In the grand conference room on the third floor of the Hokage Tower.
The doors and windows of the meeting room were tightly shut, keeping out wind and rain but also making the air feel stale.
The younger ninja were in better shape and hadn't noticed anything unusual yet. However, the Third Hokage and the two elders were already feeling short of breath and lightheaded due to the thin oxygen.
What really left them lightheaded wasn't just the stale air—it was the deteriorating situation.
With Hiashi Hyuga presiding over the meeting, everything seemed to proceed in an orderly manner.
Hiashi treated them with respect, but spoke coldly toward the three Uchiha representatives. On the surface, it looked as though they had achieved a major victory.
But what puzzled them was that Anbu's authority had been gradually reduced—from being the Hokage's direct subordinates with unchecked power to their current roles limited to guards, messengers, and inspectors.
Before Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others could figure out why, the Uchiha had already brought up Anbu's final internal function.
Aozora asked, "Didn't the high-level meeting previously decide for Anbu to take over defense duties? Are we still proceeding with that?"
Hiashi slightly furrowed his brows. "Lord Hokage, given Anbu's current size, they truly can't shoulder full defensive responsibilities. But the Uchiha compound is quite distant…"
Fugaku said, "Our old Uchiha clan grounds are mostly vacant now; we could…"
"No!" Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others immediately objected in unison.
Although they no longer had the strength to eliminate the Uchiha under the current circumstances, they still refused to overturn their original decision.
Homura Mitokado quickly responded, "The new Uchiha compound was carefully planned beforehand to coordinate with Konoha's overall defense system. We cannot easily relocate it."
Fugaku replied coldly, "Then would it be acceptable if part of our clan moved back to the old compound?"
This time Homura immediately answered, "Each clan has been uniformly planned; splitting them into two locations would create administrative difficulties."
Fugaku angrily said, "Then surely we can at least establish a branch office and dormitory for the Police Force in the Northern District of Konoha!"
When Fugaku said this, Homura turned his head away without responding.
Hiashi, however, remained fearless and coldly reprimanded him, "Director Fugaku, this is a high-level meeting. Please mind your behavior and maintain proper respect for the elders!"
After scolding Fugaku, Hiashi gently addressed Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Right now, the village needs the Police Force for patrols and security. Our previous relocation plan shouldn't be altered, and the village's finances are tight as well. How about allowing the Police Force to set up a branch near one of Anbu's idle training bases instead?"
As Hiashi suggested this, Sarutobi instinctively nodded.
But the moment he finished nodding, he regretted it—those training bases had cost a small fortune to construct.
At that point, Hiashi announced, "Alright, discussion regarding Anbu concludes here. Does anyone have any further suggestions?"
Sarutobi sensed something was off. He rubbed his temples and suggested, "We've been in this meeting for quite a while now. Everyone must be tired—why don't we all take a twenty-minute break first!"
Without waiting for a reply, he stood up and pushed open the conference room door, stepping outside.
Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Tsunade hurriedly followed him.
Everyone else exchanged confused glances before slowly leaving the meeting room in small groups, heading to the hallway to watch the rain.
Rainfall had decreased noticeably, though it still showed no sign of stopping soon.
...
In a corner of the corridor, the Ino–Shika–Cho trio stood gazing at the rain.
To be precise, all three were together, but only Inoichi was truly enjoying the drizzle.
Choza focused entirely on his chicken drumstick, while Shikaku leaned against the wall with his eyes closed.
Out of the blue, Shikaku said, "Inoichi, did Fugaku tell you he's made a pact with Hiashi?"
Dingzuo and Inoichi both turned their heads toward him in unison, their faces filled with disbelief.
Still chewing away, Choza asked, "Isn't Hiashi quite fair-minded? He even seems biased toward the Hokage! Look how respectful he is toward Lord Third, yet he scolds the Uchiha whenever they do something wrong!"
