"Uchiha is not only one of Konoha's founding clans but also an inseparable part of it. I call this man a slanderer who maliciously defames honored contributors and stirs up conflicts among villagers. Was that wrong?"
Aozora's clear voice rang out, reaching every pair of ears in the surrounding crowd.
Fifty years had passed. Thanks to the Hokage Faction's decades-long shaping of public perception, many villagers had long forgotten the Uchiha's contributions.
Someone ignorant asked, "Were the Uchiha one of the founding clans? How come I've never heard of that?"
A civilian-born ninja misled by textbooks replied, "The Uchiha did help establish the village, but besides them there were also the Senju, Sarutobi, and other clans. The Uchiha were just one of many clans involved."
"..."
Hearing the disorderly comments from below, Mukashi and Kyudai looked visibly displeased.
Only fifty years had passed, yet these villagers had already completely erased from memory the Uchiha's role in founding Konoha.
"Ignorant!"
Aozora barked icily, then stepped out of Kitahara Sake Bar.
Though still young, Aozora had participated in several major battles, even facing Kage-level experts like Danzo, Fugaku Uchiha, and Orochimaru Sarutobi. His aura was far more intimidating than that of an ordinary Jonin.
As he moved forward, the people crowding in front of the bar gradually backed away.
Soon, Aozora emerged into the full gaze of onlookers.
He ignored Masahiro Tsuchibashi for now—under so many witnesses' eyes, Masahiro wouldn't dare attempt to escape.
Moreover, compared to investigating the mastermind behind the scenes, Aozora believed it more important to use this opportunity to reshape the villagers' impression of the Uchiha.
This kind of public exposure would be wasted if not used to set the record straight.
Mukashi and Kyudai felt annoyed at the villagers' words, but they decided to let Aozora handle it, since his strength and wisdom surpassed theirs.
Scanning across the ignorant villagers and curious shinobi around, Aozora pointed at several hairy shinobi standing atop a nearby roof and asked, "Sarutobi clan shinobi, I presume?"
Suddenly being called out, the Sarutobi shinobi sent here on orders exchanged uncertain glances. Eventually, their leader reluctantly jumped down from the roof.
"Hodan Sarutobi!" the leading shinobi stepped forward. "We're just having dinner nearby. Has that become illegal? Is the Konoha Police Division going to arrest us for that?"
Aozora shook his head and said, "Of course not illegal. I merely recalled that the Hokage is known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, surely possessing vast knowledge."
"That's right!" Hodan proudly responded.
Aozora nodded and continued, "Since you're from the same clan as the Hokage, you must possess broad knowledge too."
Hodan looked at Aozora in surprise, puzzled why Aozora was complimenting the Sarutobi when their clan relations with the Uchiha weren't particularly good.
However, since it was praise, he naturally accepted it all.
"We can't compare with the Hokage, but under his strict standards, besides having strong abilities, we do have considerable knowledge."
"Perfect!" Aozora stared at him. "Then please explain to everyone the origin of Konoha Village."
Then, Aozora declared loudly, "This is one of the Hokage's own clan members—wise and well-informed."
He must certainly know the history of Konoha's founding. Now, let him tell us whether the Uchiha were among the clans that founded it."
"Ahhh—!"
Hodan Sarutobi stared at Aozora in shock. He hadn't expected Aozora to ask him to speak about Konoha's founding history and was momentarily speechless.
"Nothing to say?" Aozora shook his head. "Could it be that even the Sarutobi clan doesn't know the history of Konoha's founding? Truly, you've forgotten your ancestors! I wonder how Hokage-sama has educated you all?"
Hodan Sarutobi glanced at the surrounding villagers and ninja whispering amongst themselves before reluctantly replying, "Of course we know! Konoha was founded at the end of the Warring States period by the Senju, Uchiha, Sarutobi, Shimura..."
"Wait a second!" Aozora interrupted. "I acknowledge the contributions of clans like the Sarutobi, Nara, Hyūga, and Ino–Shika–Cho to Konoha, but right now I'm asking specifically about the original founding clans—the earliest two ninja clans responsible for creating Konoha."
Hodan fell silent upon hearing this.
Aozora shook his head again and said, "This is the education Hokage-sama has given you? To forget the merits of our forebears and show no gratitude?"
