Chapter 20: Uchiha Jin Reclaims the Ancestral Lands, Fugaku Embarrasses Himself!

Hiss!

With Uchiha Jin’s words, the Hokage’s office fell utterly silent.

Hiruzen Sarutobi’s gaze grew obscure as he sucked heavily on his cigarette, his mind racing frantically.

Uchiha Jin’s expression remained unchanged.

He stood there calmly, seemingly indifferent to everything unfolding before him.

Fugaku’s expression was complex.

His eyes toward Uchiha Jin were filled with horror and fear; though he had dreamed of reclaiming the Uchiha ancestral lands, he dared only entertain the thought in secret.

Because he knew it was utterly impossible!

Who would willingly spit out meat already in the mouths of the Hidden Leaf’s Big Four?

The Uchiha lacked strength and had terrible standing within the village—this generation could never achieve it.

But now?

Uchiha Jin had brought this matter into the open, and Fugaku’s first reaction wasn’t joy, but a bone-deep terror.

What if the Hidden Leaf’s high command turned hostile?

The current situation between the Uchiha and the village was already delicate; if this pushed them into outright enmity, it would be catastrophic.

So.

Without hesitation, he spoke immediately.

“Hokage-sama, this cannot be allowed!”

“The Uchiha have no intention of reclaiming our ancestral lands—this is all Uchiha Jin’s baseless rambling.”

“Please don’t take it seriously!”

Fugaku’s tone was firm.

In his view, maintaining harmony between the Uchiha and the village was paramount; he should now seek to mend relations.

Uchiha Jin was too radical!

He absolutely disagreed.

On the other side.

Uchiha Jin’s expression remained unchanged.

Watching Fugaku’s terrified face, his eyes brimmed with disdain and mockery.

Yet.

He didn’t refute him, only chuckled and said: “Chief Fugaku speaks truly—I’m just a lowly Chunin, perhaps I truly can’t see the village’s grand tide.”

“So, regarding persuading the Uchiha, I’m afraid I’m powerless.”

“What can I do? I’m just a Chunin!”

Uchiha Jin’s thinking was simple: don’t meddle in affairs beyond your station.

Since Itachi won’t give me benefits and I hold no official position, don’t pressure me.

Hiruzen Sarutobi: “...”

He let out a quiet sigh.

He was pleased by Fugaku’s submission—if all Uchiha were like this, how wonderful.

But unfortunately.

Though he was satisfied with Fugaku’s weakness, the fact remained: as Uchiha chief, Fugaku held almost no authority within the clan.

As for—the Uchiha ancestral lands?

To be honest, that land was indeed prosperous, and long ago had become the property of the Sarutobi clan.

But likewise.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn’t care about it; after decades as Hokage, the Sarutobi clan had grown immensely wealthy and powerful.

The original reason for relocating the Uchiha was to curb their power.

That land was too close to the village’s bustling core, and too near to other major clans—especially the Sarutobi. He feared that if the Uchiha were cornered, they’d strike first and wipe out the Sarutobi.

Now, things were different.

Though the Uchiha had grown more troublesome, Hiruzen Sarutobi could see Uchiha Jin was a man of considerable wit.

Such a man...

Would not rise up unless driven to the brink.

In that case, returning the ancestral lands to the Uchiha was something he could barely accept.

After all, compared to that land, he cared more about the village’s security.

Lately, unrest in the village’s security had drawn criticism toward him as Hokage.

So...

Let the Uchiha rot in that cesspool!

With this thought, he nodded directly.

“Fine, I agree.”

“I’ll clear the land within three days—the Uchiha must immediately restore village security.”

“Uchiha Jin, any objections?”

Hiruzen Sarutobi was blunt.

He had no patience for petty bickering; restoring basic village security, trapping the Uchiha in that cesspool, and keeping the village’s resentment focused on them—this was his true priority.

And as for that...

Uchiha Jin nodded: “Since Hokage-sama is so generous, I’m now at ease—I’ll restore village security within three days.”

“Three days?” Hiruzen Sarutobi’s gaze darkened: “One day.”

“I’ll clear the land within one day!”

Uchiha Jin shrugged: “Then I’ll take one day too.”

After saying that.

He didn’t bother with Hiruzen Sarutobi, turning and walking out directly.

Respect?

Unnecessary!

Both sides had long since torn off the last shred of civility; they merely maintained a thin veneer because neither could eliminate the other without cost.

Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored his rudeness.

Compared to Uchiha Jin attempting to kill Danzo countless times in his presence, this petty disrespect was child’s play.

On the contrary.

He looked at Fugaku—his face a mix of fear and faint delight—and his disdain flickered briefly: “Fugaku, Itachi may go.”

“Yes, Hokage-sama.” Fugaku bowed deeply.

He left the Hokage’s office with respectful demeanor, and even as he returned to the clan grounds, he remained dazed.

Was it really that... simple?!

At this moment, he couldn’t comprehend it.

In his view, Uchiha Jin had been far too arrogant—how could the village possibly allow such insolence?

Yet the outcome left him bewildered.

Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn’t even bargained—he’d agreed so easily, making Fugaku feel as if he were dreaming.

Was he simply that weak? Was Uchiha Jin truly that brilliant?

No, absolutely not!

Though Uchiha Jin reclaimed the clan lands, he had deeply angered Hiruzen Sarutobi.

This behavior was wrong.

The Uchiha should now humble themselves, strive to mend ties with the village—Uchiha Jin’s actions were tantamount to suicide.

Back home, Mikoto rushed to meet him.

“Fugaku, what happened?”

“Was Hokage-sama angry? Was the matter resolved?”

Fugaku’s face was grim, even irritable.

He didn’t want to talk to Mikoto now, instead asking directly: “Inaho?”

“I haven’t seen him,” Mikoto shook her head.

Fugaku’s expression darkened further.

Inaho, his most trusted confidant, usually never left his side—yet since today, he’d vanished.

After a brief pause, Fugaku spoke: “I’m going out.”

Mikoto opened her mouth to say something, but seeing Fugaku already gone, she could only sigh and turn back.

Meanwhile.

Fugaku searched the clan grounds for a long time before learning from a moderate elder that Inaho had fled with his sister to join Uchiha Jin.

Upon hearing this, Fugaku’s face turned black.

Rage, frustration, confusion, grievance!

His eyes flickered with complex emotions before he spoke to the moderate elder: “Go notify our people—we’ll hold a brief meeting at my house soon.”

“We’re in trouble!”