Setting aside Hiruzen Sarutobi's self-doubt and the two Hokage Advisors with their own ulterior motives...
At this moment, Minato Namikaze had already issued a death sentence for Danzo Shimura in his heart.
For Minato Namikaze, who had aspired to be Hokage since childhood and was devoted to protecting Konoha Village...
Everything Danzo Shimura had done was challenging Minato Namikaze's bottom line.
Having made up his mind, Minato Namikaze spoke to Nara Shikaku:
"Shikaku, let's look at the next question."
"Yes!"
Nara Shikaku nodded and said to Ye Chen:
"Sir, please present the next question."
"Alright, then please look at the second question!"
Ye Chen waved his hand. The light points forming the image scattered once more, coalescing to reveal the second question:
[Question Two: Which of the following options is NOT a reason for the Uchiha Clan's coup?]
A: The villagers' hostility
B: Suppression by the Hokage's faction
C: Rumors spread by Danzo Shimura
D: Instigation by other ninja Villages
"It should be D, right? Even I don't like those Uchiha guys, but they definitely wouldn't collude with outsiders."
Seeing the question, Jiraiya instinctively voiced his judgment.
From his perspective, the proud Uchiha Clan, though not united with the Village, had never betrayed it.
Let alone conspiring with other ninja Villages to launch a coup and overthrow Konoha.
No matter how you thought about it, it was impossible to associate such a plot with the Uchiha Clan.
After all, the Uchiha Clan was one of the two great Ninja Clans that founded Konoha.
Who would collude with outsiders to destroy their own home?
The moment he finished speaking, Jiraiya felt a pang of regret. He sneakily glanced at Tsunade, ready to get hit at any moment.
But strangely, this time Tsunade didn't refute him. Instead, she silently lowered her head.
"I also think it should be D. Didn't the first question's footage clearly show us that the Village's higher-ups were forcing the Uchiha Clan into a coup?"
Kakashi Hatake spoke up at this point.
"You brat! Are you saying the Hokage suppressed the Uchiha Clan?"
With so many people in the Hokage Office right now, Homura Mitokado didn't dare to confront others, but you, Kakashi Hatake, jumping out—dare I not confront you?
However, his words had already tacitly acknowledged that Danzo Shimura spreading rumors and the villagers' hostility were indeed true.
"I have never suppressed the Uchiha Clan. I have always treated all Ninja Clans in the Village equally."
Hiruzen Sarutobi forced himself to perk up and defended himself.
"I disagree, Third Hokage-sama."
Nara Shikaku spoke up.
"What is your opinion, Shikaku?"
"Hasn't your Ino–Shika–Chō trio always received preferential treatment from the Village?"
Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu immediately chimed in.
"I'm just discussing the matter at hand."
Nara Shikaku calmly shook his head, completely ignoring the three old-timers' displeased expressions, and continued on his own:
"The Village's suppression of the Uchiha Clan has a long history."
"It began at least during the tenure of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju."
This statement drew dissatisfaction from the three disciples of Tobirama Senju present.
"You shut up! How dare you slander the Second Hokage-sama!"
"Shikaku, watch your words!"
"Lord Tobirama acted with honor and integrity. How could he possibly do something like suppressing his Village comrades!"
The three old-timers were fuming.
In contrast, the genuine Senju clan member, Tobirama Senju's granddaughter Tsunade Senju, remained silent and did not refute.
"Let Shikaku finish speaking."
Minato Namikaze spoke up to back his subordinate.
"I'm only stating what I know. Please don't be impatient, you three sirs."
With backing, Nara Shikaku became even calmer and continued unhurriedly:
"Back then, the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara had their decisive battle at the Valley of the End."
"Before departing, Uchiha Madara wanted to lead the Uchiha Clan away from Konoha Village, but the clan refused."
"Betrayed, Uchiha Madara was subsequently defeated by the First Hokage and died."
"Of course, during the first quiz, we learned that Uchiha Madara did not die but lingered for decades, brewing a new conspiracy."
Nara Shikaku spoke eloquently.
"After that, the First Hokage died a few years later, and the Second Hokage inherited the position."
"From then on, the policy of suppressing the Uchiha Clan began."
"First, the Konoha Military Police Force was handed over to the Uchiha Clan, making them grassroots law enforcers who directly clashed with villagers and bore their hatred."
"Then, the Uchiha Clan was excluded from high-level power. Even Tobirama's disciple, Uchiha Kagami, held no authority in the Hokage Building."
"Over the years, the Uchiha Clan was isolated from the Hokage's faction, cut off from any chance of wielding Village authority."
"Simultaneously, the duties of the Konoha Military Police Force made the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the villagers as incompatible as fire and water, preventing any reconciliation and deepening the rift."
"All of this was what the Second Hokage intended to achieve."
"I've heard from my clan's elders that the Second Hokage believed the Uchiha Clan was inherently an 'evil clan,' blatantly expressing his dissatisfaction with them."
"And this ideology was inherited by the Hokage and higher-ups of the Third Hokage's generation, passed down to this day."
Having said this, Nara Shikaku looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, whose faces were ashen, and smiled:
"Am I right, Third Hokage-sama?"
"What does this have to do with the Uchiha Clan's coup? Did we force them to stage a coup?"
Utatane Koharu simply began to quibble.
"When the Konoha Military Police Force was given to the Uchiha Clan, they happily accepted it. They brought this upon themselves!"
Homura Mitokado said coldly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face was taut as he stated indifferently:
"Lord Tobirama's will was to be wary of the terrible consequences the Uchiha Clan might cause."
"But he never actively struck against the Uchiha Clan, and neither have I."
Nara Shikaku shook his head and instead asked Minato Namikaze:
"Fourth Hokage-sama, should we reveal that piece of intelligence?"
"You're still withholding intelligence?"
"Shikaku, how dare you deceive the Village's higher-ups? What are your intentions?"
Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu were furious, each hurling accusations.
"Let me explain."
"I was the one who told Shikaku to withhold this intelligence."
Minato Namikaze took responsibility, immediately causing the two old-timers to fall silent.
"Previous Hokage-sama, I had my reasons for withholding this information."
Facing Hiruzen Sarutobi's displeased expression, Minato Namikaze smiled easily and said:
"In the intelligence we saw regarding the 'Nine-Tails Attack,' the information about Uchiha Madara being alive and manipulating Uchiha Obito to execute that 'eye of the moon plan' has already been disclosed to everyone."
"The only point withheld was that Uchiha Obito possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan."
"And the Mangekyo Sharingan is the key to controlling the Nine-Tails."
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