"Something terrible has happened, Father!" Sasuke Uchiha's voice suddenly rang out at the clan meeting, like a thunderclap tearing through the still air.
The Uchiha Clan members who had been preparing to leave froze on the spot at those unexpected words, and every gaze turned toward the uninvited guest.
Fugaku Uchiha looked at his usually obedient and sensible youngest son, who had recklessly barged into the clan meeting, and a trace of displeasure rose in his heart.
His brows furrowed slightly as he was about to reprimand Sasuke, only for Sasuke's next action to interrupt him.
Sasuke stood there, panting heavily, as though he had something important to say.
But before he could speak, Fugaku Uchiha mercilessly cut him off. "Sasuke, look at yourself. Do you have even a shred of the bearing expected of the Uchiha Clan's second young master?"
Fugaku Uchiha's voice was cold and stern. His face returned to its usual icy expression, exuding an awe-inspiring authority.
The sudden rebuke startled everyone present. Aside from Sasuke Uchiha, who had been frightened into momentary confusion, everyone else had long understood the clan head's temperament and naturally had no intention of exposing him.
After all, this was the only place where a man approaching middle age could preserve some dignity before his youngest son.
Hearing his father say that, Sasuke quickly calmed down and matter-of-factly recounted what he had seen and heard.
"Two Uchiha Clan members from the Konoha Military Police Force have gone missing."
At first, Fugaku Uchiha did not react to Sasuke's words and merely lowered his eyes in thought.
Then, in the next instant, Fugaku Uchiha exploded.
"What did you say?"
"Two members of the Konoha Military Police Force disappeared from within the force!"
The Naka River Shrine, which had only just quieted down, immediately erupted