Chapter 4

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The next day, Uchiha Fugaku's resignation as the Uchiha patriarch and head of the Konoha Police Force caused a stir in Konoha.

In the Hokage Building, inside the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and addressed both Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Toki:

"Alas, this relocation of the Uchiha clan was a matter discussed by the village council. I've protested to the Elders, but Danzo acts on his own. Don't misunderstand—Konoha has no intention of targeting the Uchiha clan."

"To calm the dissatisfaction among your people, I regret that Fugaku has had to make such a large sacrifice. The position of patriarch is an internal Uchiha matter; I won't interfere. But as for the captaincy of the Konoha Police Force, you don't need to resign. This is an order from me, the Hokage!"

Sarutobi believed that Fugaku's resignation was his way of appeasing the anger within the Uchiha clan, who felt betrayed by Konoha. Fugaku, on the other hand, had sacrificed his positions to present a conciliatory gesture to both Konoha and his clan.

Uchiha Fugaku opened his mouth, his face a mix of emotions:

"There's no need, Lord Hokage. I understand your position, but I truly lack the prestige necessary to lead the Police Force."

Sarutobi slammed his hand on the desk.

"Who says so? Your achievements in the Police Force are evident to everyone! I trust no one but you to lead it!"

Uchiha Fugaku: "Lord Hokage!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Fugaku!"

Meanwhile, Uchiha Toki stood quietly by, watching the exchange and sneering internally. Sarutobi Hiruzen, the master politician, clearly saw Fugaku's submissiveness. A man like Fugaku—someone who wavered in the face of conflict—was the perfect tool to keep the Uchiha clan fractured from within. Why would Sarutobi ever allow him to be cast out of power?

As for Toki, known within the clan for his hardline stance, his suggestions had always conflicted with Konoha's covert plans to suppress the Uchiha. If not for Fugaku's ineptitude, the Uchiha clan wouldn't have fallen into such disarray.

Seeing the exchanged glances between Sarutobi and Fugaku, Toki spoke coldly:

"Lord Hokage, it's not that we don't want Patriarch Fugaku to continue as captain, but the truth is the clan is too angry."

"During the Nine-Tails incident, many of us suggested that the Uchiha clan move to the front lines and defend the village. But the patriarch personally blocked these efforts."

"As a result, people in the village now slander us as cowards who avoided the fight and even accuse us of being behind the Nine-Tails' attack."

Toki's tone grew sharp. "The Police Force's duty is to protect Konoha, and our former leader retreated when we were needed most."

"How, then, is Fugaku fit to hold such an important position?"

Toki paused deliberately, then added:

"Or perhaps… did Patriarch Fugaku receive special orders to stand down? If so, I believe Konoha should clarify this matter publicly. These rumors are damaging the harmony within the village."

"If not, how could someone as timid as Patriarch Fugaku ever be entrusted with defending Konoha's base?"

Fugaku's face tightened at Toki's pointed accusation. He had indeed received orders from Danzo to withdraw the Uchiha from the battlefront during the Nine-Tails attack. He had chosen to conceal this for the sake of village harmony, even though it had cost him dearly within his own clan. To them, his retreat had seemed like cowardice, when in fact it had been dictated from above.

Now, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen, Fugaku hoped that the Hokage would step in to clarify matters. If the village publicly acknowledged that the Uchiha had been ordered to stand down, it could potentially quash the damaging rumors.

But when Fugaku turned his pleading gaze toward Sarutobi, the Hokage's eyes drifted, seemingly indifferent.

Sarutobi knew the truth—that the Uchiha had not been allowed to participate in the front-line defense. However, this exclusion had been part of a larger plan to widen the rift between the Uchiha and the rest of the village, particularly in the aftermath of the Nine-Tails' rampage.

The results had been even better than expected—the Uchiha's reputation in Konoha had plummeted. With the clan's influence at an all-time low, the next step in the plan was to further isolate the Uchiha and gradually push them out of Konoha's power structure.

To Sarutobi, this was an opportunity too valuable to squander. There was no way he would take responsibility for the Uchiha's exclusion.

Coughing twice, Sarutobi feigned ignorance and said with a sigh:

"Is that so? I wasn't aware of the details… Fugaku, I must criticize you here. If the clan wanted to fight for Konoha, how could you have stopped them?"

Fugaku was stunned:

"No, Lord Hokage, this was clearly an order from Danzo-sama…"

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