Behind Fugaku, Uchiha Yakumi, Tekka, Inabi, and others stood ready for war.
Then—
Uchiha Yashiro sighed and placed a hand on Fugaku's shoulder.
"Clan Head… don't act rashly."
"Shisui's stance is uncertain."
"Qianyu is suspended."
"This is not the time."
Fugaku clenched his teeth—then slowly exhaled.
"Qianyu's squad can be temporarily disbanded."
"But—"
"I will not hand them to ANBU."
Shinnosuke's pupils shrank.
"So you intend to protect them?"
Fugaku replied calmly,
"I swear on my life—no Uchiha is a Kirigakure spy."
"If you insist on interrogation…"
"Start with me."
Shock rippled through the Uchiha.
"Clan Head!"
Even Shinnosuke was taken aback.
Then he smiled coldly.
"So the noble clan head offers himself?"
"Very well."
"Please come with us."
Yashiro stepped forward furiously.
"Over my dead body!"
More Uchiha followed.
Shinnosuke said icily,
"You said it yourselves."
"Are you prepared?"
Fugaku stepped forward, parting the crowd.
"Enough."
"I'll go."
"You'll be fine, Clan Head—"
"If it were those children…"
Yashiro understood.
If Fugaku entered ANBU custody, they couldn't touch him.
But Qianyu's followers?
They'd be tortured.
This was sacrifice.
And a test of the village.
"I leave the clan to you."
Fugaku smiled faintly.
"Let's go."
ANBU escorted him away.
The Uchiha trembled with rage.
"Bastards!"
"Release the Clan Head!"
Yashiro shouted,
"Don't waste his resolve!"
"Especially you—Qianyu's men!"
They burned with grief and fury.
Qianyu suspended.
Aoki and Yamafū shattered.
And now—
Even the Clan Head was taken.
Their eyes glowed red.
Yashiro could only sigh.
Elsewhere—
Lightning crackled violently.
Qianyu forced Pseudo-Darkness Lightning into his katana.
This required absolute chakra control.
But after relentless training—
It finally stabilized.
Lightning danced along the blade.
Piercing.
Exploding.
"Completed…"
"Lightning Release — Pseudo-Darkness Blade."
His strength surged.
And then—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Someone was at the door.