The ones who first stopped Sarutobi Hiogo were not the Uchiha clan.
They were the Anbu.
Five or six Anbu members wearing bizarre masks dropped from the sky in an instant, intercepting Sarutobi Hiogo's revenge party. Their voices were urgent.
"Clan Head Hiogo, what... what are you planning to do?"
Sarutobi Hiogo flew into a rage. "Move aside!"
"Lord Hokage has expressly forbidden—"
"Get out of my way!"
The Anbu ninjas exchanged looks, yet they remained resolute. "Sorry, but stopping you is Lord Hokage's order."
"If you want to go any farther, step over our corpses!"
"You think I wouldn't dare?!"
By now, Sarutobi Hiogo had completely lost his mind. He no longer even cared about Hiruzen Sarutobi, let alone the Anbu under his command.
The Anbu ninjas understood that as well, but they could not disobey Lord Hokage's orders.
"Quick, notify Lord Hokage!"
"Yes!"
Two of the Anbu immediately darted away, while the rest gritted their teeth and prepared to hold them back here.
Sarutobi Hiogo sneered. "Since you want to die..."
"Then I'll grant your wish!"
"Kill!"
More than twenty Sarutobi clan members charged forward in a grand and menacing display. Such a force was far too conspicuous to escape the notice of all Konoha.
Many other clans silently watched the scene as well.
This was no trivial matter. In the minds of many ninjas, it signaled the true beginning of civil war and rebellion.
The Sarutobi clan and the Uchiha clan...
Once war truly erupted, it would undoubtedly mean the division of Konoha Village.
More importantly, behind the Sarutobi clan, was there only Clan Head Sarutobi Hiogo—or was there also the current Lord Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi?
Who could possibly say for sure?
For a time, the Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho, Inuzuka, Aburame, and all the major clans held their breath, concealing themselves carefully as they silently observed the situation.
After killing three Anbu members, Sarutobi Hiogo led his forces onward, continuing toward the Uchiha clan compound in the remote outskirts.
The Uchiha clan was responsible for Konoha Village's security, so they naturally discovered everything at once.
Fugaku Uchiha was also deeply shocked.
He had not expected Sarutobi Hiogo to dare defy Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders, much less lead so many elite ninjas in a genuine assault on the Uchiha!
This was no different from truly starting a war!
Cold sweat also trickled down Yashiro Uchiha's forehead.
"Clan Head, the time has come for a decision!"
"If we yield now, the Uchiha clan will be doomed beyond redemption!"
"But if we give the order to fight, it will likewise become a battle to the death!"
"We must decide which path to take!"
Fugaku Uchiha's heart churned as well.
To be honest, he was not a die-hard hawk. Unless driven into a corner, he did not want to gamble the fate of the entire Uchiha clan against Konoha.
Because he understood that the odds of victory were slim.
But what would retreat accomplish?
At this moment, Tekka Uchiha, Yakumi Uchiha, Inabi Uchiha, the village's elite Jonin, and the backbone of the Police Force were all gathered around him, awaiting his command!
With a single order, he could decide the fate of the Uchiha clan.
Yet Fugaku Uchiha found it difficult to make a decision.
"Clan Head..."
"Clan Head!"
Fugaku Uchiha clenched his teeth. "Move out! Come with me and meet them in battle!"
In an instant, the entire Police Force headquarters boiled with fighting spirit and righteous fury.
"Yes, Clan Head!"
At this point, Fugaku Uchiha could only take a desperate gamble.
He had just led his men out of the Police Force when they encountered Sarutobi Hiogo's party by the Naka River.
Both sides immediately drew taut, as though swords had been unsheathed. Battle could erupt at any moment.
Fugaku Uchiha took a deep breath.
"Clan Head Hiogo, what is the meaning of this?"
Sarutobi Hiogo roared, "Fugaku, cut the nonsense and hand over Uchiha Qianyu!"
"Otherwise, don't blame us for showing no mercy!"
The fanatics from the Sarutobi clan behind him also began roaring furiously.
Behind Fugaku Uchiha, the Uchiha clansmen were equally enraged.
"Outrageous! You trespassed into the Uchiha clan compound. You're clearly courting death!"
"The Sarutobi clan wants war? Then war it is!"
"Do you think our Uchiha clan is afraid of you?!"
Fugaku Uchiha raised his right hand, stopping the surging fury behind him.
He said coldly, "Is this Lord Hokage's order?"
Sarutobi Hiogo howled, "What if it is? What if it isn't?"
"Then it isn't."
"In that case, your trespass into Uchiha territory amounts to a declaration of war against the Uchiha clan."
"Clan Head Hiogo, are you prepared for the consequences?"
"Enough nonsense! Either hand over that beast Uchiha Qianyu, or prepare to bear the wrath of the Sarutobi clan!"
Fugaku could not help but flare with anger as well.
"Fine. Since that is how it is, then come!"
"The blood of the Sarutobi clan will dye the Naka River red!"
Just as a fierce battle seemed unavoidable...
Suddenly...
A figure dropped from the sky in an instant, appearing between the two parties.
It was Uchiha Qianyu.
Uchiha Aoki and Uchiha Yamikaze followed close behind him, one on each side.
"Qianyu..."
At the sight of the man himself, Sarutobi Hiogo became even more furious, hatred piercing him to the bone.
"Uchiha Qianyu!"
"You finally dare show your face!"
"Today, I'll make you accompany Jiro in death!"
Fugaku frowned deeply. "Qianyu, step aside. This is no longer just about you."
Qianyu turned and looked at him.
"No. A man must bear responsibility for his own actions."
"Clan Head, I once said I did not care about dragging the Uchiha clan into war, and I still say the same now, but..."
"That is one matter, and this is another."
Fugaku's heart stirred. "Qianyu, you..."
"Captain Qianyu..."
"Neither of you is allowed to make a move."
"B-but..."
"That is an order."
"...Yes..."
Sarutobi Hiogo sneered. "Good. You little beast have some sense of responsibility after all!"
"Then I'll kill you with my own hands and avenge Jiro!"
The two stood facing each other from afar as the cold wind swept along the banks of the Naka River.
Qianyu said impassively, "Sarutobi Hiogo, you abused your authority for personal gain, shielded criminals, protected evildoers, and even trespassed into the Uchiha clan compound and assaulted the Police Force. Your crimes are grave. By law, you deserve execution."
Sarutobi Hiogo roared, "Arrogant little beast!"
"If you have the ability, then come and try!"
"Fire Release! Great Fireball Technique!"
His hands flashed through seals with astonishing speed. Before many ninjas could even react, blazing flames so hot they had turned white surged forth like a roaring fire dragon, baring its fangs and claws as it shot toward Uchiha Qianyu!
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