Inoichi didn't rush to judgment. He paused thoughtfully before his eyes lit up. "The Uchiha really have changed!"
"Exactly!"
Shikaku sighed and shifted his gaze toward the young boy trailing behind Fugaku.
Choza mentally struggled for a moment before finally figuring it out.
After biting into his chicken to give his exhausted brain cells a boost, Choza asked, "Shikaku, why would Hiashi help Fugaku? The Hyuga and Uchiha have never gotten along."
Shikaku's eyes flickered as he replied, "Maybe the Uchiha can offer the Hyuga something the Hokage has always been unwilling—or hesitant—to give!"
...
Inside the Hokage's office next to the meeting room,
Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his pipe and settled into his chair, filling the room with curling wisps of smoke.
Koharu Utatane frowned. "Hiruzen, stop smoking! Focus on how we should handle today's meeting. The Uchiha acted suspiciously today."
Homura Mitokado removed his glasses, his eyes going unfocused.
Hiruzen took a deep puff, the tobacco sharpening his senses before he declared, "The Uchiha don't want the Hokage title!"
"What?"
Homura and Koharu gasped simultaneously.
Tsunade nodded. "You're right, Lord Third! If the Uchiha really wanted to be Hokage, why would they weaken the Anbu? That's the Hokage's personal force!"
Koharu questioned puzzledly, "How could that be possible? If not for the Hokage seat, why would the Uchiha go through all these schemes?"
Homura added disbelievingly, "Wasn't becoming Hokage the Uchiha's obsession?"
No one could answer.
Tsunade watched the three elders still fixated on the Uchiha issue and gently shook her head.
As an outsider, she could see more than they could.
But what did that matter to her?
...
Fresh air and gentle rainfall passed quickly—twenty minutes gone like that.
When they reentered the meeting room, most attendees seemed refreshed, but whether due to age or other reasons, the three senior officials hadn't recovered well.
Once Hiruzen and others were seated, he announced, "Let the meeting continue! I just received intelligence from the front line..."
Those brief twenty minutes weren't enough for the Third and his group to uncover the Uchiha's true intentions, yet they couldn't just call off the meeting either. Therefore, Sarutobi planned to use war-related topics to fill half of the session.
But would the Uchiha simply let things rest?
Fugaku cut in sharply, "Lord Hokage, these matters can be left to Jiraiya's own judgment. Right now, dealing with the rogue ninja Danzo is more important!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi replied, "The war at the front line concerns Konoha's survival—it's no small matter!"
Only three wars had passed, and everyone still carried fear of war in their hearts. Thus, more people in the room supported the Third.
At this moment, Hiashi Hyuga interjected, "From what I understand, recently we've been locked in a standoff with Hidden Cloud (Kumo), but there's no immediate threat of war."
Hiruzen hesitated, his face paling at once. He hadn't expected the neutral Hiashi would publicly oppose him.
Seizing the opportunity, Fugaku added, "It's enough to keep Jiraiya on guard. Let's continue discussing the issue of the rogue Danzo!"
Noticing the room's reaction, Hiruzen knew he couldn't steer the conversation anymore. He had no choice but to give in.
Danzo's village betrayal had enormous implications. There were many things to handle—changes to the Barrier, Anbu screening processes, and various village plans needing modification to prevent Danzo from leaking intelligence.
Because he had previously handled Orochimaru's village betrayal, Hiruzen had ample experience and handled everything methodically.
During this time, everyone listened attentively. Neither Fugaku nor Hiashi voiced any doubts about the Third Hokage's proposed solutions.
"This," Hiruzen concluded, "is our plan concerning the rogue Danzo! Although we will move quickly to capture Danzo, I ask all of you to prepare for the worst-case scenario. If there are no further questions, then this meeting is adjourned!"
The Third wanted to end the meeting, but two people sitting in the central front row weren't willing to accept that.
"Hold on!"
For the first time ever, the Hyuga and the Uchiha shared incredible synchronicity!
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