When on duty, address people by their titles-give Uchiha enforcement some warmth

Konoha, inside the Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, having just finished listening to the Anbu's report.

Chiyo Uchiha had dined with Tsunade. They had gotten along well and had even discussed the Medical Ninja Training plan.

Hiruzen took two puffs and spoke to the Anbu outside.

"Have Danzo, Homura, and Koharu come over."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

The Anbu ninja at the door swiftly vanished.

Before long, the three arrived.

"Hiruzen, Chiyo Uchiha ate with Tsunade at the Barbecue Restaurant today.

That scheming Uchiha brat certainly knows how to exploit an opening."

Danzo spoke first, cold light flickering in his lone eye.

"There are Uchiha Clan members who are close to the village as well. Do not forget Kagami's contributions."

Hiruzen glanced at him.

An unnatural look flashed across Danzo's face.

Danzo did not want to mention Kagami Uchiha's name, nor was he willing to.

Mitokado Homura, seated on the sofa, pushed up his glasses and spoke evenly.

"Hiruzen, did you summon us because something happened on the battlefield?"

"To discuss the matter of Medical Ninja Training."

Hiruzen withdrew his gaze and took a Scroll from the drawer.

"There is nothing wrong with the Medical Ninja proposal itself, but the timing must be considered carefully."

"Considered carefully?"

Danzo sneered.

"Resources are already scarce during wartime. Where would we find the capacity to train Medical Ninjas?

Besides, the Uchiha Clan suddenly involved itself in this matter. Who knows what they are plotting?"

"Danzo!"

Hiruzen frowned slightly.

"The Uchiha are also part of Konoha!"

Danzo refused to yield, his voice low and sharp.

"Hiruzen, you are too naive!

The Uchiha Clan has never truly had the village's interests at heart!

They are merely using Tsunade's feelings to seek benefits for themselves!"

Utatane Koharu interrupted Danzo.

"There is no point arguing about the Uchiha now! We need to make a decision about the Medical Ninjas!"

"A decision?"

Danzo snorted coldly.

"Then reject it outright! During wartime, everything must prioritize combat power!"

"Reject it?"

"Danzo, do you want the ninja on the front lines to die for nothing?"

The atmosphere in the office instantly froze.

Mitokado Homura sighed and tried to ease the tension by bringing up Chiyo Uchiha's plan.

"Actually... the 'training' plan Chiyo Uchiha proposed is a compromise.

Training a batch of Medical Ninjas in the short term could ease the pressure on the front lines without consuming too many resources."

"A compromise?"

Danzo scoffed.

"Homura, when did you become so weak?

War is no game. What we need are ninja who can enter battle immediately.

Not a bunch of half-trained Medical Ninjas!"

"Danzo!"

"The 'half-trained' ones you speak of may be the key to saving countless comrades in the future!

Do you really think ninja lives are that worthless?!"

Danzo narrowed his lone eye, his tone icy.

"Hiruzen, you are being too emotional.

War requires an iron hand, not womanly compassion!"

Unable to hold back any longer, Utatane Koharu spoke up.

"If we keep arguing, we will only become a laughingstock for our enemies!"

She took a deep breath and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hiruzen, proceed with the Medical Ninja matter according to Tsunade's proposal.

But the scale must be controlled, and resources must be prioritized for the front lines."

Hiruzen was silent for a moment before slowly nodding.

"That was my thought as well. Leave the Medical Ninja Training to Tsunade!"

Danzo snorted, clearly dissatisfied with the outcome, but he did not argue further.

As Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu left with the Scroll concerning Medical Ninja Training.

Only Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in the office.

"There is one more matter."

Hiruzen's tone was low as he looked at Danzo.

"Orochimaru's human experiments must stop."

Something strange flickered in Danzo's eyes.

"Stop? Hiruzen, do you know that the Wood Release research has reached a critical stage?!"

"Enough people have died in Konoha lately."

Danzo sneered.

"For the village's strength, what does sacrificing a few test subjects matter?

The adult test subjects may have failed, but if we begin cultivating them from childhood..."

At the mention of children, Hiruzen's expression changed.

"Enough!"

"Children are the future of the village, the inheritors of the Will of Fire! You are trampling on Konoha's foundation!"

Danzo stared at the anger on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.

At last, he restrained himself somewhat, but the ambition in his lone eye had not faded.

He slowly stepped back, his tone gloomy.

"...Fine. Since you insist, we will stop for the time being."

"Not for the time being. Permanently!"

Hiruzen enunciated every word.

"Orochimaru's experiments will be completely terminated and sealed away immediately! Otherwise, do not blame me for showing no mercy!"

Danzo glared furiously at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Wood Release is the power to pacify a chaotic age, and the most effective means of restraining Tailed Beasts!

If Jinchuriki ever appear on a battlefield against Konoha, how will we respond?!"

Danzo's face was so gloomy it seemed ready to drip water.

Thinking of the Wood Release he had coveted so desperately, along with all the effort he had poured into the experiments, he suddenly slammed the table and glared at Hiruzen.

"You will regret this, Hiruzen!"

"When on duty, address people by their titles."

Hiruzen looked at Danzo and spoke calmly.

"Danzo, remember that I am the Hokage!"

Danzo's expression stiffened.

"Hmph!"

A nameless fire rose in Danzo's heart. He turned, slammed the door, and left.

With a bang.

The entire office returned to silence.

However, as Danzo turned to leave, a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

He had no intention of giving up the power of Wood Release so easily!

Such a thing had to be held in his hands!

That evening, Uchiha Compound.

Chiyo was summoned to the Clan Meeting once again.

Unlike yesterday's tense confrontation, the Elders' expressions were subtle today, even carrying a trace of... anticipation?

"Chiyo."

Yashiro Uchiha slowly spoke.

"After discussion, the clan has decided to support your contact with Tsunade and your plan."

Chiyo raised a brow, secretly delighted, though his face remained impassive.

"Oh? What do you mean, sir?"

"If the Medical Ninja proposal succeeds, the Uchiha Clan must get a share of it!

Since you can get close to Tsunade, find a way to get the Uchiha involved as well!"

Chiyo immediately understood what he meant.

Sure enough, the clan's support had never been unconditional.

But he had prepared for this already.

"I will do my best to secure it."

He bowed slightly, his tone respectful yet faintly edged.

"However... if the Uchiha are to truly integrate into the village's core, Medical Ninjas alone will not be enough."

"Oh?"

"What other ideas do you have?"

Chiyo raised his head. His Sharingan activated unconsciously, crimson light glimmering within the shadows.

"We must begin by changing the Guard Unit's enforcement.

There is only one rule: uphold village laws and regulations, but do not lose warmth!

This is the first step toward changing the villagers' overall perception of our Uchiha Clan!"