Moments after Namikaze Minato finished speaking, Uchiha Fugaku arrived at the Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage, what urgent matter requires my presence?" Fugaku asked directly, his gaze fixed on the Third Hokage as he entered the office.
His expression was puzzled. At this time, the Third Hokage shouldn't have any business with the Uchiha Clan.
As Fugaku entered, Kakashi immediately turned to look at him. Compared to Sasuke's memories, Fugaku appeared younger and even more imposing, radiating immense power.
Sensing Kakashi's gaze, Fugaku seemed to recognize a familiar Bloodline Limit within it. He immediately turned to face Kakashi, his pupils shifting slightly.
"Sharingan..."
"That damned White Fang brat! How dare he steal the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan!"
Fugaku exclaimed in shock, his face contorting with fury as he snarled the words.
His eyes instantly activated the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and without hesitation, he lunged at Kakashi.
He would never allow the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan to fall into the hands of outsiders!
*Whoosh!*
In an instant, Uchiha Fugaku's figure closed in on Kakashi.
Seeing Fugaku's sudden attack, the Third Hokage and the others couldn't help but pale slightly.
Kakashi's pupils constricted, and he reflexively drew his sword from its sheath, intending to block Fugaku's strike.
*No good!*
But as he raised the sword to parry, Kakashi realized with horror that only the hilt remained in his hand. The blade had been shattered during his earlier battle with the Iwa-nin Jonin!
*Whoosh!*
Kakashi could only watch helplessly as Fugaku, wielding a kunai in both hands, thrust it downward toward his chest. Still recovering from severe injuries, a direct hit would be fatal.
*Shunshin!*
At this critical moment, Namikaze Minato used his Shunshin to appear before Kakashi, simultaneously seizing both of Fugaku's wrists and halting the attack.
"Clan Leader Fugaku! Let's discuss this calmly. There's a reason Kakashi received the Sharingan!" Minato urged, immediately after stopping the enraged Uchiha Clan Head.
"Hmph! I don't care about the reasons! The Uchiha Clan's Sharingan must never be in the hands of outsiders. Unless he gouges out his eyes, the Uchiha Clan will never let him off the hook!"
Uchiha Fugaku, having been restrained by Namikaze Minato, had calmed down slightly. After breaking free from Minato's grip and stepping back, he still spoke fiercely, completely disregarding that they were in the Hokage's office and the Third Hokage was present.
"Ahem..."
"Clan Leader Fugaku, let's hear Kakashi's explanation of how he obtained the Sharingan before we proceed," the Third Hokage said, his brow furrowing slightly at Fugaku's aggressive stance. He cleared his throat twice before addressing the Uchiha Clan Leader.
"Understood, Lord Hokage!" Fugaku replied expressionlessly, knowing he had to show some respect to the Third Hokage.
However, inwardly, he remained determined to reclaim Kakashi's Sharingan, regardless of what the Third Hokage might say.
"This Sharingan... Obito gave it to me before he died..." Kakashi said, seizing the opportunity to speak. He quickly recounted the entire story again.
As Kakashi spoke, his inner frustration simmered. This Sharingan had been given to him by Uchiha Obito, making it his. Yet he was being forced to appease the Uchiha Clan.
*They deserve to be wiped out in a few years!*
Kakashi could only curse them silently. Remembering they were all destined to die, he decided not to argue with Uchiha Kyofu.
He quickly finished recounting the events.
"That fool! Even in death, he carelessly gave away a Sharingan that belonged to the Uchiha Clan!"
Uchiha Fugaku's face remained impassive as he listened, but inwardly he cursed Obito. If the boy were standing before him now, he would slap him senseless, reminding him why he bore the Uchiha name.
"Lord Hokage," Fugaku continued, "while Kakashi's Sharingan was given to him by Obito, it remains our clan's Bloodline Limit. The Uchiha Clan cannot allow outsiders to possess the secrets of the Sharingan. This poses a grave threat to our clan. Obito was just a child and didn't understand these matters. I trust you and the advisors understand the Uchiha Clan's predicament."
"Therefore, Lord Hokage and esteemed Advisors, for the sake of the Uchiha Clan, we urge you to have Kakashi return the Sharingan. Kakashi's left eye is destroyed, but the Uchiha Clan can help him find a replacement!"
"As for Kakashi's Sharingan, it must be returned to the Uchiha Clan immediately!"
While inwardly cursing Uchiha Obito, Uchiha Fugaku spoke forcefully to the Third Hokage.
"Clan Leader Fugaku!"
"Uchiha Obito sacrificed himself for Konoha and is a hero. How can we disregard the wishes of the deceased?"
Seeing Fugaku's assertiveness, Koharu frowned slightly and addressed him, completely forgetting that she had just made the same argument against Kakashi.
However, between Kakashi and Fugaku, the two advisors disliked the assertive Fugaku even more.
The current Clan Head of the Uchiha Clan!
The Uchiha Clan, responsible for Konoha's security forces, protected the village while simultaneously posing a constant threat to it.
"Indeed, Clan Leader Fugaku," the Third Hokage said gently, addressing Uchiha Fugaku directly. "Your concern is that Kakashi might reveal the secrets of the Uchiha Clan's Bloodline Limit. I guarantee on my honor as the Third Hokage that Kakashi will never divulge the secrets of the Sharingan!"
The Third Hokage staked his personal honor on this assurance.
"Clan Leader Fugaku, I also guarantee it on my honor as the Yellow Flash!" Namikaze Minato added quickly, his eyes lighting up at the Third Hokage's words.
Both men were staking their reputations, which, aside from Jiraiya's, were unmatched in Konoha—carrying immense weight.
"This..."
Uchiha Fugaku was taken aback by the Third Hokage and Namikaze Minato's willingness to stake their honor. His brow furrowed deeply as he hesitated, torn between his doubts and the weight of their assurances.
** End of Chapter **