Swish, swish, swish—
The Third Hokage and his group moved quickly. In just a few breaths, they arrived from afar in front of the Konoha Police Departnt.
They ford the third faction present—but also the most powerful one.
"Third Hokage, you ca just in ti. The Police Departnt has detained more than ten mbers of my clan, including our clan head. I demand an explanation."
Shimura Danzō looked at the arriving Third Hokage and spoke in a deep voice.
"More than ten mbers of the Shimura clan, including the clan head, have been detained? Captain Fugaku, what's going on here?"
The Third Hokage's face showed "surprise," though it was clearly feigned.
After all, in Konoha, what could truly escape his notice?
He had already received reports from the Anbu and was well aware of the situation.
Still, he was happy to see the conflict between the two sides escalate, so he hadn't intervened until things grew out of hand, forcing him to step in.
"Hokage-sama, the Shimura clan head and several mbers of the Shimura clan interfered with the Police Departnt's law enforcent. Therefore, for obstructing justice, I detained and imprisoned them."
"There were many eyewitnesses at the ti. They can all testify that the Shimura clan head and those individuals obstructed the Police Departnt in the line of duty."
Knowing full well the Third Hokage was asking what he already knew, Uchiha Fugaku didn't call him out and simply responded.
"Obstructed law enforcent?"
The Third Hokage frowned and turned his gaze toward Danzō.
"Advisor Danzō, if what Captain Fugaku says is true, then his arrest of the Shimura clan head and those individuals was entirely in accordance with the law—there's nothing wrong with that."
"Naoya Shimura and those clansn only tried to stop them because the Police Departnt was attempting to take away a few Shimura clan mbers who had been involved in a conflict with the Uchiha. We feared they would be treated unfairly," Danzō replied coldly.
"Is this true?"
The Third Hokage looked back to Uchiha Fugaku with a questioning look.
"It is true. Upon receiving reports that several Uchiha and Shimura clan mbers had clashed, I intended to bring all involved parties back to the departnt for questioning. However, the Shimura clan head interfered."
Fugaku explained calmly.
"Hmph. Everyone knows the Police Departnt is your Uchiha clan's territory. What good could possibly co from letting you take them away?"
Danzō snorted coldly.
"Advisor Danzō, do you have any proof for that accusation? If not, then such baseless assumptions—slandering the Police Departnt no less—are unacceptable, even for you."
Fugaku cast a cold glance at Danzō.
"What proof is needed? One side is the Shimura clan, the other is the Uchiha. It's obvious who the Police Departnt would favor!"
Danzō sneered.
As Fugaku and Danzō clashed verbally, the Third Hokage's brow appeared to furrow—whether genuinely or for show.
He turned to the various clan heads and elite jōnin from the civilian ninja population who had co along and asked:
"What do you all think?"
"Hokage-sama, I think Lord Danzō has a point. The Police Departnt is controlled by the Uchiha. If soone is taken there, there's definitely a chance of bias."
A relatively short man, barely over 160 cm tall, seized the opportunity and quickly responded.
He was Takasaki Kazushi, head of the Takasaki clan—an ardent supporter of the Shimura clan and Danzō.
He had been involved in several instances of Shimura targeting the Uchiha.
"While the Shimura clan head may have overreacted, his concern is understandable. There's indeed suspicion that the Police Departnt may not act impartially."
A woman with fairly pleasant features smiled as she spoke.
She was Hoshino Atsumi, head of the Hoshino clan—also close allies of the Shimura clan.
"Hokage-sama, I agree. With the conflict between the Uchiha and Shimura clans, expecting the Police Departnt to act fairly is unrealistic."
This was said by a stern-looking man with a scar over his left eye and only his right eye intact he appeared fierce.
He was Iwasaki Yū, head of the Iwasaki clan, another ally of the Shimura.
After these statents, more clan heads voiced their agreent, and the tide began to turn against the Uchiha.
"I see it differently."
At that mont, Hatake Nobuhiro, the silver-haired head of the Hatake clan, shook his head and spoke.
"Claims that the Police Departnt would favor the Uchiha are re speculation, unsupported by evidence."
"Obstructing law enforcent based solely on conjecture is completely unjustified."
Under Uchiha Fugaku's efforts to form alliances, the Hatake clan had grown closer to the Uchiha.
Moreover, the death of the forr "White Fang" of Konoha—Hatake Sakumo—had ties to Danzō, giving Nobuhiro further reason to support the Uchiha.
"I agree with Lord Hatake!"
The head of the Hyuga clan, his eyes completely white, spoke next.
"Interfering with the Police Departnt based purely on unfounded assumptions is completely unacceptable."
The Hyuga clan supported the Uchiha for similar reasons.
Partly because of gratitude—Fugaku had supported them in a past conflict with the Shimura clan.
And partly because the Hyuga had suffered the sa fate as the Hatake: both had lost key mbers, with Danzō being a primary instigator.
He could never forget the cold faces of the Third Hokage and Danzō on that day.
Following these two, more clan heads who owed favors to the Uchiha expressed their support.
"..."
The Third Hokage was sowhat surprised. He had sought the opinions of the other clan heads expecting overwhelming support for Danzō.
That way, he could justify siding with Danzō naturally.
After all, when it ca to the Uchiha problem, he and Danzō were united.
But to his surprise, while many sided with Danzō, the Uchiha also had supporters.
After so thought, he spoke.
"The idea that the Police Departnt would show favoritism is unsupported by evidence. That's no reason to obstruct justice. The conflict between the Uchiha and Shimura clans… will remain under the Police Departnt's jurisdiction."
"As for the Shimura clan head and the few mbers who interfered with law enforcent—for this first offense, we won't pursue punishnt. They are to be released."
"Advisor Danzō, Captain Fugaku—what do you think?"
"No objections."
Danzō shot a cold glance at Fugaku and replied icily.
By letting Shimura Naoya and the others off without punishnt, the Hokage was clearly siding with the Shimura clan. Of course Danzō had no objection.
"No objections from either."
Fugaku replied coldly.
He could see clearly the Hokage was favoring the Shimura, brushing off what should have been serious consequences.
When it ca to the Uchiha, the Third Hokage and Danzō always stood in silent agreent.
So, this outco didn't surprise him.
He agreed not because he accepted it, but because opposing it would be pointless—and because this whole incident had not been a loss.
When they arrested the Shimura, the Police Departnt hadn't held back—thanks to the clan's "violent resistance."
More importantly, he had achieved his goal of enraging Danzō.
This whole scene had been ant to provoke him.
To eliminate Danzō, Fugaku had to make him lose control even to the point of leaving the village to retaliate.
And that would be his opportunity to strike.
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