The next morning, bright and early.
Uchiha Jin had just returned from the training grounds when Uchiha Tekka approached him respectfully. "Jin-kun, the Anbu are here!"
"Mm, I expected this." Uchiha Jin spoke casually. "Invite Elder Setsuna over."
Uchiha Tekka respectfully took his leave, while Uchiha Jin returned home.
Ten minutes later.
Uchiha Setsuna and an Anbu ninja entered at the same time. The Anbu ninja immediately spoke. "Uchiha Jin, Hokage-sama summons you!"
Bang!
Before Uchiha Jin could speak, Uchiha Setsuna slammed his hand on the table.
"Show some respect. Jin-kun is now an Uchiha Elder!"
The Anbu fell silent and did not respond.
He represented the Third Hokage and could never bow his head to the Uchiha.
Still, he had no intention of making a fuss, because he knew that Uchiha Jin before him was undoubtedly the most brutal and dangerous member of the Uchiha.
"Enough, Elder Setsuna."
"He is merely an Anbu carrying out his duties according to protocol. There is no point making things difficult for him."
"I am heading to the Hokage Building now. Elder Setsuna, take the elites of our faction and proceed immediately to the Sarutobi Clan Compound to await orders."
"Everything will proceed according to plan!"
Uchiha Jin spoke with a smile.
He did not avoid the Anbu before him. After saying that, he headed directly for the Hokage Building.
Twenty minutes later.
By the time Uchiha Jin arrived at the Hokage Office, the Anbu had already finished his report and respectfully left the room.
Casting an indifferent glance at the departing Anbu, Uchiha Jin spoke with apparent respect.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Advisor Danzo, Elder Utatane, Elder Mitokado, Advisor Nara..."
"Greetings, everyone!"
Uchiha Jin wore a smile, giving off an exceptionally gentle impression.
Coupled with his handsome face, he even made everyone feel as though they were seeing the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.
But when they recalled this man's ruthlessness, their scalps could not help but tingle.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze was profound. After taking a puff of his pipe, he set it down. "May I ask what Jin-kun intends by having Elder Setsuna lead a team to my Sarutobi Clan Compound?"
A trace of gloom lingered on his face, but his tone remained as gentle as possible.
"Of course, it is to protect the Sarutobi Clan!"
"Recently, there have been far too many spies from enemy villages. Not only have many Uchiha gone missing, but even the Anbu and Root have suffered considerable losses."
"As the Konoha Military Police Force, naturally we must intensify our patrols."
"Hokage-sama has worked himself to the bone for Konoha. Naturally, our Military Police Force must ensure that you have no worries behind you!"
Uchiha Jin's tone was calm.
Since he had dared to give the order in front of an Anbu, he naturally was not afraid of Sarutobi Hiruzen holding him accountable.
And indeed, that was the case!
Following Uchiha Jin's remarks, everyone present froze in place. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen was left speechless, feeling utterly stifled.
What could he even say?
Konoha and the Uchiha were only tense beneath the surface. On the surface, they still maintained a bare minimum of harmony. Could he say outright that he did not trust the Uchiha?
"Uchiha Jin, you are being outrageous!"
Danzo flew into a rage and spoke coldly. "The Sarutobi Clan does not need the Uchiha to protect it!"
"Oh, I see." Uchiha Jin's expression remained unchanged. "I think I understand."
"So, if the Sarutobi Clan suffers any losses, no matter how many clan members die, it will have nothing to do with the Uchiha Military Police Force, correct?"
"Then I ask Hokage-sama to issue a statement. I will immediately withdraw the Military Police Force!"
Everyone present fell silent once again.
There was no need to think about it. Such a statement could never be issued.
Because they feared that the moment they released it, that bastard Uchiha Jin would dare to slaughter Sarutobi clan members at any cost!
Uchiha!
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze was profound.
His eyes were inscrutable and flickered with uncertainty. He simply began smoking on his own, showing no intention of speaking.
