Fleeing from Konoha-Chapter 641 - 97: Curtain Call (Part 3)

"Is that the Nine-tailed?"

The Uchiha Ninja beside Fugaku was equally terrified.

Facing such an overwhelming force, there’s no way mere flesh and blood can withstand it.

"That’s right, that is the Nine-tailed."

Fugaku took a deep breath and nodded.

But more than that, he was worried about Minato’s safety.

A heavy sense of unease weighed on his heart.

The Nine-tailed’s rampage clearly meant something unexpected happened with the Jinchuriki.

"The villagers have almost been evacuated. Let’s head over now."

"Yes."

Although legend says the Uchiha’s Sharingan can control Tailed Beasts, witnessing such a vast Chakra, even the Uchiha Ninja began to doubt.

Can the Sharingan really control the Nine-tailed?

But that doubt didn’t last long. Even if one’s Donjutsu is limited, all their Sharingan powers combined should be enough to cast a grand Illusion Technique and temporarily calm the Nine-tailed’s rampage.

Fugaku was about to lead the Uchiha Ninja to the front, but suddenly stopped. An Anbu leapt over from afar, landing swiftly in front of Fugaku and the others.

"A message from the Hokage? Don’t worry, we’re heading over to help with the Sharingan."

Fugaku replied.

But the Anbu said, "No, that’s not it. Hokage-sama orders that the Uchiha Ninja only need to guard the rear. There’s no need for the Nine-tailed to involve the power of the Uchiha."

"What?"

Not just Fugaku, but the Uchiha Ninja behind him glared angrily at the Anbu.

Positioning the Uchiha Ninja at the rear—as if mocking them for being cowards?

Konoha is facing an unprecedented crisis. The Uchiha have contributed greatly to the founding of the village; how could their ancestors’ blood be smeared with accusations of cowardice?

"That’s all. Please, Uchiha Ninja, remain where you are. Disobeying the orders from above would bring trouble upon you as well."

With that, the Anbu vanished from sight, leaving.

"Damn it! Stop right there!"

An irate Jonin Uchiha was about to chase after the Anbu.

"Stop!"

Fugaku held him back.

"Captain?"

"Since the order comes from the top, there’s nothing we can do."

Fugaku sighed.

The rest of the Uchiha Ninja were furious, but suppressed their anger, not causing trouble.

Because among the higher-ups, the Uchiha have no place.

It was fine during the First Hokage’s era, but ever since Senju Tobirama became Second Hokage, the Uchiha’s status has declined, day by day. As one of the founding pillars of the village, not a single one has made it into the leadership.

Instead, Sarutobi, Shimura Clan, and other Senju-allied Hokage Faction members took control.

"Captain, do you think our orders are just out of fear that we’ll use the Sharingan to control the Nine-tailed for ourselves?"

The listener’s intention was clear, and the speaker likely meant more than they said.

This order truly is absurd. With the Uchiha Sharingan, the casualty rate among the frontline Konoha Ninja would surely drop significantly.

But as a result, the higher-ups refuse to let the Uchiha approach the Nine-tailed.

They must be wary of the Uchiha Sharingan controlling the Nine-tailed.

"Don’t let your mind wander. Protecting the villagers is the duty of the Security Team."

Fugaku knew he couldn’t let such ideas fester among every Uchiha Ninja, or else disaster would surely follow.

But there was no way to stop such thoughts completely.

This made Fugaku recall the defection incident from a few years back.

The Uchiha Clan’s genius Ninja, Uchiha Ruri, once used the Sharingan to control the Nine-tailed during her defection, causing enormous losses to Konoha.

Because of this, the upper echelon has always been prejudiced against the Uchiha Clan.

That incident was indeed the Uchiha’s fault; for failing to see Uchiha Ruri’s intention to leave was their responsibility.

But Fugaku also understood: this Nine-tailed calamity is certainly not caused by Konoha’s Uchiha.

For the Uchiha are Konoha’s own people. Their Ninja’s families live within Konoha; releasing the Nine-tailed would mean putting their own kin at mortal risk.

The Uchiha Ninja of Konoha would never be so foolish as to bring about their own destruction.

If the Nine-tailed outside the village was released, Fugaku could only think of one person—Uchiha Ruri.

She has a history of controlling the Nine-tailed, and her Sharingan’s Donjutsu is powerful enough to handle Tailed Beasts.

A Ninja who defected from the village, using the power of the Nine-tailed for revenge—such a motive makes sense.

◎

"Minato still hasn’t arrived?"

Hiruzen’s grip on the Adamantine Staff was bleeding, his face pale, coughing again and again, as he gritted his teeth and glared at the raging Nine-tailed slaughtering Konoha Ninja.

The blood-red eyes bore overwhelming malice towards humans—and a hatred that cut to the bone!

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were battered and bruised as well; though still resisting, they knew it was only a matter of time before the Nine-tailed broke into Konoha.

Compared to Konoha’s ancestors, as descendants their strength was only this much.

They simply couldn’t halt the Nine-tailed’s advance.

"Never mind Minato for now. Hiruzen, did your Anbu really deliver the orders to the Security Team? Why hasn’t a single Uchiha Ninja appeared?"