"Lord Hokage, why is that? ANBU never had a rule that once you join, you can never leave."
Uchiha Fugaku's smile faded, his voice laced with coldness.
"It's true there's no such rule," the Third Hokage replied, his tone official and detached. "However, ANBU members have access to many of the village's top secrets. To prevent leaks, I have the authority to approve or reject resignations based on the sensitivity of the classified information they hold."
He paused briefly before delivering the verdict:
"Given the level of secrets Uchiha Itachi has been exposed to, I cannot approve his withdrawal from ANBU."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed.
"Lord Hokage, are you targeting Itachi—or the entire Uchiha clan? "
"Clan Head Fugaku, what makes you say that? I treat all clans in the village equally."
The Hokage's voice carried a trace of mockery, though his expression remained perfectly neutral—still giving the impression of official business.
Fugaku let out a cold laugh.
"That's strange. Just a few days ago, Kakashi Hatake—the ANBU Commander—resigned from his position and left ANBU. You approved it immediately. Yet when Itachi, just an ordinary ANBU operative, requests to leave, you deny it on the grounds of classified information."
His tone turned sharper:
"Are you telling me that an ordinary ANBU member knows more critical secrets than the ANBU Commander himself? "
Fugaku, aware of the current rapport between the Uchiha and the Hatake clan, had clearly confirmed Kakashi's resignation had been approved.
'So… he even knows about that.'
A flicker of irritation flashed in the Hokage's eyes toward Kakashi.
If Fugaku knew, it could only have come from Kakashi's mouth—an infuriating breach that complicated things.
Kakashi had been the ANBU Commander, while Itachi was only a regular operative. Claiming that Itachi knew secrets beyond Kakashi's reach was utterly illogical.
Still, the Hokage forced out a strained explanation:
"For certain reasons, Itachi was exposed to classified operations that Kakashi never was."
Fugaku's eyes glinted with scorn. Before he could speak, another voice cut in, laced with fury.
"Hokage, do you think we're fools—or that you are? Itachi is just an ordinary ANBU member, and yet you claim he has access to secrets beyond the ANBU Commander? Save that nonsense for idiots. Don't think you can fool the Uchiha clan."
It was the hot-tempered Great Elder, Uchiha Setsuna, who sneered openly.
"Insolence! How dare you speak to the Hokage like that! "
A masked man wearing a boar mask barked harshly. He stood near the Hokage, his position suggesting he was an ANBU Captain.
"Given the state of relations between our clan and the Hokage, do you really expect me to bow and scrape before him? "
Setsuna retorted coldly, his disdain cutting deep.
"Show some respect when addressing Lord Hokage, Clan Head Fugaku—discipline your people."
The boar-masked ANBU snapped, glaring at Fugaku.
Fugaku's Mangekyō Sharingan bloomed, his gaze locking onto the ANBU Captain.
A crushing aura erupted.
Thump. Thump. Thump…
The masked man staggered backward, as if an invisible mountain pressed down on him. Sweat streamed down his forehead.
Despite being an elite jōnin—one of Konoha's finest—he was utterly dwarfed by Fugaku's sheer presence.
"Clan Head Fugaku, that's going too far. To release killing intent toward an ANBU member in front of the Hokage himself—isn't that disregarding my authority? "
The Hokage stepped forward, intercepting the pressure and shielding his subordinate. His tone carried a warning edge.
Fugaku gave a light chuckle.
"How could that be? You're the Hokage—the Shadow of the Village. How could I ever disregard you? I merely felt this ANBU was too arrogant and poorly disciplined. I reacted instinctively."
His words were smooth, offering no leverage.
The truth was, Fugaku held the Hokage in no regard—but admitting that publicly would draw condemnation from the other clans.
"Is that so? A shinobi unable to control his emotions—that's a grave flaw. You'd best be careful, Clan Head Fugaku."
The Hokage spoke with veiled sarcasm, having tried and failed to bait Fugaku into an admission that could justify action against the Uchiha.
But Fugaku didn't bite.
"Don't trouble yourself, Lord Hokage. So long as you don't parade beasts like this raging boar before me, my temper will remain under control."
Fugaku's eyes flicked disdainfully toward the masked ANBU.
Compared to a wild boar—that insult hit its mark. Beneath the mask, the man's fists clenched tight, his face contorted in rage. But he dared not move, knowing full well what standing against Fugaku meant.
Ignoring the minor player, Fugaku shifted his gaze back to the Hokage, his tone turning icy.
"Your reasoning doesn't hold up. In ANBU, Itachi holds no rank that would expose him to secrets surpassing those of the ANBU Commander. If even the Commander can leave ANBU, yet you deny Itachi that same right—how else should I interpret this, if not as deliberate discrimination against the Uchiha? "
The Hokage's expression didn't change.
"I treat every clan in this village equally. I would never target the Uchiha."
He dodged the accusation smoothly. Admitting otherwise would shatter his image among the clans.
So he pivoted.
"Regardless of the secrets he holds, ANBU resignation requires a formal application from the individual. No one else can make that decision on their behalf."
The Hokage spoke confidently. He was certain of Itachi's loyalty—his conditioning ran deep. And given that Itachi hadn't appeared even after all this time, it confirmed his suspicion: the boy was likely imprisoned.
Fugaku's eyes hardened.
"I am the head of the Uchiha clan—and Itachi's father. I have every right to decide for him."
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