As Mitokado Homura began speaking, the atmosphere at the scene grew tense.
"That's right."
"Now isn't the time for Chief Fugaku to clear his clansmen's names with a single sentence."
"A total of nine clans in the village were attacked, yet the Uchiha, one of the major clans, was left untouched."
"Both the Utatane Clan and the Mito Clan suffered casualties. What more is there to say?"
"The criminals must be severely punished, and the Uchiha Clan must also bear responsibility for this incident."
Utatane Koharu followed up as well.
Of Konoha's four top officials, two had now spoken.
And their attitudes toward the Uchiha were anything but friendly.
Uchiha Fugaku remained silent, his expression exceptionally calm.
"Um, I have a question."
"A total of thirty-seven Anbu members were deployed, and they just happened to encounter the incident breaking out late at night?"
"You didn't discover the ninja our Military Police Force was pursuing, did you?"
Roy raised his hand and stood up at that moment.
After hearing Roy's words, everyone shifted their gaze to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The Anbu were directly under his command.
Other than the Hokage, no one had the authority to mobilize Anbu members.
Especially not for an operation involving more than thirty people.
"The Anbu's work does not need to be reported to the Uchiha."
At that moment, an Anbu member standing behind Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke coldly.
"Indeed, you don't need to report to us."
"Although Anbu members serve as Lord Hokage's guards—"
"you are still ninja of Konoha."
"When the Uchiha encounters destabilizing factors within the village, we take the initiative to pursue them as well."
"From investigating spies to helping villagers handle everyday problems."
"It is because we believe that we are first members of Konoha, and only then members of the Uchiha Clan."