"The Nine-Tails' Summoning Contract was forced on it by Madara Uchiha through Genjutsu."
"When Madara Uchiha left Konoha, he took the contract with him. The Uchiha Clan doesn't have it."
Kazan continued, explaining what had happened.
He wanted to prove the Uchiha Clan had nothing to do with the Nine-Tails' rampage.
"What if they were working together?"
"Isn't it possible the Uchiha Clan already found that Summoning Scroll? Jing Uchiha's file clearly says he grew up among the Uchiha."
Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga Clan, stared at Uchiha Fugaku.
The two clans had never gotten along. Both wanted to be Konoha's foremost clan, so neither would pass up a chance to attack the other.
"Jing Uchiha was declared a rogue ninja long ago," Uchiha Fugaku argued. "He never returned to Konoha after the battle against the Mist Ninja, and he's had no contact with us. He's no longer one of the Uchiha."
He hurried to sever every tie with Jing Uchiha. He could not let the charge of controlling the Nine-Tails stick.
"I can vouch for that too. I was there."
Kazan spoke again, briefly recounting how Jing Uchiha had watched his younger sister die before his eyes, then awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Hyuga Hiashi fell silent this time.
With Kazan vouching for the Uchiha Clan and standing firmly behind them, what could he say?
Still, he felt a growing sense of urgency. Kazan was widely regarded as the leading candidate to become Konoha's future Fifth Hokage.
With Kazan so close to the Uchiha Clan, the Hyuga Clan might end up beneath them one day.
That was not good news!
Hyuga Hiashi glanced discreetly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The latter showed no intention of intervening. Had the Third Hokage truly grown old enough to relinquish power completely?
Hiruzen Sarutobi was