Fugaku: Was I Set Up by Him?

"They're still mocking our Uchiha Clan!"

"They said the Uchiha Clan was useless, that we couldn't beat the Raikage, so we hid in a cave and didn't dare come out."

"If the Hyuga Clan had gone instead, they would've defeated the Raikage in less than twenty-four hours."

Uchiha Kurohane's words caused a huge uproar.

The Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan were known together as Konoha's two strongest ninja clans.

The Uchiha Clan had always been deeply dissatisfied with this.

What abilities did the Hyuga Clan have?

What contributions had they made to Konoha?

What gave them the right to stand alongside the Uchiha Clan?

The Uchiha Clan might have been arrogant, but they were not mindless.

They accepted being ranked alongside the Senju Clan, but being placed on equal footing with a ninja clan that could only use the Byakugan for reconnaissance on the battlefield was a tremendous humiliation to them.

The Uchiha clansmen were completely enraged.

"The Hyuga Clan can't even beat Mist Ninja. What are they capable of?"

"Send them to fight the Raikage. Ask them if they dare!"

"The Hyuga Clan defeating the Raikage in twenty-four hours? What a joke. Those three clowns really have no shame, just to belittle the Uchiha Clan!"

Seeing the crowd gritting their teeth, Uchiha Kurohane felt he had built things up enough and spoke with a grief-stricken expression.

"I was furious at the time and argued with them. They threatened to beat me up. Although there were four of them, and three were Genin older than me, I didn't back down. I risked everything and fought them!"

Quite a few clansmen clapped and cheered excitedly.

"You did the right thing! Our Uchiha Clan has won and lost over the years, but we have never been cowards. Just fight!"

"Those three Genin are idiots! They deserved to be beaten to death!"

Some clansmen were even moved to tears.

"You faced the four of them alone without backing down. That was truly brave. You are the real hero!"

"I used to look down on you and thought you were the Disgrace of the Uchiha. I was wrong. I apologize to you..."

[Ah~ The Uchiha clansmen regretted their actions and wanted to apologize to you. Host has achieved the achievement "An Apology from the Uchiha Clan" and obtained the Entry "Uchiha Clan Fire Release A".]

(Uchiha Clan Fire Release A: The host automatically learns and masters the Uchiha Clan's Fire Release Ninjutsu.

Including the Great Fireball Technique, Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, Dragon Fire Technique, Great Dragon Fire Technique, and more.)

Uchiha Kurohane had merely wanted an excuse to explain himself and avoid punishment from the Uchiha Clan. He had not expected to complete an achievement, and he secretly felt delighted.

Since he was an orphan and his family had not left him any Ninjutsu scrolls, he did not know any of the five elemental Ninjutsu.

He did not even know the Uchiha Clan's signature technique, the Great Fireball Technique.

Now, not only had he learned them directly, but he had also skipped the time needed for training and reached mastery. He had made a huge profit this time.

After hearing Uchiha Kurohane's explanation, Uchiha Setsuna secretly agreed with him.

He thought that if he had encountered such a situation, he would not have endured it either. He would have gone even further than Uchiha Kurohane and directly beaten those three Genin to death.

This kid is a little like me.

But he had not killed them. He had only stabbed their kidneys. Compared to me, he was still far behind.

Young man, you still have a long way to go.

Uchiha Setsuna felt that Uchiha Kurohane could not be blamed for this. He considered himself the most outstanding member of the Uchiha Clan apart from Madara.

He was the Uchiha Clan's number two!

How could a bottom-ranked child compare to him?

Still, Uchiha Kurohane was already quite outstanding. He could be compared to Fugaku.

While admiring Uchiha Kurohane, Uchiha Setsuna quickly realized the issue: he had come up with the title Disgrace of the Uchiha.

Now that he heard the clansmen speaking of regret and apology, he felt as though he had been slapped in the face.

He felt extremely awkward and did not know what to say.

Just then, Uchiha Fugaku spoke.

"No matter the reason, because of his mistake, we now have to send three people to the Land of Rain battlefield. He must be punished for this!"

Seeing everyone worship Uchiha Kurohane instead, Uchiha Fugaku gritted his teeth in fury. He believed the clansmen had all been deceived by Uchiha Kurohane's sweet talk, so he immediately reminded them.

They had to send three people to the Land of Rain battlefield now. That was the important part!

Uchiha Kurohane immediately responded.

"I defeated four Genin by myself who mocked the Uchiha Clan, proving the Uchiha Clan's strength. From now on, whenever they hear the Uchiha Clan's name, they'll be scared enough to piss themselves. Was that still not enough? Why should I be punished?"

The clansmen all nodded in agreement.

"That's right. Kurohane is a hero who brought honor to the Uchiha Clan. He shouldn't be punished!"

Seeing all the clansmen take Uchiha Kurohane's side, Uchiha Fugaku's entire face reddened with anger as he retorted excitedly.

"That's exactly why! He caused us to have to go to the Land of Rain battlefield, so of course he should be punished!"

Uchiha Kurohane sneered and asked loudly.

"Fugaku, could it be that you're the coward those three Genin were talking about? Do you not dare go to the Land of Rain battlefield?"

As soon as Uchiha Kurohane said this, every clansman present looked at Uchiha Fugaku and waited for his answer.

Feeling everyone's gazes upon him, Uchiha Fugaku nervously swallowed.

He was a genius of the Uchiha Clan, regarded as the Uchiha Clan's hope for the future. How could he say he did not dare?

There was nothing Fugaku did not dare to do!

"What a joke! Why wouldn't I dare? Of course I dare!"

Uchiha Kurohane smiled and pressed further.

"So you mean you'll go to the Land of Rain and prove the Uchiha Clan's strength?"

Of course not. Who would want to fight in such a dangerous place?

I want to stay by Mikoto's side and train with her...

Uchiha Fugaku instinctively wanted to deny it, but as he opened his mouth, he noticed Mikoto's gaze.

Mikoto was watching him!

Uchiha Fugaku hesitated.

No!

If I say I dare go but don't actually go, people will think I'm a hypocrite who says one thing and does another.

Mikoto will look down on me!

Mikoto is watching me now. I can't chicken out!

"Of course I'll go. It's just the Land of Rain. What's so special about it?"

"What God of Shinobi Hanzo? He's just a braggart. If he really had any skill, he would have driven away the invading Sand Shinobi and Rock Shinobi long ago. I'm not afraid of him at all!"

Uchiha Kurohane immediately applauded.

"Big Brother Fugaku's words were incredible! You're the true hero. You've completely inspired me!"

"Good luck! Please make sure to restore the Uchiha Clan's honor in the Land of Rain!"

The clansmen immediately followed with applause and cheers.

"Well said, Fugaku! Let those Konoha ninja see the Uchiha Clan's power!"

"This is the bearing of an Uchiha genius! It's truly magnificent!"

Hearing everyone's praise, Uchiha Fugaku felt an intense sense of vanity. His blood began to boil, and he could not help shouting back.

"Leave it to me! I won't just show Konoha—I'll show the entire ninja world!"

Uchiha Fugaku felt immensely pleased with himself, but he soon sensed that something was wrong.

Wait, was I tricked by that bottom-ranker?

Looking at Uchiha Kurohane's radiant smile, Uchiha Fugaku finally realized that he had been set up by him, and he was furious.

Damn it!

That guy was supposed to take responsibility and go fight in the Land of Rain.

How did it turn into me going instead?

He's too sinister!