Unfounded Charge

"Yamanaka Tatsuya, your words are going a bit too far." Fugaku frowned.

"Qin Yu is with Minato Namikaze, and as a junior I have watched grow up, he has absolutely no ulterior motives against Konoha, let alone any intention to leak Konoha's intelligence."

Fugaku and Uchiha Qin Yu share an uncle-nephew relationship.

All this time, Fugaku has spared no effort in cultivating the Uchiha Clan.

Regrettably, in his eyes, Uchiha Qin Yu was at most an ordinary clansman.

If not for their familial ties, he might not have gone out of his way to remind Minato Namikaze to look after him at critical moments.

However, Fugaku never imagined that Qin Yu had been hiding his true self so deeply, not only awakening the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan.

But also possessing such formidable ocular power.

Furthermore, it was precisely because Qin Yu suddenly displayed such peerless strength.

A stark contrast to his former mediocrity, that caused quite a stir among Konoha's upper echelons.

Among them, Danzo was the first to assert that Qin Yu harbored ulterior motives.

"Hmph, Clan Leader Fugaku, are you speaking from the perspective of a clan leader, or as an uncle defending Uchiha Qin Yu?" Yamanaka Tatsuya sneered. "If I were you, to ensure the matter appears fair."

"I would advise you to return to Konoha immediately to undergo monitoring and inspection, while stepping back from this affair and handing Qin Yu over to us in Root for investigation."

"If Uchiha Qin Yu truly has nothing to hide, we will not make things difficult for him."

Fugaku's expression turned livid.

These words were undoubtedly Danzo's attempt to bypass the Third Hokage and take Qin Yu into custody prematurely.

Given Danzo's prejudice against the Uchiha Clan, whether Qin Yu could return once he fell into his hands was another matter entirely.

"Captain Yamanaka, I, Uzuki Cangwu, am willing to stake my life that Qin Yu has absolutely no ill intent. Not only did he repel the Cloud Ninja at a critical moment, but he also drove back the invading Mist Ninja." Uzuki Cangwu could not help but speak up.

"Therefore, we Konoha ninja present are willing to stake our headbands to vouch for Qin Yu."

As soon as these words were spoken, the Konoha ninja stationed within the pass who had been saved by Qin Yu echoed his sentiment with solemn expressions.

Fugaku and Gekko Kuro Yoru could not help but change their expressions as well.

They had never expected that in just two or three days, Qin Yu's prestige would rise to such a level.

"Bastards, are you planning to rebel?" Yamanaka Tatsuya shouted coldly.

"Whether Uchiha Qin Yu is guilty or not is a matter for Konoha's high command; you have no right to interfere. If there is a next time, I will take you back to Konoha for investigation myself. I do not wish to hear such talk a second time."

"Uzuki, don't forget that your family has only just joined our Konoha. Do not let personal recklessness lead to unfair treatment for your family."

Uzuki Cangwu's expression shifted.

Their family had actually always maintained an alliance with Konoha.

They were essentially mercenaries.

Unfortunately, constant warfare and the sneak attacks of avengers had caused their family's population to dwindle.

With their combat power steadily declining, they were unable to protect themselves.

In the end, they joined Konoha and became a part of it.

As for the Uzuki Family, which only had three or five members left with real combat strength, Konoha's high command naturally did not hold them in high regard.

Moreover, this was a critical time during the war, and the opening of three major battlefields made Konoha even more desperate for combat power.

Thus, Uzuki Cangwu's joining led naturally to him becoming a Jonin.

Now that Yamanaka Tatsuya was using his family as a threat, Uzuki Cangwu instantly felt powerless.

"Hmph, what's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" Yamanaka Tatsuya sneered. "Hurry up and bring Uchiha Qin Yu back. Until his motives are clarified, this matter is the responsibility of Root."

"Everything is for the safety and stability of Konoha."

Upon hearing this, not only Fugaku but even Uzuki Cangwu's expression stiffened.

Yamanaka Tatsuya's approach was undoubtedly to pass judgment before even conducting an interrogation.

He had effectively convicted Qin Yu already.

"Heh, I didn't expect Root to be so imposing. Two pieces of trash just ran off, and now another old piece of trash has arrived." A flippant voice suddenly drifted in from outside the Cave.

Qin Yu strode in, with Minato Namikaze following closely behind.

They had been outside and heard everything, especially Minato Namikaze, whose face was exceptionally livid.

When he sent the intelligence back to Konoha, he had repeatedly emphasized that they must use a soft approach with Qin Yu.

Even if they couldn't become friends, they must absolutely not become enemies.

Unfortunately, Minato Namikaze never imagined that Danzo would insist on sticking his nose in at such a critical juncture.

"You insolent brat, you dare to speak so rudely! It seems you have been lurking in Konoha for a long time and truly harbor ulterior motives." Yamanaka Tatsuya lashed out instantly.

"Go up and seize him!"

Four Root ninja under his command immediately rushed out and headed toward Qin Yu.

"Get lost!"

Qin Yu let out a cold snort, and a massive surge of crimson chakra erupted like a tidal wave.

The expressions of the four Anbu ninjas changed drastically.

They let out muffled groans and stumbled back two or three paces.

Moreover, this aura did not just affect the four Anbu.

The entire Cave was filled with this power, which was fraught with disaster.

Feeling this immense aura, not only Yamanaka Tatsuya, but even Fugaku and Gekko Kuro Yoru had their expressions shift violently.

They had speculated on how strong Qin Yu might be.

However, the aura erupting right now completely exceeded their expectations.

They never imagined that a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy could possess such power.

"It truly is the Choku-tomo power recorded on the stone tablet," Fugaku muttered to himself as his expression fluctuated.

According to the description by Uchiha Madara, the direct awakening of the Mangekyo Sharingan is known as Choku-tomo.

It signifies a dojutsu that traces back to the origin, possessing the chance to awaken the Rinnegan.

However, the powerful dojutsu Qin Yu was exuding now not only felt like Choku-tomo, but also carried an even more ominous scent than a Tailed Beast.

This feeling was something one would only experience when facing the Nine-Tails.

"Arrogant fool, we are the captains stationed at this pass; how dare a mere Chunin like you show us disrespect!" Yamanaka Tatsuya's expression also changed.

"Insubordination is a violation of military discipline, and you should be taken into custody immediately."

"Minato Namikaze, Fugaku, why aren't you moving to capture Qin Yu yet?"

The moment he spoke, he leveled baseless charges.

This practiced, familiar feeling was undoubtedly something that had been rehearsed.

Or rather, this was how Danzo had arranged it from the very beginning.