Angry Zashi

"Zashi! Zashi! I've heard about Uchiha Kai! You're being too reckless with this! Even though you may have incited Uchiha Kai to go after those aligned with the Hokage, this isn't something to take lightly! But you wouldn't actually kill an Uchiha outright, would you?"

Gekkou Yoru, who had just received the news, rushed into the Anbu office where Zashi was stationed, clearly distressed.

The moment he spoke, Zashi's anger flared.

"Yoru! How could you doubt me? No matter how impulsive I might be, I would never openly kill another ninja from our village, especially someone from the Uchiha clan!"

Zashi's frustration was palpable. Not only were his subordinates suspecting him, but now even his closest comrade was too.

He felt as though even if he tried to clear his name, the stain of suspicion would remain.

"Could it really not have been you, Zashi?" Yoru still seemed hesitant to believe.

After all, given the circumstances, Zashi appeared to be the most likely suspect. His skills were well-known throughout the village—he was a versatile ninja, proficient in powerful ninjutsu, genjutsu, and swordsmanship. Among his many talents, his swordsmanship was particularly feared, though he seldom had to rely on it given his strength in other areas.

"It wasn't me! This whole situation reeks of a setup by those in the Hokage's inner circle!"

Zashi gritted his teeth, barely restraining his anger as he cursed Sarutobi Hiruzen in his mind. This was undoubtedly the work of that old fox!

Seeing the sincerity in his brother's eyes and hearing his conviction, Yoru began to believe him.

"So, you're saying this was orchestrated by the Hokage?" Yoru furrowed his brow.

"Who else could it be? You know as well as I do how Sarutobi Hiruzen operates! He may seem composed and wise, but behind that facade, he's as cunning as they come! I wouldn't be surprised if Aizen and Namikaze Minato's reconciliation with Uchiha Kai was part of his plan. First, he clears them of suspicion, then he orders someone to eliminate Uchiha Kai and frames us for the crime!

And as for the swordsmanship and Lightning Style techniques used in the attack? Don't underestimate the Hokage's faction! Aizen might be a step behind in overall power, but his skill in kenjutsu is beyond you and me!

And don't forget, Sarutobi Hiruzen is a master of all five chakra natures! It wouldn't be surprising if his Lightning Style has improved over the years!

Plus, he's the one who gave Shimura Danzō the authority to form the Root! We don't even know how many elite shinobi are hidden within its ranks, some of whom could easily be skilled swordsmen with advanced Lightning Style techniques!"

Zashi's anger was evident, but his mind remained sharp as he pieced together the situation.

"Is that so.?" Yoru pondered. Although what Zashi said made sense, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was still off.

.....

On the other side, in the heart of the Uchiha clan's territory.

After Uchiha Tajima finally calmed Uchiha Inabi and the others, and promised to help them seek justice, he managed to dismiss them all.

"Come in," Uchiha Tajima called out lightly, watching as Uchiha Inabi and the others completely disappeared from sight.

'Creak'.

With the sound of a wooden door being pushed open, a familiar figure stepped inside.

"Fugaku, tell me, what do you make of today's events?" Uchiha Tajima's once-clouded eyes began to shine with renewed clarity.

"Today's incident must have been orchestrated by Zashi!" Uchiha Fugaku declared with conviction.

"Oh? Tell me your reasons! You must remember, there's always the possibility that this was a setup by the Hokage's faction or other forces," Uchiha Tajima's eyes gleamed with sharpness.

As an elder of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Tajima wasn't one to be easily swayed by superficial evidence, unlike Uchiha Inabi and the others. His position demanded that he remain suspicious and discerning.

"Lord Patriarch, let's analyze this from the start!

Setting aside other factors for the moment, based on the scene of the crime, it's clear that almost all the victims were killed by a master swordsman, along with the use of advanced Lightning Style techniques.

Frankly, when considering the conditions that would be met by the perpetrator, none of the ninjas from our Uchiha clan, or any others for that matter, fit the bill!

Only those from the new faction or the Hokage's inner circle have the skill and resources to pull this off!"

Uchiha Fugaku carefully laid out his analysis.

"Hmm, that does make sense. The killer likely belongs to one of those two groups. But how can you be so sure it was Zashi?" Uchiha Tajima nodded, first acknowledging Fugaku's reasoning, then pressing for further clarity.

"Patriarch, I won't dwell on the new faction, as there's substantial evidence pointing to them as the prime suspects.

But I don't believe it was the Hokage's faction for two key reasons!

First, if this were indeed the work of the Hokage's faction, then the conflict and subsequent reconciliation between Uchiha Kai and the Hokage's people must have been staged with intent! They would have had to create a false motive for Zashi's men, then send someone to kill Kai and his team afterward.

But here's the issue!

To execute such a plan, they would have needed prior knowledge of Zashi's intentions!

However, from my investigation, I found that the person who made contact with Kai that day was a confidant of Zashi—Tanaka!

This individual is a staunch loyalist of Zashi, known for his meticulous nature. The likelihood of any information leaking from him is virtually nonexistent. How could the Hokage's faction have devised such a detailed plan without prior knowledge of Zashi's intentions?

Second, and most importantly.

Even if some within the Hokage's faction possess exceptional insight into the minds of others, recognizing Zashi's plans and Kai's vulnerabilities upon mere contact.

The speed at which the conflict escalated, and then the subsequent killing of Kai after reconciliation, all happened too quickly!

Even if the Third Hokage had intended to intervene, he wouldn't have had enough time to deploy his forces in such a short window!

Unless, it was a spur-of-the-moment decision by someone within the Hokage's faction.

But even then, that's highly unlikely!

It's not just a matter of whether they had the will or the courage! Even if they did, they lacked the necessary strength to pull it off!"

Uchiha Fugaku's confident analysis flowed effortlessly.

As he continued, Uchiha Tajima nodded in agreement, and any lingering doubts in his eyes vanished.

"Let's go! We need to confront the Hokage! We can't let them die in vain!" Uchiha Tajima said coldly.

At Konoha's Anbu High Command.

"Come on, join me in confronting that bastard Sarutobi Hiruzen! He's the one who must have framed me!" the enraged Zashi snarled to Gekkou Yoru.