Alliances and Maneuvering

Konoha, Hokage's Office.

After Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed the news about Yohei, Fugaku Uchiha immediately launched into a series of rhetorical questions, perfectly portraying the image of a clan leader who was full of care and love for the clan's prodigy.

Even the actor who Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't notice the trickery involved, genuinely believing that Fugaku Uchiha was concerned about the clan's younger members.

"Don't worry, Fugaku. Although Yohei was injured, he has returned safely to the front-line Camp and is fine."

Hearing this, Fugaku Uchiha feigned a sigh of relief, then bowed to Hiruzen Sarutobi and apologized, "I'm sorry, Hokage-sama, I was so rude just now. Yohei is the future of our Uchiha, and when I heard that something might happen to him, I lost control of my emotions."

Hiruzen Sarutobi forced a smile, his lips twitching, while he pondered how to explain the matter to Fugaku Uchiha. Judging from the reaction just now, if he didn't explain it well, Fugaku Uchiha might turn on him on the spot.

"Yohei was ambushed at the front line by someone suspected to be a member of Root, but fortunately, he was strong enough to kill the enemy and return to Camp safely."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke slowly, as if waiting for Fugaku Uchiha to finish processing the content of the previous sentence before uttering the next.

Perhaps because it had just been said that Yohei was not in mortal danger, Fugaku Uchiha's reaction was not as intense. Hiruzen Sarutobi finally breathed a sigh of relief; the most difficult step had been taken.

"Lord Hokage, what do you mean by 'suspected Root member'? Hokage-sama's Danzo with our Uchiha is common knowledge, but no matter what, he shouldn't lay a hand on a child, who is a ninja from the same village." Fugaku Uchiha tried his best to restrain himself and appear even angrier.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face twitched involuntarily, a sign of embarrassment, but he still forced himself to say, "It's precisely because we can't confirm it yet that we say it's suspected. After all, it's possible that someone with ulterior motives is deliberately doing this to sow discord within Konoha. We must be wary of these possibilities."

Fugaku Uchiha seemed to be persuaded by the Hokage, and after hesitating for a long time, he said, "Then—I will await the Hokage-sama's investigation results. Of course, I will also confirm the details of this matter with Yohei. I hope the Hokage-sama can understand."

"Of course, that's a must. Don't worry, Fugaku. Yohei isn't just a ninja of your Uchiha, he's also a ninja of Konoha. I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly and give Yohei and the Uchiha an explanation."

"Alright, I trust the Hokage-sama. I'll go back now and await Hokage-sama instructions, and at the same time, I need to reassure my clansmen."

"Alright, go ahead then. I'm leaving the Uchiha to you. At this crucial moment, nothing can go wrong, otherwise it will only cause pain to our loved ones and joy to our enemies."

Watching Fugaku Uchiha's departing figure, Hiruzen Sarutobi had a very bad feeling, as if this matter could not be resolved well.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi had predicted, that very night he heard a report from the Anbu that a serious conflict had broken out within the Uchiha clan, involving more than a dozen people. It was only through the combined intervention of Fugaku Uchiha and Uchiha Amano that the conflict was barely brought to a halt.

It was this conflict that made it impossible for the previously secretive event to remain hidden any longer.

After all, which family doesn't have a clan member on the Southern Battlefield? Combining the snippets of conversation made by the Uchiha during the conflict with the information sent back by the clan ninjas, the general outline of the events was pieced together.

All the clans in the village fell silent. How to put it? Although they sympathized with the Uchiha, the fact that this happened to the Uchiha made them feel somewhat indifferent.

The Uchiha didn't have a good relationship with them, and the fact that they didn't kick them when they were down was already a sign that the village was in the wrong.

Just then, Danzo's report was also submitted, and its contents quickly spread through unknown channels.

The gist of it is: A ninja who had been persecuted by the Uchiha Clan has appeared in Root. This incident is because he stole Danzo's warrant and issued missions to Root members without authorization.

Upon learning the news, Danzo immediately captured the Root member and handed him over to the Hokage for punishment. Unfortunately, the member, knowing he was doomed, committed Suicide on the way.

Now that's good, there's no way to prove anything. Anyway, Danzo has given his explanation, and the person has been handed over. It was your own fault for not keeping an eye on the criminal and letting him die on the road, so it has nothing to Danzo.

