Uchiha Kai wore a faint smile.
The subtle threat hidden in Sarutobi Hiruzen's words seemed to pass right by him, as if he hadn't heard it at all.
What a joke!
He always acted with caution and foresight. Since he had chosen to strike, he had naturally prepared his justification long ago.
And through this incident today, what he wanted to make clear to Sarutobi Hiruzen was—
He was not one of those foolish Uchiha.
So, you want to move against the Uchiha?
No problem.
But you must play by the rules of the game.
If you resort to underhanded tricks, like tonight's Root assault—
Then…
If you dare to extend a claw, I dare to cut it off!
What is Konoha's Root?
A group that hides in the sewers, unable to see the light of day, not even part of Konoha's official shinobi system.
Scum that can never stand in the open.
Just like today, right here, right now—
Even if I slaughtered this entire bunch, would you, Sarutobi Hiruzen, dare investigate?
Even if you did, could you make the findings public?
Root?
There is no such organization in Konoha's administrative records.
Though the higher-ups of the village, even the great shinobi clans, all acknowledge its existence…
Still, Root can only remain buried underground. It can never be exposed to the sun.
And now, with Root's sudden assault on the Uchiha Police Department—
Can you, Sarutobi Hiruzen, present a justification?
Is this something you can openly explain?
No matter how badly you want to destroy the Uchiha, officially the clan is still one of Konoha's shinobi clans, and the Police Department was established by the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama himself—an official department within Konoha's administration.
Why did feudal dynasties of the past always issue war declarations before fighting?
Two words: righteous cause.
Righteousness might look insignificant, but it is something you absolutely cannot lack.
So why would an organization with no official standing attack the Uchiha Police Department?
Who gave the order? What was the reason?
Can you, Sarutobi Hiruzen, shoulder responsibility for this?
If not—
Then shut up!
That was the message Uchiha Kai was delivering now.
Meanwhile, on the other side—
As Kai spoke, the thoughts of the other great clans present instantly became murky and complicated.
Many even quietly stepped back half a pace.
It was obvious.
Those who had climbed this high were no fools.
Even though Uchiha Kai hadn't spelled it out, they all understood instantly.
The ones who died… were Root.
And they died because they attacked the Konoha Police Department.
No one cared about the reasoning, but everyone understood one thing:
Whether Sarutobi Hiruzen authorized this, or whether it was Shimura Danzo acting on his own…
This incident could never see the light of day.
Otherwise, Root wouldn't even need to move again—
Anbu could walk in broad daylight with perfect justification.
Since that was the case, Hokage had lost.
As long as Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to protect Danzo, he couldn't pursue the matter further.
That was the reality.
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent.
He stared deeply at Uchiha Kai, pondered for a long moment, and finally spoke in a slow, heavy voice.
"So that's how it is!"
"Uchiha has rendered great service in exposing enemy spies. I hereby commend all members of the Police Department!"
"Oh, and I also heard you captured three spies?"
"Perhaps it would be best to hand them over to the Interrogation Division."
"It's not that I don't trust the Police Department. It's just that specialized work should be left to the specialists."
"Kai-kun, what do you think?"
As expected!
When Sarutobi spoke, the clans exchanged covert glances.
They had guessed correctly.
Only Danzo's face turned ashen with rage.
It twisted with fury.
He had lost nine entire elite squads—over twenty elite Jounin!
And all that was being dismissed with just a few light words?
Danzo could endure it, but his rage could not.
"Hiruzen, you—" Danzo began.
But before he could finish, Sarutobi Hiruzen cut him off sharply:
"Danzo, shut your mouth!"
"But—" Danzo still tried to argue.
Sarutobi's voice turned cold.
"Danzo, I am Hokage!"
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"
With a cold snort, Danzo shot Kai one last venomous glare. Then, ignoring the Hokage entirely, he turned and stalked away.
Yes.
As Konoha's elder and the master of Root, the only person he acknowledged was Sarutobi Hiruzen. Everyone else was beneath him.
Uchiha Kai's eyes grew shadowy.
After a moment—
A faintly mocking smile tugged at his lips as he looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Mm, no problem."
"Since it is the Hokage's order, the Police Department will of course comply."
"Our Uchiha clan fully obeys the Hokage's commands."
"Ironfire, release the prisoners!"
No wasted words.
First, he declared his loyalty. Then, he complied.
He didn't even bother to take advantage of the situation to ask for concessions.
After all, the persona he was building was that of a loyal Konoha subject, wholly obedient to the Hokage.
To ruin that image for a few benefits wasn't worth it.
And besides, Hiruzen was in no mood right now. Even if Kai asked, he wouldn't get more than hollow words of praise.
The future was long.
No need to rush.
They could play the game slowly.
With even nine years of compulsory education in his past life, in this world with no real power-struggle experience, Kai was practically operating at a god-tier level.
And with Kai's order, Uchiha Tiehuo didn't waste time either.
He immediately went to the Police Department prison and dragged out the three "spies."
When Sarutobi saw their wretched, beaten state, his anger nearly erupted.
Damn it!
These three were Anbu!
But he couldn't explode.
How could he explain Anbu deliberately stirring trouble at the Police Department in broad daylight?
If the matter spread, what would happen to his reputation as Hokage?
Even Kai understood the need to protect his image. Sarutobi Hiruzen, as Hokage, could not afford to lose even more.
So.
With a deep breath, he finally waved his hand.
Immediately, several Anbu stepped forward and took the "spies" away.
"Uchiha Kai, you are impressive."
"In the past, I worried that your sudden rise at a young age might destabilize the Police Department."
"But now, I am reassured."
His tone was slow and heavy.
And without waiting for Kai to respond, Sarutobi turned and left.
With the Hokage gone, the matter was settled.
In just moments, the great clans and Anbu all dispersed as well.
The area in front of the Police Department returned to calm.
But the Uchiha did not move.
Instead, they all turned their eyes to Kai, awaiting their minister's command.
Clearly, after tonight's events, the vast majority of the clan had come to acknowledge him.
Strong in power, ruthless in methods.
Even when faced with the Hokage himself, he forced him to leave in defeat.
The Uchiha were simple-minded in this regard.
With such a formidable figure in their midst, how could they not pledge loyalty?
On the other side, Kai's eyes narrowed slightly.
His gaze shifted toward the distant Hokage Tower, his mind racing with thought.
After a moment, he turned back to the clan members and smiled.
"Everyone, you've worked hard tonight."
"Clean up the corpses, then go home and rest."
"Patriarch Fugaku, let's head back as well."
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