After discussing the consequences with Fugaku, he asked Shisui to continue monitoring the movements of the Sarutobi Clan.
On the afternoon of the third day, Shisui discovered that the Sarutobi Clan was preparing to hold a large clan meeting that very night, one so important even the Chunin were expected to attend.
Upon hearing this news, Fugaku immediately summoned all the Elders and Jiraiya.
Inside the Hokage Tower's Small Meeting Room.
"...Several Jonin from the Sarutobi Clan have expressed dissatisfaction with the village's decision. They've held successive clan meetings and now plan another large gathering tonight. It's likely they harbor ulterior motives."
Shisui had just spoken a few sentences when Homura Mitokado interrupted in shock, "Shisui, are you saying the Sarutobi Clan plans to rebel?"
The other Elders also looked stunned and disbelieving.
Jiraiya was even furious enough to stand up and glare at Fugaku, saying, "Fugaku, I know the old man did treat your Uchiha Clan unfairly before, so I didn't say much about how you've suppressed the Sarutobi Clan recently..."
Hearing this, Fugaku coldly asked, "Jiraiya, speak clearly—where exactly have I oppressed the Sarutobi Clan?"
Jiraiya didn't back down either, replying, "In just half a month, dozens of Sarutobi members have been expelled..."
"Have I *ever* expelled any Sarutobi ninja!"
Fugaku cut Jiraiya off first before countering, "Name one Sarutobi ninja I've expelled through my orders! The only command I've issued so far is the dissolution of the ANBU!"
Jiraiya fell silent. Indeed, Fugaku had never directly ordered the expulsion of any Sarutobi ninja—the true expulsions had come from his own former allies and aides.
Koharu Utatane spoke then, "Those expelled Sarutobi ninja weren't capable anyway. But sudden resignation might naturally lead to complaints."
Homura Mitokado added, "Fugaku, don't make a big deal out of nothing."
Torifu and Kosuke both nodded too, as neither believed the Sarutobi would actually launch a rebellion.
"I haven't said they've rebelled yet!"
Fugaku paused to calm the room before continuing, "Earlier, I received intelligence that Asuma Sarutobi has become one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja serving the Daimyo..."
At this, Torifu couldn't help but blurt out in surprise, "Asuma became one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja?"
"Yes," Fugaku confirmed, "He joined them last year already—but strangely, why hasn't the Third announced it publicly? More oddly, with Asuma being such an ideal communication channel, why did they still let Aozora be wrongfully accused..."
Fugaku shook his head in confusion.
Everyone fell silent. If it weren't for the fact that the Third was already deceased, this would certainly be another charge against him.
Fugaku didn't elaborate further but continued instead, "With the Third now gone, Asuma should have returned directly to mourn—but instead, he entered Konoha covertly without doing so. Combined with the Sarutobi Clan's suspicious actions recently, I can't help but suspect... there might indeed be something wrong within the Sarutobi Clan now."
After finishing those words, Fugaku closed his eyes as if meditating.
Everyone present lowered their heads in thought.
Although Fugaku had spoken carefully, all signs pointed to the possibility that the Sarutobi Clan might actually be plotting rebellion—possibly instigated by Asuma Sarutobi himself.
In the midst of the silence, Torifu finally asked, "Fugaku, what do you think we should do?"
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane also turned their gazes toward Fugaku, while Jiraiya's eyes revealed concern.
Although the Sarutobi Clan had developed suspicions about possible Defection Village, making a decision on how to handle them inevitably brought feelings of sorrow.
Under everyone's gaze, Fugaku opened his eyes and fixed a calm gaze on Jiraiya. "I have decided to leave this matter to you, Jiraiya."
"What?"
Fugaku's declaration instantly stunned everyone present.
Ignoring the shock from the Elders and Jiraiya, Fugaku continued, "Since the Sarutobi Clan currently has misunderstandings about our leadership, sending other ninja might only deepen these suspicions. However, Jiraiya is acting alone, and he is The Third's disciple. He can earn the trust of the Sarutobi Clan."
Fugaku stared seriously at Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya, I believe in your love for the Village, and I believe you won't try to frame the Sarutobi Clan, so you're the most suitable candidate."
"Therefore, are you willing to investigate the true purpose of the Sarutobi Clan Meeting?"
Jiraiya had already regained his composure by now. Looking into Fugaku's trusting gaze, he felt momentarily dazed—he realized he'd probably held some prejudice against Fugaku because of The Third.
He replied firmly, "Leave it to me. I'll make sure to bring you the truth."
Fugaku nodded, then announced, "We've confirmed that the Sarutobi Clan will hold another major clan meeting tonight. You will go investigate shortly."
