Naruto: I am Uchiha Fugaku

Swish, swish, swish—

The Third Hokage and his group moved quickly. In just a few breaths, they arrived from afar in front of the Konoha Police Department.

They formed the third faction present—but also the most powerful one.

"Third Hokage, you came just in time. The Police Department has detained more than ten members of my clan, including our clan head. I demand an explanation."

Shimura Danzō looked at the arriving Third Hokage and spoke in a deep voice.

"More than ten members of the Shimura clan, including the clan head, have been detained? Captain Fugaku, what's going on here?"

The Third Hokage's face showed "surprise," though it was clearly feigned.

After all, in Konoha, what could truly escape his notice?

He had already received reports from the Anbu and was well aware of the situation.

Still, he was happy to see the conflict between the two sides escalate, so he hadn't intervened until things grew out of hand, forcing him to step in.

"Hokage-sama, the Shimura clan head and several members of the Shimura clan interfered with the Police Department's law enforcement. Therefore, for obstructing justice, I detained and imprisoned them."

"There were many eyewitnesses at the time. They can all testify that the Shimura clan head and those individuals obstructed the Police Department in the line of duty."

Knowing full well the Third Hokage was asking what he already knew, Uchiha Fugaku didn't call him out and simply responded.

"Obstructed law enforcement?"

The Third Hokage frowned and turned his gaze toward Danzō.

"Advisor Danzō, if what Captain Fugaku says is true, then his arrest of the Shimura clan head and those individuals was entirely in accordance with the law—there's nothing wrong with that."

"Naoya Shimura and those clansmen only tried to stop them because the Police Department was attempting to take away a few Shimura clan members who had been involved in a conflict with the Uchiha. We feared they would be treated unfairly," Danzō replied coldly.

"Is this true?"

The Third Hokage looked back to Uchiha Fugaku with a questioning look.

"It is true. Upon receiving reports that several Uchiha and Shimura clan members had clashed, I intended to bring all involved parties back to the department for questioning. However, the Shimura clan head interfered."

Fugaku explained calmly.

"Hmph. Everyone knows the Police Department is your Uchiha clan's territory. What good could possibly come from letting you take them away?"

Danzō snorted coldly.

"Advisor Danzō, do you have any proof for that accusation? If not, then such baseless assumptions—slandering the Police Department no less—are unacceptable, even for you."

Fugaku cast a cold glance at Danzō.

"What proof is needed? One side is the Shimura clan, the other is the Uchiha. It's obvious who the Police Department would favor!"

Danzō sneered.

As Fugaku and Danzō clashed verbally, the Third Hokage's brow appeared to furrow—whether genuinely or for show.

He turned to the various clan heads and elite jōnin from the civilian ninja population who had come along and asked:

"What do you all think?"

"Hokage-sama, I think Lord Danzō has a point. The Police Department is controlled by the Uchiha. If someone is taken there, there's definitely a chance of bias."

A relatively short man, barely over 160 cm tall, seized the opportunity and quickly responded.

He was Takasaki Kazushi, head of the Takasaki clan—an ardent supporter of the Shimura clan and Danzō.

He had been involved in several instances of Shimura targeting the Uchiha.

"While the Shimura clan head may have overreacted, his concern is understandable. There's indeed suspicion that the Police Department may not act impartially."

A woman with fairly pleasant features smiled as she spoke.

She was Hoshino Atsumi, head of the Hoshino clan—also close allies of the Shimura clan.

"Hokage-sama, I agree. With the conflict between the Uchiha and Shimura clans, expecting the Police Department to act fairly is unrealistic."

This was said by a stern-looking man with a scar over his left eye and only his right eye intact he appeared fierce.

He was Iwasaki Yū, head of the Iwasaki clan, another ally of the Shimura.

After these statements, more clan heads voiced their agreement, and the tide began to turn against the Uchiha.

"I see it differently."

At that moment, Hatake Nobuhiro, the silver-haired head of the Hatake clan, shook his head and spoke.

"Claims that the Police Department would favor the Uchiha are mere speculation, unsupported by evidence."

"Obstructing law enforcement based solely on conjecture is completely unjustified."

Under Uchiha Fugaku's efforts to form alliances, the Hatake clan had grown closer to the Uchiha.

Moreover, the death of the former "White Fang" of Konoha—Hatake Sakumo—had ties to Danzō, giving Nobuhiro further reason to support the Uchiha.

"I agree with Lord Hatake!"

The head of the Hyuga clan, his eyes completely white, spoke next.

"Interfering with the Police Department based purely on unfounded assumptions is completely unacceptable."

The Hyuga clan supported the Uchiha for similar reasons.

Partly because of gratitude—Fugaku had supported them in a past conflict with the Shimura clan.

And partly because the Hyuga had suffered the same fate as the Hatake: both had lost key members, with Danzō being a primary instigator.

He could never forget the cold faces of the Third Hokage and Danzō on that day.

Following these two, more clan heads who owed favors to the Uchiha expressed their support.

"..."

The Third Hokage was somewhat surprised. He had sought the opinions of the other clan heads expecting overwhelming support for Danzō.

That way, he could justify siding with Danzō naturally.

After all, when it came to the Uchiha problem, he and Danzō were united.

But to his surprise, while many sided with Danzō, the Uchiha also had supporters.

After some thought, he spoke.

"The idea that the Police Department would show favoritism is unsupported by evidence. That's no reason to obstruct justice. The conflict between the Uchiha and Shimura clans… will remain under the Police Department's jurisdiction."

"As for the Shimura clan head and the few members who interfered with law enforcement—for this first offense, we won't pursue punishment. They are to be released."

"Advisor Danzō, Captain Fugaku—what do you think?"

"No objections."

Danzō shot a cold glance at Fugaku and replied icily.

By letting Shimura Naoya and the others off without punishment, the Hokage was clearly siding with the Shimura clan. Of course Danzō had no objection.

"No objections from me either."

Fugaku replied coldly.

He could see clearly the Hokage was favoring the Shimura, brushing off what should have been serious consequences.

When it came to the Uchiha, the Third Hokage and Danzō always stood in silent agreement.

So, this outcome didn't surprise him.

He agreed not because he accepted it, but because opposing it would be pointless—and because this whole incident had not been a loss.

When they arrested the Shimura, the Police Department hadn't held back—thanks to the clan's "violent resistance."

More importantly, he had achieved his goal of enraging Danzō.

This whole scene had been meant to provoke him.

To eliminate Danzō, Fugaku had to make him lose control even to the point of leaving the village to retaliate.

And that would be his opportunity to strike.

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