69novels Chapter 198 Helping Hand
Chapter 198 Helping Hand
The once tranquil and peaceful Hyuga clan compound was now bustling with activity. Countless Konoha ninjas, hidden in the shadows, closely observed the tense situation unfolding before them. Their hearts were filled with doubt and worry: what earth-shattering event had occurred that could cause such a fierce conflict between the traditionally neutral Hyuga clan and the Konoha leadership? The two sides were now on the verge of armed conflict! Their only hope was that this turmoil wouldn't spread to the entire village of Konoha, lest it trigger internal unrest and plunge the village into chaos.
However, even more worrying news followed – the Uchiha clan had also taken action at this moment! This undoubtedly deepened everyone's concerns.
The conflict between the Uchiha clan and the Konoha leadership is no secret. Although they haven't completely broken ties and engaged in direct combat, friction between them is becoming increasingly frequent. The most obvious example is the Uchiha clan's security force. This once vital force responsible for maintaining Konoha's security has now been almost entirely replaced by the Anbu. Their remaining tasks are often difficult and likely to offend people, meaning the Uchiha clan has not only failed to gain the villagers' gratitude for maintaining peace but has also alienated many in the process. As a result, the Uchiha clan's reputation within Konoha has steadily declined, gradually turning them into an object of hostility. Whether the Uchiha clan's current actions are intended to launch a coup against the Konoha leadership remains unknown. However, any conflict could quickly escalate, plunging Konoha into chaos.
But they soon learned the purpose of the Uchiha clan's actions.
Under Danzo Shimura's orders, the Root ninjas attacked the Hyuga clan, while the Hyuga ninjas prepared to retaliate. Just as the two sides were about to clash, the Uchiha clan's security forces arrived at the scene.
Seeing this, Fugaku Uchiha didn't dare to delay and immediately shouted angrily, "Stop!"
However, to everyone's shock, the Root ninjas completely ignored the orders of Fugaku Uchiha, the head of the security department, and continued their fierce attack without hesitation. The Hyuga clan ninjas, who had originally planned to give up, saw that the enemy showed no sign of stopping and was even continuing to attack, so they no longer cared about Fugaku Uchiha's dignity and launched a counterattack in anger.
In that instant, Fugaku Uchiha's anger flared. He could not tolerate the Root ninjas so blatantly disregarding his authority as the head of the Security Department, and even more so, openly defying the rules and prohibitions of Konoha! Thus, unable to bear it any longer, he decisively turned to the security personnel behind him and issued a stern order: "Immediately subdue all these ninjas who dare to impersonate Anbu! If they dare to resist, show no mercy, kill them on the spot!"
The Uchiha clan ninjas had long been unable to contain themselves. The oppression of the clan by the Konoha leadership had already enraged most of the Uchiha members, but the clan leadership had suppressed their actions, preventing them from taking action. They had already made their move against these ANBU members. Now, having received orders, they launched a swift attack on these Root ninjas to stop them from continuing to attack the Hyuga clan ninjas.
The ANBU ninja who was originally ordered by Hiruzen Sarutobi to monitor the situation suddenly appeared next to Fugaku Uchiha, which surprised Fugaku slightly. The speed of the ninja was so fast that even Fugaku could hardly react.
Ignoring Fugaku Uchiha's expression, the Anbu ninja spoke directly to him, saying, "Lord Fugaku, immediately rescind the order to kill without mercy. These are Konoha ninjas; they cannot kill each other."
Upon hearing the voice, Fugaku Uchiha knew who it was. Uchiha Shisui, a genius ninja of the Uchiha clan, a talent that appears only once in a century. His strength was said to have already surpassed the Jonin level, and even reached the Kage level! However, such an outstanding talent did not hold an important position in the security forces, but instead became a direct member of Hiruzen Sarutobi's Anbu, taking orders only from Hiruzen Sarutobi.
At this moment, a hint of dissatisfaction appeared on Fugaku Uchiha's face. His immediate reaction upon arriving here was to order the other side to cease their attack, simply to give face to the Konoha leadership and prevent the incident from escalating further. However, to his surprise, the Root ninjas showed no appreciation for his offer, instead launching an even fiercer offensive against the Hyuga clan ninjas.
Since the other party had no intention of accepting his offer, Fugaku Uchiha had no choice but to act according to the rules of Konoha. After he gave the order, this Uchiha genius actually jumped out to obstruct him, hoping he would retract it, completely disregarding Konoha's rules and showing him no respect whatsoever. Even now, he still insisted that they were all Konoha ninjas, how could they kill each other?
