When the news that Uchiha Fugaku was framed by spies from other ninja villages disguised as Anbu spread widely, Uchiha Fugaku visited an ancient family.

This family, like the Uchiha Clan, had a long history—none other than the Hyuga Clan.

"Patriarch Fugaku, please!"

Upon learning of Uchiha Fugaku's arrival, Hyuga Clan leader Hyuga Hiashi personally greeted him and led him to the traditional Japanese-style room where the Hyuga Clan received important guests.

Hyuga Hiashi personally poured tea for Uchiha Fugaku and said, "I have heard about the false accusation against Patriarch Fugaku a few days ago. It is hard to imagine that that person would go so far just to suppress you."

"This is just his usual method. Hatake Sakumo had such a high reputation at the time, but he was condemned by the villagers just because of a mission failure."

"If you say that there wasn't deliberate guidance behind that, I'd never believe it," Uchiha Fugaku said with a smile.

"That's right," Hyuga Hiashi nodded. Just as Fugaku said, this wasn't the first time the Third Hokage had done such a thing.

When Hatake Sakumo failed his mission, the extreme public backlash in the village was obviously manipulated.

"Fortunately, Chief Fugaku responded in time. Otherwise, the consequences would have been disastrous."

"With Sakumo as an example, I naturally had to be more cautious. Facts have proved that it wasn't an overreaction."

Uchiha Fugaku took a sip of tea and smiled.

"Although the Third Hokage is shrewd, Chief Fugaku is still better."

"This time, not only did he fail to frame you, but his own reputation took a hit."

Hyuga Hiashi also smiled.

He had long disliked the Third Hokage, so seeing him suffer brought satisfaction.

"Hiashi-dono, I came here today to ask something of you."

Seeing that the atmosphere had warmed up, Uchiha Fugaku stated his purpose.

"What is it?"

Hyuga Hiashi asked with some confusion.

With the current strength and power of the Uchiha Clan, he did not think the Hyuga Clan could offer much.

"I hope Clan Leader Hiashi can make public the incident."

Uchiha Fugaku looked at Hiashi seriously as he spoke.

"The incident?"

Hiashi couldn't help but recall the event—as if a string in his memory was suddenly plucked.

The representative from Kumogakure had tried to kidnap Hinata to obtain the Hyuga clan's Byakugan but failed and was killed in the attempt.

It should have been a justified act of defense, but it sparked disaster.

Kumogakure arrogantly demanded that the Hyuga Clan hand over the killer. The Third Hokage not only failed to protect the clan, but pressured them to provide an explanation.

Under the Third Hokage's pressure, his brother, Hyuga Hizashi, died in his place to resolve the conflict with Kumogakure.

His fingers unconsciously dug into his palm as a wave of resentment toward the Third Hokage surged in his heart.

"Back then, under the coercion of the Third Hokage, Hyuga Hizashi committed suicide as compensation to the Hidden Cloud Village."

"I know this is a painful memory the Hyuga Clan does not wish to revisit, but I hope the clan can help make this matter known."

Uchiha Fugaku said, observing Hiashi's expression.

"…"

Hyuga Hiashi frowned.

That incident had always been a stain on the Hyuga Clan—something they'd rather bury.

Moreover, if the matter were made public, it would put the Hyuga Clan directly at odds with the Third Hokage.

Though he had long considered allying with the Uchiha, he still had concerns about directly confronting the Third Hokage.

After thinking for a moment, he shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Patriarch Fugaku. Your request is really—"

"Don't be in a rush to refuse. Why not hear my conditions first?"

Uchiha Fugaku interrupted him calmly.

"My condition is: anyone involved in that incident—whether from Hidden Cloud or Konoha—will receive due punishment."

"Whether it's people from Kumogakure or from Konoha, all of them will be held accountable?"

Hyuga Hiashi raised his head, staring at Uchiha Fugaku in surprise. He hadn't expected such a promise.

"Yes, all of them will receive punishment. As for the extent of it, that's up to you."

Uchiha Fugaku said with deep meaning.

He didn't mention names, but the implication was clear—this included the Third Hokage.

This was a direct hint: if Hiashi agreed to spread the story, even the Third Hokage would be punished accordingly.

"Please give me some time to think…"

Hiashi's breath quickened after grasping the full meaning.

Ever since that incident, he had often fantasized about avenging Hizashi—against both Kumogakure and those in Konoha who had allowed it.

But with the Hyuga Clan's strength alone, it had been a hopeless dream.

Now, Uchiha Fugaku had revived that possibility—and made it real.

After taking a deep breath, he made a decision. He looked at Uchiha Fugaku and said,

"After years of private investigation, the Hyuga Clan discovered that the one who orchestrated the incident was a Kumogakure advisor named Dodai."

"Patriarch Fugaku, I can agree to your request. But before we publicize anything, I want that man dead."

At this, a storm of hatred surged across Hiashi's normally calm face.

"Very well. I agree."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded without hesitation.

After a short conversation, Uchiha Fugaku took his leave and left the Hyuga compound.

The reason he didn't secretly spread the Hyuga story himself but sought the Hyuga Clan to do it—with compensation—was to make it impossible for the Third Hokage to stop it.

The one spreading the story was a Hyuga, and the story itself was true. Even if the Third Hokage wanted to stop it, he couldn't.

Upon returning to the Uchiha compound, Uchiha Fugaku quickly acquired detailed information about Dodai of Kumogakure.

Dodai—an elite jonin, a long-time senior official of the Raikage line, and the main examiner of the "Juggernaut Lightning Hotknife" style.

He had served both the Third and Fourth Raikage, and now worked as an advisor in the Hidden Cloud Village.

He also possessed a kekkei genkai known as Lava Release, which allowed him to form rubber-like chakra constructs.

"So, he has a kekkei genkai..."

After reading the report on Dodai, Uchiha Fugaku smiled faintly.

If he wanted the Hyuga Clan to publicize the old incident, Dodai had to die—so Dodai would die.

He hadn't expected Dodai to possess a bloodline limit.

Although not particularly powerful, it was better than nothing.

"He's just an elite jonin. I don't need to do it myself."

He headed to the underground chamber beneath Naka Shrine.

Before him stretched an enormous underground space.

With the growing number of spore clones, the area had been expanded multiple times to accommodate them.

"Sneak into the Hidden Cloud Village and kill this man."

Summoning the No. 1 spore clone, Uchiha Fugaku handed over Dodai's dossier.

He didn't plan to do the assassination himself.

The No. 1 spore clone had Kage-level strength and possessed both the Mayfly Technique and Transformation Technique. Assassinating an aging elite jonin would be no problem.

This was the benefit of having a Kage-level subordinate—he no longer had to do everything himself.

"Yes."

The No. 1 spore clone accepted the order and began studying the document carefully.

(End of this chapter)

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