The first ones to block Sarutobi Hiyū were not the Uchiha clan.
It was ANBU.
Five or six masked ANBU members descended from the sky in an instant, landing squarely in front of Hiyū's revenge squad. Their voices were urgent.
"Hiyū-sama, Clan Head—what are you trying to do?!"
Hiyū roared furiously.
"Get out of my way!"
"The Hokage has issued a direct order—"
"Scram!"
The ANBU exchanged glances, but still stood firm.
"Sorry. Stopping you is the Hokage's command."
"If you want to go forward—step over our corpses first!"
"You think I wouldn't dare?!"
At this point, Hiyū had completely lost his mind.
He no longer cared about Sarutobi Hiruzen—let alone ANBU under his command.
The ANBU understood this clearly, yet they could not disobey the Hokage's orders.
"Quick! Go inform the Hokage!"
"Yes!"
Two ANBU vanished instantly. The remaining members gritted their teeth, prepared to block the advance here at all costs.
Hiyū let out a cold laugh.
"So you're all looking for death…"
"Then I'll grant your wish!"
"Kill them!"
...
More than twenty Sarutobi clansmen surged forward, killing intent boiling over. Such a massive, conspicuous force could not possibly escape the village's notice.
Other clans watched silently from the shadows.
This was no trivial incident.
In many shinobi's eyes, this was nothing less than the opening act of internal war and rebellion.
Sarutobi clan versus Uchiha clan—
Once true fighting broke out, it would mean the complete fracture of Konoha.
More importantly—
Behind the Sarutobi clan, did this represent only Sarutobi Hiyū's will?
Or did it also represent the will of the current Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen?
No one could say for certain.
For a time, the Hyūga, Inuzuka, Aburame, Nara, Akimichi—every major clan fell silent, withdrawing and watching cautiously.
After killing three ANBU members, Hiyū led his forces onward, charging toward the Uchiha compound in the outskirts.
The Uchiha, responsible for Konoha's security, discovered the movement immediately.
Uchiha Fugaku's heart shook violently.
He had never imagined that Hiyū would dare openly defy Hiruzen's orders—let alone personally lead elites to slaughter their way toward the Uchiha!
This was no different from declaring war.
Cold sweat beaded on Fugaku's forehead.
"Clan Head, we've reached the point where a decision must be made!"
"If we retreat now, the Uchiha clan will never recover!"
"But if we give the order to fight, it will be a battle to the death!"
"There is no turning back!"
Fugaku's heart churned.
To be honest, he was not a hardliner. Unless forced into a corner, he had never wanted to gamble the entire Uchiha clan's fate against Konoha.
Because he knew—
The odds were stacked against them.
But retreat—what would that change?
At this moment, Iron Fire, Yakumi, Inaho—elite jōnin and the backbone of the Police Force—had all gathered around him, awaiting his command.
One order would decide the fate of the Uchiha clan.
Fugaku clenched his teeth.
"Move!"
"Follow me—meet them head-on!"
In an instant, the Police Force headquarters erupted with killing intent.
"Yes! Clan Head!"
At this point, Fugaku had no choice left.
Leading his forces out, they encountered Hiyū's squad along the banks of the Nakano River.
Both sides drew weapons instantly.
A single spark could ignite everything.
Fugaku took a deep breath.
"Hiyū, Clan Head—what is the meaning of this?!"
Hiyū roared back.
"Fugaku! Cut the crap—hand over Uchiha Qianyu!"
"Otherwise, don't blame us for showing no mercy!"
The Sarutobi clan behind him shouted in fury.
Uchiha clansmen responded in equal rage.
"Impudent! You dare trespass into Uchiha territory—this is seeking death!"
"If the Sarutobi want war, then we'll give you war!"
Fugaku raised his hand sharply, suppressing his side.
He said coldly,
"Is this the Hokage's order?"
Hiyū sneered.
"So what if it is? And so what if it isn't?"
"That's not an answer."
"Then trespassing on Uchiha land is equivalent to declaring war."
"Hiyū—are you prepared for that?"
"Enough nonsense!"
"Either hand over that beast Uchiha Qianyu—or prepare to face the wrath of the Sarutobi clan!"
Fugaku's anger flared.
"Fine. Since that's the case—come!"
"Sarutobi blood will dye the Nakano River red!"
Just as battle became unavoidable—
Suddenly.
A figure descended from the sky, landing squarely between the two forces.
It was Uchiha Qianyu.
Behind him, Uchiha Aoki and Uchiha Yamabuki followed closely, flanking him.
"Qianyu—!"
Hiyū's rage exploded upon seeing his target.
"Uchiha Qianyu!"
"You finally dare show your face!"
"Today, I'll bury you with Jirō!"
Fugaku frowned deeply.
"Qianyu, step aside. This is no longer just about you."
Qianyu glanced back at him.
"No. One man does what one man must answer for."
"Clan Head, I've said before—I have no intention of dragging the Uchiha clan into war."
"That remains true."
"But—"
"One crime for one crime."
Fugaku's heart shook.
"Qianyu, you—"
"Captain—!"
"Both of you—no one moves."
"This is an order."
"…Yes."
Hiyū laughed coldly.
"Good! At least you've got some backbone!"
"Since that's the case—I'll kill you myself and avenge Jirō!"
The two men faced each other across the riverbank, cold wind sweeping through the night.
Qianyu spoke calmly.
"Sarutobi Hiyū—abusing power for personal gain, shielding criminals, protecting evil."
"Then trespassing on Uchiha territory and attacking the Police Force."
"Your crimes are grave."
"By law—you deserve execution."
Hiyū roared.
"Arrogant brat!"
"If you're capable, then come try!"
"Fire Release—Great Flame Technique!"
Hand seals flashed at terrifying speed. A blazing inferno roared forth like a fire dragon, tearing toward Qianyu.
"Qianyu, watch out!"
"Captain—!"
Qianyu did not retreat.
Fire met fire.
"Fire Release—Dragon Flame Technique!"
Two torrents of flame collided violently, exploding in a storm of heat.
But—
Hiyū snorted coldly.
In the next instant, his hands crossed again—faster, fiercer.
"Water Release—Water Dragon Bullet!"
A massive water dragon burst forth, instantly extinguishing Qianyu's flames and charging straight toward him with unstoppable force!
Fugaku's expression changed sharply.
"As expected… as Sarutobi clan head, Hiyū is no ordinary opponent!"
"Qianyu—what will you do?!"
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