Chapter 66:
Inside the Hokage's office, sunlight filtered through the half-open blinds, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow on the floor.
Uchiha Fugaku sat behind the wide desk, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop.
His voice was low and restrained, as if he was trying hard to suppress some emotion: "Sanpō, you are the most outstanding genius of our Uchiha clan. I value you, which is why I promoted you to Chief of the Police Force despite the usual rules."
He slowly stood up, both hands pressing on the desk. His voice gradually turned cold.
"But your performance in today's meeting greatly disappointed me. Openly opposing me will only make others think there is discord within the Uchiha clan and weaken our authority."
Uchiha Fugaku (inner thought):I am the Hokage!
Uchiha Sanpō's expression remained calm. His black uniform made his tall figure look as straight and firm as a pine tree.
He looked directly into Uchiha Fugaku's eyes without the slightest sign of retreat: "I had reasons I had to oppose you."
Uchiha Fugaku's pupils contracted slightly. The veins on his forehead twitched faintly: "What reasons?"
Uchiha Sanpō's voice was calm and clear: "It was I who ordered Kakashi to assassinate Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. That's why I had to protect him."
The air instantly froze.
Uchiha Fugaku's face darkened dramatically. His fingers clenched tightly, causing the teacup on the table to jump.
Tea spilled onto the documents, spreading a dark stain.
His voice was almost squeezed out through gritted teeth: "You… said… what…?"
Uchiha Sanpō's expression remained calm: "I said Kakashi's actions were ordered by me."
But this calm response only made Uchiha Fugaku even more furious.
His breathing became noticeably heavier, his voice still trembling: "Why did you do this? And… for something this big… why didn't you discuss it with me beforehand?"
Uchiha Sanpō replied flatly: "Because I knew you wouldn't agree, so I could only act first and report later."
"You…!"
Uchiha Fugaku slammed the table hard. Documents scattered across the floor.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, but his eyes remained as sharp as blades: "Then tell me, why did you kill them?"
Uchiha Sanpō's gaze was sharp as a knife as he spoke slowly:
"First: Before the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha had 24,163 ninjas. Now there are only 6,652 left. A short-term reduction in missions will not affect the overall situation."
Uchiha Fugaku's brows furrowed even tighter. He suppressed his anger and did not interrupt.
"Second: I allowed the Sarutobi, Shimura, Koharu, and Mitokado clans to leave Konoha with their wealth because I wanted to create the reputation that 'Konoha treats ninja clans well.' With this reputation, we can easily recruit other ninja clans to join us and quickly restore our strength."
Uchiha Fugaku rubbed his forehead, seemingly considering the reasonableness of this point.
"Third: I had Kakashi assassinate Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado to let the ninja world know… that betraying Konoha comes at a price."
Uchiha Fugaku's eyes flickered. He clearly found this reason acceptable as well.
"Fourth: I let the four clans leave with their wealth while spreading the news that 'they possess enormous riches.' The deaths of Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado serve as a signal to those greedy people… that they can also seize this wealth."
Uchiha Fugaku's brows twisted into a deep frown. Even his breathing paused for a moment.
"Fifth: Before ninja villages were established, ninjas were merely the nobles' black gloves, obeying orders. But after ninja villages were founded, ninjas banded together into military organizations. The daimyō instinctively rejects us. By recruiting the Sarutobi, Shimura, Koharu, and Mitokado clans, he is trying to suppress Konoha."
Uchiha Sanpō's voice suddenly turned as cold as ice: "By having Kakashi kill them, I wanted to tell the daimyō… that the people he chose are completely unreliable."
"Sixth…"
Hearing Uchiha Sanpō list so many reasons, Uchiha Fugaku felt a wave of irritation.
His expression was complicated, his voice tired and helpless: "Enough, Sanpō. Let's end this matter here."
Uchiha Sanpō nodded slightly, his expression serious: "Understood, Lord Hokage."
Uchiha Fugaku's gaze was deep, carrying a hint of warning: "Next time you have such a plan, tell me in advance."
"Understood."
After saying that, Uchiha Sanpō walked out of the room and gently closed the door, leaving only Fugaku inside the office.
He stared at the spilled tea and murmured in a low voice: "Sanpō… this kid… is even more dangerous than I imagined."
...
The Fourth Hokage, Uchiha Fugaku, issued an order: Hatake Kakashi is designated as an A-rank rogue ninja and will be wanted throughout the entire ninja world.
This news was quickly delivered to the daimyō's residence.
Inside the magnificent council hall, the daimyō of the Land of Fire lounged on a soft couch, idly playing with an exquisite jade fan.
Before him stood four ninjas — representatives of the Sarutobi, Shimura, Koharu, and Mitokado clans.
The elder of the Koharu clan spoke with grief and indignation: "Lord Daimyō, Clan Head Koharu Utatane and Clan Head Homura Mitokado were brutally murdered by the Konoha rogue ninja Kakashi. Please uphold justice for us!"
The daimyō lazily raised his eyelids and tapped the jade fan against his palm: "Oh? Didn't Konoha already designate Hatake Kakashi as an A-rank rogue ninja?"
The Mitokado clan ninja gritted his teeth: "That's far from enough! Uchiha Fugaku is clearly just brushing you off! He has no sincerity in severely punishing the murderer!"
The daimyō chuckled lightly, his gaze sweeping across the group: "Then what do you want me to do? Send troops to attack Konoha?"
The group fell silent.
The daimyō closed his jade fan, his tone relaxed: "Since you four clans have chosen to defect to me, you should understand that what I need are chess pieces that can help me solve problems, not burdens that only know how to complain."
Upon hearing this, the four clan heads lowered their heads and remained silent.
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