As Konoha's military police force, the Uchiha Clan's patrol ninjas quickly noticed the large crowd gathering in the street. One of them immediately rushed back to headquarters to report.
At that moment, Uchiha Fugaku was still sipping tea in his office, waiting for the end of his shift. When he heard the report, he casually prepared to send two subordinates to handle it.
But the second he heard the crowd involved the Third Hokage, Danzo, and the Fourth Hokage himself—
—he jumped to his feet.
"Everyone, drop what you're doing. We're heading out to support the Hokage!"
He barked the order, swiftly fastening his Konoha forehead protector.
"Prepare for bloodshed if necessary."
"Yes, sir!"
The Uchiha Police Headquarters fell into organized chaos as everyone geared up and assembled.
In the blink of an eye, a platoon of several dozen Uchiha ninja formed up and rushed toward the scene under Fugaku's command.
—
What they arrived to was complete disorder.
The Three Titans of Konoha were in a tense standoff, while the civilians remained caught in the middle, uncertain whom to believe.
"Disperse immediately! Konoha Police!"
A booming voice shattered the noise.
Everyone turned to see rows of scarlet Sharingan eyes. The bloodlust in their glares made the crowd tremble with cold sweat and clenched jaws.
Though many were angry, no one dared move with three of the village's top leaders standing there—no one wanted to be the first fool to spark a fire.
Fugaku led his clan in forming a human barricade, separating the crowd from the village leadership.
He locked eyes with Homelander—just one glance was enough for both men to understand each other completely.
Danzo and Hiruzen realized this confrontation couldn't be de-escalated peacefully anymore.
Any false step could ignite a bloody civil coup.
The Third's original goal had been to prevent the Uchiha from seizing power—that's why he'd joined forces with Danzo in the first place.
But now the rift between the Uchiha and the village was beyond repair.
Words would no longer fix what had been broken.
To make things worse, the Fourth Hokage's behavior was so erratic lately that Hiruzen began to believe the theory:
"Could it be… the Fourth is being controlled by Shisui's Kotoamatsukami?"
"Uchiha Fugaku! What do you think you're doing?!"
Hiruzen broke the silence, trying to buy time until more ANBU could arrive.
"As you can see, Lord Third, public gatherings in the streets are prohibited.
The Konoha Police are simply following protocol," Fugaku replied with calm composure.
But inside, he was calculating rapidly.
He had warned his clan to be ready for bloodshed if necessary, but he'd do everything to avoid real casualties unless there was no other way.
"This is just a casual evening chat between Konoha's elders," Danzo sneered.
"You're overreacting, Uchiha."
To him, the Uchiha were just pawns—sacrificial vessels for the Sharingan.
If Homelander hadn't meddled, he'd have disposed of them long ago.
"With all due respect, Lord Danzo," Fugaku replied firmly,
"the Police Force cannot stand by idly and act only after a disaster."
"Our duty is to protect the Hokage."
"I already said—ANBU protects the Hokage. Your services aren't required!"
"We're only here to maintain order."
"There is no disorder here!"
"But—"
"But what?! Are you trying to rebel, Uchiha?!"
Danzo bellowed. Behind him, Root operatives drew their weapons.
Shing—!
The Uchiha followed suit, kunai and shuriken at the ready.
Civilians gasped and retreated in panic.
Kakashi, Guy, and even Shikaku Nara tensed, fists clenching.
The air was thick with killing intent, as if blood had already begun to spill.
...
Shisui stared in horror, scanning the crowd until he locked eyes with a group of children staring wide-eyed.
If it came to a clash, he was already prepared to Body Flicker to their side and get them out first.
But just as the standoff reached its breaking point—
Homelander finally spoke.
"Lord Danzo, stop changing the subject."
He casually scratched his ear like none of this fazed him.
"We're here to discuss whose seat is crooked—not the Uchiha."
"Hmph. What are you insinuating? That I released the Nine-Tails?" Danzo scoffed.
"That's utterly ridiculous!"
He turned to the crowd with a mocking laugh.
"Preposterous!"
A few people chuckled awkwardly. Most stayed silent.
"Senju Homelander… I'm disappointed," Hiruzen said, eyes closed in resignation.
"I had such high hopes for you. But if you insist on spouting such absurd lies…
Then I think it's clear—you're no longer fit to be Hokage."
He turned and addressed the crowd.
"Tomorrow, I'll personally draft a public referendum."
"All of you will vote on whether or not Senju Homelander should remain as the Fourth Hokage."
Hiruzen's aged voice echoed through the street.
The crowd erupted in whispers. A public impeachment of the Hokage—this had never happened before.
"Lord Third, isn't this a bit extreme?"
A voice rang out—Might Guy, raising his hand like a schoolboy.
"You're suggesting removing him over just one mistake? But then last time you made a mistake—mmph!"
Kakashi swiftly covered Guy's mouth and offered the crowd a polite, apologetic smile.
Asuma, Kurenai, and the others quickly dragged Guy to the back.
All eyes turned back to the central three.
At last, Homelander sighed.
"Looks like you won't admit it unless everything is laid bare."
Everyone held their breath.
Danzo and Hiruzen glared at him.
Fugaku and the other Uchiha turned to him, expectant.
All attention zeroed in.
"For the sake of peace in Konoha," Homelander said slowly,
"I hadn't wanted to expose this… but now, I must."
He stepped forward until he stood right in front of Danzo.
"Lord Danzo—do you or do you not admit that you once said,
'Only the Uchiha Clan can control the Nine-Tails'?"
"Of course I said that!" Danzo barked.
"Your little lapdog Shisui proved it! He used that dangerous Kotoamatsukami to control the beast!"
"Everyone saw it, didn't you?!"
The crowd nodded—yes, they'd seen it.
Danzo looked smug.
"The Sharingan."
"Exactly!"
"So without the Sharingan, controlling the Nine-Tails is impossible?"
"Stop playing word games, Lord Fourth. You've lost."
Danzo smirked and motioned to Root.
He had the people on his side. Now all that remained was to execute the enemies of the Leaf.
But what Homelander said next shattered everything.
"Then could you explain…"
"What's the deal with that Sharingan you're hiding under your right eye bandage?"
His voice was casual—almost dismissive.
But it was a checkmate.
A perfect kill move.