The moment Danzo said it, Fugaku's face darkened.
So that's it.
This old fox really hadn't come with good intentions.
He was single-mindedly trying to trap the Uchiha.
But Fugaku wasn't helpless either.
He turned his brain once—then fired back immediately.
"Danzo."
"Are you suppressing Konoha's hero…"
"Or are you abusing public authority for private revenge—planning to turn Sogetsu into the second White Fang?"
The words "White Fang" detonated like a bomb.
Instantly, every gaze in the room snapped onto Danzo.
Maybe ordinary people didn't know the full truth—
But everyone here was either a clan head or a political elite.
Who among them didn't have a brain?
Who among them didn't have fox-blood?
How the White Fang really died, and why—
They all knew.
Fugaku's sentence slammed a heavy "history" onto Danzo's head.
Whether it was true or not didn't even matter anymore.
Once someone had a precedent on record, they could never fully wash it clean—no matter how many mouths they had.
In an instant, the situation that had been unfavorable to the Uchiha seemed to flip.
Now it became unfavorable to Danzo instead.
If she couldn't give a reasonable explanation, the major clans in this room might not stay polite.
"I won't deny he did great service."
Danzo's eyes scanned the room. Her tapping finger stopped, and she looked at Fugaku with a cold smile.
"But the facts remain: from the village's standpoint, Uchiha Sogetsu killing the Mizukage and the Raikage accelerated the outbreak of world war."
"The harm outweighs the benefit."
"You—"
Fugaku was about to rebut, but Danzo cut him off and continued:
"Of course, overall, Sogetsu has merit. We can't ignore that."
"That's why I'm proposing we temporarily set punishment aside—"
"And have the Uchiha resolve the problem yourselves."
"Isn't that the best of both worlds?"
"And if I refuse?"
Fugaku's expression was storm-dark.
He wasn't stupid.
Kumogakure was second only to Konoha in strength among the Five Great Villages.
Now it came with revenge burning in its eyes—momentum at its peak.
If the Uchiha were forced to block the Cloud front—
Even if they succeeded…
They would still lose at least eighty percent of their accumulated strength and their prime-aged second and third generation elites.
How was that different from annihilation?
Danzo's move was vicious to the bone.
"Clan Head Fugaku."
"Don't forget."
"The Uchiha are also part of Konoha."
Danzo said calmly.
"Konoha is in crisis. Everyone must contribute."
"Do you think only you carry pressure? The other fronts aren't easy either."
"Ino–Shika–Chō must hold the Sand."
"Hyūga, Sarutobi, and Orochimaru must hold the Stone."
"The remaining forces must hold the Mist."
"Everyone is struggling."
"Don't think I'm targeting you."
"Of course."
"You can refuse."
Her tone became meaningful—sharp.
"But then don't blame me if I decide to negotiate peace with the Cloud…"
"By handing over Uchiha Sogetsu as the price to delay their advance."
"Danzo… you're abusing Hokage authority!"
Fugaku's eyes burned. His fist clenched so hard it almost cracked.
"If you think I'm abusing authority, you can report it to Hiruzen afterward."
Danzo's gaze pressed down like a blade, a cold smile on her lips.
"But right now, since I hold Acting Hokage authority, I must consider the village's safety."
So what would Fugaku choose?
Sacrifice the Uchiha's prime strength…
Or abandon Uchiha Sogetsu?
Danzo gave him only those two options.
For a heartbeat, Fugaku almost wanted to raise a banner and revolt.
But reason yanked him back from the ledge.
He stared at Danzo with cold hatred.
"Ahem. I think Danzo is right."
At that moment, the Hyūga spoke up—trying to "smooth things over."
"It's true the Uchiha alone holding the Cloud front isn't realistic."
"Why not discuss more and find a best-of-both-worlds method?"
"Fine."
Fugaku inhaled deeply, understanding he couldn't tear the table apart here. He used the opening to sit back down.
"My Uchiha are loyal to Konoha—"
"But we refuse to become sacrifices in someone else's hands."
