Inside the Uchiha compound, Ryōsuke hadn't even had time to warm his seat at home before receiving a report from a clansman.
Root members actually wanted to take away his captive, the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, Yugito Nii.
Ryōsuke's expression instantly changed.
'The audacity,' he thought. 'She is my tool for bearing children.'
He immediately headed toward the clan compound's main gate.
Outside the gate, several masked Root members were in a standoff with a group of Uchiha clansmen. Having returned victorious, the Uchiha were in no mood to fear a few Root members.
Before long, the Root members saw a young man walk out.
One of them couldn't help but ask, "Is this the person you said could make decisions?"
They knew of Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku; for a matter this important, surely Fugaku should be the one to emerge.
Unexpectedly, the Uchiha guardsman spoke proudly. "Of course. This is the person who can make the decisions."
Others might not know the greatest hero of this war, but how could the Uchiha Clan not know?
The victory over the Cloud Village army was entirely due to Ryōsuke's display of godlike power. Currently, their respect for Ryōsuke surpassed even that for Clan Head Fugaku.
Moreover, the two Cloud Village captives were specifically requested by Ryōsuke and were detained in his home. Having been hit by the Uchiha clan's sealing jutsu, they couldn't use chakra and were no different from ordinary people.
Seeing the guards insist, the Root members said nothing more. Once the young man arrived at the gate, they immediately spoke up.
"By the order of Consultant Elder Danzō, the Uchiha Clan is to hand over the Two-Tails Jinchūriki to Root for detainment. Please hand the person over immediately."
Hearing this, Ryōsuke flatly refused.
"Scram back and tell your Danzō that if he wants the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, he can forget about it."
The faces of the Root members changed drastically. To actually refuse Lord Danzō's order, and with such an arrogant attitude.
One of the Root members spoke in anger, "To actually disobey the Consultant Elder's order... the Uchiha Clan has some nerve. Are you trying to betray the village?"
Ryōsuke sneered, dismissing the threat. "I'd say it's you Root members who have the nerve. Trying to pin the label of treason on the Uchiha Clan?"
"Who gave you the courage to issue orders to the Leaf's—no, the ninja world's—number one clan? Just that petty little Konoha Consultant Elder?"
This left not only the Root members dumbfounded but also the Uchiha clansmen stunned.
So fierce. He treated the Consultant Elder as if he were nothing.
This was the domineering spirit of the Uchiha. The clan had been suppressed by the village for too long. Seeing Ryōsuke act so forcefully made them feel incredibly vindicated.
The Root members finally reacted.
"This is absolute heresy! Not only do you ignore Lord Danzō's orders..."
"You even dare to show such contempt for Lord Danzō. I now have sufficient reason to suspect the Uchiha Clan of rebellious tendencies. You will come back to Root with us to accept punishment."
Ryōsuke laughed out of anger. To try and arrest someone inside the Uchiha clan grounds? He didn't even disdain to lift a finger against these insignificant minions. If he had to handle every small fry personally, he would die of exhaustion.
He turned to the clansmen behind him.
"Root members are preparing to run wild inside the Uchiha grounds. How long are you going to stand by and watch?"
The Uchiha clansmen immediately snapped to attention.
They were furious. To dare arrest someone within their territory was to treat the Uchiha Clan as if they didn't exist.
One by one, they revealed their Sharingan—some with two tomoe, others with three.
Fueling their eyes with pupil power, their irises turned crimson. They stared at the Root members before them like wild beasts locking onto prey.
If these Root members dared to make a move, they would absolutely retaliate.
In terms of combat power, they had no fear of the Root ninja opposite them.
Stared down by pair after pair of crimson Sharingan, the Root members felt an immense pressure.
One of the Root members grit his teeth and shouted, "Do you really intend to betray the village?"
Ryōsuke replied with disdain, "Big talk. Is refusing to obey Root the same as betraying the village?"
"Don't you know that the Leaf Village was founded by my Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan? For us to betray the village would be betraying a village we created ourselves. You Root members are truly laughable."
The Root members were choked into silence by his words. They couldn't think of a rebuttal.
The older Root member among them gave Ryōsuke a deep, lingering look. This was the man inciting the Uchiha to resist.
"I will report this matter truthfully to Lord Danzō."
With that, they left. They had no intention of starting a fight here. Although they felt humiliated—accustomed as they were to throwing their weight around—they understood where they were. If they attacked, hundreds of Uchiha ninja would rush out, and they would be the only ones to suffer.
Only Lord Danzō had the means to handle this.
The remaining Uchiha clansmen looked at Ryōsuke with eyes full of reverence.
Being completely ungracious to Root members perfectly displayed the kingly demeanor of the Uchiha Clan.