As he spoke, he tapped on the table, and Aozora immediately appeared inside the office.
Fugaku continued, "This mission will primarily be under Jiraiya's command, but just to be safe, I've decided to send Aozora along with the Barrier Division. The Barrier Division will not enter the Sarutobi Compound; inside, Jiraiya will take full command, while Aozora leads from outside."
To prevent any misunderstanding, Fugaku added, explaining, "Although I believe the Sarutobi Clan won't defect, we must prepare ourselves adequately. If a civil war erupts within the Village, other nations will surely seize the opportunity to invade…especially since the war has just ended."
Torifu and the others nodded. Since the mission had been entrusted to Jiraiya, it made perfect sense for Fugaku to deploy the Sealing Team as backup.
With plans settled, Fugaku addressed Jiraiya and Aozora, "In that case, I'm counting on both of you to set out immediately! According to the pattern of recent evenings, when night falls, the Sarutobi Clan Meeting will begin."
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya nodded, then vanished using the Body Flicker Technique from the Hokage's office.
Aozora shook his head, then left the room to gather members of the Barrier Division, leaping swiftly onto the rooftops alongside them.
At that moment, the setting sun on the horizon cast its final glow before quickly giving way to nightfall, enveloping the entire Village in darkness.
Soon afterward, lights flickered on in every home, illuminating the Village with dazzling brilliance.
Passing through the bustling streets, Jiraiya, Aozora, and their team quickly approached the Sarutobi Compound.
Unlike the usual lively scenes, the area surrounding the Sarutobi Compound today seemed unusually quiet.
The local Sake Bar, which normally overflowed with the scent of alcohol and smoke, had only a few scattered customers tonight. Few pedestrians were wearing Forehead Protectors either.
Jiraiya noticed the anomaly right away, and his mood gradually darkened, giving rise to ominous premonitions deep inside his heart.
As a disciple of The Third, he had visited the Sarutobi Clan's territory more than once, but never had it felt as eerily deserted as today.
Leaping across rooftops, the group quickly arrived at the edge of the Sarutobi estate.
Jiraiya halted atop a tall utility pole in the center of the road, crouching low as he observed the clan leader's mansion from above.
Through his unique sensing ability, he could sense a large group of ninjas gathering in that direction.
The night wind blew his white hair wildly across his face, obscuring his face paint and hiding his solemn expression.
Aozora landed on another utility pole beside him and signaled with his hand for the sealing team behind to stop advancing.
Activating his Sharingan, Aozora glanced briefly before stating calmly, "It now seems clear—something is seriously wrong within the Sarutobi Clan."
"No!" Jiraiya firmly shook his head. "I'm the one responsible for this mission. Only I have the authority to draw conclusions."
Aozora didn't argue, only nodding slightly. "You are indeed the mission lead. I won't interfere with what happens tonight inside the Sarutobi Compound or how you conduct your investigation. However…"
At this, Aozora's voice turned cold and severe.
"If tonight I see more than ten Sarutobi ninjas armed and stepping beyond their compound gates, I will declare the Sarutobi Clan in rebellion—and immediately activate the barrier seals…"
Though his sentence trailed off unfinished, Jiraiya clearly understood the threat implied beneath Aozora's words.
Slowly rising to his feet, Jiraiya was about to move forward when Aozora spoke again.
"If the Sarutobi Clan truly betrays the village, I believe The Fifth Hokage will no longer protect The Third's reputation. He will expose The Third's political manipulations—including raising the Fourth's orphan."
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya turned sharply toward Aozora for the first time, an immense oppressive aura radiating outward like a looming mountain.
Unfazed, Aozora remained calm and continued, "Surely you understand as well—this village can't allow the newly appointed Fifth Hokage to be stained with the crime of slaughtering her own villagers just to protect The Third and his rebellious clan."
"You——!"
Anger surged through Jiraiya, yet found nowhere to vent itself.
Looking toward the Sarutobi leader's mansion, Aozora said to Jiraiya, "Go then! Go protect the safety of the village, preserve The Third's honor, and safeguard the legacy of the Sarutobi name!"
With a cold glare, Jiraiya leaped into the darkness of the Sarutobi Compound.
Watching Jiraiya vanish into the night sky, Aozora briefly looked lost in thought.
In that moment, he sensed he was witnessing history—but not the massacre of the Uchiha Clan by Itachi.
This wasn't about the extermination of the Uchiha, nor was it the end of the Sarutobi Clan.
Because he was different from the likes of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He would punish only those at the very top who were guilty—he wouldn't drag the innocent or children into it.
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