"Since Clan Head Sangaku has promised to resign if he fails to investigate clearly, this shows he isn't the type of person who would limitlessly yield to Konoha just to keep his position."
"What if it really is a conspiracy by other ninja villages?"
Sangaku Uchiha, using his position as Clan Head as collateral, managed to quell the immediate unrest.
Rasa's face turned grim.
If the Uchiha issue was smoothed over, it meant no internal strife in Konoha. Without internal strife, the Konoha ninja stationed on the Wind border would inevitably make their move against the Sand.
That was exactly why they were stationed there.
"This Sangaku Uchiha... it seems he knows about Konoha's plans for the Sand."
"Otherwise, he wouldn't have emphasized waiting 'just for this period.'"
"Everyone is eyeing my Hidden Sand Village like hungry wolves, wanting to eat our flesh and drink our blood, huh?"
Rasa turned and left the meeting hall along with the angry faction of the Uchiha.
"Then I'll proceed according to my plan."
Back in his study, Sangaku Uchiha breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
"Finally, barely managed to calm things down."
Fugaku Uchiha couldn't help but ask.
"Father, if those things are true, is what we're doing... wrong?"
"Wrong?"
Sangaku glanced at Fugaku.
"Then what would you have me do?"
"Take a rumor about Elder Kagami and interrogate the Hokage?"
"Make Konoha admit that someone sold out an Uchiha ninja?"
"Use the entire Uchiha clan's strength to pressure the village?"
Fugaku was stunned.
Sangaku continued.
"Regardless of whether those things are true or false, handling it this way is the best outcome for the Uchiha."
"If we did what the radicals wanted, internal strife would inevitably erupt. Where would the Uchiha go then?"
"Who could bear the responsibility for that?"
"Smoothing it over is the only way. As for the aftermath... if those things are true, I will find a way to use that leverage to win back the benefits the clan deserves."
"Even if it's true, we absolutely cannot tear off the mask of civility with Konoha. That would leave no room for maneuver."
"Besides."
"Do you know that Konoha is currently facing a huge opportunity?"
Fugaku shook his head.
Sangaku explained.
"The Hidden Sand rejected the Mist's peace terms, and the Mist has launched a fierce assault. This time, Konoha has a perfect opportunity to get a slice of the pie."
"That will be a massive profit, and we Uchiha can benefit from it as well."
"Go back and rest, Fugaku. You haven't slept since yesterday."
Fugaku stood up and walked out.
A short while later, he returned to his own courtyard.
A figure came out to greet him. It was his wife, Mikoto Uchiha. At the door, a three-year-old boy looked up.
"Good morning, Father."
Fugaku nodded slightly.
"Good morning, Itachi."
Then he looked at Mikoto.
"Mikoto, prepare a change of clothes for me. I'll take a bath before sleeping."
"Alright."
Fugaku lay in bed, the doors and windows tightly shut.
Even though he hadn't slept in over a day, he still couldn't find rest.
His eyes were wide open, filled with confusion.
"Father means that even if those things are true, they absolutely cannot be made public. Otherwise, it would mean breaking all ties with Konoha and triggering a civil war, a result the Uchiha cannot bear."
"But what is the point of just clawing back some benefits after the fact?"
"Where is the justice in that?"
"Because we are afraid, we keep compromising?"
"What if Konoha becomes even more excessive in the future?"
"Must the Uchiha always retreat? Always let Konoha bully us, then get a few scraps of compensation and pat ourselves on the back, thinking the problem is solved?"
"Is Father really doing this for the sake of the Uchiha clan?"
"Or is he, as those people say, doing it for his position as Clan Head?"
Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to the ANBU report and breathed a sigh of relief.
"I didn't expect Sangaku Uchiha to possess some Will of Fire. To guarantee peace with his position as Clan Head... he stopped the situation from spiraling into the worst-case scenario."
"In that case, we can make our move on the Hidden Sand."
But just as Hiruzen was preparing to issue the order.
Suddenly.
A loud voice boomed in front of the Hokage Building.
"Lord Hokage! I am Dou Uchiha! I have a few questions, and I hope Lord Hokage can enlighten me!"
"First: The Cloud ninja's suicide note claims Elder Kagami was sold out by you and the Second Hokage. I want to know if this is true! How exactly did Elder Kagami die back then?!"
"When?!"
"At whose hands?!"
"Where?!"
"Second: Uchiha Den and Uchiha Ki were betrayed by their teammates on the battlefield. How will such actions be punished? When will Konoha give them justice?!"
"Why has no investigation been conducted even now?!"
"And one more thing."
"Are we Uchiha considered members of Konoha or not?!"
The eyes of everyone in the vicinity snapped toward the source of the voice.
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen's face instantly went dark. He glared at the ANBU ninja opposite him.
"This is what you call 'Sangaku Uchiha has settled the matter'?"
The ANBU lowered his head, daring not to speak.
Hiruzen's mind raced, trying to figure out how to respond to minimize the fallout.
But he couldn't come up with an immediate solution.
"Have Sangaku Uchiha send someone to take him away first!"
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
The ANBU ninja who had been approaching the scene retreated.
Another ANBU sped toward the Uchiha compound.
"Senior Sangaku..."
Sangaku Uchiha's face changed instantly upon hearing the news.
"This Dou Uchiha!"
Sangaku cursed in rage.
"Going to the Hokage Building and questioning the Hokage in front of so many people? Is he insane?! If he wants to go crazy, fine, but why drag the entire Uchiha clan down with him?!"
"How am I supposed to clean up this mess?!"
Soon, two Uchiha ninja arrived in front of the Hokage Building.
"Dou Uchiha, by order of the Clan Head, we are taking you back to the compound."
Rasa didn't resist. This was exactly what he wanted.
Step one was complete. Step two needed to be executed inside the Uchiha compound.
"Lord Hokage, Dou Uchiha has been taken away."
Hiruzen nodded, but his brow remained furrowed.
He had been about to order Shinku Yuhi to attack the Sand, but this interruption made him hesitate again.
Just then.
A figure burst into the Hokage's office.
"Hiruzen! These Uchiha have gone too far! Spouting nonsense right in front of the Hokage Building? Such audacity! Let me handle this matter. What do you say?"