NOVEL NEXT Chapter 27: Chapter 27: No Guilt
"Yamanaka Ryo, your words are going too far," Uchiha Fugaku said with a frown.
"Qin Yu is with Minato, and he is a junior I have personally watched grow up. He has no disloyalty to Konoha and would never leak village secrets."
Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Qin Yu shared an uncle-nephew relationship.
For years, Fugaku had invested much effort in the training of Uchiha clan members. Unfortunately, in his eyes, Qin Yu had always been just an average shinobi. If not for their familial bond, he might not have even reminded Minato Namikaze to watch over him in crucial moments.
But never in his wildest dreams did Fugaku expect Qin Yu to be hiding such immense potential. Not only had he awakened the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan, but his pupil strength was extraordinary.
What shocked him even more was Qin Yu's sudden display of overwhelming power. It was such a stark contrast to his previously perceived mediocrity that many high-ranking officials in Konoha began to doubt him.
Among them, Danzo had even concluded that Qin Yu harbored ulterior motives.
"Hmph, Lord Fugaku," Yamanaka Ryo scoffed. "Are you defending Uchiha Qin Yu as the head of your clan, or as his uncle? If I were you, I'd ensure impartiality."
"I suggest you return to Konoha for monitoring and inspection. Furthermore, you should step away from this matter and hand Qin Yu over to Root for investigation."
"If Uchiha Qin Yu is truly innocent, we won't mistreat him."
Fugaku's expression darkened.
Danzo was attempting to bypass the Third Hokage's authority to detain Qin Yu prematurely. Given Danzo's prejudice against the Uchiha, Qin Yu falling into his hands would be extremely dangerous.
"Captain Yamanaka, I am Tsukiko Cangwu, and I swear on my life that Qin Yu has no ill intentions," Cangwu spoke firmly. "Not only did he drive back Kumo-nin in a critical moment, but he also repelled the Mist ninja."
"Therefore, we, the Konoha shinobi present, are willing to stake our foreheads protectors to vouch for Qin Yu."
As soon as these words were spoken, the Konoha ninja stationed in the outpost, many of whom had been rescued by Qin Yu, stood resolutely in solidarity.
Uchiha Fugaku and Moonlight Nighteye were taken aback.
They had never expected Qin Yu's reputation to soar to such heights in just a few days.
"Tsk, what is this? Are you all planning to rebel?" Yamanaka Ryo sneered.
"Whether Uchiha Qin Yu is guilty or not is for Konoha's higher-ups to decide. You are not qualified to interfere. If anyone speaks out of line again, I will personally have them taken back for questioning. I will not repeat myself."
"Tsukiko, don't forget your family's position. You only recently joined Konoha. Do you really want to invite trouble onto your kin due to your recklessness?"
Tsukiko Cangwu's face paled.
In truth, his family had always maintained an alliance with Konoha, functioning more as mercenaries. Unfortunately, due to constant wars and the Avenger's attack, their population dwindled, and their combat power had declined significantly.
Eventually, they sought refuge in Konoha and were granted membership in the village. However, they lacked true influence, and only a handful of Tsukiko clan members possessed any notable combat prowess.
Yamanaka Ryo had deliberately weaponized this vulnerability, leaving Tsukiko momentarily speechless.
"Oh? Cat got your tongue now?" Yamanaka Ryo sneered. "Take Uchiha Qin Yu into custody immediately. Until his intentions are fully understood, this matter is non-negotiable."
"This is for the security and stability of Konoha."
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku and Tsukiko Cangwu stiffened.
Yamanaka Ryo was manipulating the situation to cast guilt upon Qin Yu without trial, solidifying his alleged crimes before an investigation even began.
"Heh, I didn't expect the so-called mighty Root to send one flunky after another, only for an old fool to show up next," a calm voice echoed from the cave entrance.
Qin Yu walked in with confident strides, Minato Namikaze at his side.
They had been listening outside, and Minato's expression had darkened considerably.
When he initially relayed information about Qin Yu to Konoha, he had emphasized the necessity of a diplomatic approach.
Even if Qin Yu could not be befriended, he must not be made an enemy.
Yet, Minato never anticipated that Danzo would seize this opportunity to exert his influence.
"Brat, you dare to talk back? This proves you've been hiding in Konoha with ulterior motives!" Yamanaka Ryo declared.
"Seize him!"
Four Root shinobi leaped forward to restrain Qin Yu.
"Back off!"
Qin Yu let out a low growl, and a colossal, crimson chakra erupted like a tidal wave.
The four attacking shinobi staggered backward, groaning in shock and pain.
But it wasn't just them who felt the impact. The entire cave was engulfed in an oppressive, disastrous energy.
Yamanaka Ryo, Uchiha Fugaku, and Moonlight Nighteye all wore expressions of shock.
They had speculated about Qin Yu's strength, but the sheer power radiating from him now exceeded all expectations.
None of them had anticipated that a mere fifteen-year-old could possess such monstrous power.
"This… is the power recorded in the Uchiha stone tablet," Fugaku murmured in disbelief.
According to the Uchiha clan's ancestral records, awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan could lead to an overwhelming surge of chakra—the power of Indra himself.
It symbolized the bloodline's purest potential, an opportunity to transcend the limits of human capability.
Yet Qin Yu's aura carried an even greater unknown force, something far beyond what Fugaku had seen, rivaling even the Nine-Tails.
"Insolence! We are captains of this operation. How dare a mere genin disrespect us?!" Yamanaka Ryo barked.
"Defying superior officers is an act of insubordination, punishable by law! He must be apprehended immediately!"
"Minato Namikaze, Uchiha Fugaku, you are to detain Qin Yu at once!"
His declaration left no room for argument.
This was no impromptu decision. The entire mission had been preordained from the start.