Comparison of the two Hokage: Both ninja worlds are devastated.

The moment Hiruzen Sarutobi abandoned his aid to the Uchiha clan and retreated to the Hokage Building, the F4's fate began its countdown.

This battle can be said to have exposed the truth about the village's high-ranking officials—their bluster and cowardice, and their utterly despicable hearts.

Everything was displayed with perfect clarity in front of every villager.

This battle will also showcase the rising star, Uehara Simo, his style of action, his decisiveness, and his domineering presence.

Everything was displayed with perfect clarity in front of every villager.

The difference is obvious when the two are compared.

Perhaps Hiruzen Sarutobi thought that people would see his kindness and gentleness, as well as Uehara Shimei's cruelty and tyranny.

Let's not even talk about whether other people might really think that way.

Even if we think that way, if the higher-ups clash with this renowned Golden Flash again, who will everyone help?

It definitely won't be F4; at most, they'll just maintain a semblance of neutrality.

If you're so cowardly, you might still have a chance to recover if you offend someone, but if you offend Uehara Siming, you could die in no time.

If Shangyuan orders you to die at midnight, even Yama, the King of Hell, will not allow you to live until dawn.

In Konoha today, it's crystal clear who will be the future.

Uchiha Gouka looked at his clansmen, whose emotions varied.

Without saying a word, he bowed his head deeply, transforming from a kneeling position into a full-body kotatsu (a traditional Japanese seated position).

This action instantly silenced the chattering and excited tribespeople.

"Chief, what's wrong with you...?"

Someone came up and tried to pull Uchiha Gouka up, but the other party seemed very determined, and even though his clothes were almost torn, he couldn't change his movements in the slightest.

Chapter 108 Uchiha Great Fire: It's All Danzo's Fault

Under the earth seat,

The person performing the greeting must kneel with their knees together, place their hands on their thighs with their toes turned inward, and then touch the ground with their forehead.

In Japanese culture, the degree of bowing signifies the level of sincerity.

From a slight nod to 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees, each angle carries a different meaning.

Generally, an apology at 90 degrees indicates a serious mistake and shows sincerity.

This is what is known as the spirit of craftsmanship.

And he knelt in a dogeza (a deep, solemn posture), his head completely touching the ground.

It is the most humble, respectful, and highest level of etiquette, without exception.

Used for confessing to the gods and sincerely begging for forgiveness from superiors.

Or to express a deep apology for the serious mistakes they have made.

This action carries a strong sense of humiliation, and it is a form of self-humiliation used to demonstrate immense sincerity.

At the same time, it also implies that the person kneeling is willing to pay any price for the other party.

The price to pay is, most of the time, one's own life and even everything else.

Many outsiders, especially those from East Asian cultural circles who once practiced kneeling rituals, find it difficult to understand the true degree of humiliation this action brings to daily life.

That's because, apart from certain days, there's no custom of seppuku in other places.

Indeed, the origin and profound meaning of Dogeza (a form of seppuku) are derived from seppuku.

The day believed that the human soul resided in the belly.

Therefore, when it was necessary for a samurai to reveal his soul to the world, he would resort to this method and ritual of cutting open his abdomen to show it to everyone.

As the most prevalent and ultimate ideal and pursuit of the Bushido spirit,

Seppuku (ritual suicide by disembowelment) was considered the most noble way for a samurai to die, as it was believed to purify the soul.

Generally, people who commit seppuku do not die immediately afterward.

Being in a kneeling position, they would slowly fall down due to immense pain until their heads touched the ground.

At this point, the second will cut off the head of the person committing seppuku.

The simulation depicts the act of performing seppuku (ritual suicide), revealing one's soul, collapsing in agony, and awaiting execution by the second.

The so-called "dogeza" is not as simple as just kneeling and bowing.

Even those in lower positions rarely make this gesture towards those in higher positions unless there is a specific reason.

Even if one's servility is deeply ingrained, it is still far too humiliating and extremely difficult to bear.

Many people would even rather actually die.

When Uchiha Gouka, as the clan leader, devoutly performed the dogeza (a deep bow) before his clansmen, it naturally caused countless people to be shocked.

