Naruto: I am Uchiha Fugaku

After a long detour, Uchiha Fugaku and his group returned safely to the Land of Fire, avoiding any major incidents.

Along the way, they encountered several more of White Zetsu's clones.

Fortunately, each one was spotted and promptly subdued by Fugaku using genjutsu, preventing their location from being exposed and allowing the group to continue their journey without incident.

Once they crossed the border into the Land of Fire, Fugaku finally relaxed a little.

He knew that there were limitations on the distance Nagato could control his clones from. At this range, even if the Akatsuki learned of their whereabouts, Nagato's remote-controlled bodies likely couldn't reach them.

After a brief period of rest and recovery, they resumed their journey back to Konoha.

On the way, they passed by the location where the three ANBU agents who had been assigned to monitor them had fallen into a trap and gotten injured.

The ANBU were nowhere to be seen—likely evacuated after requesting backup from the village.

A day later, Fugaku and his group arrived at Konoha's gates.

"We're back."

As his feet stepped once again onto the soil of the village, Fugaku let out a soft breath of relief.

The pursuit of Orochimaru had been eventful, but in the end, they had returned without casualties—not even anyone injured.

The Third Hokage's schemes had failed, and there was even an unexpected gain from the mission.

His gaze swept over Uchiha Asami and the others. Though visibly tired, they were all smiling faintly, relieved and happy to return safely.

"Head back to the compound. I'll report to the Hokage," Fugaku instructed.

"Yes, Captain."

The group responded and headed toward the Uchiha district.

Before parting, Asami voiced a concern:

"Captain… Even though those three ANBU were injured due to falling into a trap, the Hokage might still try to pin the blame on us."

"Let him try. If it's our fault, we'll take responsibility. But if it's not, not even the Third Hokage has the right to twist the truth," Fugaku replied calmly.

He had already anticipated Hiruzen Sarutobi would try to use this opportunity to make things difficult, but Fugaku had long since prepared a counterargument.

After parting from his team, Fugaku made his way to the Hokage Tower.

It was clear the Hokage had already been informed of their return—likely through ANBU intelligence.

As soon as Fugaku arrived, without needing to announce himself, an ANBU operative silently escorted him into the building.

In the Hokage's office, he found Hiruzen Sarutobi waiting.

Dressed in the traditional robes of the Hokage, the old man looked thin and weary, his face cold and lined with age.

"Clan Head Fugaku," Hiruzen began immediately, his tone sharp, "three ANBU agents have filed complaints that your team neglected their safety during the mission. What do you have to say for yourself? "

Prepared for this, Fugaku's reply was direct and firm:

"Those accusations are slander against both me and the police force members who carried out this mission. I ask the Hokage to punish them accordingly."

Hiruzen's gaze narrowed.

"They claimed you noticed a trap ahead but didn't warn them, leading to their injuries. Is that true? "

"Of course not," Fugaku answered flatly. "Our routes were different, and we never saw that trap. There was no opportunity to warn them."

The Third's brow furrowed.

He didn't believe that for a second—he was sure Fugaku had seen the trap and chose not to warn the ANBU, likely to shake off their surveillance.

But proving that would be difficult.

Changing the topic, Hiruzen asked again:

"Even so, once you realized they'd fallen into a trap, your team made no effort to help them. That much is fact, yes? "

Instead of answering directly, Fugaku asked,

"Lord Hokage, do you still remember the mission that led to the suicide of White Fang? "

That caught Hiruzen off guard. "What are you implying? "

"White Fang was ridiculed and scorned for prioritizing his comrades over the mission. In the end, he couldn't take the pressure and took his own life."

"This time, we did the opposite—we prioritized the mission. So tell me, was that choice wrong? "

Fugaku met Hiruzen's gaze without flinching.

Hiruzen's expression darkened.

Choosing the mission over comrades wasn't inherently wrong. If it was, then White Fang's actions would've been right—and that would make Hiruzen complicit in the environment that drove him to suicide.

Not wanting to go down that path, Hiruzen let it go and asked instead:

"So? You prioritized the mission. I assume it was a success? "

"No. It failed."

Fugaku's tone was calm, matter-of-fact.

That didn't surprise Hiruzen. After all, chasing Orochimaru—a former Sannin and Kage-level rogue ninja—with only a dozen shinobi was doomed from the start.

Assuming the mission was neglected, his tone turned cold:

"So you abandoned your comrades and still failed. Clan Head Fugaku… I am disappointed."

"With all due respect, Hokage-sama, missions can fail. Especially one targeting Orochimaru. Isn't that understandable? "

Hiruzen scowled. "Watch your tone, Fugaku."

"I'm merely stating facts," Fugaku replied, unshaken. "And besides… we did gain something."

"Oh? What kind of gain? "

That caught Hiruzen off guard.

He had assumed the police force deliberately underperformed and used the injured ANBU as a pretext to withdraw.

He never expected Fugaku to claim any kind of success.

"After tracking Orochimaru into the Land of Rivers, we lost his trail. However, we were ambushed there—by ninja wearing black cloaks with red clouds."

Fugaku glanced at the Third's reaction, then added:

"Yes. Red cloud cloaks."

Hiruzen's face changed immediately.

He knew of a Kekkei Genkai user—one who wielded Wood Release—who also wore that cloak.

If that ninja and the attackers were from the same group, and Orochimaru was in the mix…

"Are you saying Orochimaru is connected to this group? "

"It's possible," Fugaku answered. "He led us into the Land of Rivers, where this group was waiting. It could've been a coincidence… or a trap."

Fugaku had no concrete evidence, but he suspected Orochimaru had ties to the Akatsuki.

If the Hokage came to the same conclusion, all the better.

"Do you have proof? "Hiruzen asked, eyes narrowing. "All of this—it's only your word."

"Direct evidence? No," Fugaku admitted. "But surely the Hokage knows the Uchiha Sharingan can record what it sees."

He smiled faintly.

"If you'd like, I can show you the memory through my Sharingan."