"Is this really the right thing to do?"
As Hatake Kakashi left, the faces of some Anbu captains beneath their masks shifted slightly, and uncertainty rose in their hearts.
What Kakashi had just said deeply affected them, making them recall why they had joined Anbu in the first place.
They had become Anbu to protect Konoha and maintain peace, but now, they were being ordered to kill one of their own villagers.
"Uchiha Fugaku attempted to lead the Uchiha clan in a coup. Killing him is necessary to protect Konoha's peace."
Sensing the hesitation among the remaining Anbu captains, the Third Hokage quickly attempted to manipulate their thoughts.
Upon hearing the Third Hokage's words, many Anbu captains felt their doubts fade.
Although Uchiha Fugaku was a Konoha shinobi, he was also the leader of the coup.
Eliminating him meant preventing the coup and preserving Konoha's stability—which, in their eyes, aligned with their duty as Anbu.
However, a few Anbu captains remained deep in thought.
Could it be true that Uchiha Fugaku and the Uchiha clan were planning a coup?
Or had the Third Hokage fabricated a lie to justify eliminating Uchiha Fugaku?
"According to intelligence from the Daimyo Prefecture, Uchiha Fugaku will leave today to return to Konoha. We will intercept him on the designated route and eliminate him there."
The Third Hokage pointed to a spot on the map behind him, marked with a large "X", and addressed the assembled Anbu captains.
"Yes!"
The Anbu captains responded in unison.
"Wait!"
Just as the Third Hokage and the Anbu captains were about to move out, a voice interrupted them.
Two elderly figures approached.
The first was a thin old man wearing green-rimmed glasses.
The second was an old woman, her hair tied up neatly, a hairpin in place, and beaded earrings dangling from her ears.
They were Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, the village elders.
"Hiruzen, you are being too impulsive!"
Koharu Utatane spoke, her tone reproachful.
"You intend to stop me?"
The Third Hokage's voice carried a hint of anger.
"We understand that Asuma's death has left you in grief, but your actions now are far too reckless."
Homura Mitokado frowned slightly.
"Uchiha Fugaku has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. You understand how dangerous that makes him."
"Even with your strength, along with a dozen elite jonin, do you really believe you can eliminate him?"
"Uchiha Fugaku may be strong, but he is not Uchiha Madara. He is not powerful enough to stop me and my forces."
The Third Hokage snorted coldly.
"Even Uchiha Shisui died at the hands of Uchiha Fugaku. Are you certain you can kill him with just this group?"
Koharu Utatane frowned.
"What? Uchiha Shisui is dead?"
"He was killed by Uchiha Fugaku?"
The Anbu captains were shocked.
They had been wondering about Shisui's absence but assumed he was away on a mission.
Now, learning that Shisui had been killed—and by Uchiha Fugaku, no less—sent shockwaves through them.
If Uchiha Shisui, a Mangekyō Sharingan user, had fallen to Uchiha Fugaku, just how powerful was Uchiha Fugaku?
Before, they had believed they could defeat Uchiha Fugaku by working together with the Third Hokage.
But now, they were no longer sure.
"…"
The Third Hokage remained silent.
He knew Uchiha Shisui's true strength.
Even he himself was not certain he could have defeated Shisui in a fair fight.
Yet Shisui had died at Uchiha Fugaku's hands.
And, according to the reports, Uchiha Fugaku had walked away from the battle unscathed.
This confirmed one thing—Uchiha Fugaku was far stronger than Shisui.
"Hiruzen, you must accept reality—Uchiha Fugaku is now a formidable force."
"If you want to eliminate him, you must be patient and plan carefully."
"Reckless action will only lead to failure."
Homura Mitokado sighed.
Like the Third Hokage, he had also underestimated Uchiha Fugaku.
If he had known that Fugaku had been hiding his strength, he would have urged Danzo to act sooner.
But now, it was too late.
Uchiha Fugaku had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, making him a dangerous and unpredictable force.
"And remember, Hiruzen," Koharu Utatane added, her voice meaningful.
"There are ways to destroy a person without using force."
Upon hearing Koharu's words, the Third Hokage's gaze darkened.
He understood her meaning immediately.
Years ago, Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of Konoha, had become too powerful.
His reputation surpassed that of even Hiruzen himself.
So, Hiruzen allowed the village to spread rumors against Sakumo, breaking him psychologically.
Eventually, Sakumo took his own life.
Koharu was reminding him that direct combat was not the only option.
He could use other means to destroy Uchiha Fugaku.
Though he had already considered this, his rage over Asuma's death had made him reckless.
But now, after listening to Koharu and Homura, the Third Hokage finally decided to call off the mission.
By afternoon, Uchiha Fugaku and his two companions returned to Konoha.
"I'm home."
Seeing Uchiha Fugaku return, Uchiha Mikoto greeted him gently.
She wore a simple long dress, her slender figure and graceful posture giving her a calm and elegant air.
Her long black hair cascaded down her back, and her exposed calves were smooth and slender.
"Father!"
A young boy rushed forward excitedly.
It was Uchiha Sasuke.
Under Uchiha Fugaku's guidance, Sasuke had grown very close to his father.
Fugaku reached out and gently patted Sasuke's head.
Scanning his surroundings, he noticed that Uchiha Itachi was missing.
He asked casually, "Where is Itachi?"
His return to Konoha was mainly because of Uchiha Itachi.
The death of Uchiha Shisui would surely trigger Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan awakening.
If Itachi had already awakened, then it was time to deal with him.
"Itachi left on a mission shortly after you left," Mikoto replied.
"He hasn't returned yet."
"I see."
Fugaku nodded lightly, pretending not to care, but his mind raced.
Since Itachi was on a mission, he likely hadn't yet learned about Shisui's death.
If that was the case, then Itachi had not yet awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Father, train with me!"
Sasuke grabbed his father's arm, his childish voice full of excitement.
"Teach me a new ninjutsu!"
"No problem," Fugaku smiled slightly.
"This time, I will teach you a powerful Fire Style jutsu."
"You must study it seriously."
With that, Uchiha Fugaku led Sasuke into the backyard.
(End of this chapter)