When truth surfaces, even allies begin to waver.
"You killed a Root shinobi?!"
Fugaku turned sharply, eyes wide, staring at Kai in disbelief.
Root operatives were at least Chunin—
many were Jonin.
And yet—
a six-year-old academy student had done this?
What kind of monster was that?
Even Kakashi—
had never shown something this outrageous at that age.
Fugaku drew in a deep breath, suppressing the storm of emotions within him.
"Kai," he said gravely, "do not lie. A false assessment of your strength will affect how I train you in the future."
He still couldn't believe it.
It was simply—
too shocking.
Kai met his gaze calmly.
"I'm not lying."
He then explained the battle in detail.
Every move—
every exchange—
layered and precise.
A chain of attacks, one flowing into the next, until the enemy was finally killed.
He omitted one thing.
Wood Release.
That—
was his ultimate trump card.
Not something to reveal yet.
He also emphasized—
the enemy's carelessness.
After listening—
Fugaku fell silent.
Inside, waves of shock crashed endlessly.
Kai's combat talent—
was terrifying.
After a long pause, Fugaku spoke again.
"For your safety, I will conceal this matter."
"To the outside world… I will claim that I killed him."
His reasoning was simple.
The relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha—
was already fragile.
If Kai's talent became known—
it could invite disaster.
Once Kai reached Jonin level—
things would be different.
Kai nodded.
A trace of gratitude flickered in his eyes.
A faint killing intent lingered around Fugaku as he spoke again.
"Today's matter… Konoha will give you an explanation."
Root—
had gone too far.
He would confront Danzō.
At the same time—
Fugaku's mind churned.
Why target Kai and Itachi?
Yes—
tensions existed between the Uchiha and Konoha's leadership.
But not to the point of open hostility.
Capturing them—
especially Itachi, the clan head's son—
was no different from declaring war.
Konoha might be stronger—
but crushing the Uchiha wouldn't come without cost.
Even now—
though the Third Great Ninja War had ended—
the Five Great Nations remained tense beneath the surface.
Was this really the time for internal conflict?
It made no sense.
…Because of the land acquisitions?
No.
Fugaku dismissed the thought.
The real estate project was still in its early stages.
No profit yet.
Other clans were waiting to laugh—
not interfere.
Behind him—
Kai's brows furrowed.
There was only one explanation.
Orochimaru.
If he wanted to study the Sharingan—
and with his connection to Danzō—
this kind of operation was possible.
…Troublesome.
…
On Itachi's side—
two groups had gathered.
One—
led by Uchiha Yashiro.
Members of the Military Police carried special signal flares.
Once fired—
nearby units were required to respond immediately.
After receiving Fugaku's signal—
Yashiro and his team rushed over.
They found—
Itachi.
And a Root shinobi lying on the ground—
eyes vacant, trapped in genjutsu.
Itachi explained everything.
As his words fell—
the Uchiha's expressions darkened.
Unforgivable.
The other side—
four or five Root operatives.
They had seen the flare—
and arrived as well.
"You attacked a member of our clan," Yashiro said coldly, pointing at the fallen Root shinobi. "We will be taking him into custody."
The Root had injured Itachi—
and chased down Kai.
Bullying children with superior force.
Disgusting.
And Kai—
was one of the Uchiha's brightest talents.
If he died—
it would be a devastating loss.
Every Uchiha present burned with anger.
Their gazes—
like predators ready to strike.
The Root squad leader, a Jonin, frowned beneath his mask.
They didn't know the specifics of this mission.
Only that their comrade lay incapacitated.
And that—
was enough.
Root—
would not be humiliated.
"No matter what happened," he said coldly, "release our comrade from the genjutsu first. We will investigate afterward."
"Everything will be decided when Captain Fugaku returns."
Within the clan—
Fugaku was the Clan Head.
Outside—
he was Captain of the Military Police.
Before leaving—
he had instructed Itachi:
No one—
especially Root—
was to approach the captured shinobi.
Yashiro would enforce that order.
Strictly.
"Captain Yashiro," the Root Jonin's voice turned colder, "Root operates under Lord Danzō. Do not push this too far."
Tension thickened.
At any moment—
it could explode.
Then—
Itachi stepped forward.
He stood before the Root operatives—
eyes burning with anger.
"You are part of the force that protects the village," he demanded.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns—"
"Isn't the Will of Fire meant to protect us?!"
"Then why—"
"Why are you attacking children?!"
"Is being born an Uchiha… a crime?!"
His voice rose—
hoarse.
Shaking.
Kai—
his friend—
was being hunted.
Life or death unknown.
Pain—
anger—
confusion—
all collided.
And beneath it all—
a deeper question.
Was the Will of Fire—
truly just?
Root's actions—
stood in direct contradiction.
For a moment—
it felt like a lie.
The Uchiha fell silent.
Their expressions dimmed.
They were founders of Konoha.
Even the village's name—
had been chosen by Uchiha Madara.
And yet—
they had never been truly respected.
A quiet grief spread among them.
But Root—
remained unmoved.
They looked down at them—
cold, detached.
"Root serves Konoha," the Jonin said. "We operate in the shadows, sacrificing ourselves for the village. We are the true executors of the Will of Fire."
"Today's incident was an accident."
"Hand over D. Avoid escalation."
"It benefits both Root—and the Uchiha."
"Not a chance."
Yashiro crossed his arms, unmoving.
His gaze—
sharp as steel.
The air—
tightened.
One spark—
and it would erupt.
"Stop."
A voice cut through the tension.
Fugaku—
had arrived.
With Kai at his side.
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