Naruto: The Rise Of Uchiha

In the Hokage's office—

"Hokage-sama, the plan to spread rumors has failed."

The monkey-masked Anbu ninja who had visited the Hokage's office not long ago returned and knelt on one knee.

"What's going on?"

The Third Hokage asked, frowning.

"The Uchiha clan was prepared and dispatched many members of the Security Department to patrol the village. Anyone found spreading rumors was arrested immediately. Thirteen Anbu members have been captured."

"They were prepared for it..."

The Third Hokage's expression turned grim.

Uchiha Fugaku had anticipated his move to spread rumors.

In this confrontation between them, it was clear that he was one step behind.

"Hokage-sama, please rescue those thirteen Anbu members quickly. If this drags on, their lives may be in danger."

The monkey-masked ninja pleaded.

The Third Hokage frowned. It was indeed necessary to rescue those thirteen people as soon as possible.

If not, their lives might truly be at risk.

He stood up and spoke to the masked Anbu.

"Bring a few Anbu with you and come with me to the Security Department."

Not long after, the Third Hokage arrived at the Security Department with over ten Anbu ninjas.

"Bring Captain Fugaku to see me."

At the entrance, the Third Hokage spoke to a guard.

"Hokage-sama, Captain Fugaku is currently in the interrogation room and cannot leave. He instructed that anyone looking for him be invited there."

The Third Hokage's face twitched slightly. Uchiha Fugaku was now showing less and less respect for him as Hokage.

Even when the Hokage himself visited, he wasn't received properly.

He wanted to get angry, but considering that rescuing the thirteen Anbu was more important, he suppressed his anger and said coldly:

"Lead the way."

Following the Security Department member down the stairs to the basement where suspects were detained and interrogated, the Third Hokage saw Uchiha Fugaku along with the thirteen captured Anbu.

At this point, the thirteen captured Anbu looked miserable.

They were all injured, some even unconscious—obviously having been harshly interrogated.

A flicker of rage appeared in the Third Hokage's eyes.

"Hokage-sama, you've come at just the right time. The Security Department has apprehended thirteen spies and was just about to inform you."

Uchiha Fugaku approached with a smile, as though reporting a job well done.

The Third Hokage nearly couldn't suppress his fury.

He had captured and tortured Anbu, and now had the nerve to act as though he was doing him a favor.

There was no doubt that Uchiha Fugaku knew they were Anbu. This was clearly revenge for his attempt to defame Fugaku.

Taking a deep breath to control his emotions, the Third Hokage spoke.

"Captain Fugaku, thank you for your efforts. Interrogation is best handled by the Anbu. I'll take these thirteen with me."

He couldn't admit they were Anbu, because then Fugaku would press him with a single question: Why were Anbu spreading rumors?

That would be a dead end.

"Hokage-sama, I'm afraid that won't do."

Uchiha Fugaku shook his head.

"The Anbu are professionals at interrogation. Why won't you hand them over?"

The Third Hokage's tone turned icy.

"I understand that Anbu are professionals," Fugaku said, pausing before continuing with a serious expression, "But I've just discovered that some of these spies disguised themselves as Anbu members."

"This means the Anbu may have already been infiltrated. There may be enemy spies hiding among them."

"If I hand these people over, I fear they'll be silenced before the truth is uncovered."

Silenced?

The Third Hokage was amused by the notion.

These thirteen weren't spies. They were Anbu from the start.

But of course, he couldn't say that out loud. If he did, Uchiha Fugaku would pounce on it.

"If that's true, they should be handed over to the Anbu to root out other spies more efficiently."

The Third Hokage replied with an expression of false concern.

"Don't worry. I'll have someone I trust carry out the interrogation. That way, the spies hiding in Anbu won't have the chance to act."

"Hokage-sama, I still believe it's safer to keep them here. You can send an Anbu member you trust to interrogate them within the Security Department."

Uchiha Fugaku replied seriously.

"..."

The Third Hokage knew that Fugaku wouldn't release them easily.

And he didn't have the power to take them by force.

He remembered what happened the last time he fought Fugaku during the Uchiha compound incident. He was injured after only a few exchanges.

His face grew cold.

"Patriarch Fugaku, speak plainly. What do you want in return for releasing them?"

"Hokage-sama, what do you mean? I'm only refusing because I fear they'll be silenced by enemy spies."

Fugaku replied, feigning innocence.

"Patriarch Fugaku, drop the act. We both know what's going on."

"Just tell me what you want in exchange."

The Third Hokage said flatly.

"Hokage-sama, I really don't know what you're implying."

Fugaku continued his performance.

"They all have mental seals placed on them. The Uchiha clan doesn't specialize in sealing jutsu. You probably can't remove the seals."

"So why not hand them to Anbu, who are trained to deal with such things? And naturally, the Anbu bear responsibility for the infiltration. The Security Department will be compensated accordingly."

The Third Hokage hinted.

Anbu were equipped with mental seals that prevented effective interrogation. Even if Fugaku had them, he wouldn't get anything from them.

So he was suggesting that Fugaku trade them in exchange for something useful—like compensation.

"I heard that Hokage-sama obtained a batch of Uchiha Sharingan from Shimura Danzo's Root division. I would like those returned."

Hearing the Third Hokage's suggestion, Fugaku knew the time had come.

He couldn't truly expose the Hokage with these thirteen people—not with his clan's limited skill in seal-breaking.

But it didn't matter. The next steps wouldn't require these captives.

"Fine. I'll have them delivered later."

The Third Hokage agreed with a pained expression.

"No need. I'll collect them myself."

Fugaku declined. If the Hokage delivered them, he might withhold some.

Only by retrieving them personally could he guarantee their return.

"...Fine."

The Third Hokage gritted his teeth.

He had tried to frame Fugaku, only to fail and lose the captured Sharingan instead. The humiliation burned within him.

(End of this chapter)