On this day, Fugaku Uchiha was summoned to the Hokage's Office again.

Hiruzen Sarutobi handed the letter of explanation from Danzo to Fugaku Uchiha, along with the confession from the Root ninja.

"Fugaku, that's the truth. Danzo was also at fault, but at most it was a matter of lax supervision. We're at a critical stage of the war, and we can't replace a frontline commander over such a minor offense. So I hope you can understand."

Fugaku Uchiha remained calm. The situation was exactly as he and Taiichi had predicted that night. Hiruzen Sarutobi indeed did not want to punish Danzo at all, and thought he could get away with everything with just a scapegoat's confession. Things were not that easy.

"Hokage-sama, this matter is of great importance. I need to go back and discuss it with everyone. But is simply accusation of lax supervision too lenient?" This was Fugaku Uchiha's final probing.

"The charge is lenient, but due to external circumstances, we hope Chief Fugaku can understand. We cannot allow the ninjas on the front lines to be put in danger because of this."

"I understand. Then, Hokage-sama, I'll take my leave now."

Leaving the Hokage's Office, Fugaku Uchiha looked up at the sky, his heart filled with mixed emotions. It seemed that things wouldn't get much better for the Uchiha during the Third Kazekage Hokage's reign; the future still rested on the shoulders of the Fourth Hokage. Fortunately, this period wouldn't be too long, and the Uchiha could still wait.

Following Fugaku Uchiha's departure, news quickly spread among the various clans of Konoha.

Danzo Root admitted that his poor management allowed someone with a grudge against the Uchiha to take advantage of the situation. Now that person has been executed, he is willing to accept the village's punishment.

Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that this news was released by the village to quell everyone's doubts. After all, the actions of Root were indeed distasteful, and if they didn't give everyone a clear explanation, the people of Konoha might really lose heart.

However, this explanation seemed so perfunctory to others. Perhaps it was precisely because the victim was the Uchiha that the village dared to oppress them so much. In Konoha, the Uchiha didn't have many friends.

Fugaku, who had returned home, soon heard the news. He remained remarkably calm, though a slight disappointment lingered in his heart. But since things had come to this, he would proceed with the next step of his plan: to win over other bloodline and secret technique families.

Hyuga Mansion, reception Reception Hall.

Hyuga Hiashi and Fugaku Uchiha sat facing each other, but the atmosphere in the room was not friendly.

As two of Konoha's most prestigious clans, the Hyuga and Uchiha are also Bloodline Limit Family with Dōjutsu. The competition between their members is fierce. From the Ninja Academy to the Genin, Chunin, and Jonin, apart from a few individuals, no one from either family seems to like the other.

Given the Uchiha clan's uniquely awkward position in Konoha, Uchiha Hyuga Hiashi certainly not want to meet the Hyuga clan head if it weren't for etiquette.

"Uchiha Clan Head, what brings you here? If I'm not mistaken, you've never been to the Hyuga Clan before!"

While the words weren't exactly sarcastic, the unwelcoming attitude was quite clear.

Fugaku Uchiha didn't take it to heart. The two clans were already at odds with each other, and the fact that he was allowed in was already a sign of respect.

"Hyuga clan leader, let's not beat around the bush. I imagine you've heard the rumors about my Uchiha recently. On this matter, we should be on the same Force Field."

If Danzo committed such an act, is not severely punished, he will surely become even more ruthless and reckless in the future.

I don't think the Hyuga clan head would want the same thing to happen to Hyuga clan members.

It's impossible for Hyuga Hiashi not to be moved by Fugaku's words. Danzo's actions were too clumsy and could easily create a sense of shared sorrow among the others.

Ultimately, since this happened to the Uchiha, he genuinely had no interest in getting involved in the conflict between Danzo and the Uchiha. In Hyuga's view, neither Danzo nor the Uchiha Clan were good people, and he would be happy no matter who suffered the consequences.

"Uchiha Clan Head, I've heard about your Yohei Uchiha's affair, but there's nothing we can do to help. Besides, the village has already offered an explanation, and as outsiders, it's not appropriate for us to interfere."

Hyuga Hiashi Fugaku Uchiha's proposal without hesitation, clearly demonstrating his understanding of the importance of self-preservation.

After saying that, he picked up the tea on the table and gestured to Fugaku Uchiha from afar, clearly showing his attitude of seeing the guest off.

