Facing Fugaku, "Reinforcements" Arrive

"Because of intelligence that may or may not be true, two chunin from the Hyuga clan attacked a genin who had only graduated a year ago right here in the village. As the Police Force responsible for maintaining order in the village, we have every right to go to the Hyuga clan and demand an explanation."

A malicious smile spread across Uchiha Fugaku's face; it was clear he had already figured out how to trip up the Hyuga clan.

The excuse had practically been handed to them on a silver platter by the Hyuga themselves. Just thinking about the look on those annoying Hyuga's faces—as if they'd been forced to eat dung—made Uchiha Fugaku want to laugh out loud.

After all, at only twenty-something years old, Fugaku was still just a young man.

Since there was an opportunity to step on an old rival and cause them embarrassment, how could Uchiha Fugaku possibly refuse?

He was more than happy to do so.

As for the brat Kawaki Aoba, although his file indicated decent talent, it was his bad luck to have awakened the Byakugan; there was nothing to be done about that.

While he held a deep disdain for the Hyuga clan, as the future heir of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku knew how to weigh the gravity of a situation.

Causing trouble for the Hyuga or embarrassing them over petty grievances was one thing, but when it came to their bottom line, he knew better than to go too far unless absolutely necessary.

The leakage of the Byakugan was undoubtedly a matter that touched the Hyuga clan's bottom line.

Furthermore, what right did a mere brat have to use the Uchiha to keep the Hyuga in check?

In other words, what did that brat named Kawaki Aoba take the Uchiha for?

With that, Uchiha Fugaku had made his decision.

He stepped out of his office and headed straight for the room where Kawaki Aoba was being temporarily held.

Creak!

The wooden door was pushed open from the outside. Kawaki Aoba looked up, and through his dark glasses, he saw a man dressed in the distinct style of the Uchiha.

Locking eyes with him through the lenses, Kawaki Aoba immediately noticed the man's hostile gaze.

Wicked Eye Fugaku!

Although the man looked somewhat different from the middle-aged version in his memories, Kawaki Aoba recognized him at a glance.

"Captain Fugaku, I have already explained everything I know. May I ask when I will be allowed to leave?" Before Fugaku could speak, Kawaki Aoba seized the initiative, perfectly portraying a young ninja who had just finished a mission and wanted to go home to rest.

"Going back? There's no rush for that. If you are sufficiently cooperative, you'll be able to go back soon enough." Uchiha Fugaku spoke with hidden meaning, not particularly bothered by the fact that Kawaki Aoba knew his name.

He was the strongest genius of the current Uchiha generation and the captain of the Uchiha Police Force; wasn't it normal for a brat to know who he was?

"Uh, Captain Fugaku, what do you mean by that? I've already told you everything I know. What else do you want me to cooperate with? Don't tell me you want me to root out spies hidden in Konoha? You're really making things difficult for me; I don't have that kind of ability."

Uchiha Fugaku: ...

Fugaku was speechless, silently scoffing at how good the brat in front of him was at playing dumb.

Unfortunately for him, he had no interest in playing along any further.

"Stop putting on an act, brat. All your little schemes have no secrets before these eyes of mine."

As if to prove his point, Uchiha Fugaku activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan to make his presence more imposing.

It had to be said that with his Sharingan active, Fugaku looked even more menacing. It was only because Kawaki Aoba knew him so well that he remained unfazed; anyone else might have truly been terrified.

"Captain Fugaku, I don't understand what you're talking about. I'm just an ordinary genin in this village. I brought those two spies to the Uchiha Police Force today out of trust for you, but I don't understand why you aren't interrogating them instead of scaring a child like me."

Playing the fool—yes, this behavior, which could almost be considered an insult to one's intelligence, was intentional on Kawaki Aoba's part.

He knew, of course, that the truth couldn't be hidden from the Uchiha, but so what? He just needed to stall for time. Calculating the moment, his backup should be arriving soon.

At the doorway, Fugaku's expression grew increasingly grim, and he felt even more contempt for the brat who dared to manipulate the Uchiha.

"A brat is a brat, too naive. Do you think not admitting it changes anything?" As he spoke, Uchiha Fugaku stepped forward. He intended to remove Kawaki Aoba's glasses and force the boy to give up his charade.

Of course, he wasn't doing this to help the Hyuga clan; he would never help clean up his old rival's mess.

Uchiha Fugaku simply wanted to teach Kawaki Aoba a lesson. He wanted the brat to remember that the Uchiha were not to be used by just any Tom, Dick, or Harry.

As for what would happen after the lesson, he would just let him go and let the Hyuga deal with the headache.

However, before Uchiha Fugaku could reach Kawaki Aoba, movement came from outside the door.

"Aoba, we're here to take you home."

"Aoba, I heard you were attacked by spies. Are you alright?"

Two voices rang out one after the other, and footsteps approached until they reached the room where Kawaki Aoba was being held.

Sitting on the chair against the wall, Kawaki Aoba felt the corners of his mouth lift slightly under Uchiha Fugaku's gaze. The "reinforcements" he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

"Aoba, you're so amazing! I heard you defeated two chunin spies all by yourself. My father has already gone to the Hokage to request a commendation for you." This was a crisp, slightly youthful girl's voice.

"Aoba, you must keep your glasses on tight. The medical ninja specifically instructed that no matter what happens, you are not to take them off for the time being." Compared to the girl, this male voice was much rougher, not at all like a peer of Kawaki Aoba.

Uchiha Fugaku stopped his advance and looked back. Standing there were a boy and a girl, both the same age as Kawaki Aoba.

The girl had red hair and crimson eyes. Uchiha Fugaku recognized her; she was the daughter of Yuhi Shinku, a ninja whose mastery of genjutsu rivaled that of the Uchiha.

And the other, who seemed mature beyond his years, was even more familiar: Sarutobi Asuma, the youngest son of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.