Even though Hiruzen Sarutobi had retired, the sharpness of his aura lingered. His presence still commanded respect, even from those in power.
Danzo Shimura, always blunt and relentless, had just invoked the name of the Second Hokage—Senju Tobirama. The mention displeased Hiruzen, though he kept his emotions in check.
Danzo, however, grew visibly agitated. He snapped, "Then tell me, Hiruzen—if you give the Uchiha Clan a second chance, and they go out of control again, who will take responsibility?
You, the retired Third Hokage? Or the newly appointed Fourth?!"
Hiruzen didn't respond immediately. He took a slow, deliberate puff from his pipe. He, too, was troubled by the hypothetical Danzo was laying out.
If the Uchiha Clan were only behaving temporarily, and their ambitions reignited once their position recovered post-war, it could become a crisis that even someone as capable as Minato Namikaze might struggle to contain.
But after the devastating toll of the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha was in no shape to provoke internal conflict. A direct confrontation with the Uchiha Clan—especially now—could shatter the fragile peace the village clung to.
Finally, Hiruzen exhaled and spoke. "Danzo, I understand your concerns. But you're only looking toward potential future threats. You're ignoring Konoha's current state. We cannot withstand another upheaval right now.
Let's revisit this issue when Konoha stabilizes. For the time being, we maintain the status quo."
Danzo's chest heaved with restrained fury. He stared daggers at Hiruzen, his jaw clenched tightly.
After a tense pause, Danzo's breathing evened. He asked again, flatly, "Is this truly your decision?"
Hiruzen nodded without hesitation. "Yes. The development of the village must not be stalled due to suspicion toward the Uchiha."
Danzo's voice dropped into a colder tone. "Since you've made up your mind, I won't argue. The current Hokage is your grand-disciple, after all. Your word carries weight with him. If you want me to back down, fine—but you must agree to one thing."
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened. "Speak."
Danzo outlined the plan that Chi Yu had proposed to him.
"You want to preserve the status quo? So be it. But we cannot sit idle. We must prepare. If we repeat the mistakes of the past, we won't survive the consequences.
I propose the establishment of a new department—one that serves as a counterbalance to the Konoha Military Police Force."
Hiruzen took a long draw from his pipe, his expression unreadable. "A counterpart to the Military Police?"
Danzo nodded. "Exactly. The Uchiha Clan's power peaked in Konoha because of their monopoly on the Police Force. Creating a separate, equivalent department will dilute their authority. It'll ensure that whenever they act, they're not doing so unchecked."
"And how do you plan to divide that authority?" Hiruzen asked.
Danzo was ready. "The Military Police will retain responsibilities for internal peacekeeping—maintaining order and arresting civilian criminals. But this new department will assume the duties of drafting village laws and handling rogue ninja and internal threats."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "Rogue ninja? Criminal tendencies among shinobi? You still intend to target the Uchiha."
Danzo's response was ice-cold. "Only if they're guilty. You claim they've reined themselves in, don't you? If so, this department will never need to act against them. Unless you don't truly believe they've changed."
He leaned in, gaze piercing. "This is my bottom line. Either we proceed with creating this department—or we resume direct action against the Uchiha."
Hiruzen went quiet for a while, then replied, "I'm no longer Hokage. This decision must come from Minato."
Danzo rose from his seat, voice like a whip crack. "Then let's bring this matter to him immediately. You say you care for Konoha? Then you'll consider just how much damage the Uchiha caused in the past."
Together, they headed to the Hokage's Office.
---
Inside the Hokage Building, Hiruzen laid out the entire exchange for Minato Namikaze.
Minato listened carefully, brows furrowed in thought. Then he spoke.
"I don't believe we need to take a confrontational stance toward the Uchiha right now. One of my personal guards is Uchiha Shisui. He's loyal to the village—utterly—and has been transparent with me. He told me that Uchiha Fugaku, the head of the clan, sincerely wishes to rebuild trust with the village.
Shisui reports the clan's movements regularly. So far, they've shown no signs of dissent."
Minato looked directly at Danzo. "They've made the first move toward reconciliation. If we want to prevent another rebellion, we need to respond with equal sincerity."
Danzo's expression darkened to the point of near hostility.
Chi Yu's warning echoed in his mind:
> "Uchiha Fugaku is sharp. He knows the clan's situation must change. Don't be surprised if Shisui and Minato form a direct link with Hiruzen to rebuild trust."
And just as predicted, that link was already forming.
Danzo's gaze swept across both men.
If this trend continued—Minato as Hokage, and Hiruzen guiding him from the shadows—then his own role would become irrelevant, confined to the obscurity of Root.
His voice now thundered with conviction.
"You both keep citing Fugaku and Shisui—as if they represent the entire Uchiha Clan. But how many are there? Hundreds? Two voices can't redeem an entire bloodline!
Have you forgotten what the Uchiha have done? Their arrogance? Their thirst for power?
If you place your faith in them and they betray you again—what then?
What will you do when they no longer hide behind false cooperation?
Will you sacrifice the entire village for two men's sincerity?
If that future comes to pass, you, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and you, Minato Namikaze, will be the ones history condemns.
Tell me—was this the Konoha Tobirama entrusted to you?
Will you wager the fate of the village on the Uchiha Clan's illusion of loyalty?!"
The room fell into a tense silence.
Minato's eyes narrowed. Hiruzen's grip tightened on his pipe. The weight of Danzo's words—though extreme—could not be easily dismissed.
He had cast a shadow of doubt neither man could ignore.
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