Even Uchiha Fugaku could understand the deeper meaning behind Senju Haruto's words.
Perhaps one day, the Uchiha could find a true sense of belonging and fully integrate into the village.
But right now, if the radicals insisting on launching a coup weren't dealt with…
That day would never come.
On the surface, Haruto was simply asking him for a list of names. In reality, he was forcing him to hand over his own clansmen — trading their lives in exchange for keeping his position as clan head.
Among those names, many had already awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan; they were the backbone of the Uchiha.
To cut them off entirely… even in the current situation, Fugaku found it hard to make that decision.
He glanced at the kunai stuck in the ground by his left hand.
"Father, even if you choose to sacrifice yourself, you're just a stone making a splash on the lake's surface."
Uchiha Itachi noticed Fugaku's gaze. He understood — Fugaku still didn't want to betray his people.
But things had reached a point where neither Haruto nor the village could pretend nothing had happened.
And Haruto didn't intend to execute them outright.
Instead, he planned to use the war between Konohagakure and Kumogakure as an opportunity to send them to the battlefield — to make them fight for the village.
Maybe, through that, they could regain a sense of belonging.
And if not… then at least they would die on the battlefield, leaving the rest of the clan with no hatred toward the village.
If anything, their hatred would be directed toward Kumogakure, perhaps even rekindling their loyalty to Konoha.
At least from Itachi's perspective, Haruto's plan was sound.
But before Fugaku could make his choice, Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived with a squad of ANBU.
Sensing Hiruzen's chakra through his Byakugan, Haruto closed the dōjutsu and looked toward him.
Today, Hiruzen wasn't wearing the robes of the Hokage but black battle armor.
"What happened here?"
The ANBU scanned the area, their eyes falling on the massive ruins. The scale of the destruction could easily have been caused by a tailed beast.
Given Hiruzen's tense, serious expression, they had already wondered on their way over whether something had happened to Uzumaki Naruto.
"Fugaku…"
Hiruzen's gaze quickly landed on the Uchiha leader lying on the ground. Haruto's clothing, in contrast, was spotless.
When Hiruzen had seen Fugaku summon Susanoo through the crystal ball, he had been genuinely shaken — even fearing Haruto might die at Fugaku's hands.
The devastation around them proved just how fierce the fight had been.
"So in the end… Haruto crushed Fugaku."
Hiruzen's throat bobbed as he swallowed, his heart once again shocked by Haruto's strength.
Facing Fugaku in full Susanoo, even he would have had little confidence in winning.
It was no exaggeration — Hiruzen believed Fugaku's power in that moment rivaled the Nine-Tails.
So to see Fugaku defeated so decisively not only astonished him but also brought him great relief.
"What exactly happened here?"
Hiruzen strode quickly up to Haruto, unable to hold back the question.
"Hokage-sama,"
Itachi immediately dropped to one knee, bowing his head in deep respect.
To him, in a situation like this, the truth should be told to Hiruzen.
"It's like this…"
As Itachi gave a concise explanation, Haruto's expression grew complicated.
In pure combat ability, Haruto believed Itachi was stronger than the Third Hokage. If he had sided with Fugaku, the coup would have had a high chance of success.
Yet no one loved the village — or respected the Third Hokage — more than Itachi.
For Haruto, that was a blessing. The more loyal and respectful Itachi was toward the Hokage and the village, the more Haruto could use him as a card to play.
When Haruto became Hokage, basking in the sunlight above, Itachi would be the root hidden in the shadows.
"Fugaku."
After hearing the full story, Hiruzen was shaken to the core.
The Uchiha not only planned to launch their coup tonight — they had even kidnapped Uzumaki Naruto, intending to harness the Nine-Tails' power!
"Hokage-sama…"
Meeting Hiruzen's eyes, Fugaku tried to sit up but failed three times.
And in this moment, he feared his decision might impact both Itachi and Sasuke.
His gaze returned to the kunai — and this time, he hesitated no longer.
Shff!
Fugaku seized the kunai and drove it toward his own heart with all his remaining strength.
But at the very instant the blade pierced his left chest, a pitch-black shuriken whistled through the air, striking the kunai dead-on and knocking it from his weakened grip.
The thrower was none other than Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Take Fugaku away and detain him," Hiruzen ordered in a low voice to the ANBU behind him.
Despite Fugaku's crimes, Hiruzen didn't intend to kill him.
Fugaku was already nearing forty and had lost to Haruto even now; the gap between them would only widen. If they killed him, another Fugaku would inevitably rise within the Uchiha.
Better to keep him as clan head — to make him obedient to the Hokage and the village leadership, using him to control the Uchiha.
"Such a grave offense…"
As the ANBU led Fugaku past him, Hiruzen spoke slowly.
"By the village's laws, this crime is enough to condemn your entire family."
At the words entire family, Fugaku's face turned ashen.
His own death didn't matter — but Itachi and Sasuke were his hopes for the future.
"However, no shinobi is more exceptional than Uchiha Itachi. He truly loves the village. For his sake, I hope you think carefully."
"That's enough. Take him away."
With a wave of his hand, Hiruzen signaled for the ANBU to escort Fugaku into custody.
As expected of the Third Hokage.
Haruto silently observed everything. On the surface, Hiruzen had shown mercy — but in truth, he was drawing Fugaku in.
And his words just now carried a warning: If you wish to die, fine — but before you do, consider carefully: on one side are Itachi and Sasuke; on the other, your fellow traitorous clansmen. Which matters more to you?
Old fox, Haruto couldn't help thinking to himself.
"All right, Haruto, Itachi — where is Uzumaki Naruto now?" Hiruzen took a deep breath and got straight to the point.