Bang!
"Enough!!!"
Seeing that the two men were about to come to blows in the Meeting Room, Orochimaru, who had sat silently between them all this time, could no longer sit still. He slammed his palm on the table, stopping them before they could act.
The thunderous noise also drew everyone's attention.
Orochimaru found this deeply irritating. He was sitting right here as Konoha's Fourth Hokage, yet these two dared to argue like this in front of him. They clearly had no respect for him.
It seemed his constant focus on the Laboratory had led them to believe he was easy to push around.
"What do you think this place is, making all that racket? A marketplace?"
The sudden fury of Orochimaru, the Cold Lord who usually stayed out of worldly affairs, truly startled everyone.
"This matter ends here. Chihane, list Makoto Uchiha as an S-rank Rogue Ninja. Elder Fugaku, you are also at fault for failing to discipline your student. Your punishment is forfeiting three years of income."
After a moment's consideration, Orochimaru announced his ruling to everyone. Then he deliberately fixed his gaze on Hiruzen Sarutobi and asked, "Does anyone object to this decision?"
Although Orochimaru's fury had intimidated many of those present, Hiruzen Sarutobi was clearly not among them.
"Orochimaru, we haven't gotten to the bottom of this yet. If Uchiha Fugaku really orchestrated everything, letting him off this time could have unimaginable consequences. We would be planting a ticking time bomb in the village."
When the Jonin seated below saw Hiruzen Sarutobi continuing to argue with Orochimaru, they all focused their attention on them.
Orochimaru had already made his position clear: he intended to protect Uchiha Fugaku. For Hiruzen Sarutobi to keep contradicting him was an open declaration of war.
This was apparently their second confrontation.