"Arrogant. Absolutely arrogant! "
Back in the Hokage's Office, the Third Hokage's face twisted with fury after Uchiha Fugaku's departure.
With a sudden sweep of his arm, he sent all the documents on his desk flying, scattering across the floor.
Fugaku had already publicly contradicted him once before in front of the village's prominent clans—a slight that had burned into his memory.
But this time… this time was even worse.
This time, Uchiha Fugaku not only defied a direct order—he threatened him.
He forced him into a corner, pressuring him to allow Mikoto Uchiha to meet Naruto in private.
A Hokage—leader of the village—how many years had he ruled Konoha with absolute authority? Who had ever dared speak to him like that?
His anger was like a volcano, boiling and rumbling, ready to erupt at any moment.
Outside the Hokage's Office, the two ANBU guards exchanged glances as they heard the commotion within. Their expressions shifted subtly.
They hadn't expected this side of the usually composed and dignified Third Hokage.
While they understood that even the Hokage was human and capable of anger, the image the Third had carefully cultivated over the years—wise, calm, composed—was now visibly cracked.
It was almost disillusioning.
Back inside, the Third Hokage took deep breaths to suppress the fire roaring in his chest.
"Uchiha Fugaku… you cunning bastard. You fooled Danzo, and you fooled me too."
The man before him now was nothing like the submissive clan head he once knew. The same man who used to back down repeatedly under pressure from him and Danzo... It had all been a facade.
His weakness was nothing more than a calculated mask—designed to lower their guard.
And it had worked. For years, neither he nor Danzo considered Fugaku a threat. In fact, they believed that with Fugaku in control of the Uchiha Clan, things would be easier for them to manipulate.
They had let their guard down.
They even missed the perfect chance to eliminate him during the last great ninja war.
Instead, Danzo walked straight into Fugaku's trap—and perished without a trace.
"Not only has he completely seized control of the Uchiha Clan, but he's also mended relations with several other families."
Recent intelligence came to mind. Fugaku had somehow convinced the previously divided Uchiha elders—those from the First and Second Elder factions—to fully support him.
Now, Fugaku held complete command over the clan. He was, in every sense, the undisputed leader of the Uchiha.
And more than that, he had used his position within the Konoha Military Police Force to suppress hostile clans and extend goodwill toward others, gradually improving the clan's reputation within the village.
"He must be eliminated—immediately."
Murderous intent flashed in the Third Hokage's eyes.
The danger posed by Fugaku wasn't his strength—it was his leadership, his cunning, and his political maneuvering.
If left unchecked, Fugaku would unravel the Second Hokage's long-standing policy of isolating the Uchiha Clan.
Everything the Hokage had done to weaken and control the Uchiha would be undone.
This could no longer be allowed.
"It's time to push Shisui into action."
His gaze sharpened.
If there was anyone fit to take down Fugaku, it was Uchiha Shisui—whose strength was already at Kage level.
Should Shisui strike, Fugaku would have little chance of survival.
The only problem: Shisui was still an Uchiha. Despite his loyalty to the village, he remained hesitant about raising a hand against his own clan head.
But over the past few months, the Hokage had been subtly guiding and shaping Shisui's thinking.
Fugaku's actions today—his defiance, his threats—had angered the Hokage deeply.
Yet at the same time, it gave him the perfect excuse to finally sway Shisui.
He was confident: the moment Shisui made up his mind was now within reach.
That thought brought him a sense of relief.
The Third Hokage stood up and began walking toward the place where Shisui was stationed.
At home, Mikoto Uchiha was pacing anxiously, her face clouded with worry.
Regret gnawed at her.
She shouldn't have done it—shouldn't have approached Kushina's child so recklessly. Her actions had now burdened her husband and her clan.
Suddenly, she hurried to the entryway and opened the door, eyes full of anticipation.
"Fugaku!"
Seeing her husband standing there, she exhaled a long breath of relief. But worry returned almost instantly.
"The Hokage... He didn't punish you, did he? "
"No," Fugaku said with a smile, shaking his head as he removed his shoes and stepped into their wood-floored home.
"That's good."
Mikoto placed her hand over her chest, finally able to relax. But then, her face filled with guilt as she looked at him.
"I'm sorry. I caused trouble for you and the clan."
"Don't say such distant things," Fugaku said, gently wrapping an arm around her shoulders. He felt the warmth and firmness of her body as he spoke softly.
"Fugaku… I won't go see Kushina's child again," Mikoto said quietly, though her heart ached with guilt.
She was deeply sorry to Kushina, but she couldn't continue bringing trouble to her husband and their clan.
"Is that so? That's a shame."
Fugaku smiled slightly.
"I worked hard to convince the Hokage to allow you to meet Kushina's child."
Though the Hokage never gave a verbal response, Fugaku knew he would have no choice but to silently agree.
Because if it came to a village council discussion, the Hokage would lose control—and his plan to monopolize Naruto would collapse.
"What? Are… are you serious? "
Mikoto turned to him, eyes wide with a mix of joy, disbelief, and emotion.
She thought she had misheard.
Had her husband really convinced the Hokage to allow her to see Kushina's child?
"I am. But it's a shame—you've already decided not to see him, so I guess this permission is useless now."
Fugaku teased with a chuckle.
"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? "
Mikoto shot him a playful, flirtatious glare and lightly punched his chest, feigning irritation.
"Haha."
Fugaku laughed.
Mikoto was always beautiful, but when she pretended to be angry like this, she had a special charm.
"Thank you, Fugaku."
Mikoto leaned into his arms, feeling a wave of warmth rise in her heart.
Naruto—Kushina's son—was the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, a status that made him extremely sensitive and dangerous in the eyes of the village.
And the Uchiha, with their Sharingan's rumored ability to control tailed beasts, were the very people the Third Hokage feared would influence him.
For her husband to convince the Hokage to allow contact… he must have gone through great effort.