"I never expected that guy to have such means. Not only did he steal the Hyūga's Byakugan, he even shattered the genjutsu I cast with both of my Mangekyō using just a single Mangekyō…"
Fugaku lowered his head, not daring to meet Yuki Yoru's gaze. His voice was tight with tension.
"He noticed the depletion in my ocular power and tried to win me over by offering to restore my eyesight. In exchange, he wanted me to deliver the Kiri prodigy from the Hōzuki clan to him."
After his clash with Uchiha Obito, Fugaku returned to Konoha, but he didn't go to resolve the Sarutobi affair, nor did he check on the Hyūga. Instead, he immediately used Reverse Summoning to report directly to Kirigakure, laying everything out before Yoru.
Obito's methods had clearly exceeded his expectations. That someone could use a single Mangekyō to break a genjutsu cast by both of his Mangekyō—that alone was enough to prove Obito's power.
But strength or not, Fugaku wasn't about to betray the man who had personally put him in the Hokage seat. What was a masked faker compared to the master of souls?
If Obito had truly been on equal footing with Yoru—or superior—perhaps Fugaku would've hesitated. But Obito had been crushed by Yoru, completely overwhelmed.
And now that same Obito expected him to betray the one who made him Hokage?
Ridiculous.
So, the moment he returned to the village, Fugaku rushed to deliver every detail to Yoru.
"You didn't let me down, Fugaku. With you watching over Konoha, I can rest easy."
Yoru smiled warmly at him.
"If I told you the guy's true identity, I think you'd be surprised. He's no Uchiha Madara, that much I can tell you. That old man may have lived long after his battle with the First Hokage, but by now, he's definitely resting in the Pure Land."
"So he's not Madara after all…" Fugaku let out a breath of relief. Facing off against that ancestor would've been a terrifying prospect.
"There's no need to concern yourself with him too much. As for your Mangekyō's power, I'll have Miroku summon you here with Reverse Summoning tomorrow. That way, you can restore your ocular power right here in Kirigakure. Use tonight to prepare."
"Will it be painful?" Fugaku asked in a low voice.
"For me, it's easy. For you…" Yoru's gaze swept up and down Fugaku's body.
"It shouldn't be too much of a problem. I've always had confidence in you. Besides, it's just ocular restoration, not a major transformation. At worst, it'll hurt a little."
"Understood!"
Fugaku nodded heavily, both nervous and eager.
"And about that guy…"
"Ignore him. The Kaguya clan's kekkei genkai belongs to Kirigakure. You're the Hokage—what right do you have to claim one of our kekkei genkai?"
"Fair point."
While Yoru could tolerate Obito's antics for now, there was no way he'd allow a treasure of his village to be handed over.
"Alright. Go make your preparations. Oh, and regarding Kumo—considering everything that's happened in Konoha, they'll likely play dead for a while. But if they try anything again, I'll have the Soul Society assist you."
"Understood!"
Fugaku grinned. It felt good having an older brother to back him up. Being Hokage like this was downright sweet—so sweet!
But just then, he hesitated. His expression was tinged with anticipation… and a bit of embarrassment.
He no longer looked like the dignified Hokage at all.
"If you've got something to say, say it," Yoru said, amused.
"It's about my boy…" Fugaku said, rubbing his hands awkwardly.
"Itachi's already eight. His talent may not compare to yours, but among the Uchiha, he's top-tier. I was wondering… could he receive some of your guidance?"
Take that damn ferret in as one of mine?
Hell no.
Yoru's eyelid twitched.
He had confidence in his own strength, but he had zero interest in Itachi—or the Uchiha in general.
The Uchiha clan was full of certified maniacs, and Uchiha Itachi was their crown jewel.
To be generous, he was a thoughtful genius. To be blunt, he was a mentally unstable traitor who butchered his own parents, betrayed his clan, and acted in the name of some twisted ideology.
Bringing him in? What if one day he decided that Yoru's actions were too "cruel" and offended his sense of justice? Wouldn't he raise his blade against Yoru or Kirigakure?
Of course, Itachi would never actually succeed—but Yoru wasn't in the business of giving himself unnecessary headaches.
"I've never been one for taking disciples. Hiashi's daughter is different; I can train her from a young age. But your boy? He's already seven or eight, right?"
Yoru shook his head. "Not suitable."
"Ah…"
Fugaku's face fell.
That Hinata could become Yoru's disciple made him burn with jealousy.
Even putting aside future resources and opportunities—just the auto-rebound power Hinata had shown earlier was more than enough to make any father jealous.
"Then… what about my younger son?"
"Younger son? Uchiha Sasuke?"
Yoru paused, then shook his head.
"Your youngest and the Yellow Flash's son are both promising, but they aren't fated for me. Still, since you've asked…"
Just as Fugaku looked downcast, Yoru pulled out a scroll.
Fugaku took it reverently.
"What's this…?"
"The summoning scroll for Ryūchidō (Ryūchi Cave)."
The moment those words landed, Fugaku's eyes lit up!
The Three Great Sage Lands had been renowned for generations. Even though the Uchiha had their own summoning animals—the cats—they couldn't compare to the Sage Lands.
Unfortunately, though all three Sage Lands had ties to Konoha, those ties were broken now.
Shikkotsurin (Shikkotsu Forest) belonged to the Senju, but Tsunade had long since left the village.
Myōbokuzan (Mount Myōboku) had lost its inheritance when Minato and Jiraiya died.
And Orochimaru, who held the contract for Ryūchidō, had defected.
What used to be Konoha's proud claim—to command all Three Great Sage Lands—was now just history.
Fugaku himself had already signed the scroll for the Fourth Sage Land, Shadow Island, but the Three Greats held a different kind of prestige.
