My Sign-in System in Naruto

Even Fugaku could understand the underlying meaning of Haru's words.

Perhaps one day, the Uchiha clan could find a sense of belonging and integrate into the village.

But now, if those clan members who insisted on launching the coup weren't dealt with, that day would never come.

On the surface, Haru was asking for a list of names, but in reality, he was forcing Fugaku to hand over his own clansmen.

Their lives would be exchanged for Fugaku's position as clan leader.

Among these people were many who had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, the backbone of the Uchiha clan.

To completely abandon them…

Even in this situation, Fugaku found it difficult to make a decision.

He glanced at the kunai lying next to his left hand.

"Father, even if you choose to sacrifice yourself, it will only be like a stone causing ripples on the surface of a lake."

Uchiha Itachi noticed Fugaku's gaze and understood that he still didn't want to betray his clansmen.

But given how far things had escalated, neither Haru nor the village could simply pretend nothing had happened.

Moreover, Haru didn't intend to kill them outright.

Instead, he planned to use the impending war between the Hidden Leaf and the Hidden Cloud as an opportunity to send them to the battlefield.

They would fight for the village.

Perhaps this method could help them regain a sense of belonging.

Even if it didn't, allowing them to die on the battlefield wouldn't breed hatred among the remaining Uchiha clan toward the village.

Instead, their hatred would be directed at the Hidden Cloud, fostering a renewed sense of belonging.

At least in Itachi's view, Haru's plan was feasible.

However, before Fugaku could make his decision, Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived with a squad of Anbu.

Haru sensed Hiruzen's presence using his Byakugan and deactivated it, turning to look in the direction of the approaching group.

Hiruzen wasn't wearing his Hokage robes but instead was clad in black armor.

"What happened here?"

The Anbu members surveyed the area, taking in the massive ruins.

To say the destruction was on par with that caused by a Tailed Beast wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Coupled with Hiruzen's serious and tense demeanor, they had even wondered on the way if something had happened to Naruto Uzumaki.

"Fugaku…"

Hiruzen quickly noticed Fugaku lying on the ground, while Haru's clothes were spotless.

When Hiruzen had seen Fugaku using the Susanoo through the crystal ball, he had been genuinely terrified.

He had even thought that Haru might die at Fugaku's hands.

The ruins around them were proof enough that a fierce battle had taken place.

"So Haru completely overwhelmed Fugaku…"

Hiruzen swallowed hard, once again shocked by Haru's strength.

Facing Fugaku, who had unleashed the Susanoo, even Hiruzen wasn't confident he could suppress him.

To put it bluntly, Hiruzen felt that Fugaku's power was comparable to that of the Nine-Tails.

So seeing the scene before him, Hiruzen was not only stunned by Haru's strength but also deeply relieved.

"What exactly happened here?"

Hiruzen quickly approached Haru and couldn't help but ask.

"Lord Hokage."

Uchiha Itachi immediately knelt down, bowing his head respectfully.

In Itachi's view, the current situation warranted telling Hiruzen the truth.

"It's like this…"

As Itachi succinctly explained the situation, Haru's mood was somewhat complicated.

In terms of strength, Haru believed Itachi was stronger than the Third Hokage.

If Itachi had chosen to side with Fugaku, the coup would have had a high chance of success.

Yet Itachi loved the village more than anyone else.

He respected the Third Hokage deeply.

However, this was also a good thing for Haru.

The more Itachi respected the Hokage and loved the village, the easier it would be for Haru to use him as a valuable asset.

While Haru became the Hokage, basking in the sunlight of the village, Itachi would remain the root buried underground.

"Fugaku."

After understanding the full story, Hiruzen was even more shocked.

Not only had the Uchiha clan decided to launch the coup tonight, but they had also kidnapped Naruto Uzumaki, intending to use the Nine-Tails' power!

"Lord Third Hokage…"

Fugaku met Hiruzen's gaze. He wanted to sit up, but after three attempts, he couldn't manage it.

In the current situation, Fugaku was also worried that his decision would affect Itachi and Sasuke.

His gaze fell once more on the kunai, and this time, he didn't hesitate.

Whoosh…

Fugaku swiftly grabbed the kunai and aimed it at his heart, thrusting it down with all his strength.

But just as the sharp kunai was about to pierce Fugaku's chest, a pitch-black shuriken flew through the air, striking the kunai with pinpoint accuracy.

With little strength left in his hand, the kunai was knocked away.

The person who had thrown the shuriken was none other than Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Take Fugaku away and lock him up."

Hiruzen's voice was low as he issued the order to the Anbu behind him.

Despite Fugaku's grave mistakes, Hiruzen had no intention of killing him.

After all, Fugaku was nearly forty years old. If he wasn't a match for Haru now, the gap between them would only grow wider in the future.

If Fugaku were killed, the Uchiha clan would only produce a second, then a third Fugaku.

Rather than that, it was better to let Fugaku remain the Uchiha clan leader.

This was an opportunity to make him obedient to the Hokage and the village's higher-ups.

He would be used to keep the Uchiha in check.

"Such a serious mistake…"

As the Anbu escorted Fugaku past Hiruzen, the Hokage spoke slowly.

"Fugaku, according to village tradition, a crime of this magnitude is enough to implicate your entire family."

At the mention of his family, Fugaku's face turned pale.

His own death didn't matter, but Itachi and Sasuke were his hopes for the future.

"However, no ninja is more outstanding than Uchiha Itachi. He is a ninja who truly loves the village. Even for his sake, I hope you will think carefully."

"Alright, take him away."

With that, Hiruzen waved his hand, signaling the Anbu to take Fugaku into custody.

'Truly a crafty old fox.'

Haru silently observed everything. On the surface, Hiruzen was showing his merciful side.

But in reality, he was using this opportunity to win Fugaku over.

Moreover, his earlier words were also a warning.

'You can die if you want, but before you do, think carefully. On one side are Itachi and Sasuke, and on the other are the clansmen who betrayed the village.'

'Which is more important to you?'

"Alright, Haru, Itachi, where is Naruto Uzumaki now?" Hiruzen took a deep breath and directly asked about Naruto's whereabouts.