Deprivation.

"243 Blades."

Upon hearing this number, the joints in Yashiro Uchiha's fingers let out a dull, pained crack, and his eyes instantly manifested the chilling three tomoe!

Yet, in the end, he restrained himself.

This was the time for the clan's trial regarding Arata's life and death; Yashiro knew clearly that he could not afford any radical behavior, or else everything would be lost.

In fact, it was not just Yashiro Uchiha.

Hearing this answer, all the clan elders and elites present, including Fugaku Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha, were shocked by such a brutal scene.

For a moment, the entire assembly fell into a dead silence.

Perhaps.

Arata Uchiha's actions were excusable.

Yashiro, seated on the sidelines, gently closed his eyes.

He did not have the authority to participate directly in the deliberations; he only had the right to observe.

As for Arata, he was still lying in the Konoha Hospital, unconscious, guarded by four clan jonin who had awakened their Sharingan.

These four experienced clansmen were, naturally, not there to prevent him from escaping.

During this time, Shimura Danzō, as a high-ranking official of Konoha, had immediately arrived with Root medical ninjas wanting to help, but he was ultimately turned away.

Just as the village guarded against the Uchiha coming into contact with the Nine-Tails, the Uchiha had always guarded against the Konoha leadership harboring ulterior motives toward their clansmen who had awakened their eyes.

According to the attending physician, Arata's nervous system had suffered severe trauma, and coupled with his mad, day-and-night training, his physical functions could no longer keep up.

Only now, having finally obtained this rare moment of rest, was he unable to wake up.

"Foolish child."

As the series of reports reached his ears, Yashiro Uchiha could only repeat these words.

To be able to muster the strength to throw shuriken after enduring such cruel torture—he no longer knew what words to use to describe such an obsession with protecting the clan.

"Arata's sneak attack must absolutely not be condoned, especially during a time like this!"

"The village's exclusion and suspicion of us are plain for all to see. If such unnecessary infighting, or even fratricide, occurs again, then the end of the Uchiha is not far off."

"Right now, what the clan needs is unity, not a genius who simply chases after fame and fortune."

After a brief silence, Fugaku Uchiha broke the stalemate.

His voice was powerful and resonant, carrying the rare authority of the clan head!

Even if Arata possessed a rare dual Kekkei Genkai, he had to be punished, or even executed to serve as a warning to others!

After all, yesterday he had nearly lost his proudest beloved son!

"Then is Itachi without fault?"

"243 Blades, lasting for a full hour within the world of the Tsukuyomi, until his ocular power was exhausted!"

"Is such conduct toward a clansman correct? Is this the 'unity' that the Clan Head speaks of?"

Inabi Uchiha spoke up immediately.

There was not the slightest concession in his words, and his narrow eyes were filled with fury.

He had already been extremely dissatisfied with Itachi's recent performance.

Last night, Yashiro had knocked on his and Tekka's doors, repeating word-for-word, without addition, the things Arata had said on the day of the challenge.

When they understood Arata's motives, they had all fallen silent.

Although Inabi and Tekka did not give Yashiro Uchiha an answer immediately, after a night of tossing and turning, combined with the results of the search conducted on the house where Arata lived, they finally reached a decision.

That room, so minimalist it was empty, that box with only half a supply of Military Ration Pills left...

If one were to say Arata was chasing fame and fortune.

In such living conditions, in such a life, does he look like someone who covets fame and fortune?

Hearing this, a flash of anger appeared in Fugaku Uchiha's eyes.

His gaze bypassed Inabi Uchiha, who was questioning him sharply, and landed on Yashiro.

The other man's stubbornness must have had something to do with this!

What was he trying to do?

Plotting for the position of clan head?

Thinking of this, the gloom in Fugaku's eyes grew even thicker.

The fact that he had nearly lost his beloved son caused his already suppressed emotions to become somewhat uncontrollable.

"I think Arata is not the type of person who covets fame and fortune."

"If he truly wanted it, all of this would be within his grasp."

At this stalemate, Shisui Uchiha intervened.

He had spoken with Itachi after the duel, hoping to ask for the reason behind Arata's obsession, but the answer he received was ignorance.

Even Itachi himself did not know.

Even interrogation via the Sharingan had only yielded a disdainful snort.

The masked man who possessed a Sharingan might be the key, but that was merely his own speculation; furthermore, was it necessary to tell Shisui about that person's existence?

Itachi ultimately hesitated and did not disclose that piece of information.

Shisui Uchiha's prestige within the clan was high, and his reputation as the Body Flicker was known throughout the ninja world; his words caused the clan elites present to subconsciously ponder.

Indeed, given Arata's performance that day, coupled with his status as a dual Kekkei Genkai user, he had no need for this extra fame or profit.

Especially in swordsmanship and movement techniques, he had already surpassed Itachi. Even in the field of ninjutsu where Itachi excelled, everyone had witnessed the power of his Ice Release.

Whatever Arata wanted, as long as it was not too excessive, the clan would certainly not refuse.

So, if this preconceived motive were erased, what other reason could there be for him to want to kill Itachi so badly?

The answer was ready to emerge.

It could only be that hour-long torture; the 243 Blades were likely just one of the cruel punishments!

Such speculation intensified, for everyone present was a member of the Uchiha Clan, and they knew all too well the effects of the Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique.

The wind began to shift.

A hint of hesitation also appeared in the eyes of Fugaku Uchiha.

Like him, Shisui was a moderate within the clan, and having been stationed abroad for many years, he had no deep entanglements with the internal factions.

He often stood outside the circle, judging the right and wrong of events with an objective attitude.

Moreover, it was he who had saved Itachi at the most critical moment.

But at this moment, as a father, Fugaku Uchiha still chose to stand on Itachi's side.

"So, are you suggesting that Itachi lied?"

His voice was much calmer than it had been at the start.

After all, the person he was speaking to was Shisui, who also possessed a Mangekyō Sharingan; if the candidate for clan head were to be decided by strength, then the support for him among the younger generation would undoubtedly be the highest.

"No."

"I believe Itachi-kun would not lie to me."

Shisui Uchiha responded immediately, his words decisive and firm.

At the same time, his gaze looked earnestly at Itachi, who had remained silent for a long time.

That was his best friend, and he was willing to believe him.

"However, there must be some misunderstanding in the middle, or perhaps some other reason exists."

"Arata is currently in a coma, and it is impossible for us to ask the Yamanaka Clan to pry into his memories, so when he wakes up, leave everything to me."

"I will get the answer."

Shisui said slowly.

No one opposed this proposal; even Fugaku could not help but nod slightly.

Because Shisui's genjutsu was peerless within the clan, and it would not be difficult to extract information.

Of course, the most important thing was his stance, which would not lean toward anyone.

"However, even so, there must be a punishment for Arata, otherwise, it will be impossible to convince the masses."

"First, Arata is now a genin; from this day forward, he is stripped of all clan resources and must fend for himself."

"Second, Arata is forbidden from entering the Military Police Force for life."

"Third, Arata is forbidden from participating in clan gatherings for life!"

Fugaku Uchiha's voice was sonorous and powerful, and a majestic aura was faintly emitted.

One must know, he was also a Kage-level powerhouse who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!