The first ones to stop Sarutobi Hiyū were not the Uchiha.
They were ANBU.
Five or six masked figures descended from the sky in an instant, blocking the path of Hiyū's revenge force, their voices urgent.
"Clan Head Hiyū—what are you doing?!"
Hiyū roared, eyes bloodshot.
"Get out of my way!"
"Hokage-sama has issued a direct order—"
"SCRAM!"
The ANBU exchanged glances, then hardened their resolve.
"Apologies. This is Hokage-sama's command."
"If you wish to advance—"
"Step over our corpses!"
"You think I wouldn't dare?!"
At this point, Sarutobi Hiyū had completely lost his mind.
He no longer feared Sarutobi Hiruzen—let alone his subordinates.
The ANBU understood this as well, but orders were orders.
"Quick! Notify the Hokage!"
"Yes!"
Two ANBU vanished instantly, while the rest clenched their teeth and prepared to hold the line.
Hiyū sneered.
"Since you want to die—"
"I'll grant your wish!"
"Kill them!"
Twenty to thirty Sarutobi clan members charged forward with murderous momentum.
Such a force was impossible to hide.
The entire village noticed.
Other clans silently observed.
To many seasoned ninja, this was the beginning of true civil war.
Sarutobi versus Uchiha.
If these two clans truly went to war, Konoha would be split apart.
More terrifying still—
Was Sarutobi Hiyū acting alone?
Or… did the Hokage stand behind him?
No one could say.
Hyūga.
Ino–Shika–Chō.
Inuzuka.
Aburame.
All major clans held their breath and concealed themselves, watching carefully.
After killing three ANBU, Hiyū pressed onward, leading his forces toward the remote Uchiha district.
As guardians of Konoha's law and order, the Uchiha detected the movement immediately.
Uchiha Fugaku was shaken.
He hadn't expected Hiyū to openly defy Hiruzen's orders—
To actually attack the Uchiha.
This was outright war.
Elder Uchiha Yashiro wiped cold sweat from his brow.
"Clan Head—this is the moment of decision!"
"If we retreat now, the Uchiha will face utter annihilation!"
"But if we fight—this becomes a battle to the death!"
"There is no middle ground!"
Fugaku's heart churned.
He was not a hardline hawk.
Unless cornered, he never wished to gamble the clan's fate against Konoha.
Because he knew—
The odds were stacked against them.
But retreat?
What would retreat bring?
Uchiha Tekka.
Uchiha Yashiro.
Uchiha Inabi.
Elite jōnin.
The backbone of the Police Force.
They all stood behind him, awaiting his command.
One word—
Would decide the Uchiha's destiny.
Fugaku clenched his teeth.
"Move!"
"I'll face them myself!"
In an instant, the Police Force headquarters erupted with battle intent.
"Yes, Clan Head!"
At this point, Fugaku had no choice but to gamble everything.
The two forces met at the banks of the Naka River.
Tension snapped tight as drawn blades.
Fugaku took a deep breath.
"Clan Head Hiyū—what is the meaning of this?!"
Hiyū roared back.
"Enough talk, Fugaku! Hand over Uchiha Qianyu!"
"Or don't blame us for showing no mercy!"
Behind him, Sarutobi fanatics howled in rage.
The Uchiha answered in kind.
"You dare trespass on Uchiha land?!"
"If you want war—then war it is!"
"Do you think we fear you?!"
Fugaku raised his hand, silencing his people.
"This—was the Hokage's order?"
Hiyū screamed.
"So what if it was?! So what if it wasn't?!"
"Then it wasn't."
"Which means this is a declaration of war against the Uchiha."
"Hiyū—are you prepared for the consequences?"
"Enough nonsense!"
"Either hand over that beast Qianyu—"
"Or face Sarutobi wrath!"
Fugaku's fury erupted.
"Fine!"
"Then let Sarutobi blood stain the waters of the Naka River!"
Just as battle became inevitable—
A figure descended from the sky.
Landing squarely between the two armies.
Uchiha Qianyu.
Behind him, Uchiha Aoki and Uchiha Yamafū followed closely.
"Qianyu…"
Hiyū's hatred exploded upon seeing him.
"Uchiha Qianyu!"
"You finally dare show your face!"
"Today, you die for Jirō!"
Fugaku frowned sharply.
"Qianyu—step back. This is no longer just about you."
Qianyu glanced over his shoulder.
"No."
"One man acts—one man bears the consequence."
"Clan Head, I said before that I don't care if my actions drag the Uchiha into war."
"That hasn't changed."
"But—"
"Each matter has its own accounting."
Fugaku's eyes widened.
"Qianyu, you—"
"Captain Qianyu…"
"You two—do not intervene."
"B-but—"
"That's an order."
"…Yes."
Hiyū sneered.
"Good!"
"At least you have some backbone!"
"Then I'll kill you myself!"
The two faced each other across the riverbank.
Cold wind howled.
Qianyu spoke calmly.
"Sarutobi Hiyū—abuse of authority, shielding criminals, trespassing Uchiha territory, assaulting the Police Force."
"Your crimes are severe."
"By law—death."
Hiyū roared.
"Arrogant brat!"
"Then come and try!"
"Fire Release — Blazing Flame Technique!"
His hand seals were blindingly fast.
Before most ninja could react—
A white-hot inferno erupted, roaring like a fire dragon as it charged toward Qianyu.
"Qianyu—watch out!"
"Captain!"
Qianyu did not dodge.
He answered fire with fire.
"Fire Release — Dragon Flame Technique!"
Two raging flames collided violently.
But—
Hiyū snorted coldly.
His hands crossed again in rapid succession.
Another jutsu unleashed.
"Water Release — Water Dragon Bullet!"
A roaring water dragon burst forth, instantly extinguishing Qianyu's flames and surging toward him without slowing.
Fugaku's expression changed.
"As expected… Sarutobi Hiyū is no ordinary clan head."
"Qianyu…"
"How will you respond now?"