Behind Uchiha Fugaku stood Uchiha Yakumi, Uchiha Tekka, Uchiha Inabi, and many other clansmen. Their eyes blazed with fury, chakra surging violently around them, ready to erupt into battle at any moment.
Yet Uchiha Yashiro suddenly let out a long sigh and gently placed a hand on Fugaku's shoulder.
"Clan Head…"
"Do not act rashly."
"Shisui's stance remains uncertain. Chiba has been suspended. This is not the time for recklessness."
He lowered his voice, whispering quietly into Fugaku's ear.
Fugaku clenched his teeth.
But in the end, he drew a deep breath and slowly relaxed his fists.
"Chiba's squad can be temporarily disbanded."
"However—"
"I will not hand them over to the ANBU."
Shinnosuke's pupils contracted.
"So you still intend to shield them?"
"Clan Head Fugaku, that would be very difficult for me to explain to the Hokage… and to the village."
Fugaku's voice remained steady.
"I stake my life on this."
"No member of the Uchiha clan is a spy for Kirigakure."
"If someone must undergo interrogation…"
"Then begin with me, the clan head."
Yashiro and the others were stunned.
"Clan Head!"
"What are you saying?!"
Even Shinnosuke's expression shifted slightly.
He had not expected Fugaku to go this far.
But perhaps that made things simpler.
A cold smile curved beneath his mask.
"Clan Head Fugaku wishes to submit himself to ANBU questioning?"
"How admirable."
"Very well."
"Please come with us."
Yashiro roared and stepped in front of Fugaku.
"If you want to take the Clan Head, you'll go through me first!"
"That's right!"
"If you want a fight, then fight!"
One after another, the Uchiha moved forward, shielding Fugaku.
Shinnosuke's tone turned icy.
"You said that yourselves."
"Have you prepared for the consequences?"
Fugaku parted the crowd and stepped forward.
"That's enough."
"No one act rashly."
"I will go with them."
"Clan Head, this—"
"You need not worry."
"I will be fine."
Yashiro's eyes widened as understanding dawned on him.
If Fugaku went with them, then unless Hiruzen truly intended to declare open war, the ANBU would not dare harm him lightly.
But if Chiba's subordinates were taken instead—
What they might endure during interrogation would be another matter entirely.
ANBU interrogation…
Everyone present understood what that meant.
Fugaku was not only protecting his clansmen.
He was also stepping into the situation personally to gauge the Hokage's true intentions.
"Elder Yashiro," Fugaku said quietly, "while I am gone, I leave the clan and the Police Force in your care."
"Clan Head, do not fall for this!"
But after a moment, Yashiro finally gave a heavy nod.
Fugaku turned to Shinnosuke.
"Let's go."
With a cold laugh, Shinnosuke gestured.
ANBU operatives immediately surrounded Fugaku and escorted him away.
"Let him go!"
"We'll fight you!"
Several Uchiha activated their Sharingan in fury.
But Yashiro stepped forward and blocked them.
"Do not act rashly!"
"Do not waste the Clan Head's intentions!"
"Especially you—Chiba's squad!"
Chiba's subordinates numbered no more than seven or eight.
Yet at this moment, their grief and rage burned more fiercely than anyone else's.
Their captain had been suspended.
Aoki and Yamaka lay gravely injured.
And now even the Clan Head had been taken because of them.
Their despair and fury surged violently, pushing their ocular power to flare beyond its usual limits.
Yashiro sensed it—and sighed deeply.
"This is the Clan Head's order."
"No one moves."
"…Yes, Elder Yashiro."
Several members of Chiba's squad exchanged glances before starting to move.
"Where are you going?" Yashiro asked sharply.
"To the hospital," one of them replied.
"We're going to see Aoki and Yamaka."
"We won't do anything foolish."
At the mention of their names, Yashiro's expression softened slightly.
"Go."
"Yes."
But then Yashiro's expression hardened again.
"Do not tell Chiba about this."
"With his temperament… he would overturn the village."
"…Understood."
Yet Yashiro could see it in their eyes.
They might not obey.
"Yakumi."
"Yes."
"Send someone to watch them."
"And especially Chiba."
"He must not learn about this."
"Understood."
Yashiro looked around.
Every face burned with anger and unwillingness.
It felt as if the sky above Konoha itself had darkened beneath their fury.
He could only sigh.
…
At the same time—
Crackle.
Hum!
Chiba pushed himself to the limit, forcing Lightning Release: False Darkness to merge with his katana.
It was no simple task.
It required absolute mastery of chakra's shape transformation.
After relentless training—day and night—he was finally nearing success.
Lightning surged wildly along the blade's edge.
The violent power transformed the sword into a lightning-infused weapon capable of shattering defenses, paralyzing opponents, and detonating upon impact.
If Sasuke's Chidori Blade focused on pure piercing force—
Then Chiba's technique embodied penetration and explosive destruction.
He gazed at the crackling blade and allowed himself a faint smile.
"It's done."
"Infusing the destructive power of False Darkness into the blade…"
"I'll call it—"
"Lightning Release: False Darkness Blade."
Even without relying on the system, Chiba's relentless effort had pushed his strength forward rapidly.
Attributes: Fire, Lightning, Yin, YangChakra: 695Ability: Three-Tomoe Sharingan (480/1000)
Techniques:
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique — MasteredFire Release: Dragon Flame Technique — MasteredUchiha-Style Swordsmanship — AdvancedLightning Release: False Darkness — IntermediateLightning Release Taijutsu: False Darkness Blade — Intermediate
Merit Points: 0
"My chakra and ocular power have both improved…"
"And both Lightning techniques have reached intermediate mastery."
A trace of satisfaction rose within him.
Just then—
A hurried knock echoed at his door.
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