Scheming

Yamanaka Inoichi was not merely the clan head of the Yamanaka Clan.

He was also the strongest intelligence ninja in the entire shinobi world. Before him, any lie or concealment was as transparent as glass, easily seen through—especially with his sharp insight.

He had struck directly at the unavoidable core issue of the Uchiha Clan.

Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Toru had vanished within the Uchiha Clan!

"Clan Head Fugaku, please give both our clans a reasonable explanation."

Aburame Shibi, wearing sunglasses and with half his face hidden behind his high-collared cloak, followed up immediately.

Uchiha Fugaku's expression was grim, unsure how to answer.

Hyuga Hiashi's expression shifted slightly as he spoke coldly: "And there is also the matter of my Hyuga Clan. If the Uchiha Clan cannot provide a reasonable explanation, then let the Hokage preside over justice!"

Yamanaka Inoichi and Aburame Shibi's eyes darkened a fraction as they glanced at Hyuga Hiashi, but they said nothing more.

If their words were still within the realm of inquiry.

Then Hyuga Hiashi's words were deliberately provoking Uchiha Fugaku. The atmosphere instantly became stifling and oppressive!

"The Uchiha Clan has done nothing wrong. On what grounds should we admit guilt?"

Uchiha Itachi's face was cold and hard, carrying a hint of anger.

"Heh."

Hyuga Hiashi sneered, his gaze carrying the contempt of one looking at a child: "Uchiha Itachi, so we are currently asking your Uchiha Clan. If there were solid evidence, your Uchiha Clan would already be sitting in Konoha's prison!"

"Or are you saying that your Uchiha Clan has long planned to betray the village?"

"Were Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Toru already killed by you?!"

In an instant.

The air froze. Uchiha Itachi's pupils abruptly constricted, his breathing quickened, and a hint of disbelief and shock appeared in his eyes.

In the eyes of the other great clans, was their Uchiha Clan destined to rebel sooner or later?

"Enough!"

Uchiha Fugaku roared, a hint of crimson in his eyes.

"If you have any issues, come at me. The Uchiha Clan knows nothing about the matter of Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Toru!"

"Then produce evidence!"

Hyuga Hiashi showed no weakness, pressing forward step by step:

"Even if Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Toru did something wrong, that is no reason for the Uchiha Clan to take matters into their own hands and kill them!"

The matter had not yet been decided.

But in Hyuga Hiashi's mouth, it was as if the Uchiha Clan had already been branded with the identity of "murderer."

Uchiha Fugaku and Itachi exchanged a glance, their breathing becoming extremely ragged, veins bulging on their foreheads. It seemed as if their crimson Sharingan would appear at any moment, yet now rebellion would only lead to death!

Around the Hokage Building.

Were countless Anbu!

"Then where is the evidence?"

But at this moment.

With a pat, a clear voice rang out.

"Then where is the evidence?"

Everyone's gaze immediately fell on Uchiha Siming. His expression was calm, his voice like a basin of clear water dissipating the oppressive atmosphere. He shrugged and said:

"What I mean is, the evidence that Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Toru died within the Uchiha Clan."

He let out a scornful laugh.

His gaze fixed directly on Yamanaka Inoichi and Aburame Shibi.

The two were startled, lost in thought.

Hyuga Hiashi's expression changed. If the Yamanaka Clan and the Aburame Clan were persuaded to withdraw, the Hyuga Clan alone would be no match for the Uchiha Clan.

He said urgently: "The fact that Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Toru disappeared within the Uchiha Clan is the evidence."

"Uchiha Siming, don't try to quibble!"

His eyes burned with anger.

Uchiha Siming again!

Just moments ago, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Itachi were clearly at their wit's end, waiting to be led to the slaughter. If the two of them had made a move just then, it would have been the perfect pretext to label the Uchiha Clan as rebels and thoroughly suppress them.

But because of Uchiha Siming's words.

Everything had turned to dust!

Yet Uchiha Siming did not even look at him.

"Both clan leaders."

He spread his hands and continued, "The Uchiha Clan's territory sits at the very edge. Not just anyone else—even the clans closest to us never come near the Uchiha Clan. What business do Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Toru have coming to our compound?"

"Shouldn't you two be asking your own department head that question?"

This remark was utterly unguarded.

Though it didn't answer the question, it gave them the answer.

Hm?

Yamanaka Inoichi and Aburame Shibi exchanged a glance, catching the shock and uncertainty in each other's eyes. Yamanaka Inoichi clasped his hands in a salute:

"I understand, Lord Hokage. We'll take our leave now."

He shot a deep look at Uchiha Siming, his gaze carrying an unreadable meaning, as if he had grasped something.

Uchiha Siming's expression remained calm.

Spooks—none of them were stupid.

After walking out of the Hokage Building for some time.

Yamanaka Inoichi suddenly spoke: "We've been played."

"What do you mean?"

Aburame Shibi was taken aback: "We've been played?"

"Inoichi, that young man Uchiha Siming made it perfectly clear—Fu and Toru are already dead by his hand, and the reason is most likely due to Danzo's mission."

Yamanaka Inoichi's face turned stern, his words clipped and deliberate as he issued a warning.

"Don't get involved in this anymore. We'll act as if we know nothing."

Aburame Shibi: "???"

His face twisted in bewilderment, mouth opening and closing: "Wait, when did he tell you that? I didn't hear a thing! Even my bugs didn't catch it!"

Yamanaka Inoichi: "..."

He couldn't be bothered to respond, striding away quickly.

Neither of them was a fool. They knew about the grudge between Uchiha Siming and Danzo, and that Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Toru had subsequently been sent to the Uchiha Clan. The intent was clear enough—those who kill must be prepared to be killed.

Even as clan heads, they had no grounds for complaint.

Inside the Hokage Building.

Hyuga Hiashi stood rooted to the spot, his face shifting from the smug anger he'd worn moments ago to fury aimed at Yamanaka Inoichi and Aburame Shibi, while a trace of panic crept into his eyes.

No loyalty!

No backbone!

How disgraceful!

"Even if the Yamanaka Clan and the Aburame Clan choose not to pursue this, so what?"

Hyuga Hiashi's voice had already lost some of its conviction as he fixed his gaze on Uchiha Fugaku.

"Uchiha Siming, you disrupted my Hyuga Clan's Clan Tournament—that's an undeniable fact. Today, your Uchiha Clan will give me a reasonable explanation!"

But Uchiha Fugaku didn't respond. He looked out the window and said, "Itachi, the scenery is nice today."

"Though, why is it a bit dark over the Hyuga compound?"

Uchiha Itachi nodded.

At once.

Hyuga Hiashi clenched his teeth, his expression turning icy, unable to maintain his dignified bearing.

"So, Hiashi, what did you just say? I didn't catch it. Care to repeat yourself?"

Uchiha Siming wore a pleasant smile, looking as if he was all ears.

Instantly, Hyuga Hiashi flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.

As he went, he threw out a harsh parting shot.

"Don't forget—the Uchiha Clan is, after all, Konoha's Uchiha Clan!"

His eyes carried an unreadable glint, part warning, part anticipation.

"Don't make a mistake."

"The whole of Konoha is watching your Uchiha Clan!"

"Especially you, Uchiha Siming!"

As if something had just occurred to him, Hyuga Hiashi let out a short, mocking laugh.