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ANBU's sudden intervention meant this matter was already known by Hokage-sama.
Publicly, nobody dared question Hokage's authority, even the very unwilling Uchiha likewise.
Thus, a just-escalated conflict immediately ceased. Both sides didn't dare resist, following ANBU personnel away.
Simultaneously, the seriously injured Aoha was also brought by an ANBU member for treatment.
As for the rest, all left to Hokage-sama for judgment.
On the other side, the good-mood Itachi, after returning home, was immediately summoned by Uchiha Fugaku.
"Father-sama, I've returned."
Itachi properly, obediently knelt beside Fugaku.
"Heard you ran out early this morning. Who did you meet?"
Fugaku's opening question made Itachi's heart sink. He didn't dare conceal further, only truthfully saying: "A civilian child. After the Hokage succession ceremony last time..."
After explaining causes and effects, seeing Father's displeased expression, Itachi immediately added: "Father-sama once taught me to repay kindness and keep promises. Now I've already repaid the debt of one meal. Naturally, I won't go out fooling around anymore."
Though promising Aoha he'd visit again, to avoid implicating the other, Itachi decided to bury this friendship deep in his heart.
Seeing Itachi's good attitude admitting mistakes without any concealment, and basically consistent with the intelligence his dispatched people investigated, Fugaku no longer excessively blamed.
"Mm, I already know this matter. You did well. But deeply understand you're the Uchiha's future clan leader. Revitalising the Uchiha clan is your mission. If you have time, better diligently practice rather than wasting energy on irrelevant people. Did you remember?"
Obviously, because of Aoha's troublemaking at the Hokage succession ceremony, Fugaku's initial impression of him was extremely poor. After all, his private relationship with Minato was fairly good. So he disliked seeing Itachi associating with such boastful, troublemaking people.
On this point, the elsewhere, Aoha guessed the wrong reason.
"Yes, Father-sama."
"Go. Spend more time with your mother later."
Itachi nodded affirmatively, then departed with somewhat heavy steps.
Shortly after Itachi left, a figure brought bad news.
"Clan Leader-sama, Uchiha Kan acted on his own authority, attacking that youth without permission. Now, ANBU has taken him. Several clansmen involved were also taken. I worry Danzo will use this to create difficulties. Please issue orders, Clan Leader."
"Nonsense!"
After hearing the complete report, Fugaku's expression darkened.
Throughout this entire matter, his Uchiha clan didn't have a single reasonable point. Now caught red-handed, how should he rescue?
"I recall that Uchiha Kan seems not yet awakened?"
"Reporting to Clan Leader, indeed so."
Fugaku had his calculations, then said: "Then can only abandon him. Send people to bring other clansmen back. Don't say unnecessary words. Additionally, properly compensate his family. After all, regardless of what wrongs he committed, as clan leader, I bear unavoidable responsibility."
"Then, Hokage's side?"
"I'll personally apologise."
The dignified Uchiha clan leader personally intervened, not only not sheltering clansmen but also lowering his posture, giving sufficient compensation.
This made Danzo, wanting to make mountains of molehills, feel like punching cotton.
But once this matter spread, it would inevitably deal the Uchiha's reputation a new round of blows.
After all, no matter when, ninja attacking civilians without authorisation was an unforgivable crime!
Moreover, Fugaku's more decisive move was after Uchiha Kan confessed; he directly struck fatally, and citing bloodline limit non-disclosure reasons, brought back the corpse.
Not leaving Danzo, who constantly opposed them, a single hair.
After all, the person had already died. Wanting to throw dirty water was too late.
Civilians who learned probably would just curse 'died well' with no follow-up. Presumably, public opinion would quickly settle.
Truly minimised losses!
As for internal clan discontent, Fugaku could only try hard to quell.
However, after this battle, the name Shinomiya Aoha became registered among the Uchiha clan.
Presumably, those disliking him would only increase, not decrease.
The second day after the attack.
In a hospital room, Aoha slowly awakened.
Pain from all over immediately twisted his small face together.
"Awake?"
Aoha first startled, then, after clearly seeing the speaker, immediately relaxed again.
"Am I in the hospital? Right, where's that bastard?!"
Hearing this kid's indignant shouting beside his ear, Mikawa-jonin's expression became somewhat strange.
Who truly had strong vengefulness?
Just waking up yet clamouring to find the opponent for trouble. Not knowing whether this kid would become a menace after growing up.
However, thinking again about his injuries plus suffering at such a young age, Mikawa couldn't help sighing. In his place, he probably wouldn't let matters rest either.
Even the medical ninja treating him said she'd never seen such severe injuries on such a small child. The attacker was simply a beast!
Honestly, if not for the culprit already executed, Mikawa wanted to kill that bastard again!
Simply deserved death!
"Enough, stop cursing. The person who attacked you is called Uchiha Kan. He not only confessed but was executed by the Uchiha clan leader, considered settled. Hokage-sama's meaning is that this matter ends here. After all, pursuing further might very likely cause greater chaos. Of course, the Uchiha's compensation was also quite generous. Not only paying for your treatment but also providing one hundred thousand ryo as compensation."
"Dead? That really let him off easy!"
Aoha pursed his lips, but also knew that making big matters small, small matters disappear was the most prudent approach.
For village stability, naturally, only wronging him.
Fortunately, the misfortune's silver lining was that he successfully saved his life, completed the damn system's mission, and vented anger while obtaining substantial compensation.
Presumably, after this matter, his name would again be known by many.
After all, he successfully preserved his life under a Uchiha clan chunin's hands, even blinding the opponent's eye.
Just this kind of remarkable combat record made him scorpion shit, unique among ordinary people.
Of course, legendary figures like Kakashi weren't included!
Just not knowing how Itachi was, whether he knew this matter, whether he'd overthink, adding greater burdens to himself.
(PS: Explaining a bit. Kan acted on his own authority. Fugaku directly apologised, even personally executing clansmen to ease increasingly deep contradictions between the village and Uchiha. The Nine-Tails incident was the point that thoroughly triggered contradictions, not initial discord. Moreover, Danzo constantly sought opportunities to eliminate Uchiha. Hard to guard against.)
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