[Read up to Chapter - 77 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
.
.
.
.
"Wait a moment."
Just as Kanzou proposed expelling Fugaku from the clan, the few who still supported Fugaku couldn't stay silent any longer. Among them, Uchiha Shinkurou —one of his remaining key allies—stepped forward.
Shinkurou had harboured doubts about Kanzou and Mikoto ever since those panties were found in Kanzou's drawer.
Though he had never uncovered any concrete evidence to confirm his suspicions, he couldn't help but speak up now—trying to challenge Kanzou's decision.
"These are just the one-sided claims of Uchiha Mikoto. Who can prove that what she said is the truth?"
He glanced sharply at Mikoto, noting the uneasiness hidden beneath her tear-stained expression and the way she avoided eye contact. If he could manage to make others notice that as well, he was certain that it would expose her.
But obviously, something like that wasn't going to be easy… especially when Kanzou was still there.
"Oh? Are you suggesting this guilt-ridden Mikoto-san would speak about her disgraceful and scandalous actions that she did with me… just to frame Fugaku?" Kanzou asked with a sneer, his voice laced with mockery.
"Impossible! Mikoto-sama would never do something like that," someone interjected.
"Just look at her… pretending to deceive Kanzou-sama has clearly taken a toll on her. And now you're saying it was all an act?"
"Yes, her character is beyond reproach. She's always been kind and honest—she wouldn't lie about something like this," another added.
"That's right… I've noticed Mikoto-sama hasn't been herself these past few days. She's seemed sad, anxious, afraid… reluctant. I kept wondering what was troubling her. Now it all makes sense—it must have been because of what that vile man was forcing her to do. If she truly intended to betray Fugaku, why would she look so torn and guilt-ridden these past few days?"
Several voices rose in agreement, defending Mikoto's integrity.
Mikoto's reputation in the clan was indeed impeccable. Known for her gentle nature and sincerity. She had never done anything bad to anyone… always helping out fellow clansmen whenever she could. It was hard for anyone to believe she'd fabricate such a serious accusation against Fugaku.
Compared to that… people were more willing to believe that it was Fugaku who was threatening her.
Kanzou had anticipated this. He knew the clansmen's trust in Mikoto's character would work in his favour—exactly why he orchestrated things this way.
Hearing that so many people still believed in her unconditionally, Mikoto lowered her head slightly, a wave of guilt washing over her.
She was no longer the gentle, kind-hearted Mikoto they all knew and admired her for.
She has started to be colored by Uchiha Kanzou in his colors… she has started to become a bad woman.
But she wasn't just any bad woman… she was 'Kanzou-sama's bad woman,' she thought to herself, feeling better. She then turned her attention to Fugaku with contempt in her eyes. 'Serves you right… You incompetent cuckold!'
"Kanzou, you bastard! Mikoto, you slut! You shameless bastards!" Fugaku roared, nearly hysterical.
His fury boiled over as he coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed, losing consciousness on the spot.
"Such a fragile heart," Kanzou remarked coldly, looking down at Fugaku with disdain.
Anyone in his position would be furious to the point of collapse—surviving it without going insane was an achievement in itself.
"I'll say it again," Kanzou declared, his voice ringing through the courtyard. "Expel Fugaku from the clan. If anyone objects, step forward now."
He paused briefly before adding, "Our Uchiha clan does not welcome such disgrace. If you disagree, you're free to leave the clan alongside Fugaku."
With Fugaku unconscious, all eyes turned to Shinkurou —the last remaining pillar of support for him.
Although Shinkurou felt the urge to stand up and oppose Kanzou, he remained calm—he knew it would be pointless.
At this point, Fugaku had lost all face and support, and the disparity between opposition and support was far too great.
'Fugaku has already been expelled from the clan... If I get kicked out too, it'll become nearly impossible for him to return to the Uchiha family someday,' Shinkurou thought, forcing himself to hold back.
When a few of the loyalists behind him began to step forward in protest, Shinkurou discreetly stopped them.
They didn't understand his reason, but they still chose to trust his judgment.
"Throw him out! A man like Fugaku has no place in the Uchiha clan. Keeping him here only stains our honour," Kanzou declared.