"Uchiha Aozora, don't make false accusations! I just simply forgot momentarily!" Hodan Sarutobi quickly replied.
Aozora snorted, then loudly asked, "Then please explain clearly—who exactly created Konoha alongside which clan?"
Hodan spoke softly: "The Senju...and the Uchiha."
Aozora shouted, "Your voice is too soft! Have the men of the Sarutobi clan become so effeminate they can't even speak loudly anymore?"
Glaring angrily at Aozora, Hodan Sarutobi raised his voice: "Senju and Uchiha! Is that satisfactory enough for you?"
With Hodan Sarutobi's loud shout, many ignorant villagers around them exchanged confused glances. Could it really be true that Konoha was founded by the Senju and Uchiha?
Without acknowledging him, Aozora turned his gaze toward another figure—a Hyūga clansman clad in white robes.
"Does the Hyūga clan know who founded Konoha?"
The Hyūga ninja responded indifferently, "Konoha was founded by the Senju and Uchiha."
Nodding approvingly, Aozora remarked, "Indeed, the Hyūga have maintained proper historical records."
Then Aozora proceeded to question representatives from other clans present.
"What about you, ninja of the Yamanaka clan?"
"Konoha was indeed founded by the Senju and Uchiha. There's no disputing that."
"And the Nara clan ninja?"
"According to our family records, Konoha was undoubtedly co-founded by the Senju and Uchiha."
...
After questioning representatives from all the nearby major ninja clans, Aozora finally proclaimed aloud, "Now everyone understands, right? At the end of the Warring States era, the Senju and Uchiha joined forces to build this paradise in a chaotic age, protecting countless war-torn villagers.
One could say that the peace and prosperity each of you now enjoys owes everything to the sacrifices made by our Uchiha ancestors.
Moreover, since Konoha's founding, the Uchiha clan has firmly rooted itself within the village, maintaining order and defending against powerful enemies from the Ninja World.
Today, outwardly, our clan leader leads elite warriors at the front lines resisting Iwagakure's invasion. Internally, members of the Uchiha lead the Police Force daily protecting everyone's safety. And yet, Tsuchibashi Masahiro dares to slander the Uchiha behind our backs.
Aozora scanned the crowd, meeting each villager's gaze. Then he loudly declared:
"Is this not wanton defamation of noble heroes?"
"Isn't this instigating discord among the villagers?"
Having heard testimonies from various ninja clans and Aozora's explanation, the Konoha villagers had to admit that the Uchiha had indeed contributed greatly to the village. Tsuchibashi Masahiro's remarks were clearly excessive, even bearing suspicion of defamation and provocation. Most civilians quickly shifted their stance.
"Yeah, no matter how bad-tempered the Uchiha are, they're heroes who defend the front lines against Iwagakure!"
"Lately, I've heard how the Uchiha Clan Leader led the village's jonin to a great victory! How could they possibly be demons?"
"Seize Masahiro Tsuchibashi! Konoha has no place for traitors like him!"
"Capture him and interrogate him to find out who sent him as a spy!"
...
Observing the crowd's shifting attitudes, Aozora nodded and said to Kyudai and Mukashi, "Take him!"
Hearing this, Mukashi and Kyudai, who had been eager for action, sprang into motion and had Masahiro Tsuchibashi tied up within moments.
At this moment, Kintai also arrived with two squads of Flying Tigers.
Jumping beside Aozora, Kintai looked puzzled as he anxiously asked, "Why are you here? How's Shin holding up?"
Clearly, he hadn't come to handle this situation but rather to rescue Shin.
Aozora pondered upon hearing this. Perhaps "Shin killing Masahiro Tsuchibashi" was just the first move in someone's plan—the next step was probably meant to manipulate Kintai into conflict or even armed confrontation with the villagers.
Aozora stepped forward and shared his suspicions with Kintai.
Kintai's eyes immediately turned cold. He did not doubt Aozora's words. Although Aozora served as Fugaku's assistant, everything Aozora had done was clearly in the Uchiha's best interest.
They might clash fiercely behind closed doors, but when facing external threats, he is still willing to trust Aozora's judgment.
Moreover, after Aozora's reasoning and argumentation, Masahiro Tsuchibashi already bore "suspicions of being a spy." Therefore, Shin drawing his blade at him seemed trivial by comparison.
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