"Uchiha Fugaku's Reputation in the Village Has Indeed Increased Significantly!"
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage's expression was somewhat grim.
As he had anticipated, Uchiha Fugaku's capture of Orochimaru and rescue of the Nine-Tails jinchūriki had greatly enhanced his standing in the village. Now, Fugaku's reputation was nearly on par with his own. This posed a deep sense of crisis for him; if this continued, calls for Fugaku to become the next Hokage would surely arise. This was something he absolutely had to prevent.
"Give the order to begin the operation!"
He directed his gaze toward a kneeling Anbu operative in his office and commanded.
Having anticipated Fugaku's rise in popularity, he had long prepared measures to suppress Fugaku and halt his growing influence.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
The kneeling Anbu operative, wearing a monkey-faced mask, responded and exited the Hokage's office.
Soon after, dozens of Anbu operatives departed from the Anbu base. They removed their masks and Anbu attire, disguising themselves as ordinary ninjas, and walked the streets of Konoha.
On the streets, it was common to hear people mention Uchiha Fugaku. Wherever his name was spoken, these operatives would approach.
"I can't believe even Orochimaru was no match for Fugaku-sama; he's truly formidable!"
A young ninja, around twenty years old, named Ota Kaoru, exclaimed.
"Of course, Fugaku-sama has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
Beside her, another young ninja of similar age, Murakami Tsubasa, spoke with admiration.
"Such a scheming individual, yet so many people admire him."
An untimely voice interrupted. Both Ota Kaoru and Murakami Tsubasa frowned and turned toward the source of the voice.
There, they saw a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance, leaving no strong impression.
"How dare you slander Fugaku-sama?"
Murakami Tsubasa glared angrily at the middle-aged man.
Fugaku-sama was someone he deeply admired; now, someone was defaming him, which made him furious.
"Slander? I haven't slandered him; he's truly a scheming individual."
The middle-aged man sneered.
He was one of the Anbu operatives disguised as an ordinary ninja. Upon receiving the Third Hokage's orders, he had disguised himself to spread rumors and tarnish Uchiha Fugaku's reputation.
"Do you have any evidence for your claims?"
Murakami Tsubasa asked, agitated.
The middle-aged man smiled confidently. "Do you know how Advisor Danzo died?"
"I heard he went to the Land of Rice, and then he went missing there."
Murakami Tsubasa furrowed his brows; he wasn't aware of the details. However, Ota Kaoru knew some information and spoke up.
"That's right, Advisor Danzo went missing in the Land of Rice. But you probably don't know that when he went missing, Fugaku-sama was also in the Land of Rice."
"Fugaku-sama was in the Land of Rice when Advisor Danzo went missing?"
Both Murakami Tsubasa and Ota Kaoru were slightly surprised; this was news to them.
"Yes, Fugaku-sama was there."
The middle-aged man looked at them and sneered. "It's too coincidental, isn't it?"
"You mean to say Fugaku-sama was responsible for Advisor Danzo's disappearance?"
Ota Kaoru's eyes widened, feeling she had uncovered a significant secret.
"How do you know Fugaku-sama was in the Land of Rice when Advisor Danzo went missing?"
Murakami Tsubasa didn't believe such a thing and retorted.
"This isn't a secret; anyone can find out if they inquire."
The middle-aged man chuckled and said.
Seeing his confidence, Ota Kaoru and Murakami Tsubasa couldn't help but start to believe him. They began to doubt: Could Fugaku-sama really be the scheming individual the middle-aged man described?
Just then, two members of the Uchiha clan's Police Force, dressed in their uniforms, appeared