Fugaku Uchiha wasn't in a hurry; he still had a powerful move to unleash.

"Hyuga clan, there's something you might not know, and the rumors may not be entirely accurate." Fugaku also picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and continued, "Do you know why Root went to kill Yohei Uchiha?"

Hyuga Hiashi was taken aback. He hadn't really thought of that, but he was simply wary of those Mangekyō Sharingan. In fact, even he was extremely wary of those eyes. Madara Uchiha's reputation was widely known among the ninjas of his generation, and what he relied on was precisely the Mangekyō Sharingan.

That's what I think, but I can't say it like that.

"Oh, is there some other story behind this?"

Hyuga Hiashi Fugaku with a puzzled expression, but in reality, he didn't care.

"The secret message sent back from Yohei clearly stated that the group of ninjas initially came directly for the Mangekyō Sharingan, and their first move in the sneak attack was to gouge out the eyes."

Head of the Hyuga clan, do you know what this means?

Someone in the village is plotting to seize the Uchiha's Kekkei Genkai!

Hyuga Hiashi had to be careful now, as murdering a clansman and plotting to seize Kekkei Genkai were two completely different things.

To put it bluntly, in today's world, it's quite normal for one or two members of your tribe to die. During wartime, people always die; the only difference is how they die.

But seizing Kekkei Genkai is completely different. Kekkei Genkai is the foundation of a family. If anyone tries to seize the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan, the entire Hyuga Clan will fight them to the death.

Did you know that the Hyuga Clan, in order to prevent their Byakugan from being coveted, specifically developed the Caged Bird Curse Mark to restrict the entire Branch Family?

"Are you serious? This is no laughing matter!" Hyuga Hiashi's face was serious, completely losing his initial composure.

Once this happens, it will happen again. Root can steal the Sharingan from the Uchiha today, they can plot to steal the Byakugan from the Hyuga clan tomorrow. This is no longer a matter of one or two clan members, but a matter concerning the entire clan.

"Do you think I would joke about something like this? In fact, I have discovered more than once in past wars that the eyes of my Uchiha clan members' corpses are missing. Considering this incident, the reason is not hard to guess: someone has been Sharingan for a long time."

With Fugaku Uchiha's reminder, Hyuga Hiashi suddenly remembered that there had been similar incidents involving the corpses of his Hyuga clan members before, but because those were the eyes damaged by the Caged Bird Seal, they had not attracted the attention of the higher-ups.

"Uchiha Clan Head, please return first. I will arrange for someone to investigate this matter. If what you say is true, then the Hyuga Clan will stand with the Uchiha Konoha."

"Alright, then I'll take my leave today. I still have to visit the Kurama, Gekko, Ino-Shika-Cho, and Aburame clans, which are known for their bloodline limits and secret techniques. I hope the Hyuga clan head can make a decision as soon as possible."

After saying this, Fugaku Uchiha got up to take his leave.

In two days, Fugaku Uchiha visited all the clans in Konoha that possessed bloodline limits and secret techniques.

These clans initially shared the same sentiment as the Hyuga: they sympathized with Yohei's framing but were powerless to help. However, once they confirmed that Root's aim was to seize the Sharingan, their attitudes underwent a complete 180-degree turn. They indicated that if the facts were true, they would definitely stand on the Uchiha's side.

After all, if this matter cannot be nipped in the bud, they will be the ones who suffer later, and they do not have the Uchiha's trump card of challenging the village.

Fugaku Uchiha's movements naturally did not escape Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. He had no intention of hiding it; he wanted to be open and aboveboard, letting everyone know that the Uchiha Clan was not to be trifled with.

In fact, not long after Fugaku visited the Hyuga Clan, his whereabouts were reported to the Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally summoned the heads of the Hyuga and Kurama clans for questioning, but this time all the clan heads tacitly remained silent and did not reveal anything about the Kekkei Genkai.

The reason is simple: what the Uchiha is doing benefits all bloodline and secret technique clans. Although they may not actually join in, they will definitely not hold them back. The clan leaders can distinguish between what is important and what is urgent.

A week passed in the blink of an eye. During this week, the various clans displayed their unique abilities, and communication between them became much more frequent. Everyone used their own methods to gather intelligence from the front lines, and the final result was consistent: Fugaku Uchiha had not deceived them.