Uchiha Fugaku stealthily made his way back to the Uchiha compound and seamlessly switched places with the Shadow Clone he had left behind.
"Fugaku, what happened?"
Uchiha Mikoto erged from the bedroom, dressed in pajamas that revealed her fair chest. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she spoke with drowsy curiosity.
"I'm not quite sure yet. I've already sent soone to investigate. We should have news soon," Fugaku replied, shaking his head.
He had been busy all night investigating the secret chamber's break-in and hadn't slept a wink.
Because of that, Mikoto hadn't realized he had even left the house.
"Clan Head!"
A voice ca from outside—one of the clan mbers Fugaku had dispatched earlier to gather information.
Fugaku stepped out to et him.
"What's the situation?"
"The Hokage Tower was infiltrated just now. The Scroll of Seals was stolen. But the thief escaped."
Fugaku feigned shock.
"The Hokage Tower too? It must be the sa person who broke into the Uchiha compound earlier."
"Send a squad to assist with the search."
"Yes, sir."
As the clan mber departed, Fugaku returned inside.
"First the Uchiha compound during the day, now the Hokage Tower at night… this person is incredibly bold," Mikoto said, visibly stunned. She had overheard Fugaku's conversation clearly.
"Indeed, they are," Fugaku replied grimly.
—
By the next day, the news of the break-in at the Hokage Tower had spread like wildfire throughout Konoha.
The shock was even greater than the theft at the Uchiha compound. After all, the Hokage Tower was one of the most heavily guarded places in the village.
And the Scroll of Seals being stolen? That was like a bombshell.
Anyone who understood its importance knew the severity of the situation. Even if the village elders had made backup copies of the scroll's contents, it couldn't prevent the forbidden techniques within from leaking out.
If those techniques were no longer exclusive to Konoha, the village stood to suffer trendous losses.
As expected, an ergency council eting was quickly convened.
"Lord Hokage," Fugaku began, face full of 'anger.' "The Mokuton bloodline user is far too audacious—first infiltrating the Uchiha compound during the day, and now stealing the Scroll of Seals from the Hokage Tower at night."
"I again request the formation of a twelve-man elite jonin squad to hunt down and eliminate this Mokuton ninja."
His outrage was half performance, half genuine.
What truly enraged him was not the theft, but that the person who broke into the secret chamber was Uchiha Shisui—and the one who sent him was none other than the Third Hokage.
But without evidence, there was nothing he could do to either of them.
So instead, he pushed for the Third Hokage to deploy Shisui… against Uchiha Obito.
"I agree with Clan Head Fugaku," said Hyuga Hiashi, his eyes glowing white. "We can't let this Mokuton ninja run loose. Forming a suppression squad is necessary."
From the intruder's actions yesterday, it was clear he was targeting the secret techniques of the village's major clans.
Among those, the Hyuga clan's strength was second only to the Uchiha. With the Uchiha compound already compromised, they could very well be next.
Hiashi fully supported taking action.
Shimura Daifu, the Shimura clan head, hesitated. He glanced at Shimura Danzo, seated close beside the Third Hokage, wondering whether to support or oppose the idea.
Since the proposal ca from Fugaku—his clan's long-standing rival—he was inclined to reject it. But at the last eting, Danzo had subtly shown support for Fugaku's idea.
At that mont, Daifu saw Danzo give the slightest nod.
Reassured, Daifu made up his mind.
"Lord Hokage, the Scroll of Seals contains nurous forbidden techniques. We cannot allow them to fall into enemy hands. I also support forming a twelve-man elite jonin unit to pursue the culprit."
Though Daifu was the current head of the Shimura clan, Danzo's status as a Konoha elder made him the true authority within their family. In tis like this, he would always follow Danzo's lead.
"Well, isn't this rare—Fugaku and Daifu actually agree on sothing," Fugaku thought, glancing at him.
Their agreent was almost unheard of. But Fugaku wasn't surprised. The real decision-maker was Danzo.
And at the last council, for reasons unknown, Danzo had supported his proposal.
"We definitely can't let this Mokuton user run free any longer," another clan head chid in. "I support forming an elite jonin suppression unit."
"I support it as well."
"Count in…"
More and more clan heads voiced their support.
So did so due to their close ties with the Shimura clan. Others were simply alard by the Mokuton user's actions.
With both the Uchiha compound and the Hokage Tower breached, any one of them could be next.
Seeing most of the council in agreent, the Third Hokage frowned slightly.
With such overwhelming support for the formation of a suppression unit, even he, as Hokage, couldn't ignore the collective will of the village.
More importantly, he too felt the threat posed by the Mokuton user.
Though no lives were lost the previous night, the theft of the Scroll of Seals was a dire event.
After a pause, he spoke.
"Since everyone agrees, we will form a twelve-man elite jonin team. Only those with the strength of an elite jonin may join. Does anyone have nominations?"
"I nominate Uchiha Shisui from our Uchiha clan," Fugaku said without hesitation.
The Third Hokage's face stiffened. Of course Fugaku would nominate Shisui again.
Shisui, having been thoroughly indoctrinated by him, was one of his most loyal assets. Naturally, the Hokage didn't want to send him on such a dangerous mission.
Keeping his expression solemn, he tried to play the role of a protective ntor.
"Shisui's strength is undeniable, but he's still quite young. Do you have other recomndations, Clan Head Fugaku?"
"Shisui has worked in the ANBU for years. His experience rivals that of any veteran. I believe he is fully qualified."
Fugaku stood his ground.
The whole point of forming this elite unit was to pit that traitor Shisui against Uchiha Obito.
"Lord Hokage," Danzo added, "I understand you want to protect a genius, but sheltering him too much will only dull his edge."
"This mission is a perfect opportunity for Shisui to grow."
Though Danzo didn't understand why Fugaku wanted Shisui involved, their interests aligned. That was all that mattered.
"…Very well. The first mber of the squad shall be… Uchiha Shisui."
The Third Hokage's face twitched ever so slightly, but in the end, he gave in.
Shisui was from the Uchiha clan and had been recomnded by its head. There was little he could do to stop it.
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