Chapter 176: Conflict

"This is a secret of the Uchiha clan; I have nothing to say!"

Fugaku, his face cold, spoke and moved to step forward.

But the Third Hokage blocked him again with unyielding force. "If you don't explain clearly, you cannot leave today!"

He was already prepared for war!

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

The people of the other clans exchanged glances, but had no intention of getting involved.

Perhaps to the common shinobi, the Uchiha were merely the wealthiest family in Konoha, the Konoha Military Police Force.

But to these shinobi clans, the Uchiha were also one of Konoha's founders, the ones who provided peace during the Warring States Period.

Add to that the Uchiha clan's strength.

None of them wanted to get involved in the civil war between the Uchiha and Konoha's high command.

At that moment, Uchiha Inaho, who had been pushed to his limit, angrily stepped forward.

Fugaku's expression changed slightly; it was too late to stop him. Inaho roared:

"Third Hokage, do you want to go to war with the Uchiha?!"

Hiss!!!

The heads of the various clans who witnessed this scene sucked in "one hundred and twenty" breaths of cold air.

Uttering those words in front of so many people meant completely tearing off the mask of civility.

The civil war between the Uchiha and Konoha's high command was now unavoidable!

What shocked them even more was:

"Mangekyō Sharingan?!"

Uchiha Inaho had actually awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan?!

And it had appeared without the slightest warning.

Hyūga Hizashi's expression was incredibly complex.

The Hyūga clan and the Uchiha clan were both of Konoha's two great wealthy families.

But once the Uchiha produced a Mangekyō, it meant the Uchiha had surpassed the Hyūga by a tier.

This caused urgency to surge within his heart once again.

The other clans felt the same; the looks they cast upon Uchiha Fugaku and the others became filled with immense wariness.

At the same time, their gazes subtly turned toward Ishihara's courtyard.

"Could Ishihara be the one who helped the Uchiha awaken the Mangekyō?!"

Although it was hard to believe, thinking of the secret techniques Ishihara had created, it didn't seem entirely unacceptable.

In an instant, their anticipation for cooperating with Ishihara grew even stronger.

Inaho, seeing these looks, wore an expression of arrogance.

He loved this feeling; this was the treatment the Uchiha clan deserved to enjoy!

Being feared and respected!

Rather than being coveted!

"Damn it!!!"

The Third Hokage's face was as dark as water.

He knew the worst-case scenario had arrived!

The Uchiha clan had truly awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan through Ishihara.

He cast a wary glance at Inaho, then stared at Fugaku and asked:

"Ishihara helped you awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, didn't he! What was the price?!"

He did not believe Ishihara would help the Uchiha for free.

And the price was likely not small!

He looked at the aged Inaho with a thoughtful expression.

Fugaku and the others' faces darkened. "This has nothing to do with you!"

"Let's go!"

Fugaku led the arrogant Inaho and the Second Elder away.

He was not yet prepared to go to war with Konoha's high command!

More Mangekyō Sharingan could be awakened within the clan!

This time, the Third Hokage did not block them again.

He too was not prepared.

But.

"Now we must prepare to go to war with the Uchiha!"

The Third Hokage's heart felt incredibly heavy.

Fugaku and the others walked straight ahead.

As they passed, the heads of the various clans all made way, forming a corridor.