Outside the Uchiha Clan compound, members of the Anbu and Root slowly approached.
But the moment they reached the gates, the Uchiha clansmen and civilian shinobi greeted them with disdain.
"What are the Anbu and Root doing here at a time like this? Don't tell me they're here to cause trouble?"
"Cause trouble? Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Don't you know? Before the Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself, he personally acknowledged our Uchiha Clan!"
"Exactly! And Lord Senju Ye, the First's student, praised the Uchiha for our bravery this time. He even entrusted our little hero Naruto to the clan head! What an honor!"
"That's right. The Uchiha really are the village's greatest clan, no matter how many years pass!"
"..."
Hearing the surrounding Uchiha clansmen and civilians talking, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō both looked grim.
Shimura Danzō, in particular, shot Hiruzen Sarutobi a vicious glare and snapped under his breath.
"Hiruzen, I told you long ago that the evil Uchiha Clan was an uncontrollable force. They're ambitious, their intentions are treacherous, and we should have brought them firmly under our control sooner."
"But you never believed me. Just look at how much support the Uchiha Clan has now!"
"..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi simply ignored Shimura Danzō's complaints.
Looking at the gates before him, he took a deep drag on his pipe and spoke in a low voice.
"Things have already come to this. Talking about it won't accomplish anything. Our priority now is to regain custody of Naruto."
"Hmph! You don't have to tell me that!"
Shimura Danzō flung out his arm, then strode forward with his Root members.
But just as they were about to enter the gates, two Uchiha guards whose wounds were being bandaged by civilians stopped them.
"Please halt! This is the Uchiha compound. Without orders from the clan head or Lord Hokage, no one may enter without permission!"
"You two..."
They were merely two wounded Uchiha shinobi, yet they actually dared to block his path.
Shimura Danzō's temper flared. His hand tightened on his sword hilt, his knuckles cracking.
"The Hokage? The Fourth Hokage is dead. Right now, the Anbu and Root hold the highest authority in Konoha!"
"Are you sure you want to stand in our way?"
Yet despite Shimura Danzō's threats, the two Uchiha guards stood their ground, even with their severe injuries.
"Heh. Where was Root when we Uchiha were risking our lives against the Nine-Tails?"
"Exactly. Now that the Nine-Tails has been sealed again, you come strutting out? If you want to fight, then fight. We're not even afraid of death. Why would we fear cowards like you?"
The two Uchiha guards shouted without restraint, making all the civilians who had voluntarily stayed turn toward Shimura Danzō, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and their men.
Their eyes were filled with accusation and doubt.
"That's right. When danger strikes, you're nowhere to be seen. Once it's gone, you start throwing your weight around. Is this what the Anbu and Root have become?"
"Shh! Do you have a death wish, saying that right in front of the Third?"
"I'll say what I want! What's he going to do, kill me? My parents died on the battlefield. If the Anbu and Root had come to help, they wouldn't have died!"
"..."
Shimura Danzō had been ready to force his way in, but his expression darkened as he saw the crowd getting worked up.
Keeping his eyes on the Uchiha, he retreated to Hiruzen Sarutobi's side.
"Hiruzen, what do we do now? The Uchiha aren't falling for our old tactics anymore!"
So you do realize the Uchiha aren't the same as before?
Then what were you doing earlier?
Shimura Danzō had stirred up the Uchiha's anger and was now asking him what to do. It gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a terrible headache.
But control over the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was at stake. However helpless he felt, he had no choice but to step forward.
Tap, tap.
"You two, please inform your clan head that I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, have something important to discuss with him."
After saying this, Hiruzen Sarutobi adopted a worried expression. He deliberately raised his left hand, which he had bandaged beforehand, and sighed.
"There is certainly more to the Nine-Tails breaking free of its seal than meets the eye. I must see him as soon as possible."
"The culprit is still lurking in the shadows. I've fought him before, so I have experience. I'm willing to share my intelligence with your clan head unconditionally, to keep him from falling victim to the culprit."
"...All right."
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's deeply troubled expression, the two Uchiha guards exchanged a glance and finally sent someone to pass along his message.
After all, their clan head's safety was involved. They had to be cautious.
"Third Hokage, please wait here for a moment. We're only doing our duty, so we can't make too many exceptions for you."
"I understand, I understand. You're all fine shinobi. With people like you in Konoha, our village is sure to grow more peaceful and stronger."
"Thank you, Third Hokage!"
After using his acting skills to fool the two Uchiha guards, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to glance at Shimura Danzō.
Shimura Danzō merely snorted, then turned his head away without a word.
Old fox!
What an act!
A short while later, Uchiha Fugaku arrived at the gates with both hands and his neck covered in bandages, accompanied by two elders with their three-tomoe eyes activated.
"Clan Head!"
"Lord Fugaku!"
At the sight of Uchiha Fugaku, all the Uchiha clansmen present bowed their heads.
Even the Konoha civilians looked at him with gratitude.
"Look at him. Even as the head of a clan, Lord Fugaku led from the front. He nearly didn't make it back after saving us this time. He's far better than certain people who only know how to threaten us."
"Exactly, exactly..."
Hearing their words, Shimura Danzō's face turned livid, but he restrained himself and did not lash out.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi quietly lowered his bandaged arm.
He had never expected Uchiha Fugaku to have not only gone to the battlefield, but stood on the front lines.
Looking at Uchiha Fugaku's wounds, with blood already seeping through the bandages, his own paltry bandaging was nothing by comparison.
"Ahem. Well, Fugaku, are you all right?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke as he approached, his face full of concern.
"Third, thanks to your help, I barely managed to escape with my life."
"Ah, that's good. That's good."
Uchiha Fugaku's answer left Hiruzen Sarutobi deeply embarrassed.
Thanks to me?
Uh, I don't think I did anything.
If I had to name something, it would be leaving the Uchiha Clan to fight alone...
Clearly, although Uchiha Fugaku did not say it outright, he was deeply unhappy with what Hiruzen Sarutobi had done this time.
Hadn't he noticed? Fugaku no longer addressed him respectfully as "Third Hokage," but simply as "Third."
"Ahem..."
Even though he knew how awkward his position was, Hiruzen Sarutobi still forced himself to continue.
After all, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki absolutely could not fall into the Uchiha Clan's hands!
"By the way, Fugaku, how is Naruto doing? I'd like to see the child. You..."
Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could finish, the two elders beside Uchiha Fugaku blocked his way.
"Fugaku?"
"I'm sorry, but Naruto has already fallen asleep with my younger son, Sasuke."
"That's fine. I'll just go in and take a look."
"He really is asleep, Third. If you truly want to see Naruto, come back tomorrow."
At this point, Uchiha Fugaku added with a serious expression.
"If you really don't believe me, call out to him now and see whether he answers."
"..."
Before you continue