Are You Hiding Something from Me?

Hayato bowed slightly, his tone calm but firm. "Thank you, Lord Hokage, for seeing things clearly and remembering the principles on which Konoha was founded. My Uchiha clan was born as part of Konoha and will die as part of Konoha. We have never intended to betray the village."

"I believe Lord Hokage will give the Uchiha, and all of Konoha, the justice we deserve."

After speaking, Hayato stepped back behind Fugaku. His words had given Sarutobi Hiruzen plenty of respect.

Shisui, standing off to the side, was already a little confused. Hayato had only said a few words, so why did it feel like he'd accomplished what Shisui had always been striving for?

Seeing the Third Hokage looking at Hayato and him with such a warm expression, Shisui couldn't calm his thoughts.

Uchiha Shisui was suddenly overcome by a joy he couldn't put into words. He felt that, for once, he truly wasn't alone.

Hayato was a kindred spirit.

Fugaku, meanwhile, remained outwardly calm, though his gaze occasionally drifted toward Hayato.

His plan had been for the Uchiha to build up their strength during this period, then leave Konoha as a clan when the time came.

There was no other choice.

Rebellion would leave the Uchiha badly outnumbered.

They wouldn't just be facing the Hokage. They would be up against every shinobi clan in Konoha.

The Uchiha clan would almost certainly be wiped out. Leaving Konoha as a clan, on the other hand, would greatly reduce the chances of other clans attacking them. At least a few Uchiha might escape.

But Hayato's actions had shown Fugaku another possibility.

It wasn't yet clear what that possibility might lead to, but it gave him another path to consider.

Hayato paid no attention to the glances that kept coming his way. At that moment, he was feeling overjoyed.

Bitter Fruit. So much of it—from the Third Hokage, Danzo, and the Council of Elders.

It looked as though the Uchiha clan had gained nothing, while the Council of Elders had shown them outright hostility.

But did that matter?

This had been unavoidable from the start. And after this, Danzo would only become more ruthless in his attacks on Hayato and the Uchiha.

That would mean more Bitter Fruit for him. He could also get his hands on things through some of Danzo's operations. Once those things came to light, they would give him plenty of room to maneuver.

That was enough.

Inside the office, Danzo stared fixedly at Hayato. This Uchiha was different from the others.

An inexplicable sense of threat rose in Danzo's mind. This Uchiha absolutely couldn't be allowed to live!

"Danzo!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice rang out, cold and indifferent.

Danzo gathered his thoughts but didn't answer. He simply stared straight at Sarutobi Hiruzen. As an old friend of Hiruzen's, Danzo could tell from his tone exactly what was going through his mind.

Coward!

A few words from a kid, and you've let him get under your skin. Hiruzen, you're as indecisive as ever.

When Danzo didn't respond, Sarutobi Hiruzen planted both hands on the desk and stood. "Danzo, as a Konoha advisor, you passed judgment before investigating, spoke recklessly, and undermined unity within the village. That was unacceptable."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged glances but didn't step forward.

At least up to this point, some of Danzo's actions and words had indeed gone too far.

They also understood that Danzo had used them as pawns.

So they didn't contradict Hiruzen. Danzo pressed his lips together, about to speak.

Sarutobi Hiruzen raised a hand, cutting him off before he could object, and delivered his ruling. "The Hokage's Anbu will investigate what happened tonight. Tell me later what your investigation was supposed to cover."

"From now on, Root will not interfere without my orders. You are also forbidden from taking any action against the Uchiha on your own."

"You will remain confined to your home for one month and reflect on your conduct."

When he finished, Hiruzen turned to the others. His voice was calm, yet it drowned out every other sound. "In Konoha, we follow the evidence and act fairly. Anyone who stirs up conflict with baseless suspicions is opposing me and the very foundations of Konoha."

"Fugaku, I'll also need Shisui and Hayato to cooperate with the investigation."

"We'll follow your orders, Third Hokage. The Uchiha will always be Konoha's Uchiha." Fugaku inclined his head slightly, agreeing.

With the matter out in the open, Danzo would have to consider whether the Third Hokage still cared about saving face before making any underhanded moves.

As for their safety, Fugaku wasn't worried that anything would happen to Shisui or Hayato.

Hayato gave Fugaku an approving nod in his mind. Nice. He'd even managed to reaffirm his loyalty, even if only in words.

Thinking of this, Hayato gestured for Shisui to step forward with him, then said to Sarutobi Hiruzen, "We'll cooperate with any legitimate investigation by the village."

As for how long an investigation like this would drag on, given Danzo's character, it would probably amount to nothing more than an unfounded accusation.

The Third Hokage's words just now had made him seem sick of Danzo's behavior, but they were also a form of protection.

Speak to him alone?

That would probably mean the Hokage Office doors getting slammed again later, while the so-called investigation was just for show.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was quite pleased with Fugaku, Hayato, and Shisui's response. His face was full of warmth.

"All right, Fugaku. You can head back now."

With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen waved Fugaku and the others away. He still had to argue with Danzo.

Fugaku nodded, then led Hayato and Shisui out of the Hokage Office.

As soon as Hayato stepped outside, he saw Kakashi coming toward him. He raised an eyebrow and nodded to Kakashi.

They had Kakashi to thank for his actions tonight. He hadn't tried to force Hayato and Shisui into custody.

Though perhaps he'd only done it for the sake of that lunatic.

Kakashi didn't respond. He glanced at Fugaku, then headed into the office.

A trace of something flickered in Fugaku's eyes. Fortunately, before coming here, he'd already had the three clan elders calm the clan members.

"Danzo—!"

Kakashi had barely opened the Hokage Office door when Hayato heard Sarutobi Hiruzen's furious shout from the corridor.

Click!

Kakashi quickly shut the door, cutting off the sound.

Fugaku paused for only a moment, then led Hayato and Shisui out of the Hokage Building.

Hayato looked at Shisui beside him, signaling him to hold back and wait until later to say anything.

As they drew closer to the Uchiha Compound, Fugaku suddenly changed direction and led them toward the banks of the Naka River.

"Shisui, Hayato, are you hiding something from me?"

Fugaku stood by the riverbank. It took him a while before he finally spoke.

Hayato's heart stirred at the question. Fugaku had probably guessed something. After all, he and Shisui had taken down eight Root shinobi, and that wasn't something even activating the Three-Tomoe made easy.