Uchiha's Great Fire Technique remained in this position for five minutes.

Only after the shrine fell completely silent did he slowly straighten up.

His first words were,

"My family, I am guilty."

Then, Uchiha Gouka began to describe it vividly.

After becoming the clan leader, how did he collude with Hiruzen Sarutobi, betraying the clan's interests and causing many clan members to suffer unjust accusations?

No, that's fabricated.

Anything that shows promise, is timely, or is unclear is exaggerated, and every effort is made to associate it with something important.

If it is indeed true, then it must be discussed in great detail.

He laid out all the evidence and facts he had gathered in front of everyone.

Of course,

He described his motivation for these incidents as currying favor with the Hokage and hoping for harmony between his clan and the village.

I am also heartbroken.

However, faced with the greater good as the third generation leader spoke of, they ultimately chose to endure humiliation and compromise.

The hope was that this would persuade the higher-ups to ease the targeting and suppression of the Uchiha clan.

I just never expected F4 to be so ruthless and vicious.

Once the atmosphere is sufficiently set,

Uchiha Gouka then began to recount Uehara Shimei's version of the "rescue of Mikoto" incident.

Since the start of the Second Shinobi World War

Konoha's new generation of geniuses are gradually taking center stage, shining brightly and displaying their extraordinary power.

Among them, the three legendary ninjas, the Golden Team, and the six members of the Crimson Storm are the most dazzling.

The three legendary Sannin were alright; they were already twenty-four years old when the war began, just past their most rapid growth period and at a point where they needed to mature.

In addition, being a disciple of the Hokage, despite his great fame, didn't surprise anyone much.

The Golden Duo and Crimson Storm were only twelve to fifteen years old at that time.

To achieve such renown at such a young age is nothing short of astonishing, given the sheer genius of the artist.

The F4, led by Hiruzen Sarutobi, were also deeply jealous of him, fearing that they would lose their positions.

Especially Uchiha Mikoto,

As an evil Uchiha, not only did her strength exceed their control, but she also had an affair with Jiraiya's disciple, Uehara Shimei, who was also a direct descendant of the Hokage.

What if this continues and becomes a bridge between the village and the family, allowing them to reconcile and even live in peace?

This is clearly detrimental to the high-level policy of suppressing and even exterminating the Uchiha clan.

So they plotted a huge conspiracy.

Taking advantage of the severe drought between Golden Flash and Crimson Storm, both threats were nipped in the bud.

According to Uchiha Gouka

Danzo Shimura, representing F4, promised him that if he could accomplish this, he would completely relax his suppression of the Uchiha clan and even have the opportunity to enter the upper echelons of the organization.

And she repeatedly assured herself that neither Uehara Shinmei nor Uchiha Mikoto would be in mortal danger.

It's just that it will affect their reputation in the future.

He thought about it seriously for a moment.

Anyway, I'll be the one taking action, and I'll have control over the scale and intensity, so there's no chance of anything going wrong.

That's why, after launching a propaganda offensive in the village, he provoked Uehara Shinmei and then brazenly attacked her when she came to visit Mikoto.

Even he hadn't expected that Sarutobi, that old dog, could be so ruthless.

They weren't trying to tarnish the name of Golden Flash, but rather to make Crimson Storm stay home and be a wife and mother.

Instead, their plan is to first use Uehara Shimei to eliminate the Uchiha clan, or to use the Uchiha clan to eliminate Uehara Shimei, or for both to suffer heavy losses.

Once everything is accomplished, they can come out and reap the benefits, then deal with the remaining one.

The reason it ultimately failed was simply because the Yellow Flash's strength had improved again, exceeding Root's expectations.

"That's how it all happened. I fell for their trap."

"I have let down my clan, I have let down Mikoto, and I have let down Uehara Shimei, who did not discriminate against the Uchiha and even wanted to help the Uchiha change their situation. I am guilty."

Uchiha Gouka was filled with grief and regret, tears streaming down his face.

At this moment, his acting skills were off the charts.

And with his performance, almost all the clansmen in front of him transferred their hatred to the higher-ups who had made a fool of the Uchiha.

A cacophony of curses began to rise and fall.

At that moment, Fugaku Uchiha also said: