Fugaku, This is Your Fault

The next day, Uchiha Fugaku's resignation as clan head and leader of the Konoha Security Force caused a sensation in Konoha.

At the Hokage Tower, inside the Hokage's office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed as he addressed Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Toki,

"Sigh, this relocation of the clan was discussed collectively. I have already lodged a protest with the Elder Council, but Danzo insisted on his own way."

"Please don't misunderstand, Konoha absolutely does not have any intention to target the Uchiha clan."

"I deeply regret the sacrifice made by Fugaku to calm the anger of the Uchiha clan. The position of clan head is an internal matter for the Uchiha, so I shouldn't interfere."

"However, as for the position of captain of the Konoha Security Force, you don't need to resign. That's what I, as the Hokage, say!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen believed that the reason why Uchiha Fugaku was forced to resign as clan head and captain of the security force was because he unilaterally agreed with Konoha's decision, thus causing it to happen for the sake of giving an explanation to the clan.

Uchiha Fugaku opened his mouth, his face full of emotion:

"No, Hokage-sama, I understand your difficulties, and I indeed do not have enough prestige to serve as captain of the Konoha Security Force."

Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed the table:

"Who said that! The contributions of Clan Head Fugaku to the security force are clear to all! In the Konoha Security Force, I only trust Clan Head Fugaku!"

Uchiha Fugaku: "Hokage-sama!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Clan Head Fugaku!"

Uchiha Toki, standing beside them, looked on as Sarutobi Hiruzen continued to praise them, with a cold sneer in his heart.

As a top-notch political manipulator, Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally could see through Uchiha Fugaku's weakness.

This kind of fence-sitter is most suitable for weakening the strong Uchiha clan from within. How could he let Uchiha Fugaku, who is being pushed out of the Uchiha clan's power structure, off the hook?

And Uchiha Toki, as the hawkish representative of the Uchiha clan, was well known.

He repeatedly proposed suggestions to Uchiha Fugaku that undermined Konoha's suppression plan against the Uchiha clan's F4.

Fortunately, with the assistance of Uchiha Fugaku, this deadwood, the Uchiha clan would not have fallen into such a situation now.

Seeing the two brothers being treated with such courtesy, Toki coldly spoke up:

"Hokage-sama, it's not that we don't want Clan Head Fugaku to continue serving as captain, it's just that there is a lot of resentment within the clan."

"Many people suggested that our Uchiha clan should go to the front line to fight the Nine-Tails, but unfortunately, the clan head single-handedly blocked all such suggestions."

"As a result, people in the village now believe that our Uchiha clan is cowardly before the battle, and even slander us as the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails."

"Can we tolerate such injustice? Hokage-sama, the duty of the Konoha Security Force is to defend the village, but the former clan head retreated at such a critical moment."

"So he is simply not qualified to serve as captain of the Konoha Security Force."

Toki paused for a moment and then said with a hint of sarcasm:

"Or... is it because Clan Head Fugaku received some orders, so he chose to let our security force retreat behind the scenes?"

"If that's the case, I hope our village can come forward to clarify. After all, such rumors are affecting the harmony within our village."

"If not, how can someone with Fugaku's cowardly character be qualified to hold such an important position of defending the heart of Konoha? What do you think, Hokage-sama?"

Upon hearing Toki's sarcastic remarks, Uchiha Fugaku's forehead veins bulged.

He had indeed received orders from Danzo to be forcibly stationed at the rear of the battlefield to evacuate the civilians.

But for the sake of village and clan harmony, he chose to conceal this fact.

So in the eyes of the clan members, the decision to retreat behind the scenes was seen as his unilateral decision, while in reality, he was taking the blame for Danzo.

Uchiha Fugaku looked expectantly at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

If the village were to come forward to clarify, it would definitely silence the anti-Uchiha sentiments within the village.

Although this would still cause dissatisfaction among the clan members, in the current situation, this approach should be more conducive to the long-term stability and harmony within the village.

However, in the face of Fugaku's pleading gaze, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes unconsciously drifted away.

He naturally knew the truth that the Uchiha clan had not participated in the frontline.

But this matter was planned to take advantage of the discord between the Uchiha clan and the various ninja clans of Konoha who suffered heavy losses during the Nine-Tails' rampage.

The current effect was remarkable. The reputation of the Uchiha clan in Konoha had directly plummeted, and with the relocation of the Uchiha clan's land, the Uchiha clan was completely kicked out of the center of Konoha's power.

How could he possibly shoulder this blame from the Uchiha clan?

Sarutobi Hiruzen cleared his throat and, pretending to be ignorant, sighed,

"I see, so there's this reason behind it. Fugaku, here I must say something about you. Since the clan members want to fight for Konoha, how can you stop them?"

Uchiha Fugaku was stunned:

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