Uchiha doesn't protect their own anymore?

Outside the Konoha Hospital, a crowd had already gathered.

The noisy clamor mixed with cries of anguish. Several Uchiha security guards, wearing vests emblazoned with the Uchiha clan crest, stood in a line with their hands on their sword hilts, arrogantly blocking the hospital entrance and confronting a group of agitated villagers.

"Back off! All of you, back off!"

The Uchiha clan member leading them, named Uchiha Ryo, was a trusted subordinate of Uchiha Setsuna.

He looked disdainfully at the commoners before him, who he saw as mere ants. "The Police Force is investigating a case. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to approach! Anyone who dares to take another step forward will be obstructing justice and will be arrested!"

"Investigating what case! You beat the man half to death and you won't even let his family see him?!" a middle-aged woman cried, trying to rush forward, but she was roughly shoved to the ground.

"He brought it upon himself! Daring to openly insult the Uchiha, this is the consequence!" Uchiha Ryo snorted coldly.

The crowd immediately erupted in a commotion. The villagers, who had initially been just watching the spectacle, now had sparks of anger igniting in their eyes.

And in the shadows of the crowd, several inconspicuous figures were quietly fanning the flames.

"Look! This is the Uchiha for you! They don't see us as people at all!"

"They beat someone to death and are now blocking the hospital? They're trying to silence the witnesses!"

Seeing that the situation was about to spiral out of control and devolve into a violent clash.

"Stop!"

An angry roar, infused with Chakra, exploded in everyone's ears like thunder.

Uchiha Fugaku strode forward, his face as dark and grim as if it could drip water. Nishikawa Tetsu, Namikaze Minato, and several other Uchiha clan members followed closely behind him.

Upon seeing the young clan head arrive, Uchiha Ryo did not restrain himself. Instead, as if he had found a backer, he pointed at the woman on the ground and said:

"Captain Fugaku, you've arrived just in time. These unruly commoners were attempting to breach the Police Force's line, and that drunkard was even more disrespectful, insulting our clan..."

"Slap!"

A crisp, clear sound of a slap instantly silenced the noisy scene.

Uchiha Ryo clutched his rapidly reddening and swelling cheek, looking at Fugaku before him in disbelief. "Cap... Captain?"

"Who gave you the authority to draw your sword on the villagers?"

Fugaku's voice was low and suppressed. A storm churned in his dark eyes. "The Police Force's duty is to maintain order, not to create panic. Put your sword away!"

"But... Elder Setsuna said that the Uchiha's dignity is inviolable..." Uchiha Ryo was still trying to argue.

"Here, I am the Captain!"

Fugaku suddenly grabbed Uchiha Ryo by the collar, lifting him completely off the ground. His gaze was as fierce as a predatory tiger ready to pounce.

"You beat someone into serious condition and are now acting high and mighty here, is this your so-called dignity? You're tarnishing the Uchiha's name!"

With that, Fugaku violently flung him towards Minato, who was behind him.

"Namikaze Minato, in your capacity as a special advisor to the Police Force, disarm him of his ninja tools, strip him of his vest, and escort him back to the detention room! No one is to release him without my orders!"

Namikaze Minato reacted swiftly, instantly seizing Uchiha Ryo's hands. Although a signature smile adorned his face, the strength in his grip was astonishing, rendering Ryo unable to move.

"Apologies."

This scene completely stunned everyone present.

The onlookers gasped, unable to believe their eyes.

The Uchiha, who were always protective of their own and arrogant, were actually punishing one of their own clan members in public?

And all for a commoner?

"Senior Fugaku, leave the rest to me."

Nishikawa Tetsu stepped forward from behind. He didn't look at the stunned security guards, but walked directly towards the woman who had been pushed to the ground.

He crouched down and took out a clean white handkerchief from his pocket, offering it to her with a gentlemanly and gentle gesture. "Auntie, I am truly sorry. This is due to the Police Force's inadequate supervision. I am Captain Fugaku's assistant, Nishikawa Tetsu."

