Conflict: The Uchiha and Konoha's Higher-Ups

At this moment, the air outside the Uchiha Clan Compound was thick with tension.

Uchiha Fugaku stood not far from the compound, his gaze sharp as an eagle's as he faced off against Shimura Danzo.

Behind him, several elite Uchiha Clan ninja had gathered together. Each had activated their Three-Tomoe Sharingan, their eyes resolute and vigilant, as though ready to answer the call to battle at any moment.

Behind Shimura Danzo stood several Root ninja. The dog-faced masks they wore looked sinister and cold, their auras restrained as if they could pounce upon the Uchiha Clan at any time.

Danzō's voice was cold and threatening. "Hmph! Uchiha Fugaku, such powerful chakra fluctuations suddenly erupted from your Uchiha Clan Compound. You are clearly plotting against Konoha in secret. I have the right to search this place!"

Fugaku's gaze turned icy at once, and his Mangekyo Sharingan instantly activated. His presence surged sharply as he spoke with unquestionable resolve. "Shimura Danzo, the Uchiha Clan has long withdrawn from public life. We would never do anything to harm Konoha. Leave immediately! If you insist on forcing your way into Uchiha territory, then do not blame us for acting in self-defense!"

The air was charged with tension, ready to explode at the slightest spark. The surrounding ninja held their breath and watched, waiting for the conflict that could erupt at any moment.

Shimura Danzo's eyes blazed as his voice carried an indisputable threat. "Uchiha Fugaku, do you dare openly defy the village's will?"

Uchiha Fugaku dismissed him with a cold laugh. "Hmph! Shimura Danzo, do you think you can represent the entire village? Aren't you a little too full of yourself? If you dare take even one step into Uchiha territory today, then prepare for the complete destruction of your Root!"

Shimura Danzo burned with rage, his expression dark. "You dare threaten me! Not only does your Uchiha Clan refuse to serve the village wholeheartedly, you are even causing trouble here. In my view, you are nothing but a malignant tumor within Konoha!"

Just as the atmosphere reached a breaking point, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice boomed from the distance like thunder. "Shimura Danzo, shut your mouth!"

Everyone turned to look, only to see Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly emerge from the shadows. His imposing figure appeared especially resolute beneath the moonlight.

At the sight of this, Uchiha Fugaku let out a breath of relief and hurriedly said, "Third Hokage, your arrival is timely! Shimura Danzo wants to search the Uchiha Clan Compound for no reason at all. The Uchiha are now merely a civilian clan, and we have not violated any of the village's taboos! We have always obeyed the law..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly and replied firmly, "Shimura Danzo, take your men and return immediately. I will handle this matter!"

Though Shimura Danzo was filled with unwillingness, he could not suppress his anger. "But... this powerful chakra, if left unchecked, will certainly threaten the village's safety!"

Watching the two play good cop and bad cop, Uchiha Fugaku found it somewhat amusing. He was no fool. How could he not know what kind of people Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzo were?

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply and asked in a low voice, "Fugaku, what exactly happened to the Uchiha Clan? Why did such powerful chakra fluctuations erupt? Please explain in detail."

Uchiha Fugaku shook his head slightly, his expression complicated.

The incident had happened too suddenly. He did not know where that immense chakra had come from either. He answered honestly, "I do not know. Please leave."

Those words were undoubtedly an order for the Third Hokage and Danzō to leave.

Shimura Danzo's rage flared, his voice stern and ruthless. "Uchiha Fugaku, what scheme are you plotting? Speak honestly, now! Otherwise, do not blame me for showing you no mercy!"

In the face of Danzō's threat, Uchiha Fugaku narrowed his eyes slightly, a trace of coldness shining within them. He said icily, "In that case... Uchiha clansmen, heed my command! From this moment onward, any outsider who dares step into the Uchiha Clan Compound—kill on sight, without mercy!"

His words rang out like thunder. In the next instant, intense fighting intent erupted behind him, sweeping forth like a gale.

Countless members of the Uchiha Clan appeared one after another. Though they wore no ninja forehead protectors, every one of them displayed the chakra of a Chunin or even a Jonin.

This was the Uchiha Clan's confidence and pride. As one of Konoha's great clans, how could the Uchiha Clan allow itself to be trampled upon at will?

Witnessing this scene, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and slowly said, "Fugaku, we have no intention of making things difficult for the Uchiha Clan. We merely wish to understand what happened." Though his tone was calm, the urgency within it could not be concealed.

Uchiha Fugaku paused slightly, then waved his hand in signal and said coldly, "Return to the clan."

He no longer wanted to say another word to the Third Hokage or Shimura Danzo.

Something happened to my clan. What does that have to do with you, Hokage?

And what does it have to do with you, the leader of Root?

Don't you just want to find an opportunity to weaken the Uchiha Clan?

Don't you just want to suppress the Uchiha Clan?

Uchiha Fugaku understood this perfectly. Therefore, he did not wish to say more. He returned directly, and the entire clan went on alert.

Send one person, and I'll kill one person. Send ten people, and I'll kill ten people. Send a hundred people, and I'll kill a hundred people!

This decision had originally been proposed by Uchiha Feng.

Uchiha Feng had studied the Third Hokage thoroughly. He was indecisive in his actions and had too many concerns. He would absolutely not dare move openly against the Uchiha Clan. At most, he would use Shimura Danzo to stir up minor trouble in secret.

Some time later, a trace of tension permeated the quiet atmosphere inside Uchiha Feng's room.

Uchiha Mikoto sat beside the bed, her face filled with worry. Her gaze was like a deep lake, calm on the surface yet full of hidden unease, and she occasionally glanced at her sleeping son.

Whenever she thought of Feng's childish face and the laughter they had once shared, a wave of sorrow rose in her heart.

Uchiha Fugaku stood beside her and comforted her. "Don't worry. He will definitely be all right!"

His voice was low and firm, but a faint, barely perceptible worry lingered in his eyes, as though he was anxious about the unknown that lay ahead.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi's expression was especially grave. His brows were slightly furrowed, as though he were contemplating something.

Uchiha Mikoto sighed softly and said, "Could it be that what I said made Feng resist?"

"After all... he is only twelve. We cannot force him." Her words carried helplessness and heartache, as though she felt guilty for what she had said.

She knew well that a child's heart was like a young sapling, easily wounded and unable to bear too much pressure. A gentle breeze passed outside the window, bringing a faint chill, as though it too were responding to her worries.