, or prepare to face the wrath of the Sarutobi clan!"

Fugaku was also shaken with rage.

"Fine, if that's how it is, then come!"

"The blood of the Sarutobi clan will stain the waters of the Naka River!"

It seemed a fierce battle was unavoidable.

Suddenly...

A figure descended from the sky, landing squarely between the two sides.

It was Uchiha Qianyu.

Behind him, Uchiha Aoki and Uchiha Yamikaze flanked him closely.

"Qianyu..."

Sarutobi Hiogo, seeing the main party arrive, was even more furious, burning with hatred.

"Uchiha Qianyu!"

"You finally dare to show your face!"

"Today, I'll make you pay for Jiro's death!"

Fugaku frowned deeply. "Qianyu, step aside. This is no longer just your affair."

Qianyu glanced back at him.

"No. One man takes responsibility for his own deeds."

"Clan Leader, I once said I didn't care about dragging the Uchiha clan into war, and I still say the same, but..."

"One thing at a time."

Fugaku's heart stirred. "Qianyu, you..."

"Captain Qianyu..."

"Neither of you is to make a move."

"But, but..."

"That's an order."

"...Yes..."

Sarutobi Hiogo sneered. "Good, at least this little beast has some backbone!"

"In that case, I'll kill you with my own hands and avenge Jiro!"

The two stood facing each other from a distance, the cold wind blowing across the banks of the Naka River.

Qianyu said indifferently, "Sarutobi Hiogo, abusing power for personal gain, shielding criminals, protecting the wicked, and trespassing into Uchiha clan grounds to assault the Police Force—your crimes are grave. By law, you deserve death."

Sarutobi Hiogo roared, "Arrogant little beast!"

"If you've got the skill, come and try!"

"Fire Release! Great Fireball Technique!"

He instantly formed hand seals with astonishing speed. Before many ninjas could even react, a searing, white-hot blaze roared forth like a dragon, snarling and clawing, shooting straight at Uchiha Qianyu!