Chapter 92: A Terrifying Thought
"Chief, it's just ahead."
Under the guidance of one of the clan members, Uchiha Fugaku arrived at a small grove not far from the guard division.
The sky had already darkened slightly. Uchiha Fugaku silently observed everything around him, deep in thought, trying to figure out what had happened.
Earlier that day, Uchiha Fugaku had noticed signs of Fire Style jutsu near the guard division. At first, he hadn't paid much attention because Uchiha Yuu has been training there for a long time, and he was aware of that.
However, this time seemed different. The duration of the training didn't last as long as usual.
What was more concerning was that the trees in the area kept falling. Even if it was a training session for taijutsu, it shouldn't have caused this much destruction. More importantly, Uchiha Fugaku felt the presence of a different chakra.
For safety's sake, Uchiha Fugaku ordered the guard division ninjas to investigate and figure out what had happened.
If there was no issue, then it would be no big deal. But if something dangerous had occurred, they would be able to provide assistance quickly.
It was true that Uchiha Yuu was strong, but the strength of a ninja couldn't be measured solely by chakra. There were too many uncertainties.
Even Uchiha clan members, with their Sharingan activated, had not been immune to falling on the battlefield.
No one dared disobey Uchiha Fugaku's orders. While they didn't believe that a powerful ninja like Uchiha Yuu would be in danger, there was no harm in checking.
However, when they arrived, they were all stunned. The forest was in ruins, and there were clear signs of battle everywhere.
Kunai, blade marks, and traces of ninjutsu were visible, and the ground was littered with bloodstains and a broken kunai. But there was no sign of Uchiha Yuu!
This terrifying sight left the Uchiha ninjas in disbelief. After a careful search, they were certain—Uchiha Yuu had likely been ambushed!
With no other choice, they quickly rushed back and reported everything to Uchiha Fugaku in detail.
At first, Uchiha Fugaku was surprised, but soon, fear gripped him. In Konoha, only the high-ranking officials could silently take down someone like Uchiha Yuu.
But Uchiha Fugaku couldn't understand—why would the Konoha higher-ups want to target Uchiha Yuu? What was their purpose?
Could they be trying to provoke a war between Konoha and the Uchiha?
But after thinking it through, Uchiha Fugaku felt that it was unlikely. The Third Great Ninja War might be drawing to a close, but the final outcome hadn't been decided yet.
Starting a civil war now would only benefit the other ninja villages. The Konoha leadership wouldn't be so foolish as to overlook that possibility.
After some reflection, Uchiha Fugaku concluded that this was likely an attempt to frame someone, but why target Uchiha Yuu? Why at this particular moment?
Uchiha Fugaku couldn't make sense of it, but he decided to investigate further. Even if he ruled out the possibility of Konoha's involvement, he would remain vigilant.
The relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha clan was already tense. In the past, Uchiha Fugaku had only vaguely sensed this tension, but after Uchiha Kei pointed it out, he finally understood the gravity of the situation.
"Everyone, head back. I'll go check the situation myself," Uchiha Fugaku said to the Uchiha clan members around him before walking alone toward the epicenter of the battle.
Normally, it was the Hyuga clan's responsibility to inspect battlefields, but that didn't mean the Uchiha clan was incapable of such tasks.
Uchiha Fugaku began carefully inspecting the signs left on the battlefield, making sure not to miss even the smallest detail.
The traces at the scene were quite complex. Blade marks and kunai traces were scattered here and there, common enough for any ninja who used these weapons.
However, Uchiha Fugaku noticed something unusual—these weapon marks were not scattered. In fact, the damage left behind by them was strangely sparse.
Based on his own recollection, Uchiha Fugaku remembered that it had been about five or six minutes since Uchiha Yuu released his chakra, and the time it took for him to send someone to investigate.
For two ninjas engaged in a battle, the number of signs of combat here seemed too few. If Uchiha Yuu had fought alone...
Suddenly, Uchiha Fugaku froze. If Uchiha Yuu had fought alone, then yes, the traces would be fewer. Uchiha ninjas, especially those with the Sharingan activated, left behind minimal signs of battle.
With the Sharingan, they could seize the enemy's openings almost instantly, meaning they wouldn't leave much evidence behind. Even in a evenly matched fight, their clashes would usually be focused on their opponent's weapon.
Realizing this, Uchiha Fugaku's gaze fell on a broken kunai. He picked it up and examined it closely, and his expression darkened.
The kunai was covered in numerous blade marks, and the piece had shattered from the intense strain of combat.
"The attacker... could also be a Uchiha!" Uchiha Fugaku thought to himself.
These traces were clear: Uchiha Yuu had been ambushed by another powerful Uchiha ninja!
It made sense that the other Uchiha members hadn't noticed this detail. They likely viewed the situation from their own perspective and didn't see anything wrong with the battle.
Uchiha Fugaku, however, had been to war. He had fought in two Great Ninja Wars, and his experience allowed him to assess these details objectively.
"Dammit... Was it a family member? Or perhaps a Uchiha who sided with the Third Hokage?" Uchiha Fugaku thought darkly. "Or maybe it was Danzo's group pulling some strings?"
Uchiha Fugaku couldn't make sense of it all. This situation was growing increasingly complicated. But one thing was clear: he was determined to get to the bottom of it.
Whoever was behind this, whatever their motives were, he would uncover the truth!
Though the Uchiha clan was not what it once was, he still possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, and with it, the potential to change everything!
"It better not have been you," Uchiha Fugaku muttered under his breath, his eyes now glowing crimson as the three tomoe in his Sharingan slowly spun. "If it was... I will make you pay. You will regret it."
After coming to this conclusion, Uchiha Fugaku put the broken kunai away and silently walked back toward the clan. He wasn't about to leave any evidence that could cause a stir in the clan behind.
Uchiha Fugaku was in a foul mood. He needed to return, investigate, and understand what had happened. But in another part of the forest, Uchiha Kei revealed a strange smile.