Naruto: The Rise Of Uchiha

Are you going to disobey the Daimyo's order?

"Deprive me of my position as Hokage, is he worthy enough?"

The face of the Third Hokage was distorted by extreme anger, and he laughed coldly.

Depriving him of his position as Hokage through a piece of paper—was the Daimyo truly worthy?

It was ridiculous for a mere Daimyo to try to appoint and dismiss him.

He admitted the other party was the Daimyo, but in his heart, he treated him as nothing.

"Third Hokage, be respectful. The Daimyo is the ruler of the Land of Fire and the person with the highest status in the Land of Fire. Even you have to be under the Daimyo's authority."

Hearing that the Third Hokage was so disrespectful to the Daimyo, several of the Daimyo's envoys were very angry.

Although they knew that the Third Hokage had always treated the Daimyo this way, seeing it firsthand still made them furious.

"He can't control me."

The Third Hokage sneered, disdain written on his face.

Although theoretically, the Daimyo had the right to control him, in reality, as the Hokage, he held 90% of the power of the Land of Fire and was its true ruler.

All along, his attitude toward the Daimyo's orders had been selective—he would follow the ones he liked and ignore those he didn't, pretending not to see them.

"Third Hokage, the Daimyo is the monarch of the Land of Fire. Even as the Hokage of the village, you are subject to his authority. Are you trying to disobey the Daimyo's orders?"

Uchiha Fugaku stood up and asked coldly.

"Uchiha Fugaku, are you the one behind all this?"

The Third Hokage turned and glared at Uchiha Fugaku, speaking in a cold voice.

He didn't believe that these Daimyo envoys just happened to show up during the village meeting by coincidence.

They must have arrived in Konoha earlier, hidden by the Uchiha clan, and were revealed only to cause a scene at the right moment.

The real reason he had been forced to hold the village meeting the day before was likely because these envoys had already arrived.

The meeting to discuss Uzumaki Naruto's mistreatment was merely a cover—the true goal was to force him to abdicate.

"Playing tricks? I really don't know what you're talking about."

"The Daimyo decided to strip you of your title because you're unworthy of it. Did I force you to act the way you did?"

Uchiha Fugaku sneered.

"I'll ask you again, Third Hokage. Are you going to disobey the Daimyo's order?"

"What if I disobey it?"

The Third Hokage stared at Uchiha Fugaku coldly.

"Then we'll have no choice but to detain you and wait for the Daimyo's judgment."

Uchiha Fugaku answered coldly.

"Fine. Very well!"

The Third Hokage shouted in fury and ordered the assembled ninjas.

"Everyone, listen up! Uchiha Fugaku is attempting a coup! Join me in capturing him!"

"The Daimyo has ordered the removal of the Third Hokage. I am temporarily taking over the role. Now that he's resisting, join me and capture the Third Hokage!"

Almost simultaneously, Uchiha Fugaku issued his own order.

As both sides spoke, many ninjas hesitated.

On one side was the Third Hokage, their long-time leader. On the other, the authority of the Daimyo. Both had legitimate power—whose orders should they obey?

But some didn't hesitate at all.

The heads of the Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado clans, along with a few others, stood beside the Third Hokage.

The heads of the Hyuga and Hatake clans, and over ten other clan heads who had followed Uchiha Fugaku to the Hokage Building the day before, stood with him.

In addition to them, many elite jōnin from the civilian ninja ranks also aligned with Uchiha Fugaku.

Clearly, the Third Hokage's treatment of the Fourth Hokage's orphan had infuriated them, enough that they were willing to oppose him.

The conference room was now divided into three factions.

One group stood with the Third Hokage.

Another with Uchiha Fugaku.

And the third group, including the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, remained neutral—either uncertain or unwilling to get involved.

"…"

The Third Hokage scanned the people on each side and couldn't help but scowl.

Those supporting him were far fewer than those backing Uchiha Fugaku.

He knew his influence had dwindled due to his damaged reputation, but not to this extent.

His only remaining hope lay in the Hokage Building's location—right above the Anbu base.

Surely, the Anbu stationed below had realized what was happening. Reinforcements would arrive soon.

"Third Hokage, you have no chance of winning. Surrender is your only option."

Noticing the look in the Third Hokage's eyes, Uchiha Fugaku spoke coldly.

"Really? I wouldn't be so sure."

The Third Hokage sneered.

He was confident the Anbu would arrive any moment. The outcome was still undecided.

"If you're counting on the Anbu from the base, you might be disappointed. They're currently occupied with Shisui. I doubt they'll show up."

Seeing the Third Hokage's expression, Uchiha Fugaku smiled.

Since the decision to oust the Third Hokage was made at this village meeting, every precaution had been taken.

Knowing the Anbu were directly under the Hokage's command, he had planned accordingly.

He'd already sent Spore Clone No. 1, disguised as Uchiha Shisui, along with Uchiha elites, to intercept the Anbu.

The surrounding streets had also been blocked off.

"Shisui went to... the Anbu?"

The Third Hokage's face turned grim.

On one hand, the Anbu being intercepted meant no reinforcements.

On the other, Shisui—who had always obeyed his orders—had apparently turned against him.

"It seems the Third Hokage won't surrender. I'll handle him. You take care of the others. Capture them all."

Whoosh!

Uchiha Fugaku lunged at the Third Hokage, and those aligned with him attacked the Third Hokage's supporters.

"Susanoo!"

Uchiha Fugaku activated Susanoo. A massive black skeletal arm swung toward the Third Hokage.

"Enma!"

The Third Hokage summoned Enma, who transformed into the Adamantine Staff and extended to block the blow.

Boom—

The two forces collided. The Third Hokage, gripping the staff, was sent flying, smashing through the conference room wall and crashing outside the Hokage Building.

Swish—

Uchiha Fugaku used Body Flicker, darted through the hole left by the collision, and gave chase.

(End of this chapter)