An Unfounded Accusation

"Yamanaka Tatsuya, that was going a little too far," Uchiha Fugaku said, furrowing his brow.

"Qin Yu is with Minato, and he's a junior I watched grow up myself. He has absolutely no disloyalty toward Konoha, and he'd never leak its intelligence."

Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Qin Yu were uncle and nephew.

Uchiha Fugaku had always put considerable effort into nurturing the Uchiha Clan.

Unfortunately, in his eyes, Uchiha Qin Yu was no more than an ordinary clan member.

If they hadn't been related, he might not have gone out of his way to remind Minato Namikaze to look after him at a critical moment.

But Uchiha Fugaku had never imagined that Qin Yu had been hiding so much—not only had he awakened the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan,

he also possessed such powerful ocular abilities.

What's more, Qin Yu had suddenly displayed this overwhelming power.

The vast difference between it and his former mediocrity had left many of Konoha's higher-ups with questions.

Danzo, in particular, had declared outright that Qin Yu had ulterior motives.

"Hmph, Clan Head Fugaku, are you defending Uchiha Qin Yu as clan head, or as his uncle?" Yamanaka Tatsuya sneered. "If I were you, and wanted to make this seem fair,"

"I'd advise you to return to Konoha Hidden Leaf Village now and submit to monitoring and an inspection. You should also withdraw from this matter and hand Qin Yu over to our Root Division for investigation."

"If Uchiha Qin Yu really has no problems, we won't make things difficult for him."

Uchiha Fugaku's face turned livid.

There was no doubt that Danzo intended to bypass the Third Hokage and take Qin Yu into custody ahead of time.

Given Danzo's prejudice against the Uchiha Clan, whether Qin Yu would ever return if he fell into Danzo's hands was another matter entirely.

"Captain Yamanaka, I, Uzuki Cangwu, am willing to stake my life on Qin Yu having no disloyal intentions. Not only did he drive back the Cloud Ninja at a critical moment, he also repelled the Mist Ninja's attack," Uzuki Cangwu said, unable to hold back any longer.

"So we Konoha Ninja here are willing to vouch for Qin Yu with the Forehead Protectors on our heads."

At his words, the Konoha Ninja stationed at the pass, whom Qin Yu had saved, solemnly voiced their agreement.

Uchiha Fugaku and Gekko Kuro Yoru couldn't help but look taken aback.

They had never imagined that in just two or three days, Qin Yu's standing would rise so high.

"Bastards, are you planning a rebellion?" Yamanaka Tatsuya barked.

"Whether Uchiha Qin Yu is guilty is a matter for Konoha's higher-ups. You have no right to interfere. If this happens again, I'll take you back to Konoha for investigation. I don't want to hear such talk a second time."

"Uzuki, don't forget that your family only just joined Konoha Hidden Leaf Village. Don't let your own recklessness lead to your family being treated unfairly."

Uzuki Cangwu's expression changed.

His family had long been allied with Konoha.

They were more or less mercenaries.

Unfortunately, constant warfare and attacks by avengers had gradually reduced the family's numbers.

As their fighting strength continued to decline, they were no longer able to protect themselves.

In the end, they had joined Konoha Hidden Leaf Village and become part of it.

The Uzuki Family had only three or five members left who could truly fight, so Konoha's higher-ups naturally paid them little heed.

Besides, this was a critical time of war. With three battlefronts opening up, Konoha needed more fighting strength than ever.

So Uzuki Cangwu had been made a Jonin as a matter of course when he joined.

Now, with Yamanaka Tatsuya threatening his family, Uzuki Cangwu was left utterly powerless.

"Hmph, what's the matter? Nothing to say?" Yamanaka Tatsuya sneered. "Now hurry up and bring Uchiha Qin Yu back in custody. Until we figure out his intentions, this matter will be handled by our Root Division."

"Everything we do is for the safety and stability of Konoha Hidden Leaf Village."

At that, not only Uchiha Fugaku but even Uzuki Cangwu stiffened.

Yamanaka Tatsuya's approach was no different from handing down thirty lashes before even questioning Qin Yu.

He had already declared Qin Yu guilty.

"Heh, I never knew the Root Division had such a fearsome reputation. Two trash just ran off, and now here comes another old piece of trash." A mocking voice suddenly came from outside the cavern.

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

They had heard everything from outside. Minato Namikaze, in particular, looked livid.

When he'd sent his report back to Konoha Hidden Leaf Village, he had repeatedly emphasized that they must use a conciliatory approach with Qin Yu.

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

Unfortunately, Minato Namikaze had never imagined that Danzo would force his way into the matter at a moment like this.

"You insolent brat! How dare you speak so disrespectfully? You've clearly been lying in wait in Konoha Hidden Leaf Village for a long time, with ulterior motives!" Yamanaka Tatsuya immediately flew into a rage.

"Seize him!"

Four Root Division ninja under his command immediately rushed forward toward Qin Yu.

"Get lost!"

Qin Yu snapped, and a vast mass of scarlet chakra burst forth like a raging tide.

The four Anbu ninja blanched.

With a muffled groan, they staggered back two or three steps.

And the force of this aura didn't just affect the four Anbu.

The entire cavern was filled with this disaster-laden power.

As they felt the immense aura, Yamanaka Tatsuya, Uchiha Fugaku, and Gekko Kuro Yoru all changed expressions.

They had guessed that Qin Yu was powerful.

But the aura he released now far exceeded their expectations.

They had never imagined that a boy of fifteen or sixteen could wield such power.

"Just as the stone tablet described—the power of the Choku-tomo," Uchiha Fugaku murmured, his expression shifting.

According to Uchiha Madara's description, the direct awakening of the Mangekyō Sharingan was called Choku-tomo.

It meant that one's ocular power had returned to its origin and held the chance to awaken the Sharingan.

Yet the powerful ocular force Qin Yu now exuded not only had the feel of Choku-tomo, it also carried an ominous quality greater than that of a Tailed Beast.

He had felt this way only when facing the Nine-Tails.

"Arrogant fool! We're the captains stationed at this pass. You're just a Chunin, yet you dare show us disrespect?" Yamanaka Tatsuya's expression changed as well.

"Disrespecting your superiors violates military discipline. You should be taken into custody immediately."

"Minato Namikaze, Uchiha Fugaku, why aren't you seizing Qin Yu?"

He had accused Qin Yu of a crime that had no basis in fact.

The way he did it so smoothly left no doubt that he'd rehearsed it.

Or rather, Danzo had arranged everything this way from the start.