The forged list was sent back to Konoha on the third day.
It was tucked into a copy of a border Anbu intelligence report.
The paper bore traces of rainwater.
Its edges were worn.
It listed the code names, appearances, and contact locations of several suspected mercenary shinobi.
The most glaring entry was an old Uchiha name.
Uchiha Tsurumi.
He had been dead for many years.
He had died late in the Third Shinobi World War.
The clan had a record of his death.
Konoha had also confirmed it after the war.
But that name appearing on a list of border mercenaries was enough to tighten the atmosphere in the Hokage Building.
Mitokado Homura's first reaction was to look at Fugaku.
Fugaku did not lose his temper.
He simply asked, "What is the source of this list?"
The Anbu officer in charge answered, "A border informant passed it along."
Fugaku continued, "Who is the informant?"
"That cannot be disclosed at present."
"Then please have the Hokage confirm that the informant exists."
The Conference Room fell silent for a moment.
This had become the Uchiha's most consistent response.
They did not rush to deny anything.
They did not rush to prove their innocence.
They asked about the source first.
Danzo spoke. "An old Uchiha name appears on the list. Doesn't that warrant investigating the Uchiha internally first?"
Fugaku looked at him.
"It warrants investigation."
Danzo's gaze shifted slightly.
Fugaku continued, "But the order of investigation should be the list's source, its format, the authenticity of the names, its transmission route, and only then any connection to those responsible."
Once that sequence was laid out, Danzo's attempt to steer the discussion was shut down.
If they investigated the Uchiha internally first, the list became an accepted premise.
If they investigated the list