Chapter 78: Impossible, Absolutely Impossible!

"Third Hokage, this is the latest news: the Village's commodity prices are still rising, lately everyone has many complaints, street quarrels have increased, and even some looting incidents have occurred."

In the past, the Police Department suppressed them, but today—

At the Hokage Building, the Third already knows about the Uchiha clan meeting.

He looks at the intelligence in his hand, and after the ANBU members leave, leans back in his chair, continuously puffing dry tobacco.

The Third furrows his brow, sighing endlessly over each piece of bad news.

Leaf Village has existed for fifty years; price hikes have happened before, but only this time does he vaguely sense something amiss.

But now it's too late to investigate; he doesn't even know why prices won't drop. The heavy snow has clearly stopped, trade routes are clear, yet the villagers remain quite resentful.

Besides that, he also knows the negative rumors about the Uchiha spreading in the Village.

In fact, he is clear about the actions of Rotating Sword Little Spring and Water Tiger Gate Smoke before the year, but the streets the Uchiha can influence are few; he thought it was just a minor suppression, not expecting it to turn into this result.

As for the negative rumors about him within the Uchiha clan, they are even harder to ignore.

Damn it, even though he indulged a little, what does this have to do with him? Someone must be scheming in the shadows.

Who could it be?

"Rizhan, you know everything about the Uchiha, right? Those guys stormed off to hold a clan meeting, surely they're discussing a Coup; I've long said those evil Uchiha can't be trusted!"

While pondering, the office door was violently thrown open, and Danzo burst in, his aura fierce.

"Why summon us so urgently? Did the Uchiha clan meeting discuss another big matter?"

Behind Danzo came Rotating Sword Little Spring and Water Tiger Gate Smoke, and the two followed in.

"That shouldn't be, given their temperament they'd need at least a few more days of arguing."

The three entered the office and began discussing among themselves; the Third instantly refocused, his gaze sweeping over them as he asked, "You all know the Village rumors and the matters within the Uchiha lands, right?"

Rotating Sword Little Spring and Water Tiger Gate Smoke naturally understood what the Third referred to, their faces unchanged, as if unaware.

Danzo glanced at the two, feeling a bit schadenfreude, and said directly, "These guys are the same; it's just a few rumors, yet they make a big fuss, not satisfied with arguing in the clan lands, they have to go there to hold some clan meeting."

"In my view, the clan meeting is just a front; they might be planning a Coup. We should, at tomorrow's clan meeting, mobilize troops to deal with those people, and the rest will naturally become obedient."

"These are the Village's forces, Danzo; your idea is too extreme."

Water Tiger Gate Smoke, hearing that, furrowed his brows tightly and immediately retorted.

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun also nodded; although they want to suppress the Uchiha, it would be unrealistic to annihilate them based solely on speculation.

Facing the criticism, Danzo snorted coldly and ignored it.

The Third glanced at Danzo, paying no heed to his guesses and suggestions.

In fact, although they all know where the Uchiha are holding the meeting, they truly dare not send anyone to probe the agenda.

Without other ninja covering them, even the four of them storming in would be a one‑way trip.

However, the Third believes that he has already made this concession; Fugaku has no reason to suddenly betray him. As long as the Uchiha are steadied, once Shisui comes to tell him the meeting details, he can use Shisui's help to negotiate with Fugaku, and the problem will be solved quickly.

The Village remains the Village, the Uchiha remain the Uchiha; everyone coexists peacefully, and no one can be without them.

So now he wants to know who is secretly tarnishing his reputation.

"The Uchiha clan meeting matters can be ignored; let's talk about the merchants outside their lands. I've already instructed several times not to provoke the Uchiha!"

The Third gritted his teeth; these guys are really driving him to death. The Third Shinobi World War hasn't ended yet; now it's only a ceasefire, and we can't be without the Uchiha! Northern skirmishes continue, and at least three battle reports arrive each day.

When the Third again brought up the street merchants, Rotating Sword Little Spring and Water Tiger Gate Smoke fell silent; after a moment they explain, "We were only worried they would affect the Uchiha clan meeting, didn't expect it to develop to this extent."

The Third, of course, didn't believe them, but he didn't pursue the issue further, instead asking, "What about the rumors within the Uchiha lands?"

Upon mentioning this, Rotating Sword Little Spring and Water Tiger Gate Smoke exchanged a glance and, in tacit understanding, looked toward Danzo, who was watching the scene.

Uh? Seeing the three look at him, Danzo's expression changed instantly, "What are you looking at me for? It's not my doing!"

"I reiterate once more: during this period, you focus on your own tasks; I'll handle the Uchiha matters, so don't cause any more incidents."

After speaking, the Third, ignoring their explanations, unusually stern, directly ordered the three to return to the clan lands.

Danzo, angry, snorted coldly and slammed the door as he left.

"Ah~ Teacher~"

The Third looked up, recalling how carefree he was when the Second was still alive.

"Send for Shisui."

After a moment, he sighed and whispered the order.

"Understood."

However, the ANBU, having just left a few breaths ago, turned back again.

"Permission, Hokage, Shisui requests an audience."

"Hmm? Hahaha, let Shisui in."

The Third's face brightened; he quickly adjusted his expression to show a benevolent look.

Uchiha still have people who side with him!

"Greetings, Third Hokage!"

"Oh? Why is Shisui here? Already rested and ready to return to the ANBU? Hahaha, no need to rush."

"Permission, Third, Clan Leader Fugaku is preparing to launch a Coup!"

Bang— the Third's smile froze, his heart jolted, his pipe fell to the floor, and the ANBU inside and outside the room reacted instantly.

"Cough cough, stand down!"

The Third coughed, scolding, then furrowed his brows; a feeling of betrayal rose, and he stared at Shisui in disbelief.

"Who is planning the Coup?"

"Clan Leader Fugaku."

Who? Uchiha Fugaku? How could he rebel?

Impossible, absolutely impossible! He's worked with Fugaku for so many years; if he hadn't consented back then, how could Uchiha Mikoto become friends with the Nine‑Tails jinchuriki, and how could any Uchiha become a disciple of the Fourth Hokage?

He even gave his father's name to Fugaku's son! The Third would rather believe that Fugaku was killed by several Uchiha clan elders than believe that Fugaku actually staged a Coup.

"Why?"

Why did Fugaku betray him? The Third, suppressing his anger and a trace of panic, asked in a deep voice.

"The Village's exclusion of clan members is too severe, already greatly affecting ordinary clan members' survival; people cannot endure it, so at the clan council they voted to launch a Coup, and the vote was also approved by Fugaku, the clan head."

The Third, looking at Shisui, immediately remembered what the other had done over this period, and instantly felt remorse; it was only a few bags of rice and flour—had he known, he would have handed over that money, why push the other to this extreme?

But the matter has already happened; overthinking is futile. The Third is only grateful that at least Shisui remains loyal, still guarding the Will of Fire, still choosing to stand on Konoha's side.

Now Konoha has obtained this information first; even if they move, they can seize the initiative.

The Third fell silent for a moment, then, still a bit unwilling, asked, "Has it already reached a point of no return?"

"No, there is still a chance!"

I collaborated with group members on a novel titled "Konoha: Reforge Uchiha Glory"; its rating is slightly better than mine. It's a time‑travel, system‑flow, easy‑going work—anyone interested can check it out.

(End of chapter)