As the leader of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku Uchiha always held Shisui Uchiha, widely recognized as the Uchiha's greatest genius, in high regard. Even after Shisui pledged allegiance to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Fugaku's attitude towards him remained unchanged. In Fugaku's view, as long as Shisui could become an outstanding Konoha ninja and contribute to the village, everything else was acceptable. After all, the Uchiha clan was always an integral part of Konoha.
However, today's events completely changed Fugaku Uchiha's mind. Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions had crossed the line expected of a Konoha ninja. When did Konoha ninjas become Hiruzen Sarutobi's personal servants? Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Third Hokage, he should still respect and abide by the rules of Konoha. The purpose of Konoha ninjas is to serve the entire village, not merely to obey the orders of one individual. Shisui Uchiha had now lost the most basic qualifications and principles of a Konoha ninja; he was no longer a true Konoha ninja, but had become Hiruzen Sarutobi's personal servant. Faced with this reality, Fugaku Uchiha felt utterly disappointed. Once considered a genius and the hope of the clan, he had now abandoned his principles and bottom line, making it impossible for Fugaku to consider him a member of the Uchiha clan anymore.
Uchiha Shisui stared at the clan head, whose attitude had suddenly changed drastically, filled with confusion and bewilderment. He couldn't understand why the clan head had so abruptly changed his mind, and it seemed he had no intention of explaining. Nevertheless, Uchiha Shisui still hoped to persuade the clan head to retract his previous orders to avoid a conflict between the Uchiha clan members and the Anbu ninja.
However, when he noticed that the clan leader showed no sign of responding to him, or even retracting his order, Uchiha Shisui finally couldn't contain his anxiety and anger. He took a deep breath, straightened his posture, stared firmly at the clan leader, and threatened in a serious tone, "Clan leader, please immediately retract the order you just issued! If you persist in your course and continue to let this situation develop, then I will have to personally intervene to stop this fight. Furthermore, I will truthfully report everything that happened here to the Hokage afterwards!"
His voice was firm and powerful, carrying an undeniable authority. At that moment, Uchiha Shisui believed he had demonstrated the resolve and responsibility of a ninja. He thought that allowing the situation to deteriorate would not only have serious consequences for the Uchiha clan but could also trigger greater internal conflict and chaos within the village. Therefore, he was willing to take strong measures to protect peace and maintain order.
Upon hearing Shisui's words, Fugaku stopped and turned to look at the Uchiha genius. For the first time, he felt the man had changed beyond recognition. He replied calmly, "You tried to stop me? Then try it. From today onward, you are no longer a member of the Uchiha clan. And don't call yourself a Konoha ninja anymore. You've disgraced Konoha."
After saying that, he went straight to the gate of the Hyuga clan. He wanted to have a good talk with Hyuga Hiashi to prepare for the alliance.
Uchiha Shisui was slightly taken aback upon hearing Uchiha Fugaku's words. He had no idea what he had done wrong. Not only had he been stripped of his Uchiha clan membership, but the following sentence made him even more uneasy. Did he no longer even qualify as a Konoha ninja? Yet everything he had done was for Konoha Village; was it wrong to stop his comrades from killing each other?
Danzo Shimura, watching from the shadows as the Uchiha clan ninjas plunged into battle, felt his anger ignite and become uncontrollable. Disregarding his own concealment, he swiftly appeared before Fugaku Uchiha and Hiashi Hyuga, roaring at Fugaku in a furious voice, "Does your Uchiha clan also intend to betray the village? Order your clan members back to their territory immediately! Later, I will settle accounts with you for all of this!" His tone was filled with rage and resolve, as if he wanted to unleash all his pent-up resentment.
Facing Danzo's angry rebuke, Fugaku Uchiha's gaze remained firm and calm. He straightened his posture and responded without flinching, "Lord Danzo, our Uchiha clan has never intended to betray the village. We, as the Konoha Police Force, are dedicated to maintaining the village's peace and stability." His voice was steady and powerful, revealing an unyielding determination.
Hiashi Hyuga stood quietly to the side, his eyes flashing with complex emotions. He understood the Uchiha clan's position, but at the same time, he felt helpless. He knew that this conflict had transcended the personal realm and involved the future of the entire village.