The Meeting Begins!

In the quiet hospital room, Mikoto stood alone by the window, a sense of indescribable anxiety rising in her heart.

Her brows furrowed slightly, her eyes revealing worry and unease. She wondered how her husband was doing.

Outside the window, the rain poured down, violently pounding against the glass with a crisp sound. Raindrops fell like pearls, forming curtains of water that blurred the outside world into a hazy mess.

Mikoto quickly closed the window, muttering, "How come the weather changed so quickly when it was just fine a moment ago?!"

Koki, who was lying comfortably in bed, smiled slightly as she watched Mikoto's busy figure.

He said softly, "Mom, you don't need to come Tenten. There are so many people here, and besides, there are nurses here. We can just buy some food."

Upon hearing her son's words, Mikoto covered her mouth and smiled. Her smile was as gentle as a spring breeze, easily dispelling the gloom and oppression in the ward.

She sat down by the bed, gently stroking Koki's hair, her eyes filled with love. "If you don't come, your brother will go crazy."

Upon Koki turned his head and looked at Itachi, who was gently massaging his arm beside him.

Itachi's small hands moved gently and carefully, as if afraid of hurting his brother.

Koki tenderly stroked his hair, her eyes filled with affection, as if she wanted to pass on all her love to the small figure before her.

Itachi tilted his head back, his clear, lake-like eyes fixed on the needle marks on his brother's arm, his voice tinged with heartache. "Brother, does it still hurt?"

Koki her adorable younger brother, a slight smile playing on her lips. She gently shook her head and whispered, "It doesn't hurt. With Itachi here, I don't feel any pain at all."

"That's good!" Itachi said earnestly, his brows furrowed slightly, as if taking care of his brother was his most important mission at that moment.

Mikoto walked to the bedside, gently stroking the heads of her two children, her eyes filled with tenderness. "You are both my precious babies."

Koki smiled and slowly sat up, leaning against the hospital bed. He looked intently at Obito, who was peeling an apple for him, and Shisui, who was instructing Obito.

Koki suddenly spoke, her voice tinged with hesitation. "But, is it really okay if you don't have to go to school?"

Obito paused for a moment while peeling the fruit, a self-deprecating smile flitting across his lips. Seemingly recalling his school days, he lowered his head, sighed softly, and muttered to himself, "It's alright if someone like me, a complete loser, doesn't go."

There was an unspeakable sense of desolation hidden in his words.

Upon Koki frowned, glared at Obito, and said seriously, "Don't say that, Obito-nii, you have the Sharingan now!"

Obito taken aback by Koki, then a slight smile appeared on his face. He nodded gently, as if making a decision in his heart, and said softly, "Yes, I understand."

Shisui stared intently at the apple in Obito's hand, worried that he might not peel it properly.

"I've learned everything taught at school, so it's okay if I don't go for a few days. We'll talk about it when you're healed and come home."

Well, he asked Shisui unnecessarily; he's really a top student.

Koki watched the two of them, Obito's movements as Obito peeled the apple became even more focused, as if he wanted to pour all his care into the apple. Shisui, on the other hand, remained as mature and composed as ever, making people feel at ease.

Obito finally finished peeling the apple, cut it into small pieces, and handed it to Koki, saying, "It's ready, eat up."

"So sweet!" Koki took the apple, took a bite, his eyes lit up, and the sweet taste spread in his mouth, making him smile happily.

The torrential rain outside continued to rage, the raindrops pattering against the windowpane, but the warmth inside the ward remained undiminished.

This overflowing love permeates this small space, shutting out all the storms and hardships from the outside world.

Time passed quietly, Koki slowly closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Mikoto gently pulled the blanket up for Koki, then sat beside him, quietly watching over him.

Itachi sat quietly on the edge of the bed, his little hand tightly holding his brother's hand, unwilling to let go.

The only sound in the ward was Koki's even breathing. This deep love grew even stronger in the stillness, like the endless rain outside the window, fine and dense, never ceasing.

In the solemn conference room of the Hokage Building, a suffocating atmosphere permeated the air.

In stark contrast to the warm and tranquil atmosphere of Koki's hospital room, this seemed to be a completely different world.

Heavy curtains hung on the walls of the conference room, completely blocking out the outside light. Only a few dim lights shone down from the ceiling, barely illuminating the enclosed space.

When Fugaku led Yashiro into the conference room, everyone's eyes immediately focused on the two of them, their gazes filled with scrutiny, doubt, and even a hint of excitement as if they were watching a spectacle.

Fugaku, however, seemed oblivious to the strange looks he was receiving, maintaining his composure and calm demeanor.

At the very front was the area reserved for Konoha High Command officials, where four chairs were neatly arranged, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, as always, sat firmly in his familiar spot.

However, the companions sitting beside him now are no longer his former friends; instead, they are Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Torifu Akimichi.

In the center of the spacious and bright conference room, the conference table that was originally there has disappeared, replaced by rows of neatly arranged chairs.

Uchiha Fugaku stood tall and proud, his steps firm, his eyes fixed straight ahead, ignoring the piercing stares directed at him from all sides. He walked straight to the front row of seats and sat down without hesitation.

Opposite him stood the Third Hokage — Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat there quietly, his expression unusually serious. His gaze, sharp as a hawk's, was fixed on Uchiha Fugaku, as if issuing a silent warning to him.

Uchiha Fugaku's attitude towards Hiruzen Sarutobi had changed significantly compared to the past. He was no longer as respectful and submissive as before, but instead met Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze without fear.

Their gazes met in mid-air, as if sparks flew, filling the entire conference room with a tense atmosphere.

As time went on, more and more people filled the meeting room, but no one dared to break the silent stalemate.

Hyuga Hiashi, Shikaku Nara, Tsume Inuzuka, Akimichi Chōza, Inoichi Yamanaka... the heads of various clans, large and small, arrived one after another.

Finally, when all the clan leaders had arrived, Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Torifu Akimichi, slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, cleared his throat, and announced, "The meeting officially begins!"

In the conference room, Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice boomed like thunder; he was prepared to face Fugaku's wrath.

Surprisingly, Fugaku calmly closed his eyes, as if he hadn't heard the Third Hokage's words.

This put Hiruzen Sarutobi in an awkward position, unsure of what to do.

As the party that stormed the Hokage Building and caused the incident, the Uchiha Clan remained silent, and the Hokage naturally did not provoke them.

The atmosphere in the spacious conference room was so heavy that it was almost suffocating.

Torifu Akimichi glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose pale face seemed to bear a heavy burden.

His gaze then shifted to Fugaku, who had his arms crossed and eyes closed. Fugaku's tightly closed eyes and taut lips revealed a sense of anger.

Torifu Akimichi sighed and slowly began to speak, "Let me tell you. A few days ago, Fugaku clan chief's child Uchiha Kōki, was assassinated and seriously injured."

"Two days ago, we discovered that Shimura Danzō had been assassinated at Root's base and his death has been confirmed."

Torifu Akimichi's words caused a slight commotion, and everyone's expressions grew increasingly serious.

"And these past few days, there have been all sorts of rumors circulating in the village."

"In response to these situations, we will convene a meeting of clan leaders and invite everyone to discuss them together."