Nine-Tails Offensive and Defensive Battle

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the Uchiha clan felt deeply uncomfortable beneath the gazes filled with suspicion.

Several people opened their mouths to speak, but upon seeing Uchiha Fugaku leading them, they fell silent.

Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not hastily pin the blame on the Uchiha clan, but instead spoke directly:

"I am already aware of this matter. Now is not the time to pursue the truth. Since it involves the Sharingan, does Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku have any way to control the Nine-Tails and reduce casualties?"

"Third Hokage, the power of the Nine-Tails is too great; with my current ocular power, I cannot control it. Only if all the clansmen with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan present use genjutsu together can we attempt it. Please, everyone, buy us some time. I beg you."

With that, Uchiha Fugaku bowed deeply to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not know whether he should trust him.

At this moment, two voices of stern refusal rang out: "Absolutely not!!!"

The two individuals walked out slowly from the side and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hiruzen, since you already know this matter involves the Uchiha clan, you should order them to leave this place immediately to prove that this incident has nothing to do with the Uchiha clan!"

The one speaking was none other than Mitokado Homura, one of the elders of Konoha.

He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with a grave expression, not even sparing a glance for the Uchiha clan. The implications in his words made it clear that this matter was inextricably linked to the Uchiha clan, and therefore they should not be allowed to continue participating in this incident.

"That's right. Since the Uchiha clan's Sharingan has appeared in the eyes of the Nine-Tails, even if this matter has nothing to do with the Uchiha clansmen present, they are no longer fit to participate in the ensuing battle. Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku, I think it would be better for you to take your people to organize the evacuation; that would also help reduce casualties."

These sharp, biting words came from the other elder, Utatane Koharu.

Clearly, the two elders were in complete agreement: the Uchiha clan must be completely excluded from this battle.

The reason for this was simple: they wanted the Uchiha clan to become the natural scapegoats once this incident concluded.

When the time came, they could simply splash some mud on them to further compress the Uchiha's living space and seize benefits for their own families.

Hearing the barbed words from the two elders, every member of the Uchiha clan present looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with grief and indignation, hoping that this respected Hokage would speak a word of justice.

At this moment, Uchiha Fugaku spoke up: "Third Hokage, this is Konoha, and it is also the home of the Uchiha clan. Please do not underestimate our determination to protect our families."

"Although I do not know where the enemy obtained the Sharingan, I, Uchiha Fugaku, swear here that it has absolutely nothing to do with the Uchiha clan. If it is discovered later that today's events are related to us, I will leave it to the village to dispose of us. Please, Third Hokage, allow the Uchiha clan to participate in the battle. I beg you!"

Once these words were spoken, the remaining Uchiha clansmen also chimed in: "That's right, Third Hokage, please let the Uchiha clan show our loyalty to the village!"

Fight! Fight! Fight! For a time, the surroundings were filled with the Uchiha clan's cries to join the battle.

Although the Uchiha were currently being suppressed by the village, they still held onto their rightful interests and were far from the state they would be in after the Night of the Nine-Tails in the original timeline, so their sense of identification with the village remained very high.

"Very well, I declare that the Uchiha clan shall join the battle. All questions will be addressed after the Nine-Tails is contained. Move out!"

After long deliberation, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally made the decision to let the Uchiha clan participate.

Although he did not know if this matter was truly related to the Uchiha clan, it was clearly not the time to consider such things.

If it were related to the Uchiha clan, keeping them under his own nose meant they wouldn't be able to stir up any trouble.

If it were not related to the Uchiha clan, then it was perfect to use the Sharingan against the Sharingan; at the very least, it could reduce some casualties.

It must be said that in making such a decision in such a short moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally displayed a glimmer of the demeanor of the "God of Shinobi" from his past.

Just as the two elders were about to voice their opposition, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised a hand to stop them: "Enough. Since I have said that I will let the Uchiha clan participate, it means I trust them. You do not need to waste any more breath on this. That is all."

"Uchiha clan, follow me!!!" With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi took the lead and rushed toward the Nine-Tails.

The Uchiha group shouted, "Yes!" Every Uchiha present was filled with excitement, determined to display the true spirit of the Uchiha in the coming battle so as not to betray the trust of the Third Hokage.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

After everyone rushed toward the Nine-Tails, the two elders left behind could only spit out the words they had been holding back: "Hiruzen, you will definitely regret this!" They then turned and left, not participating in the battle at all.

Uchiha Fugaku: "Quick, quick, quick! Follow my command and use the Sharingan genjutsu together. We must seize control of the Nine-Tails."

Ready!

1, 2, 3, release!

All Uchiha: "Sharingan!!!"

Through the concerted efforts of all the Uchiha clansmen present, although they did not manage to seize control of the Nine-Tails, they did hinder its movements, causing the death toll in the ensuing battle to drop sharply. However, those who had died due to the delay caused by the two elders could never return.

On the field, Uchiha Fugaku naturally did not use his full strength, employing only his Three-Tomoe Sharingan. After all, according to the master's orders, everything had to wait for the Fourth Hokage to finish the job.

After all, the Mangekyo Sharingan possessed overwhelming power compared to the Three-Tomoe, and even with all the Three-Tomoe users present exerting their strength together, they could only barely influence the Nine-Tails.

After all, one only had to look at the original story, where a single pair of Mangekyo Sharingan wiped out the entire massive Uchiha clan, to prove that the quality of the Mangekyo was enough to crush quantity.

Time passed second by second.

The village's personnel had finished evacuating, and the battle with the Nine-Tails remained in a stalemate. Just then.

Boom!

A massive figure landed on top of the Nine-Tails; it was Gamabunta, summoned by Namikaze Minato.

Standing on Gamabunta, Namikaze Minato looked at the chaotic scene before him. Thinking of the words spoken by the figure suspected to be Uchiha Madara, he whispered an apology to Kushina in his heart!

In the next second, before anyone could react, he disappeared, taking the Nine-Tails with him.

Uchiha Chen, who had appeared quietly during the battle, knew that Namikaze Minato's life had already entered its countdown.

After Namikaze Minato died and he controlled the Third Hokage, Konoha would be his to command. When that time came, he would do his best to develop Konoha, conquer beauties everywhere, and once his strength was sufficient, launch a war of unification to become the sole Hokage.

Or rather, becoming the sole Emperor was within reach.