Chapter 112: Let the Bullet Fly a Little Longer!
Seeing her usually gentle and tolerant husband in such a furious, almost out-of-control state right now, Mikoto felt a pang of heartache.
She had originally planned to tell Fugaku everything about her earlier conversation with Oborotsuki.
But seeing him this angry—teetering on the edge of losing control—she hesitated.
What if she told him and, in a fit of rage, Fugaku stormed off to confront Danzō or even the Third Hokage? What then?
Wouldn't that only make the Uchiha clan's already strained relationship with Konoha even worse?
After thinking it over many times, Mikoto ultimately decided against it.
She resolved to wait for a better moment later to tell Fugaku everything.
"Calm down first, Fugaku."
"Our Uchiha clan is innocent. The whole ninja world knows that. I believe the truth will come out someday."
"But right now, what exactly does the village demand we do about this?"
Mikoto gently soothed her husband's emotions and asked in a low voice.
Fugaku looked even more troubled.
He lifted his head and met his wife's gaze, shaking his head bitterly:
"Although the Third Hokage didn't say it outright, the two advisors have already made their demand clear."
"They're giving our Uchiha clan three days to provide a reasonable explanation."
"The Land of Wind's demand is that Konoha compensate Sunagakure for all their losses—and of course, they're pinning the bill on our Uchiha clan!"
"The entire village was nearly destroyed. The villagers are displaced. Rebuilding Sunagakure will cost a fortune! This alone could completely bankrupt the Uchiha clan…"
"What's even more infuriating is that Sunagakure is also demanding we hand over the culprit and return the One-Tail Shukaku!"
"Where are we supposed to find a tailed beast for them?!"
At this moment, Fugaku looked like a wronged child pouring out his grievances to his mother.
After hearing everything, Mikoto's brows furrowed tightly.
She still tried to comfort her husband in her gentle, understanding way.
But she no longer knew what to say.
If relations between nations were mishandled, it would inevitably lead to a major crisis.
Once conflict erupted, it would mean a new war.
No one could bear such consequences.
After all, the Five Great Ninja Villages had only recently endured the brutal Third Great Ninja War. Each had suffered heavy losses.
Right now was the time for recovery. No matter which village's leadership it was, none wanted to start another conflict under these circumstances.
Moreover, Konoha itself had only recently suffered the Nine-Tails attack and was still far from recovered.
Given all this, Konoha's leadership would never choose to go to war with Sunagakure just to protect the Uchiha clan.
Their demand that Fugaku provide a satisfactory answer within three days was clearly putting the Uchiha clan on the fire to be roasted.
They were obviously planning to sacrifice the Uchiha to save Konoha…
Faced with such a thorny problem, as a woman she could do nothing.
At this moment, the image of Oborotsuki unconsciously surfaced in Mikoto's mind.
She also remembered the first option he had mentioned earlier.
The entire Uchiha clan defects—abandoning all their assets, leaving Konoha, and relocating as a whole to Kirigakure in the Land of Water.
Once there, no one would pressure them anymore.
No one would target them, use them as scapegoats…
Thinking of this, Mikoto began to waver.
She was considering whether to tell Fugaku about it.
But at that moment, Fugaku suddenly stood up and took a deep breath:
"I'm going out."
"Where are you going?"
Seeing her husband stand up silently and head straight for the door, Mikoto grew worried.
"Don't worry, Mikoto."
"Just take care of Sasuke at home. I'll be back soon!"
With that, Fugaku strode out of the courtyard.
"Who exactly is the bastard behind all this, constantly impersonating our Uchiha clan and causing trouble…?"
"Why is he targeting us so relentlessly?"
Mikoto furrowed her brows tightly, her face full of worry.
…
After leaving the Uchiha compound, Oborotsuki didn't immediately return to Kirigakure.
Right now, he stood on a mountain outside Konoha, calmly watching the envoys from Sunagakure down below.
These envoys had obviously come to demand an explanation.
After such a massive incident in Sunagakure—the One-Tail Shukaku abducted, the village nearly destroyed—all evidence pointed to Konoha's Uchiha clan.
Under these circumstances, the Uchiha clan's situation was obvious.
"Things are moving even faster than I expected. Obito probably didn't realize just how much trouble he's caused the Uchiha clan…"
Oborotsuki thought with amusement. His figure swiftly merged into a tree and disappeared.
He decided to let the bullet fly a little longer.
When the time was right, he would return and slowly clean up the mess.
…
Kirigakure, Mizukage's office.
"You couldn't even catch up with her…?"
Terumī Mei looked at the grinning Oborotsuki with some skepticism.
But at that moment, Oborotsuki had already walked over and handed her a cup of hot tea:
"Here—I picked this up on the way back. Drink it while it's hot. It won't taste good once it cools."
"No time."
Terumī Mei helplessly shook her head, casually taking the tea and placing it on the table. She muttered to herself:
"Konoha really can't be underestimated."
"But never mind. Since you said the prisoner didn't obtain any intelligence, there's no need to worry about her anymore!"
With that, Terumī Mei pulled out a document.
Their number-one enemy right now was Akatsuki.
The Four-Tails and Five-Tails—two massive problems—were right outside the village. Akatsuki would definitely come to reclaim them.
At a time like this, there was no need to waste energy on less important matters.
"What's this?"
Seeing Terumī Mei produce a document, Oborotsuki looked at her curiously.
"Latest ANBU intelligence report."
"You already know about Iwagakure being attacked and their tailed beasts stolen, but…"
"It seems Akatsuki has also taken action in Kumogakure!"
"According to the spy we have in Kumogakure, just a few days ago, the Two-Tails jinchūriki disappeared!"
Terumī Mei said, handing the document to him.
"There were almost no signs of struggle at the scene, but the food in the house hadn't been touched, indicating the Two-Tails jinchūriki was just about to eat when it happened…"
"Someone who could abduct a jinchūriki so cleanly and quietly—only Akatsuki has that kind of capability!"
Terumī Mei analyzed gravely.
Hearing her words, Oborotsuki gave a strange nod:
"You're right."
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