At his command, a few men stepped forward and dragged the unconscious Fugaku away.
Shinkurou and the others watched in silence, their fists clenched tightly.
Kanzou took note of the subtle changes in their expressions—he saw everything.
'It seems these people are loyal supporters of Fugaku. I can't keep them close,' Kanzou thought to himself.
He made a mental note to deal with each of them in due time.
"The previous patriarch has been gone for a while, and the clan cannot remain leaderless," Elder Tadayoshi, who had remained silent the entire time watching everything, suddenly stepped forward.
He looked at Mikoto for a moment with a gaze that seemed to say that this was the first time he had seen such a side of hers…
Feeling her grandfather looking at her, Mikoto felt so guilty and shameful that she dared not meet his gaze.
Tadayoshi sighed… and didn't say anything to her since he was aware that she was only acting as per Kanzou's orders.
Shaking his head, he addressed everyone, "I propose that Kanzou-kun become the next patriarch. At present, no one is more suited for the position than he."
Kanzou raised an eyebrow in mild surprise, then smiled. 'A wise choice,' he mused.
The Elder was indeed shrewd—no wonder he held such a position.
"I support it! Who else is more worthy than Kanzou-sama?" Shin declared.
"This Uchiha Souta also urges Kanzou-sama to take up the mantle of patriarch!"
"Of course, no one other than Kanzou deserves to be the Patriarch," followed Satoru in support.
"Indeed… Patriarch's seat has always been Kanzou-sama's… and its about time that he takes on his rightful seat," murmured Hazuki.
One by one, voices of support echoed through the crowd. In mere moments, the majority of the Uchiha clan had rallied behind Kanzou, calling for his ascension as the new patriarch.
Shinkurou's expression was grim.
What had transpired today was undoubtedly Kanzou's scheme from the start.
He hadn't expected even Elder Tadayoshi to side with Kanzou.
But that was only to be expected given the relationship between Kanzou and Mikoto.
His Three Tomoe Sharingan glinted coldly as he shot a murderous glare at Elder Tadayoshi.'That old traitor… Betraying Fugaku-sama like that—unforgivable.'
And then there was his granddaughter, Uchiha Mikoto, who had also turned against Fugaku… 'She, too, deserves punishment.'
"Since you all trust me so much and wish for me to be the patriarch, I shall accept the position," Kanzou announced without hesitation.
There was no longer any need for pretence. If he was going to play the part, he would do so for real. After all, this was exactly what he had been aiming for—the position of clan head.
"Here and now, I promise this: I will lead the Uchiha clan back to its former glory!"
And this wasn't just empty rhetoric—Kanzou truly had the strength to make it happen.
The news of Uchiha Kanzou becoming the patriarch spread like wildfire, leaving almost no one unaffected.
…
Inside the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in silence, puffing on his pipe with a sombre expression.
'Uchiha Kanzou has become the patriarch…'
This development was very alarming because a dangerous man like Kanzou held the reins of the Uchiha Clan in his hands.
"Uchiha Fugaku… he turned out to be even more useless than I expected," Hiruzen muttered.
He had originally assumed Fugaku wouldn't be able to match up to Kanzou and was even preparing to offer support. But before he could act, Kanzou had already outmanoeuvred and expelled Fugaku from the clan.
Truthfully, Hiruzen believed that if Kanzou had any justification to kill Fugaku, he would have done it without hesitation—and Fugaku wouldn't have made it out of the Uchiha compound alive.
"Anichi," Hiruzen said, turning to the ANBU beside him, "go bring Uchiha Fugaku. Take him to my residence and keep him under guard for now."
Although Fugaku had been expelled from the Uchiha clan, he still held some value. He couldn't be allowed to fall victim to an assassination by Kanzou.
Hiruzen knew Fugaku had to be protected.
He wasn't naïve enough to believe that Kanzou wouldn't dare assassinate him—even within the boundaries of Konoha.
Judging by Kanzou's previous actions, Hiruzen was well aware of how audacious and unscrupulous he could be.
Still, Kanzou's unscrupulousness might work in Hiruzen's favour.
"The more people he offended, the more enemies he'd make—and that could ultimately be good for Konoha."
.
,
.
.
Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
[Read up to Chapter - 77 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]