"Since Fugaku insists on an investigation, let's proceed. After all, this is what our guards excel at," Yuichi said with a calm smile, showing no signs of panic.
"I want to be part of the investigation too," Uchiha Fugaku interjected. He couldn't trust Yuichi's guards alone to handle the investigation, suspecting they would cover up the truth rather than uncover it.
"Seems like you don't trust the guards," Yuichi commented, his tone light, though the accusation was clear. His remark stirred unease among the guards, many of whom took offence at Fugaku's implied distrust.
"No problem," Yuichi continued, unfazed. "We'll investigate together. But when we find the culprit, I hope you won't show any mercy, even if it turns out to be someone close to you."
Fugaku frowned at Yuichi's confidence. Could it be that he truly hadn't left any clues behind? His thoughts raced, but outwardly, he remained composed.
"Let's start the investigation at Captain Yuichi's residence," Fugaku suggested.
Uchiha Kenta, outraged, retorted angrily, "Are you implying that Lord Yuichi is the murderer?"
Fugaku's eyes narrowed as he responded coolly, "I didn't say that. But if Captain Yuichi has nothing to hide, then he shouldn't mind the search. Or is there something you're guilty about?"
Yuichi remained unruffled, his expression unreadable. "Fugaku, since you're so convinced that I killed the elders, let's begin the search at my house. But if you find nothing, I expect you to apologize in front of the entire Uchiha clan."
"Agreed," Fugaku responded without hesitation.
As the tension between them thickened, Uchiha Lin approached Fugaku and whispered, "You're being too impulsive. Even if Yuichi is responsible, do you really think he would leave behind evidence? He looks too smart to do so."
Fugaku, consumed by his determination, replied stubbornly, "I'll find the proof I need."
The investigation began at Yuichi's residence, with Fugaku leading a group alongside the guards. They searched every corner of his home, hoping to find anything that might incriminate Yuichi. At the same time, other investigators examined the bodies of the two slain elders for additional clues.
Yet, as expected, nothing was found.
Meanwhile, word of the investigation spread through the Uchiha clan, causing a divide. Some stood firmly with Yuichi, convinced of his innocence.
Others sided with Fugaku, already believing that Yuichi was responsible for the elders' deaths.
"Fugaku's accusations are baseless. Lord Yuichi had nothing to do with this."
"He's the head of the guards. If he were guilty, he wouldn't be acting so confidently. Fugaku's just stirring trouble."
"Or maybe he's just clever. It's not impossible that Yuichi orchestrated this and covered his tracks."
The clan's divided opinions led to heated arguments, but nothing concrete came from the search. After some time, Fugaku emerged from Yuichi's home, his face dark with frustration. He had found no evidence.
"I warned you," Uchiha Lin muttered, shaking his head in dismay. Fugaku's brash behaviour had only made matters worse.
Yuichi, observing Fugaku's failure, pressed on, "Fugaku, since no evidence was found, this proves my innocence. Now, as agreed, you must apologize to me in front of the clan."
"Apologize to Lord Yuichi!" the supporters of Yuichi demanded, their voices rising.
"He was wrongly accused!"
Fugaku clenched his fists, his anger barely contained. "You're not fooling me, Yuichi. Even if you didn't do it yourself, I know your subordinates were involved," he spat, tearing down any pretence of civility between them.
Yuichi's eyes grew cold, his tone turning ominous. "If you're so sure of that, then continue investigating. But understand this—if you find nothing, I won't forgive your insults."
Fugaku, his pride wounded and his suspicions unwavering, refused to back down. "I'll find the evidence. Just wait."
Determined to expose Yuichi, Fugaku ordered a thorough search of Uchiha Kenta and Uchiha Sota's homes, as well as the residences of anyone closely associated with Yuichi. However, no incriminating evidence turned up anywhere. Fugaku's frustration deepened as his investigation continued to yield nothing.
Uchiha Kenta, loyal to Yuichi, took the opportunity to taunt Fugaku. "How could you suspect your own clan members? We demand an apology. You've disgraced yourself and insulted us all."
Fugaku's ally, Uchiha Lin, stepped forward, attempting to defuse the situation. "Let's not take this too far. Asking Fugaku to kneel and apologize is unnecessary," he said, trying to cool tempers.
Ignoring Lin, Yuichi directed Sasuke, "Let's just continue the investigation. We must find the murderer, no matter where they hide."
Kenta obeyed, turning to the guards. "Let's start searching Uchiha Fugaku's residence."
The guards, most of whom were loyal to Yuichi, complied without hesitation. Fugaku's home was scoured, as were the homes of his closest supporters. It wasn't long before one of the guards discovered a weapon in one of the compounds, the same type used to kill the two elders.
"Captain Yuichi, we've found the murder weapon!" one of the guards reported, presenting the blade.
Uchiha Kenta glanced at Yuichi knowingly. The day before, Yuichi had told him to keep the murder weapon hidden, and now it had conveniently appeared in Fugaku's possession. It was a clever frame-up, and Kenta couldn't help but admire Yichi's foresight.
Kenta stepped forward, his voice rising with righteous fury. "Uchiha Shimana, how could you commit such a crime? Arrest him!"
Uchiha Shimana, one of Fugaku's staunchest supporters, protested in shock. "It wasn't me! I didn't kill the elders! I'm being framed!"
But with the murder weapon found in his home, Shimana's words fell on deaf ears. The guards seized him, dragging him before the clan as the supposed murderer.
"Shimana's betrayal is unforgivable," Kenta declared. "He dared to murder our elders and tried to hide the truth."
Watching the spectacle unfold, Yuichi remained quiet. In one fell swoop, he had eliminated another one of Fugaku's supporters, all while further securing his own position within the clan. Uchiha Shimana was doomed, and Fugaku's authority was further eroded.
However, Kenta couldn't help but wonder why Yuichi hadn't framed Fugaku directly. Perhaps there was a larger plan at work, one that he couldn't fully comprehend yet. But for now, it didn't matter. He knew exactly what needed to be done.
With Shimana in custody, the clan was split even further. Fugaku's allies were left in disarray, their influence weakening as Yuichi's power continued to grow. Uchiha Fugaku, realizing how precarious his situation had become, could do nothing but watch as his grip on the clan slipped further away.
Though Yuichi had not yet directly challenged Fugaku for leadership, the writing was on the wall. The clan's loyalties were shifting, and it was only a matter of time before Fugaku's position was fully undermined. I
n the world of the Uchiha, power was everything—and Ye Feng was playing the long game, expertly moving his pieces into place.
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