"Heh."
Danzo smiled lightly, not bothered by the sarcasm at all.
The room's killing tension eased a notch.
Danzo raised her brow, amused.
"Then, Hyūga… what do you propose?"
The Hyūga clan head hesitated briefly, then changed direction.
"Konoha is fighting on too many fronts. We can't spare additional manpower."
"How about this—"
"Let the Uchiha hold the Cloud temporarily."
"Once we quickly resolve one battlefield, we immediately transfer troops to support them."
The instant those words fell, Fugaku's pupils shrank.
He stared at the Hyūga in disbelief.
"Excellent."
Danzo didn't even let anyone else speak before she slapped the table.
"The Hyūga proposal is good."
"It reduces Uchiha losses, and lets us concentrate force."
The Hyūga gave Fugaku a faint smile.
"Clan Head Fugaku—what do you think?"
Only then did Fugaku finally see it clearly.
Danzo and the Hyūga—these two old foxes—had dug a pit together.
"You—!"
"Clan Head Fugaku…"
Danzo narrowed her eyes, dangerous light leaking out.
"You wouldn't refuse again, would you?"
"This is Konoha's most dangerous moment."
"Every clan must sacrifice and contribute."
"Even the Sarutobi aren't exempt."
"If you still insist on preserving your strength now…"
"Do you have… other thoughts?"
Danzo used his own tactic against him—slapping a political label on Fugaku.
Now Fugaku was roasting over fire.
Veins bulged on his face. His Sharingan flickered in and out. His teeth ground so hard the room could hear it.
"Clan Head Fugaku," Danzo pressed, not allowing him to breathe. She braced her hands on the table and rose slowly, radiating authority.
"Didn't you just say the Uchiha are loyal to Konoha?"
"Now…"
"Prove it."
Choose.
Uchiha Sogetsu—or the clan.
A multiple-choice question.
Two answers.
Two completely different outcomes.
In that instant, something became clear to Fugaku.
Why was this happening?
Because the other clans were afraid.
Afraid the Uchiha would produce another…
"Madara."
At sixteen, Uchiha Sogetsu had already displayed strength this monstrous.
Who knew how far he would grow?
In the eyes of Danzo, the Hyūga, the Sarutobi, and the rest—
If Sogetsu lived, then one day he would unquestionably stand above the entire village.
With the Uchiha pushing from behind, taking the Hokage position would be effortless.
And what could be more terrifying than an Uchiha becoming Hokage?
That was why this situation existed.
Almost everyone knew it was wrong—
Yet they still stood with Danzo, assisting her in forcing the Uchiha to choose.
Abandon Sogetsu…
Or sacrifice the clan's prime strength.
Either choice would cripple the Uchiha.
Fugaku stayed silent for a long time.
Under the pressure of Danzo and the gathered clans, it was like his strength was being drained out of him.
He slumped back into his chair.
He covered his face with both hands.
Bloodshot eyes.
A grinding, hateful voice pushed out between clenched teeth:
"Uchiha Sogetsu…"
"…Do as you please."
Sogetsu was strong, but Fugaku didn't dare gamble the entire clan on one person.
It's fine.
At least we still have Itachi.
That child's talent was not inferior to Sogetsu's.
Fugaku forced that comfort into his heart.
He couldn't sacrifice the whole clan for one individual.
As long as they lived—hope still existed.
"Heh… congratulations, Clan Head Fugaku."
Danzo settled back into her seat, crossing one leg over the other. Her long fingers lifted the hair at her temple, and she smiled sweetly—almost coquettishly.
"You made the wise choice."
"Then the Cloud front is yours."
"I'll send Root to assist."
"You only need to hold for ten days."
"How about it?"
Fugaku nodded painfully.
What choice did he have?
In essence, the result hadn't changed much…
But at least—
He had bought the Uchiha a future.
The blood he protected would grow strong in time.
"…I'm sorry, Sogetsu."
Fugaku sighed in guilt, apologizing silently in his heart.
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