Chapter 199 – Jonin Council
Uchiha Fugaku's sudden appearance interrupted Minato's train of thought. But remembering his earlier suspicions, Minato grew cautious and decided it would be best to take Kushina home. Her safety came first—he could find a way to break the genjutsu later.
"No big deal, Elder Fugaku. I was just passing by. There are things to tend to at home, so I'll take my leave."
With that, Minato prepared to leave with Kushina in his arms.
Just then, Fugaku noticed the unconscious Kushina and finally understood what Kazane meant when he told him to "handle the aftermath."
From the looks of it, Kushina had clearly fallen under a powerful genjutsu—and if even someone of Minato's level couldn't dispel it, it could only be the work of a Mangekyō Sharingan. That pointed directly to Uchiha Makoto.
Recalling how Kazane had been able to sense everything from inside the courtyard, Fugaku was now even more awed by how unfathomable Kazane truly was.
He also realized that Kazane likely possessed a sensory technique capable of monitoring the entire village remotely. That meant everything he had done might have been under Kazane's watch all along.
In Kazane's eyes, he must've looked like a clown—arrogant and oblivious, yet held firmly in the palm of his hand.
As Minato prepared to leave with Kushina, Fugaku knew Minato must have figured something out. He quickly called out, "Minato-san, wait. Kushina seems to be under a genjutsu—possibly from my clan. What happened?"
Fugaku's voice carried three parts confusion, two parts concern, and five parts sincerity. Minato couldn't tell whether he had truly been involved in the attack on Kushina or if this was all just a facade.
But with Kushina's safety being the priority, Minato didn't want to take any risks. He responded, "You're overthinking it, Elder Fugaku. I really do have things to take care of at home. I'll be on my way."
Fugaku couldn't let Minato leave now. If Minato found someone else to undo the genjutsu, things would spiral out of control, and there'd be no way to explain it.
Even though he was involved, there was no evidence. All he had to do was play dumb. Worst-case scenario—just blame everything on Uchiha Makoto.
Thinking quickly, Fugaku activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. With a flash of red light, he dispelled the genjutsu afflicting Kushina.
Had the caster still been nearby, it wouldn't have been so easy. But an unmanned genjutsu stood no chance against Fugaku's Mangekyō.
Minato watched as Fugaku's eyes transformed and inwardly braced himself. This was it. The battle couldn't be avoided. So Fugaku was the one behind it all after all.
But then...
"Mmng…"
To his surprise, Fugaku didn't make any further moves. Instead, Kushina stirred in his arms, slowly regaining consciousness.
"Minato… where's Naruto? Minato, Uchiha—he's from the Uchiha…"
As soon as she woke, Kushina spotted Minato's face and frantically searched for her child. Seeing baby Naruto safe in Minato's other arm, she immediately tried to warn him about what had happened.
"Kushina, slow down. Tell us clearly—what exactly happened?"
Just then, Fugaku interjected from the side, cutting Kushina off.
He couldn't allow her to keep talking. Some things he could play dumb about. Even if Minato suspected him, that was manageable. But if this turned into a full-on confrontation, the consequences for the clan would be disastrous. So he had no choice but to interrupt her.
"Minato, he was from the Uchiha Clan! I clearly saw someone wearing Uchiha attire use a Sharingan to cast a genjutsu on me—I'm not mistaken!"
But Kushina wasn't one to be silenced—especially with Minato at her side. She didn't fear Fugaku.
Had she not been caught off guard by Makoto's genjutsu, with her mastery of sealing techniques and the power of the Nine-Tails, Makoto wouldn't have stood a chance.
As a jinchūriki who held full control over her Tailed Beast, Kushina was no pushover. In fact, with her sealing arts, she might've been stronger than the so-called perfect jinchūriki. If she had been on guard, Makoto's genjutsu might not have worked at all.
"Kushina-san, I don't know who you saw. But yes—you were placed under a genjutsu unique to the Uchiha, a Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu. That much I won't deny."
"But aside from the rogue Obito, I'm the only Mangekyō user in the clan. And I've been here all night hosting my second son's coming-of-age ceremony. Minato-san can vouch for that."
Yes, Fugaku had fully committed to playing dumb.
He was openly telling her: Yes, it was a Uchiha. A Mangekyō one, no less.
But only he had the Mangekyō—and he had a rock-solid alibi. So what could they do about it?
And he'd already provided a scapegoat—Uchiha Obito. Since he was now a rogue, let them go find him. As for the other Mangekyō hidden within the clan, Shisui had ensured no one else knew, only the clan head.
Even if that Mangekyō were discovered, what then? Shisui had been at the banquet all night. All of Konoha's jonin could vouch for them.
As long as he denied everything, what could they really do? And if they pushed too hard—well, the Uchiha weren't exactly known for backing down.
"Hmph. You're lying. Obito would never do something like this. And I saw the man clearly—it was your disciple, Uchiha Makoto!"
Kushina wouldn't be fooled that easily. Makoto hadn't even bothered hiding his identity—he'd removed his usual mask just to ensure she recognized him and sparked conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha.
Though Obito was the most troublesome of Minato's three disciples, he often ate at their house. Kushina knew him well. He wasn't capable of something like this.
And most importantly—Kushina knew Uchiha Makoto.
Years ago, rumors had spread among Konoha's shinobi that Makoto's talent rivaled Minato's. Curious and indignant on Minato's behalf, Kushina had secretly gone to see this so-called prodigy for herself.
