I Am Fugaku Uchiha

As a shock rippled through the room, Urushi spoke up, causing Danzo, Orochimaru, and Yakushi Nono to exchange stunned glances. It was a moment of disbelief—how could a child not even four years old summon the courage to speak out in such a situation?

"Urushi, come here! Stop spouting nonsense!" Nono reacted swiftly, recognizing the potential danger.

With urgency in her movements, she rose from her seat and hurriedly crossed the room to shield Urushi from Danzo's intense gaze.

With a protective arm around the child, she bowed her head and addressed Danzo in a respectful tone, "He is only a child; please forgive him."

She was well aware of Danzo's ruthless nature and lacked any moral qualms about his operations.

No one who had ever crossed paths with Danzo had managed to escape his unrelenting wrath. Despite her earlier apology, she couldn't shake the anxiety about what Danzo might do to Urushi.

The barely four-year-old could somehow sense the tension, but he remained unswayed by Danzo's intimidating presence, believing that his uncle shared a close bond with his mother and would be an ally.

In a bold move, Urushi decided to take a chance on Fugaku, trusting that revealing the truth to his uncle might secure his mother's safety. He cared little about his own safety, embodying the spirit willing to do anything for Nono's sake.

The aunt and the bespectacled old man watched the child with concern, while Danzo's expression darkened. Fugaku, though silent, turned to Nono and questioned in a hushed tone, "Is what he said true?"

Nono found herself unable to utter a word; fear had a tight grip on her. Even though she knew Fugaku was strong, the terror induced by Danzo prevented her from summoning the courage to respond.

“They coerced the orphanage director into agreeing to their demand by threatening the funds and safety of the place!!”

“Exactly!!” The affirmations came from the aunt and the old man with glasses, both expressing their frustration with the situation.

Fugaku couldn't help but smirk at this revelation. Slowly making his way to where Nono had been seated, he calmly addressed Danzo, “So, Danzo-sama, I'll overlook the matter of you sending Orochimaru to spy on me if you agree to replace the spy from Iwa.” Fugaku had assumed Orochimaru was one of Danzo's pawns.

"It appears that Lord Fugaku has significant ties with her, doesn't he?" Danzo's lifeless face remained inscrutable. He saw no need to dwell on the matter of Orochimaru too much.

Fugaku seemed to have foreseen Danzo's inquiry, responding with a faint smile, "Certainly, Nono saved my friend Akihiko's life. She's my brother's benefactor, and therefore, she is mine as well.

Oh, I apologize; I almost forgot, Danzo-sama. Considering your unique personality, you might not grasp the concept of brotherhood. My sincere apologies for any confusion."

The insincerity and mockery underlying his apology were evident. Nono had merely treated Akihiko's wounds, not performed a life-saving feat as Fugaku suggested.

However, Fugaku used this as a pretext to advance his own agenda, the specifics of which remained unclear.

Danzo's face darkened, showing signs of displeasure. He chose to overlook these seemingly harmless insults, but accepting such a concession was out of the question for him.

"This mission requires Nono's skills, so she has to go for the sake of Konoha!" Danzo asserted himself firmly.

"And what if I refuse?" he challenged, his scowl intensifying and igniting a hostile atmosphere.

Danzo retorted furiously, "Uchiha Fugaku, you are defying the whole Konoha!"

"So what?" Four simple words, yet they sent shockwaves through the room. Fugaku's icy glare and subtle aura created a palpable tension, freezing the scene.

Orochimaru's lips, concealed under the black cloak, smirked, revealing a hint of amusement. Torune Aburame felt a stir within, his body reacting to the building intensity.

The aunt and the old man looked at Fugaku in disbelief. They had initially thought he was merely fearless of Danzo, but now he had uttered words that positioned him as an enemy of the entire Konoha.

The Ninja Village stood as the nation's safeguard. How could Fugaku speak so casually against it? Wasn't he from the Uchiha clan of Konoha? Wasn't it their duty to protect the village and the country?

The weight of Fugaku's words lingered in the air, challenging the very core of his allegiance. Nono looked at him, wondering if he was taking this stand for her. Gratitude and admiration welled up within her, and his presence became even more towering and reassuring in her heart.

Yet, concern crept in—would he be in danger for defying Danzo? Wasn't it an enormous risk to antagonize the entire village? Was she inadvertently dragging him down?

As these thoughts raced through everyone's minds, Danzo paused for a moment. Exhaling sharply, he spoke icily, "Uchiha Fugaku, very well. You will regret what you said today. Let's go!"

Danzo finished speaking and slammed his crutch on the ground, snorting as he got up to leave.

"Danzo-sama!" Fugaku called out, striding towards Danzo, who had reached the door.

"Let me be blunt. If anything happens to this orphanage, I will hold you  responsible."Fugaku glared at Danzo with narrowed eyes, prompting a hardening of Danzo's face.

The weight of Fugaku's words lingered in the air, challenging the very core of his allegiance. Nono looked at him, wondering if he was taking this stand for her. Gratitude and admiration welled up within her, and his presence became even more towering and reassuring in her heart.

Yet, concern crept in—would he be in danger for defying Danzo? Wasn't it an enormous risk to antagonize the entire village? Was she inadvertently dragging him down?

As these thoughts raced through everyone's minds, Danzo paused for a moment. Exhaling sharply, he spoke icily, "Uchiha Fugaku, very well. You will regret what you said today. Let's go!" Danzo finished speaking and slammed his crutch on the ground, snorting as he got up to leave.

"Danzo-sama!" Fugaku called out, striding towards Danzo, who had reached the door.

"Let me be blunt. If anything happens to this orphanage, I will hold you  responsible." Fugaku glared at Danzo with narrowed eyes, prompting a hardening of Danzo's face.

"And what can you do?" Danzo retorted dismissively.

"Nothing much. I just want to remind you that Akihiko has been helping me run the Uchiha clan, and he has a good rapport with the rest of the clan. If something goes wrong here, he might lead the clan to confront your root, causing irreversible damage.

As the clan head, I can't justify that to Hokage-sama!" Fugaku stated firmly, emphasizing the potential consequences.

Akihiko was not only his kinsman but also a friend. However, even as a friend, Fugaku knew better than to take drastic actions against Danzo's Root without his consent – such an idea was absurd.

Ignoring Fugaku's warning, Danzo turned his back and clenched his teeth, suppressing his rage as he walked away without uttering a word.