Tiehuo sucked in a sharp breath.
This was an outright counter-threat against the Hokage!
Even the radical Uchiha of the past, though loud with bravado, had never dared such a move.
The key was—
Even with Kai doing this, no one could find fault with him. His reasoning was too sound.
Even if Hiruzen was displeased, unless he dared remove the Uchiha from office, he'd have to swallow his anger.
And as for removing them?
Impossible!
The Uchiha had done nothing wrong. Even as Hokage, Hiruzen couldn't just dismiss them. Everyone knew the Police Force was funded out of the Uchiha's own pocket—Konoha itself didn't provide a single coin.
What did that make the Uchiha?
Selfless benefactors.
Even if the village cut off support, they still paid from their own purses to keep order.
And if the Uchiha really were removed—then what?
Which other clan would step up with no funding? None.
Not even the Sarutobi clan would agree to that.
And if funding suddenly appeared for the replacement clan? The common folk would quickly wonder: Why was there no money under the Uchiha, but suddenly plenty now? What would that say about Hiruzen's leadership?
Realizing this, Tiehuo was shaken to the core.
Uchiha Kai's methods were terrifying.
"…Understood. I'll see to it at once," he said. "But should this be kept secret?"
Kai frowned in thought, then shook his head. A cold smile tugged at his lips.
"No need. Do it openly. As long as the civilians don't catch on, it doesn't matter if the Hokage's faction or the other clans know.
This is an open stratagem. Let them see it. What can they do?"
Yes. He intended to slap Hiruzen across the face in broad daylight.
Furious? Good. Hate me? Even better.
And soon, Shisui would surely appear.
A man full of "Will of Fire," a pawn to be played. Shisui disliked Kai, and would naturally try to rally a faction against him.
So, Hiruzen—what are you waiting for? Won't you fund and arm Shisui to oppose me?
And if Hiruzen took the bait, Kai was ready to stage a mock struggle, letting Shisui skim off resources for himself.
Either way, Kai wouldn't lose.
Would Hiruzen truly fall for it? Kai wasn't worried.
As long as things didn't escalate into an open break, Hiruzen could only play by the rules.
To incite other clans to destroy the Uchiha outright? Without righteous justification, none would side with him.
Unless… he used Danzo.
But such underhanded moves could never be shown in daylight. If Hiruzen went that route and Kai struck back, the Hokage could only grit his teeth in silence.
"…I understand." Tiehuo bowed deeply. "I'll carry it out right away!"
This time, he didn't ask why. Kai had already proven his ability. For Tiehuo, it was enough to obey orders.
The rest, he left in Kai's hands.
Hokage Tower, Third Floor.
Late at night.
Sarutobi Hiruzen still sat behind his desk, processing documents.
An Anbu suddenly appeared, kneeling on one knee.
"Lord Hokage, there's trouble.
Three Anbu on assignment today have been captured by the Police. The charge is espionage.
Because of the mission's secrecy, they couldn't reveal their identities. And since Uchiha Kai publicly declared he would extract their secrets without relying on the Yamanaka, even the Interrogation Corps can't intervene.
How should we proceed? Please decide."
Hiruzen's face tightened.
Silence fell.
Yes.
Just as Kai had suspected, the thief incident was Hiruzen's doing. The three Anbu were planted to undermine Kai's reputation.
Kai was too dangerous.
A Mangekyo-awakened Uchiha, without the slightest trace of the "Will of Fire." If he couldn't be swayed, then he had to be destroyed.
The plan was simple: let him clash with the radicals. Whether he won or lost, the Uchiha would bleed. That alone would serve Hiruzen's purposes—until the chance came to eliminate him altogether.
And yet… such a simple task, and now—failure?
After a long pause, Hiruzen spoke quietly.
"…I see. You are not to be blamed. Withdraw."
The Anbu bowed and departed.
Hiruzen remained, lost in thought, his mind racing with possibilities.
At length, he called softly:
"Karasu."
"Lord Hokage."
From the shadows, a masked man with the visage of a crow emerged and knelt. His posture radiated respect, awaiting orders.
"Move at once. Contact our infiltrators inside the Uchiha.
I want a full report on everything that happened in the Police today, especially involving Uchiha Kai. Leave nothing out."
Without a word, the figure vanished in smoke. It had been a shadow clone.
Time passed.
Half an hour later, Karasu returned, kneeling again.
"Lord Hokage, the situation is dire.
According to our spies, Uchiha Kai has already identified the true identity of the three Anbu.
Yet he has not released them. Instead, he ordered the Police to beat them savagely.
Officially, it's called interrogation—but in practice, there is no questioning at all. The beatings serve only to cripple them.
Now, they cling to life by a thread.
And…"
Karasu hesitated.
"Speak," Hiruzen commanded.
"Yes."
He reported every detail of Kai's subsequent arrangements. Kai had made no effort to conceal them, and the infiltrators had observed everything clearly.
By the end, sweat beaded on Karasu's brow.
He was not stupid. He understood what Kai intended. He understood exactly what these moves meant.
And that knowledge filled him with fear.
Even Hiruzen himself, at that moment, couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.
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