However, even Uchiha Shisui found himself at a loss.
He had indeed intended to use force to take Chiba away, but the premise had always been to avoid direct conflict with the entire Uchiha clan.
Now that Clan Head Fugaku had personally stepped forward, continuing any further would completely contradict his original intention.
Moreover, the Hokage's mission for him had been clear—to suppress the growing hostility within the Uchiha clan.
If he acted now, it would only inflame that hostility further.
Thus—
Shisui spoke in a low voice.
"Clan Head, this matter carries enormous consequences. Although Hio was removed from his position by the Hokage, he was still the long-standing leader of the Sarutobi clan…"
"I hope you will consider the bigger picture and hand Chiba over to the Hokage for judgment."
Fugaku replied calmly.
"That is precisely my intention."
Shisui could only relent.
"Very well. Then today's matter ends here. We will allow the Hokage to decide."
With Shisui having spoken, Shinnosuke could no longer act rashly.
But watching Sarutobi Hio fall just like that, the Sarutobi clan could hardly swallow their rage.
"Is Clan Head's death to go unanswered?!"
"We must avenge him today!"
Ironically, it was Shinnosuke who now had to stop them.
"Clan members, Hio was my uncle. Do you think I feel no grief seeing him fall here?"
"But trust the Hokage. Justice will be delivered."
"Do not act recklessly and cause consequences none of us can bear."
One Sarutobi ninja shouted angrily,
"Has the ANBU sided with the Uchiha as well?!"
"You tried to stop us on the way here!"
"Now that Clan Head is dead, you stop us from avenging him too?!"
Shinnosuke nearly lost his composure.
His subordinates had been killed by these very people.
He had not even pursued accountability for their deaths yet.
And now they dared accuse him?
Did they think the ANBU were easy targets?
"Hmph. The ANBU acted under the Hokage's orders!"
"You killed my men in defiance of those orders. That matter will also be investigated."
"If you insist on escalating things today…"
"The ANBU will accompany you."
A dark, chilling chakra flared around him, forcing the Sarutobi members to cool their tempers.
With Hio gone, even if they fought, their chances were slim.
After weighing the situation, they reluctantly stood down.
They collected Hio's body, casting venomous glances at Chiba—and a meaningful look at Shinnosuke—before finally departing.
Shinnosuke exhaled quietly.
"In that case, Clan Head Fugaku, I will await the Hokage's fair handling of this matter."
"We're leaving."
The ANBU withdrew as well.
…
Only the Uchiha remained.
Fugaku finally released a long breath.
What had nearly happened today could have meant open war with the Sarutobi clan—and perhaps even with the village leadership itself.
If that line had been crossed, the Uchiha's fate would have been unimaginable.
His gaze lingered on Shisui, thoughtful and uncertain.
Shisui's stance just now had planted a seed of doubt in his heart.
Fugaku knew Shisui was close to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But how close?
Within the clan, even the most fervent radicals regarded Shisui as a decisive force. Without him, any rebellion would have virtually no chance of success.
But if that very pillar stood with Hiruzen instead—
What future would the Uchiha have?
Fugaku's eyes slowly shifted.
Toward Chiba.
…
Shisui, too, stared deeply at Chiba.
Chiba, however, calmly sheathed his katana.
Uchiha Aoki, Uchiha Yamaka, and the other members of the Police Force who admired him gathered protectively around him.
Seeing this, Shisui's unease deepened.
He approached Fugaku.
"Clan Head, to quell this matter, it would be best to bring Chiba to see the Hokage immediately."
Fugaku asked casually,
"Shisui, if a battle had truly broken out just now, what would you have done?"
"I…"
Shisui hesitated, then shook his head.
"It would not have happened."
"I would not allow the Uchiha to go to war with Konoha."
Fugaku frowned.
That was not truly an answer.
But he did not press further.
"Chiba. Come with me to see the Hokage."
Chiba nodded without resistance.
…
Inside the Hokage's office, after hearing Shinnosuke's report, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened.
He slammed his hand onto the desk, trembling with fury.
"Hio, that fool!"
"Utterly hopeless! To commit such stupidity—and even kill three ANBU!"
"He brought this upon himself!"
Shinnosuke spoke in a low voice.
"Father—no, Hokage-sama…"
"Even so, we cannot allow father and son to die at Uchiha hands without consequence."
Hiruzen closed his eyes, then slowly reopened them.
"Of course not."
"Hokage-sama, Clan Head Fugaku and Uchiha Chiba have arrived."
"Let them in."
"Yes."
Fugaku entered first.
"Hokage-sama, I have brought Chiba."
Chiba followed behind him, calm as ever.
Hiruzen looked at him gravely.
"Clan Head Fugaku, you previously assured me that Chiba would be strictly disciplined. Yet he has now killed both Sarutobi Jiro and Sarutobi Hio."
"Even if they committed grave wrongs, does that grant him the right to execute them without trial within the village?"
"You owe me an explanation."
Fugaku was about to speak when Hiruzen raised a hand.
"I do not wish to hear empty words."
Fugaku's brows furrowed.
Chiba spoke instead.
"Hokage-sama, where was I wrong?"
"You—"
Chiba cut him off.
"If today the Uchiha had led a squad in broad daylight to storm the Sarutobi compound and declared war, what would the Sarutobi have done?"
"Would they have offered their necks without resistance?"
Hiruzen replied sternly,
"I do not wish for any ninja or clan in this village to slaughter one another. That is my duty as Hokage."
"Exactly."
"That is why I killed Sarutobi Hio—so the Uchiha and Sarutobi would not slaughter each other."
Hiruzen fell silent.
"You twist logic."
"Not at all. Had I not cut down the instigator, the madness would have escalated."
"If the two clans had gone to war, no matter who won, Konoha would have been the true loser."
He glanced at Shinnosuke.
"Sarutobi Hio killed three ANBU. That is correct, isn't it?"
Shinnosuke remained silent.
"Should we have allowed him to kill Uchiha as well before defending ourselves?"
"Hokage-sama, there is no such principle."
"Sarutobi Hio had already become a criminal to Konoha. He killed ANBU."
"In any village, that is rebellion. And in any village, a rebel would be eliminated."
Chiba's voice remained calm.
"The man I killed was not the Sarutobi clan head."
"He was nothing more than a madman… and a rogue ninja."
"And I will never admit that eliminating a rogue ninja is wrong."
Father and son both frowned.
His reasoning was forceful—but not without logic.
Hiruzen had personally stripped Hio of his clan head title.
The three ANBU had indeed died by Hio's hand.
He had led dozens into Uchiha territory and been slain in return.
There was little to refute.
Most importantly—
Nearly every clan in the village had witnessed Hio's armed march toward the Uchiha compound.
It could not be concealed.
"That damned fool…"
Hiruzen cursed inwardly once more.
patreon.comPh4nt0mTL