"Regarding your husband's injuries, please rest assured," Nishikawa Tetsu said, pointing to the hospital entrance. "The best Medical Ninjas are already inside working to save him. All medical expenses, lost wages, and nutritional costs will be fully covered by the Police Force."

"Furthermore..."

Nishikawa Tetsu stood up and turned to face all the onlookers, raising his voice slightly so it carried clearly throughout the area.

"Captain Uchiha Fugaku has just issued an order. The members involved in the suspected excessive use of force have been dismissed on the spot and are being investigated. The Police Force will absolutely not shield any troublemakers!"

"If you don't believe us, you can come to the Police Force headquarters tomorrow and check the announcement board. We will publicly announce the results of the investigation!"

There was a moment of silence from the crowd, followed by a burst of whispers.

"Is it true? The Uchiha actually admitted they were wrong?"

"That captain earlier was really fierce, even hitting his own people..."

"It seems what the newspapers said is true. Captain Fugaku is indeed an upright person."

Seeing this, the faces of the few Root ninjas in the shadows changed. Just as they were about to stir up more trouble, they found several sharp gazes locking onto them.

It was the elite Uchiha members who had accompanied Uchiha Fugaku.

Sensing that the situation was unfavorable, the Root ninjas quickly retreated.

Half an hour later, outside the hospital emergency room.

"How is it?"

Fugaku immediately stepped forward as the doctor emerged from inside.

"His life is saved."

The doctor removed his mask, his expression somewhat strange. "However... I detected traces of a special stimulant in the patient's blood. This drug can make people agitated, lose their minds, and... dull their sense of pain."

"In other words, he was used as a pawn."

Nishikawa Tetsu leaned against the wall, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "He was drugged and deliberately provoked the Security Force, then beaten, severely injured, and incited public outrage. This script is quite well-written."

"Danzo..." Fugaku's fist slammed heavily against the wall, creating several cracks. "That old man would resort to such despicable tactics just to deal with me."

Others might not know, but how could he, the young clan head of the Uchiha, not know? That old man who controlled Root.

"Calm down, Senior."

Nishikawa Tetsu stopped the enraged Fugaku. "This might not be a bad thing. Danzo has given us an excellent opportunity to establish our authority."

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it. If you were to shield your clansman this time, it would solidify the Uchiha's reputation for arrogance. But now, you've punished your clansman in public and protected the civilians."

A smile curved Nishikawa Tetsu's lips.

"This is called—'upholding righteousness even at the cost of family'."

"Tomorrow, I'll have the newspaper rush out a special edition. I've already thought of the headline: Impartial! Uchiha Young Clan Head Tearfully Punishes Clansman, All for Konoha's Bright Future!"

Fugaku's lips twitched. The urge to hit someone surged again.

"Can you pick a more normal title?"

"No, traffic is king," Nishikawa Tetsu shrugged.

"However, public opinion alone isn't enough."

Nishikawa Tetsu's expression turned serious. He took out a document from his bosom and handed it to Fugaku.

"Since Danzo has given us an excuse, we'll go with the flow. Under the guise of rectifying the discipline of the Police Force, we'll conduct a major purge within it."

"Replace all those radicals Elder Setsuna has placed in key positions."

"The reason is ready: low ideological awareness, prone to causing conflict between police and civilians, and damaging the Uchiha's image."

Fugaku looked at the list and took a deep breath.

This was a sharp knife. Now that it was drawn, it had to draw blood.

Except this time, it would be the blood of the Uchiha's internal rot.

"Good."

A look of determination flashed in Fugaku's eyes.

"We'll act tonight. Minato, you lead a team to take control of the Third Squad. They're all Setsuna's people."

"Understood!" Minato nodded, not a trace of hesitation in his eyes.

"Tetsu, contact the Nara Clan and ask them to draft the official report on this incident's classification. Have them place it on the Hokage's desk first thing tomorrow morning."

"No problem."

Nishikawa Tetsu looked at Fugaku at this moment, finally seeing a hint of a true leader.

No longer swayed by the clan, no longer controlled by emotions.

Outside the window, the moon was hidden and the wind was high.

Tonight, the Uchiha compound was destined to be sleepless.