"Within a short time, the Third Hokage probably won't make a move against the Uchiha clan."
Uchiha Yakumi left, while Uchiha Fugaku sat alone in his office, deep in thought.
Based on his deductions, although the Third Hokage was aware of the Uchiha clan's intentions to stage a coup, he wouldn't strike against the clan anytime soon.
The fact that the Hokage assigned Uchiha Itachi to keep watch on him and the clan only confirmed this.
If the Third Hokage planned to attack the Uchiha family, he wouldn't have sent Itachi merely to observe—they would have immediately deployed forces to surround and crush the clan.
"Right now, there are only whispers of rebellion, no actual action. If they acted now, it would arouse suspicion from the other clans."
"The Third Hokage is likely waiting for the Uchiha clan to make their move first, so he can justify his actions and claim the moral high ground."
The coup rumors within the Uchiha clan were probably expected by the Third Hokage, or more accurately, they might have been orchestrated by him.
The upper echelon of Konoha, led by the Third Hokage, had been steadily putting pressure on the Uchiha clan, likely to provoke them into rebellion.
This would give them a legitimate reason to purge the clan.
"You won't get your way!" Fugaku sneered coldly.
If he were his former self, he might have fallen into the trap—the pressure forcing him to launch a coup, caught in the web spun by the Third Hokage, only to be crushed under the guise of justice.
But he was no longer that man. He would not let the Third Hokage's plan succeed.
"When you try to close the net, you'll find the fish inside aren't so easily caught."
The Konoha leadership believed their power was enough to suppress the Uchiha clan.
But with Fugaku, their plan was doomed to fail.
His strength still had room to grow—significant room.
By the time they tried to trap the clan, his power would surpass what it was now, enough to tear their net apart.
...
Half a month later, the search teams sent by Konoha to investigate the deaths of Shimura Ryoma and his companions gradually returned—empty-handed.
The investigation had no results because from the start, their search direction was wrong.
Throwing so many resources into the case was pointless.
After the fruitless investigation, the village decided to abandon the case—it would become a cold case.
The Shimura family was reluctant but had no choice but to accept, since there was simply no evidence to find.
That morning, Uchiha Fugaku left the clan compound—not heading to the Konoha Guard but directly to the Hokage Tower.
After reporting, he entered the Hokage's office.
"Fugaku, what brings you here?"
The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, puffing on his pipe and blowing out a smoke ring.
His gaze was calm, a mix of authority and approachability—a deceptively charming demeanor.
If Fugaku hadn't known the Hokage's true nature, he might have unwittingly admired this charismatic man.
"I'd like to request permission to leave the village for a while," Fugaku said.
After two weeks of covert observation, he was certain his judgment was correct: the Third Hokage would not act against the Uchiha clan in the near future.
With this assurance, he was ready to begin the plan he had long prepared.
That plan was to leave the village and head to the Land of Rain to retrieve the corpse of White Zetsu.
He had considered sneaking out secretly, but with the length of time needed and Itachi's surveillance, leaving unnoticed was impossible.
So he chose not to hide it—he came straight to the Hokage Tower and openly requested permission to leave.
"Leaving the village? Is there something urgent?"
The Third Hokage's eyes flickered with surprise.
He had guessed why Fugaku came, but hadn't expected him to ask for permission to leave.
"Some personal matters to attend to," Fugaku replied, offering no further explanation.
Ordinary ninja needed strong justification to leave the village without a mission, and unconvincing reasons would often lead to refusal.
But clan leaders and high-ranking officials enjoyed more freedom in village affairs.
For example, Jiraiya and Tsunade were often away for years without the village issuing warrants for their arrest.
"What about the Guard Department's management during your absence?"
Seeing Fugaku's reluctance to explain further, the Hokage didn't press.
"During my absence, Uchiha Yakumi will manage the Guard Department. He has assisted me for many years and has plenty of experience," Fugaku said.
"As long as the Guard Department is in order, then there's no issue," the Hokage nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Fugaku said and left the office.
He hated staying in that office—the Hokage's hypocrisy made him sick and uncomfortable.
One day soon, he would make that old man, who always wore a false smile, feel a real punch.
Not long after Fugaku left, the Hokage's office door opened again.
Shimura Danzo, with his right hand and eye bandaged, entered and addressed the Hokage.
"Third, Fugaku leaving Konoha must have a purpose."
After learning Fugaku went to the Hokage Tower, Danzo had rushed over and overheard their conversation outside the office.
"I know, but as clan leader, Fugaku has this authority. I have no reason to stop him," the Hokage said, frowning slightly.
If Danzo could guess it, so could he.
"I'll assign people to tail and monitor him—to uncover his true intentions," Danzo declared.
He wanted no unexpected disruptions to the plan against the Uchiha clan.
"Agreed."
After a moment's thought, the Hokage nodded.
Sending agents to shadow a clan leader was risky.
But given the clan's rebellious murmurs, he consented.
Most importantly, the agents would be from Root, so even if Fugaku discovered the surveillance, it could easily be blamed on Danzo.