Danzo's face was extremely gloomy, murderous light flashing in his eyes. Yet he was no fool either, and knew those words could not be said aloud.
Utatane Koharu, on the other hand, angrily slammed the table. "Uchiha Jin, you are going too far!"
"You disrespect Hokage-sama. Are you Uchiha trying to rebel?" Mitokado Homura added.
Uchiha Jin shrugged. "Do the two Elders mean that caring about the Sarutobi Clan's safety is disrespecting Hokage-sama?"
Utatane Koharu: "..."
Mitokado Homura: "..."
The two instantly choked up, feeling utterly stifled.
Of course.
Even as they raged, they were also deeply shocked.
Was this man really an Uchiha?
How could those single-celled Uchiha creatures possibly have such sharp tongues?
If not for the fact that this man had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and behaved even more extremely than ordinary Uchiha, they would have suspected that the hospital had mixed up the babies back then. After all, his way with words was more like the Nara Clan's, wasn't it?
And in response to this.
Sarutobi Hiruzen could not help but sigh.
His two old friends were too useless, leaving him deeply helpless. He could only cast a look toward Nara Shikaku.
Nara Shikaku's scalp went numb.
He truly did not want to get involved in the mess between the Uchiha and Konoha Higher-ups, but since Sarutobi Hiruzen had personally signaled him, he could only force himself to speak despite his displeasure. "Ahem..."
"Well, Jin-kun, let us discuss the main matter first!"
"Regarding the Root and Anbu members killed last night, many people, including those within the Uchiha, suspect that your Radical Faction was responsible. What do you have to say for yourselves?"
Uchiha Jin narrowed his eyes slightly.
As expected of the Nara Clan. He was setting a trap for me!
It was a classic trap of forcing someone to prove their own innocence. If it had been anyone else, they would most likely have fallen right into it.
But unfortunately.
It did not work on someone who had received compulsory education. He did not even need to think before speaking directly. "Advisor Nara, that is not the right way to put it. The correct approach is for you to prove that I am guilty!"
"Otherwise, our Radical Faction could also claim that the Nara Clan was responsible. After all, your Ino-Shika-Cho had a motive too, didn't you?"
"With Namikaze Minato's death, your Ino-Shika-Cho's investment went down the drain. Yamanaka Inoichi was removed as Intelligence Department Minister, Akimichi Choza seems to have been left idle at home, and even you lost your position as Jonin Squad Leader. Now, all you have left is the title of Advisor."
"I suspect last night's incident was your Ino-Shika-Cho's doing. How about Advisor Nara explains himself first?"
That was right.
During Namikaze Minato's time, Nara Shikaku had been the Jonin Squad Leader, Yamanaka Inoichi had been the Intelligence Department Minister, and Akimichi Choza had controlled the Barrier Team. He had even served concurrently as deputy minister of the Anbu. Along with Hatake Kakashi, they had both been nails Namikaze Minato planted within the Anbu.
And now?
The Intelligence Department and the Interrogation and Torture Department had merged, with Morino Ibiki becoming the person in charge. Even the Barrier Team leader had been replaced by a commoner ninja dependent on the Sarutobi Clan.
Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza were now both idle at home. Only Nara Shikaku remained useful, so he had been given a position as Advisor.
In the original story.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen was killed by Orochimaru, virtually none of the Shinobi Clans appeared. That alone represented the direction of the times. To say Ino-Shika-Cho held no grievances against Sarutobi Hiruzen would be nonsense!
Nara Shikaku: "..."
He was completely dumbfounded, and his scalp began to tingle.
Especially after catching sight of Konoha F4's ugly expressions, he felt chills crawling up his spine, while fine beads of cold sweat covered his forehead.
Uchiha Jin was too difficult to deal with!
Even as Konoha's foremost strategist, all he could do now was awkwardly wave his hands repeatedly.
"Jin-kun, do not talk nonsense!"
"Inoichi and Choza merely returned home temporarily to recuperate because of health issues."
"Our Ino-Shika-Cho holds not the slightest resentment toward Hokage-sama!"
Before you continue