Makoto's trademark Uchiha face—stoic and handsome—was unforgettable. Kushina had spared him a scolding only because he looked good, but she remembered that face well.
Though she'd been too disoriented earlier to recall, now the memory was clear. Fugaku couldn't lie to her anymore.
Fugaku's expression froze momentarily at her words, but inside, a storm raged.
Kushina had seen Makoto's face?
He always wore a mask when meeting others—especially when doing something shady like this. Why hadn't he worn one this time?
But Fugaku was no fool. In a flash, he understood Makoto's true intent.
He felt fortunate—thank the heavens Kazane had stopped Makoto. Otherwise, the clan's decades of progress could have crumbled overnight.
At the same time, Makoto's plan had given him an escape route. If the plan had worked, Kazane would've made him pay first. But now that it failed—well, blame it all on Makoto.
With his mind made up, Fugaku feigned shock and fury. "What?! You saw that traitor? Obito was injured by him! Where is he? I'll personally execute him!"
His words overflowed with hatred for Makoto, as if the man were his mortal enemy rather than his disciple.
And in truth, he was furious. Being played like this was deeply humiliating.
But Kushina wasn't buying it. She refused to believe this was all coincidence.
What were the odds? A grand Uchiha celebration on one side—and an attack from Makoto on the other?
And why invite every jonin in the village to a child's coming-of-age feast? It was all too suspicious.
She opened her mouth to retort, but Fugaku quickly added, "Besides, isn't it obvious? Makoto wanted to spark conflict between our two clans. Otherwise, why use genjutsu on you and do nothing else?"
"Elder Fugaku, Uchiha Makoto undid the Nine-Tails' seal. Fortunately, Kazane had reinforced it—otherwise, the consequences would've been unimaginable."
Listening to their exchange, Minato saw through Fugaku's game immediately.
Just like Kushina, he believed Fugaku was involved.
Otherwise, how could it be that the moment the banquet started, Makoto attacked?
But there was no evidence, and no real damage had been done. Kushina was awake. The genjutsu had been dispelled.
Minato thought it best to withdraw for now and investigate quietly. If Fugaku was truly responsible, he would make sure he paid the price.
Kushina wasn't just his wife—she was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. The village had a responsibility to uncover the truth.
"What?! He broke the Nine-Tails' seal? That traitor dares?! Minato-san, where is he? Take me to him—I'll kill him myself!"
Feigning righteous fury, Fugaku made a dramatic show, ready to charge into battle.
"You…"
Kushina was so infuriated by his performance that it felt like a slap in the face. She wanted to speak, but Minato stopped her.
He knew arguing further was pointless. Fugaku would never admit to anything.
So he calmly said, "Elder Fugaku, Makoto fled before I arrived. I'll continue investigating. Thank you for helping break the genjutsu. Naruto is still young, and it's too dangerous to stay out."
With that, he gave Fugaku no chance to respond. Using Flying Thunder God, he vanished with Kushina and Naruto.
Hmph!
After Minato left, Fugaku dropped the act entirely. His face darkened, and with a flick of his sleeves, he returned to the compound without a word.
This was the most humiliating day of his tenure as village elder. Kazane had shown him no respect, threatening him openly.
Now even Minato dared throw shade his way. Investigate all you want. Makoto's already escaped. What evidence could possibly touch him?
What a joke.
Still, he quietly tallied another mark against his dear disciple. He hadn't expected to be used so thoroughly.
Though he dismissed Minato outwardly, deep down he felt trouble brewing.
Minato was strong—and he represented powerful forces. This incident wouldn't just fade away.
Tobirama Senju had always viewed the Uchiha as a threat. He wouldn't pass up this chance to strike.
Ever since Tobirama's revival, Konoha's political landscape had reshuffled.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, that shameless old man, had aligned himself with Tobirama. Add Tsunade, Jiraiya, Minato, and Kushina to the mix…
They had once operated separately, but Tobirama had unified them.
Their side now outnumbered and outweighed his in strength and influence. The situation was rapidly turning against the Uchiha.
The headache was growing. Fugaku's resolve to seize control of Konoha deepened. Only by unifying the village under a single voice could the Uchiha thrive.
It was time to begin arranging Obito and Hyuga Sonoko's marriage. The Hyuga were a strong ally. Together, the Uchiha and Hyuga might just stand a chance.
…
News of the jinchūriki's attack spread quickly. Even Orochimaru, secluded in his remote laboratory, heard about it.
All signs pointed to the Uchiha. And the clan hadn't issued a single denial.
A media storm began swirling around the Uchiha, reminiscent of the days under Hiruzen Sarutobi's rule.
"Did you hear? The Uchiha tried to release the Nine-Tails!"
"I knew it! The Uchiha have always thought they were better than us."
"Yeah, can you imagine how many people would've died if that beast was unleashed?"
"Are you serious? Isn't Fugaku one of the village elders?"
"Listen—my aunt's cousin is a jonin. He said Fugaku gathered all the elite ninja to his place that night. Right after that, the attack happened. Coincidence?"
"Exactly. If they were innocent, they'd have defended themselves by now. Their silence is basically an admission."
"Tch. These big clans never cared about us common folk. To them, our lives don't matter."
On the streets, Uchiha police heard whispers like these every day. If not for Fugaku's suppression, Konoha might've descended into chaos already.
Eventually, unable to bear the mounting pressure, Fugaku requested Orochimaru to convene an emergency Jonin Council.