The Situation Continued to Deteriorate, Fugaku Became a Commander Without an Army!

This Clan Meeting ended without result once again.

Uchiha Jin's Radical Faction did not leave early. Instead, they watched Fugaku, Shisui, and the others perform with great interest before finally leaving Naka Shrine in satisfaction.

"Clan Head..."

Shisui's voice was somewhat hoarse. Only after everyone had left did he speak. "We must find a way. We absolutely cannot let Uchiha Jin continue running wild!"

He was vaguely afraid!

Knowing full well that the other side was plotting yet being unable to stop it made him extremely agitated. This Open Conspiracy left him deeply conflicted.

Fugaku's gaze was profound as he sat silently in his seat.

He looked at the empty Naka Shrine and vaguely saw the consequences of his appeasement policy: the Konoha Higher-ups gradually indulging Danzo, more and more Uchiha being captured...

In the past, they had no choice. Now, however, they had Uchiha Jin, and everyone had begun flocking to the Radical Faction.

"Shisui, you..."

"Go discuss it with Hokage-sama. Have Hokage-sama restrain Danzo. I'll do my best to stabilize the clan members' emotions."

"If this continues, the Uchiha will become the Radical Faction's domain!"

Fugaku spoke, his face full of helplessness.

He had truly been forced into a corner. He could only hope Sarutobi Hiruzen would put in some effort.

And yet, at this.

Anger appeared on Shisui's face. "Clan Head, you cannot be misled by Uchiha Jin. Lord Danzo is one of Konoha's Higher-ups. How could he possibly do such a thing?"

"He does indeed possess my grandfather's Sharingan, but it was a gift from my grandfather before his death."

Fugaku merely sighed at that.

Foolish child!

What kind of person Danzo is, would I not know?

However, he also knew that Shisui had long been fooled by Sarutobi Hiruzen. There was no point in saying too much, so he simply waved his hand and said casually, "Just tell Hokage-sama what I said. You need not concern yourself with anything else."

After saying that.

He ignored Shisui and left with heavy steps.

Shisui opened his mouth, wanting to explain and persuade Fugaku.

But as he watched Fugaku's departing back, he could only sigh helplessly after a long while. "The clan members' misunderstanding of the Konoha Higher-ups runs too deep. Even those willing to join the Middle Faction and Moderate Faction still deeply distrust the Konoha Higher-ups."

"Hokage-sama is such a good person. Why can't they show him some respect?"

"It seems I'll have to keep working harder from now on!"

His gaze gradually became firm.

As though he had made some decision, he went to the Hokage Office and reported the contents of this Clan Meeting.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smoked his pipe, his eyes obscure as he sighed.

"These are troubled times!"

"I understand the matter. Convey this to Clan Head Fugaku: I will do my utmost to restrain Danzo."

"Shisui, do not blame Fugaku either. The Uchiha's misunderstanding of Konoha runs too deep. Resolving this misunderstanding will take time."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke with deep sincerity.

His aged face was full of exhaustion, and his eyes carried the complicated sorrow of someone who was not understood. Yet he still forced himself to comfort Shisui.

Shisui was completely moved. "Hokage-sama, you have worked hard."

"As I should." Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled. "You are a good child."

"Let us work hard together."

He went on at length about the Will of Fire. Only after Shisui left did he summon the Anbu.

"Hokage-sama!"

"Inform Danzo to closely monitor the Uchiha Compound. Dispatch Third Squad from the Anbu to assist as well. All operations will be under Danzo's command."

Sarutobi Hiruzen gave the order directly.

His old face was filled with coldness. Only after the Anbu left did he snort.

Restrain Danzo?

What a joke!

Danzo could no longer suppress the Hashirama Cells within his body and urgently needed Three Tomoe Sharingan to balance them. Under these circumstances, even if he gave the order, it would have little effect.

Could he possibly watch Danzo die?

For the Uchiha? Don't be ridiculous!

As for Uchiha Jin's Open Conspiracy, it was indeed difficult to break. But Sarutobi Hiruzen had no need to break it. After all, this was all internal factional conflict within the Uchiha. He wished for as many Uchiha clan members to die as possible.

Even if Uchiha Jin gained power, he did not care!

In his view, even if Uchiha Jin was powerful, how much turmoil could a weakened Uchiha possibly stir up?

He only needed to ensure that the Uchiha's internal killings and struggles did not affect the village. As for everything else, he chose to let nature take its course.

Time slowly passed, and ten days went by in the blink of an eye.

Fugaku was anxious but had no solution. Sarutobi Hiruzen chose to let nature take its course, the Radical Faction shut their doors and lived their own quiet lives, while Danzo continued frantically hunting Three Tomoe Uchiha in order to suppress the violent Hashirama Cells within his body.

For a time.

The entire Uchiha clan was gripped by panic. Some who saw reality clearly ultimately chose to join the Radical Faction, but the vast majority remained loyal to their factions and still refused to join them.

After discussing the matter, they prepared to follow the Radical Faction's example and band together for defense.

But unfortunately.

Their actions had barely begun when Shisui stepped forward to stop them.

"Everyone, believe in Hokage-sama. He will definitely resolve this issue!"

"This was absolutely not Lord Danzo's doing. It is all Uchiha Jin's slander. These must be spies from other Shinobi Villages. Hokage-sama is already working on a solution."

"Clan members, wait a little longer!"

"Believe in the village. Believe in Hokage-sama!"

Naive Shisui truly believed in Sarutobi Hiruzen, and that was the faith upon which he had lived his entire life.

The Uchiha were an extreme clan!

Shisui was also an Uchiha, so naturally he had inherited that trait. Especially after awakening the Mangekyo, he was even more stubborn, more unyielding, and more single-minded than ordinary clan members.

But unfortunately.

Unaware that he had already been sold out and was still counting money for Sarutobi Hiruzen, he remained unable to change the clan's terrible situation. He could only watch as clan members were killed day after day.

Even if he gave up sleep and patrolled the entire clan every night, it was useless. One person could not guard the entire Clan Compound.

And because of that.

Another group of clan members chose to join the Uchiha Radical Faction. The remaining diehards of the Moderate Faction and Middle Faction ultimately chose to have Fugaku lead the organization of their defenses.

But, heh!

Fugaku was someone full of schemes but lacking decisiveness, with grand ambitions but little wisdom and a weak heart. Although he could clearly sense the problems within the Clan Compound, he simply could not bring himself to break with the village. He did not even dare to retaliate or take the initiative to defend himself.

Because he feared that the situation would grow even worse!

Just like in the original story, when faced with Itachi's clan massacre, even though he did not agree with it in his heart, he still chose to meekly await death.

Now, it was the same!

Even as clan members died one after another, even when the Moderate Faction and Middle Faction pressured him, he continued thinking, wondering whether delaying a little longer might bring some new hope.

In the end.

Amid Fugaku's delays and deliberation, more and more Uchiha joined the Radical Faction. Until Fugaku completely became a commander without an army, the only people he could lead were the Higher-ups of the Moderate Faction and Middle Faction, along with a few core elites from both factions.

In total, fewer than fifteen people!