Chapter 202 - Naruto: I am Uchiha Fugaku [202]

"Is this really the right thing to do?"After Hatake Kakashi left, the expressions beneath the ANBU captains' masks subtly shifted, a sense of confusion rising within their hearts.Kakashi's words had deeply impacted them, stirring memories of why they had joined the ANBU in the first place.They had entered ANBU with the belief they were protecting Konoha and preserving its peace—but now, they were being asked to harm one of their own."Uchiha Fugaku is attempting to lead the Uchiha clan in a coup. Assassinating him is to preserve peace in Konoha."Sensing that Kakashi's words had disrupted the morale of the remaining captains, the Third Hokage quickly tried to sway them.Hearing this, many ANBU captains had the confusion in their hearts dispelled.Though Fugaku was a fellow villager, he was also the mastermind behind an attempted rebellion.Killing him would be preventing that rebellion—protecting the village—and therefore aligned with their original purpose in joining ANBU.Still, some captains remained silent, thoughtful beneath their masks.Could it really be true that Uchiha Fugaku and the Uchiha clan were planning a coup?Was it possible the Third Hokage had fabricated this claim to justify eliminating Fugaku?"According to intelligence from the Daimyō's residence, Uchiha Fugaku is scheduled to return to Konoha today. We will depart immediately and ambush him along this route."The Third Hokage pointed to a marked "X" on the map behind him as he spoke to the assembled ANBU captains."Yes, sir."The ANBU captains responded in unison."Wait!"Just as the Third Hokage and the ANBU captains were preparing to move out, a voice called out, stopping them.Two figures approached—an old man and an elderly woman.The old man wore green-framed glasses and looked thin and frail.The elderly woman had her hair tied up with a hairpin, and her ears adorned with dangling beaded earrings.They were none other than the village advisors—Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane."Hiruzen, you're being too rash!" Koharu said, her eyes fixed on the Third Hokage with a trace of reproach."You intend to stop me?" the Third Hokage's voice held a note of anger."We know that Asuma's death was hard on you," Homura said with a slight frown, "but your current actions are far too impulsive.""Uchiha Fugaku has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. You understand better than anyone how dangerous that dojutsu is.""Even with over a dozen elite jōnin, there's no guarantee you can kill him.""Fugaku may be strong, but he's certainly not on the same level as Uchiha Madara once was. He's not so strong that he could withstand an assault from me and these elite jōnin combined."The Third Hokage scoffed coldly."Even Uchiha Shisui was killed by Fugaku. Are you really confident that you and these men can succeed where he failed?" Koharu pressed, frowning."What?! Uchiha Shisui is dead? And at the hands of Fugaku?!"The ANBU captains were all stunned.They had already found it odd that Shisui hadn't shown up—assuming he was still out on a mission.But to learn that Shisui was dead—and killed by Fugaku—shocked them.Shisui had also possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan. If even he had fallen to Fugaku, then how powerful had Fugaku become?Previously, they believed that teaming up with the Hokage would be enough to assassinate him—but now, their confidence had wavered."…"The Third Hokage fell silent.He knew full well how powerful Shisui had been. One-on-one, he wasn't certain he could defeat him.And yet, that same Shisui had died at Fugaku's hands—and according to reports, Fugaku hadn't even been injured afterward.That alone was enough to show that Fugaku's power far surpassed Shisui's.Just as Koharu had said, the Third Hokage had no guarantee of success."Hiruzen, admit it—Fugaku has already become a major force.""To deal with him, you must proceed with a long-term plan. Acting on emotion will get us nowhere," Homura said with a sigh.He too had been deceived by Fugaku's careful concealment. Had he known earlier just how deep Fugaku's strength and scheming ran, he would have supported eliminating him along with Danzo.But it was too late for that now.Fugaku had already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and attained formidable power. He was no longer someone they could handle recklessly."And you don't have to rely solely on force to kill someone," Koharu added, her words carrying subtle implication.The Third Hokage understood what she meant immediately.Once, Hatake Sakumo—"the White Fang of Konoha"—had earned such renown in the ninja world that his fame even overshadowed the Hokage's.Sensing the threat, Hiruzen had subtly manipulated public opinion within the village, leading to Sakumo being dishonored and ultimately driven to suicide.Koharu was reminding him: when facing a powerful "enemy," it was often wiser to avoid brute force and instead employ subtler means.He hadn't been oblivious to this approach—but Asuma's death had left him consumed with grief and rage, clouding his judgment.After the advisors' intervention, the Third Hokage ultimately decided to call off the reckless assassination attempt.---That afternoon, Uchiha Fugaku returned to Konoha with two companions, heading back to the clan compound."You're back," said Uchiha Mikoto warmly upon seeing him.She wore an elegant, simple long dress. Her figure was graceful and slender, her waist delicate enough to wrap a hand around.Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down her back, and her exposed calves were smooth and shapely."Father!"Uchiha Sasuke ran up excitedly.Under Fugaku's careful guidance, he and Sasuke shared a close and affectionate father-son bond.Fugaku reached out and gently ruffled Sasuke's hair. As his gaze swept the surroundings and didn't spot Itachi, he asked casually:"Where's Itachi?"His urgent return to the village was, in fact, because of Uchiha Itachi.With Shisui's death, Itachi would likely be emotionally shaken—an opportunity for him to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.If it was confirmed that Itachi had awakened it, then it would be time to deal with this traitorous "white-eyed wolf.""He left on a mission not long after you departed. He hasn't returned yet," Mikoto replied."I see."Fugaku nodded lightly, seemingly unconcerned, but thoughts were already racing through his mind.During missions, shinobi were cut off from external communication to avoid distraction or interference.Since Itachi had not yet returned, he likely hadn't heard about Shisui's death—and therefore hadn't awakened his Mangekyō yet."Father, train with me! Teach me a new jutsu!"Sasuke tugged on Fugaku's arm, his voice soft and innocent."Of course," Fugaku replied with a faint smile. "This time, I'll teach you a powerful and difficult Fire Release technique. You'd better focus and learn it well."With that, he walked with Sasuke to the backyard, ready for their training.