"I've spoken to the White Snake Sage. If your son can pass Ryūchidō's test, he'll receive the sage's blessing."
"Thank you, Lord Yoru!"
...
Fugaku Uchiha returned to Konoha in high spirits.
Soon after, Inabi brought him a full report on the Sarutobi clan's situation.
But Fugaku, whose mind was now fully occupied with the Ryūchidō contract and his Mangekyō restoration, couldn't be bothered with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Then it struck him—
This was the perfect chance to wipe out the Sarutobi's lingering influence once and for all.
His expression turned stern.
"The Hyūga's kekkei genkai was leaked, and Hiashi's daughter was kidnapped. The Sarutobi clan is deeply implicated."
"Until I get to the bottom of this, the Sarutobi compound is under full lockdown. No Sarutobi is permitted to enter or leave. Anyone who tries—kill on sight."
"Yes, sir!"
Inabi left enthusiastically, delivering the Hokage's new orders to Uchiha Setsuna, who was already waiting with troops at the Sarutobi compound.
By now, the entire compound was surrounded by crowds of onlookers. Everyone in Konoha knew the feud between the Uchiha, the Sarutobi, and the Shimura clans.
Most believed those two clans were directly responsible for the Uchiha's fall from grace.
Now that Fugaku was Hokage, it was only a matter of time before he retaliated—but no one expected it to be this fast, or this ruthless.
Countless shinobi gathered to watch the drama unfold. Many had once served under Hiruzen—but with a new Hokage in power, they had switched loyalties. Some even looked amused.
It nearly made Hiruzen's nose bleed from fury.
"Uchiha Setsuna! What the hell are you doing?!"
Hiruzen growled, trying to reclaim his Third Hokage authority.
"You've had ANBU blockading the Sarutobi compound for nearly a day! Do you actually want a war between our clans?!"
"War?"
"You overestimate yourself, Hiruzen."
Setsuna sneered coldly.
A lesser Uchiha might've been intimidated by Hiruzen's lingering aura. But Setsuna?
Back when the Second Hokage was in power, Setsuna had still dared to rebel. A retired Third Hokage meant nothing to him—especially now that his own man sat on the throne.
Setsuna didn't even bother replying. He casually signaled his men to bring over a lounge chair and lay back with a satisfied sigh.
Some nearby shinobi chuckled aloud. Hiruzen's veins bulged in fury.
"Uchiha Setsuna! Don't go too far!"
Setsuna ignored him completely, shutting his eyes as if enjoying the breeze. Hiruzen seethed, but dared not act recklessly.
More time passed. Hiruzen's patience wore thin.
Then—Uchiha Inabi arrived.
"The Hokage's Order has arrived!"
Chakra-enhanced voice projection echoed across the area, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
Inabi held a scroll, his Sharingan spinning. His gaze swept over the crowd with commanding presence.
Hiruzen, Setsuna, and every surrounding shinobi turned to him, the tension high.
"By command of the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Fugaku—"
"Kumogakure approached us under the pretense of peace negotiations, but in truth conspired to steal the Hyūga's kekkei genkai.
Elder Sarutobi Hiruzen is suspected of treason, conspiring with foreign powers to incite chaos within the village, steal the Hyūga kekkei genkai, and destroy Konoha's unity."
"Until the investigation is complete, the Sarutobi compound is sealed. All members are forbidden from entering or exiting.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's elder status is suspended, pending judgment from the Hokage!"
The announcement sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Hiruzen staggered, nearly collapsing.
"Treason?! The Third Hokage—accused of treason?!"
"So that's why Kumo agreed to every condition in those talks! They were after the Byakugan the whole time!"
"Those Kumo bastards! They must've forgotten how terrifying the Fifth's Susanoo is!"
"Wait… didn't Sarutobi insist on handling the negotiations himself? Don't tell me…!"
Whispers surged through the crowd. Many who had come to spectate now looked at Hiruzen with suspicion.
Even the Sarutobi clan members behind him stared in disbelief.
Doubt. Hostility. Shock.
An elderly Sarutobi, one of the few survivors from the Warring States Era, thumped his cane furiously and scolded:
"Hiruzen! Why? Why did it have to come to this?!"
Moments later, some of the elders couldn't take the blow. Two collapsed on the spot, causing chaos.
The entire clan fell into disarray. Even Hiruzen's most diehard supporters now looked at him with uncertainty.
"Lord Third… is this true?"
"No! I swear I'm innocent!"
Hiruzen shouted desperately, face pale.
"I acted only for Konoha—for the Sarutobi clan! I accepted the negotiation role for the good of the village! My heart is pure!"
"Heh."
Setsuna chuckled darkly and took the scroll from Inaho.
After reading, he shot Hiruzen a chilling glare.
"Such devotion, Hiruzen. Let's hope you don't destroy the people's faith in the Third Hokage with your own hands."
"Men—seal the Sarutobi compound. Take Hiruzen to the ANBU prison. Await the Hokage's judgment!"
"Yes, sir!"
Dozens of ANBU appeared instantly, sealing the entire Sarutobi compound.
Even the Sarutobi themselves, once so defiant, stood down. They understood the severity of the charges. No one resisted as the ANBU deployed sealing barriers.
Setsuna stepped forward and personally sealed Hiruzen's chakra and movements using Four Limbs Weighting Seal and Four Symbols Seal.
Hiruzen didn't resist.
Once sealed, two ANBU restrained him. Under the hostile glares of countless Leaf shinobi, the former Third Hokage was marched toward ANBU Prison.
Among the watching crowd, even diehard supporters like Ino-Shika-Chō sighed softly.
They all understood:
No matter how this ends—
The Sarutobi clan… is finished.