"Fugaku, thank you, but there's no need."
Uchiha Mikoto lifted her head and looked gratefully at Uchiha Fugaku.
She knew what kind of pressure her husband would face for making such a decision. Yet even so, he still chose to support her.
This moved her deeply, but she would never let her husband be placed in a difficult position or bring trouble upon him.
So, even though she felt sadness and guilt toward Kushina, she still restrained her desire to approach that child.
"If you ever change your mind, you can go ahead at any time. I—and the entire Uchiha clan—will always have your back."
Seeing that Mikoto had made up her mind, Uchiha Fugaku gently patted her on the shoulder and spoke with warmth.
Now that he had fully unified the Uchiha clan and controlled a powerful force, with multiple kekkei genkai enhancing his strength, he no longer needed to tread carefully around the Third Hokage as he once did.
Moreover, the relationship between him and the Third Hokage had no room left for reconciliation.
Continuing to act submissively, avoiding things that might provoke the Third Hokage, would not change the latter's resolve to suppress the Uchiha.
Even if engaging with the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki drew the Third's attention, it wouldn't cause any real damage to him.
In the end, only one could stand between the Uchiha Clan and the faction led by the Third Hokage.
"Mm, I understand."
Uchiha Mikoto nodded gently.
At the moment Uchiha Fugaku arrived at the park, a nearby ANBU ninja assigned to protect—or rather, to monitor—Uzumaki Naruto, the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, immediately departed.
He rushed to the Hokage Tower to report this to the Third Hokage.
"Deploy three additional teams to guard him. Make absolutely sure Uchiha Fugaku cannot come into contact with the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. If necessary, stop him by force!"
Upon receiving the report, the Third Hokage grew visibly tense and immediately issued an emergency order.
Three ANBU squads—nine ninjas in total—were dispatched to the park to bolster protection of the jinchūriki.
If Uchiha Fugaku made any attempt to approach Naruto, they would intervene without hesitation.
But even after giving the order, the Third Hokage's frown did not ease.
"Was it a coincidence… or is he intentionally trying to make contact?"
The Sharingan possessed by the Uchiha clan had the power to control tailed beasts. During the Nine-Tails' rampage five years ago, he had already suspected it to be the work of someone from the Uchiha—or someone with Uchiha blood.
Now, with Uchiha Fugaku appearing near the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, his already vigilant nerves were pushed into high alert.
"This is no coincidence."
A voice sounded from outside the Hokage's office. Shimura Danzō, leaning on a cane, entered.
While the ANBU were watching Naruto, Danzō, who had his own ambitions for the jinchūriki, had also ordered Root operatives to monitor him.
So the moment Fugaku appeared near the jinchūriki, he too had received the report.
"Uchiha Fugaku is clearly trying to get involved with the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki."
He stared at the Third Hokage and stated this with absolute certainty.
"Do you have any proof for that claim?"
Ignoring Danzō's abrupt entrance, the Third frowned and asked.
"Proof? His appearance near the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki is proof enough!"
Danzō growled, leaning on his cane.
"That park is frequently visited by the jinchūriki. His presence there isn't some coincidence—it was premeditated!"
"That alone isn't sufficient as evidence. And so far, Fugaku hasn't even made contact with the jinchūriki."
The Third Hokage stared at the image in a crystal ball for a while before responding.
"You're wrong to think that way."
Danzō's voice was cold.
"The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki is the village's ultimate weapon. For someone like Uchiha Fugaku—who possesses the power to control tailed beasts—even the thought of approaching him must be taken seriously."
"Still, Fugaku hasn't done anything yet. We can't imprison him based on mere suspicion, can we?"
The Third Hokage's brow remained furrowed.
"No. My opinion is—we eliminate him."
A glint of murderous intent flashed in Danzō's eyes as he finished his sentence with unmistakable coldness.
"Eliminate? Are you insane?"
The Third Hokage's eyes widened, stunned at Danzō's words.
"If we act on baseless suspicions, all the clans in the village will feel threatened. That kind of move would plunge Konoha into chaos!"
"It's better to kill one than to risk the entire village. If we can't take him out publicly, then we'll eliminate him in secret while he's out."
Danzō watched the Third's expression carefully, his voice icy.
His past confrontations with Fugaku had made him determined to remove the man at all costs.
And if he could persuade the Third Hokage to approve—or at least turn a blind eye—the operation would go even smoother.
That was his purpose in coming here: to test the Third's stance.
"Better to kill one than let one go free?"
A strange gleam flashed in the Third Hokage's eyes, but he quickly hid it.
Taking a puff from his pipe, he slowly said:
"We cannot do that. No matter what, Fugaku is still the head of the Uchiha clan. Acting against him over a guess—even secretly—is unacceptable."
"I've already made my decision. Whether you agree or not, I will act. I came here today only to inform you."
Danzō turned to leave the office, his voice cold.
"Danzō, I will not give you my approval!"
The Third Hokage called out angrily at his retreating back.
Danzō didn't look back. He vanished down the corridor.
He had already seen enough in the Third Hokage's expression and words to understand his attitude.
He hadn't been explicitly stopped—that in itself was tacit permission.
Having dealt with the Third for decades, he knew his character too well.
"Uchiha Fugaku..."
Back in the office, the Third Hokage's angry expression faded away.
What replaced it was calm—and a chilling glint that flashed in his eyes now and then.
He had begun to feel that the Uchiha clan was slipping beyond his control—and the cause of it all was Fugaku.
But assassinating Fugaku was something he could never do himself.
If exposed, such an act would severely damage his standing in the village.
Leaving the task to Danzō, however, was far more convenient.
Over the years, Danzō had done many such things one more wouldn't make a difference.
Of course, he couldn't show any sign of support.
But fortunately, he knew Danzō too well.
As long as he didn't oppose him too strongly, Danzō would proceed on his own.
The Third had used this trait of Danzō's many times to achieve his own ends.
And this time would be no different.
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