The next day, just as Uchiha Fugaku had expected, a village council meeting was convened.
News had come in that the twelve-man elite jonin squad had been nearly wiped out. Only Uchiha Shisui survived, and the mission had ultimately failed the target, a Wood Release kekkei genkai user, was not eliminated.
Everyone present at the meeting was both shocked and enraged.
Some proposed avenging the eleven fallen elite jonin by assembling an even stronger team to hunt down and kill the Wood Release ninja.
Others believed the Wood Release user was simply too powerful and that all operations against them should be suspended for the time being.
The debate grew heated, with neither side able to convince the other.
"To think that the once-feared Konoha has fallen this far..."
In the midst of the meeting, Uchiha Fugaku could only sigh inwardly, feeling deeply the decline of Konoha.
Konoha had been at its strongest during its founding, when Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara stood side by side — strong enough to overpower the other four great shinobi villages and leave them gasping for breath.
Even in later years, there were times of power and prosperity.
At its peak, Konoha had the Legendary Sannin, the White Fang, and the Yellow Flash. Even fighting all four other great villages at once, Konoha stood unafraid.
But that strength also made the village leadership — led by the Third Hokage feel their own authority was under threat.
To secure their power and interests, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the higher-ups employed political maneuvering.
The result: the White Fang committed suicide, the Sannin broke apart one defected, and two left the village.
Even the Yellow Flash, who had become the Fourth Hokage, was ultimately forced to sacrifice his life to seal the Nine-Tails. This happened because the Third Hokage and Danzo did nothing during the crisis, refused to trust the Uchiha, and barred the clan from taking part in the defense.
Had these powerful forces remained intact, not even someone like Uchiha Obito could have posed a serious threat.
But there were no "what-ifs."
Konoha's decline was the direct result of the dishonorable tactics used by its leadership — led by the Third Hokage — in their quest to maintain control. They were the root cause of the village's downfall.
"If only external threats could finally get them to put aside their prejudice against the Uchiha… but I doubt it."
Fugaku shook his head to himself.
He wished the village leadership would abandon their bias against the Uchiha in the face of an external threat — but he wasn't optimistic.
Even if they set aside their bias for now, once the external threat passed, they would inevitably turn their sights back on the Uchiha. Just like they once turned against the White Fang.
Thus, the conflict between the Uchiha and the village's leadership — led by the Third Hokage could not be reconciled. It would only end when one side was completely eliminated.
This wasn't about the Uchiha disregarding the bigger picture — it was about a corrupted leadership that needed to be cut out like a tumor.
The meeting lasted for several hours without reaching any consensus. In the end, it was postponed for a later date.
Leaving the Hokage Tower, Uchiha Fugaku walked down the village streets.
"Twelve went out, and only a member of the Uchiha clan came back. What incredible luck you have, Clan Head Fugaku."
A sarcastic voice rang out.
Fugaku turned toward the source and saw Shimura Daisuke and Aburame Shiwe approaching. It was Shimura Daisuke who had spoken.
Given their long-standing tension with the Uchiha, it was clear they weren't offering any genuine praise — the jab was laced with meaning.
Fugaku spoke calmly, "If you have something to say, Clan Head Shimura, speak plainly."
"The mission failed. Everyone else died, and only Uchiha Shisui made it back. Was it really luck? Or did he flee the battlefield?"
Shimura Daisuke said with a hidden edge in his tone.
He had no idea that Shisui was a secret agent for the Third Hokage and had a strained relationship with Fugaku.
Seeing the elite jonin from his own clan perish while Shisui alone survived left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"It is suspicious that Shisui was the only one to return," Aburame Shiwe added, his sunglasses reflecting the sun. "If he truly abandoned his comrades in battle, he must be severely punished."
"If you truly have doubts," Fugaku replied flatly, "then by all means, report them to the Hokage. Let him investigate Uchiha Shisui thoroughly."
"But making accusations without evidence only damages your own credibility."
Clearly, they had picked the wrong target to pressure.
Truthfully, Fugaku had hoped Shisui wouldn't make it back alive — but unfortunately, that wish hadn't come true.
"We will report this to the Hokage. And if any wrongdoing is found, not only will Shisui be punished, but you and the entire Uchiha clan will face consequences."
Aburame Shiwe said coldly.
"Feel free," Fugaku replied with a mocking smile, utterly unfazed.
Even if they brought their accusations to the Third Hokage, it was unlikely he would actually investigate.
And even if an investigation did happen, the result would never implicate Shisui — much less punish him or the Uchiha clan.
Even if Shisui had abandoned his comrades and fled to save himself, the Third Hokage would surely cover it up. After all, Shisui was one of his people.
"We'll see if you're still smiling when the time comes," Shimura Daisuke snorted.
The village leadership, ever hostile to the Uchiha, would surely jump at the chance to suppress them. Daisuke only needed to rally a few others to demand an investigation. If Shisui was found guilty, both he and the Uchiha would face severe punishment.
Even if Shisui wasn't guilty, they could still smear him shape public opinion to target the Uchiha, just as they did with the White Fang.
With Shisui's fragile mental state, he might even take his own life, just like the White Fang.
"I suggest you gather more supporters," Fugaku said. "If it's just the two of you, I doubt the Hokage will be moved to act."
Under normal circumstances, he might have been worried about Shisui being framed and the Uchiha clan getting dragged into it.
But this time, he had no such concerns. The Third Hokage would never allow harm to come to Shisui.
"Hmph, you'll regret this!" Daisuke snapped, seeing how confident and dismissive Fugaku was.
Even the emotionless face of Aburame Shiwe darkened.
"Well then, if there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave," Fugaku said, and turned to walk away.
With Konoha facing such a grave external threat, these two still couldn't stop fighting amongst their own.
Truly, it was laughable.
Fugaku's resolve to eliminate them only deepened they were nothing but parasites festering inside the village.
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