Senju Haruto's eyes widened in sudden realization.
Although the Uchiha clan had been under the watchful suspicion of Konoha's upper echelons since the Second Hokage's era, the real turning point—the event that pushed them toward being ostracized—was the night of the Nine-Tails' rampage.
And now, recalling Fugaku's earlier words, "You really don't understand anything," Haruto immediately pieced it together.
The Uchiha were clearly treating the Nine-Tails as their trump card for the coup.
"…I see."
Fugaku let out a helpless sigh and began recounting a piece of Uchiha history.
It was true: Konoha had been founded on the reconciliation between the Senju clan and the Uchiha clan.
But Uchiha Madara, as clan head, sought to seize leadership of the village, intending to start a rebellion.
The clan, having finally achieved peace, refused to plunge into war again, and many turned against him.
Thus, Madara left the village alone.
"Even the Uchiha value peace greatly," Fugaku said, his tone firm, "and they cherish it as something hard-won. If it weren't for years of mistrust and exclusion from the village… who would want to walk Madara's path again?"
In this moment, Fugaku spoke from the heart, thinking only of the Uchiha's plight.
The village had stripped them of the chance to prove their innocence.
On the night of the Nine-Tails' rampage, the Uchiha had wanted to help the village's shinobi stop the disaster.
But Danzo ordered them to stand down.
And as if that weren't enough, after the chaos ended, Danzo accused them with false charges and forced them to relocate to the village's outskirts.
The ANBU—and the even more secretive Root division—kept constant watch over their movements.
"No one will hear the Uchiha's voice," Fugaku said bitterly. "No one will believe us."
But Haruto cut him off, his tone sharp.
"Where is Uzumaki Naruto?"
His piercing gaze locked onto Fugaku.
Perhaps all this talk was merely lamenting the Uchiha's unjust treatment…
But if they had kidnapped Naruto, that was an entirely different matter.
"Naruto?!"
Itachi froze.
Fugaku had never told him anything about this part of the plan.
And Itachi knew exactly who Naruto was—
His surname marked him as one of the rare remaining Uzumaki.
Which also meant he was the vessel sealing the Nine-Tails: the village's Jinchūriki.
"Father… you didn't actually kidnap Uzumaki Naruto, did you?" Itachi asked tensely.
When Haruto had spoken Naruto's name, even Fugaku's expression had shifted into surprise—
Which was all the confirmation Haruto needed.
If this was true, then Danzo's old fabricated accusations…
The hatred already directed toward the Uchiha…
…would finally become reality.
"Tell me where Naruto is, Father. There's still time to turn back."
Itachi pressed, the sun dipping lower in the sky.
The Uchiha planned to launch their coup at night, but who could guarantee they wouldn't move earlier?
If they unleashed the Nine-Tails inside the village…
This wouldn't be a small sacrifice for a greater change—it would be a catastrophe.
"He's safe."
Fugaku met the eyes of the two young men before him and admitted it—Naruto was in Uchiha hands.
But it hadn't been Fugaku's idea.
The clan longed for justice.
They had helped found Konoha alongside the Senju.
This should have been their glory.
They should have been hailed as heroes of the village.
To change this reality, they were willing to pay any price.
And after all, the night of the Nine-Tails' rampage had already proven that the Sharingan could control the beast.
Fugaku's own Sharingan had evolved into the Mangekyō—a secret he had kept buried for years, never even telling his own son.
On that fateful night, he had even considered using its power to save the village.
"Where is he?" Haruto stepped forward, his voice low.
This was no longer a simple conversation.
He had always treated Naruto like a younger brother.
Maybe Fugaku himself still hesitated, unwilling to use the Nine-Tails unless absolutely necessary.
But the rest of his clan… they had already been blinded by the lure of power, prestige, and control.
No one could say whether they would release the Nine-Tails early.
Many among them already possessed fully developed, three-tomoe Sharingan.
Itachi was beginning to lose his composure.
"Father, tell us where Naruto is—before this spirals out of control."
Without another word, Itachi activated Tsukuyomi, trying to drag his father into the illusionary world to force the answer from him.
But to his shock, Fugaku resisted it outright.
"Itachi… do you know how many years I've had my Mangekyō?" Fugaku said with a mere glance, shifting his full attention onto Haruto.
"Maybe you truly wish to bridge the gap between the Uchiha and the village… but passion alone won't make it happen."
"I've heard from Itachi that you've inherited the full power of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama."
"If that's true—then show me."
"If you can defeat me, Haruto, I'll not only tell you where Uzumaki Naruto is… I'll abandon the coup entirely."
Fugaku took a deep breath, stepping back several paces.
He had already ordered all the Uchiha to gather at Naka Shrine, ensuring no one would discover this confrontation.
Here, he could fight Haruto at full strength.
"So, in the end, we still have to fight?" Haruto murmured, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint smile.
He wasn't Naruto—sweet-talking his way through situations wasn't his style.
He had been wondering how to talk Fugaku out of this foolish plan… but instead, Fugaku had challenged him outright.
And really, it made sense.
The Uchiha revered strength.
Fugaku likely wanted to believe in him—he was just unsure Haruto's power was enough to change anything.
"I will become Hokage," Haruto declared, extending a hand toward him, "and I will erase the prejudice and exclusion the Uchiha have endured."
"Is that so…" Fugaku nodded slowly. Deep down, he wanted to believe Haruto. But in the shinobi world, strength was just as vital as ideals.
Every Hokage had been the village's strongest.
"Itachi, step back," Haruto ordered, his voice firm.
He didn't need help.
Even if Fugaku possessed the Mangekyō, he was no match for him.
Itachi hesitated.
"Do as he says, Itachi," Fugaku quickly added.
No matter what, he didn't want to cross blades with his own son.
And then—
In the very next heartbeat, Fugaku's chakra flared violently, exploding outward.
A massive, spectral skeleton rose around him, its form taking shape before their eyes.
Susanoo!