Causing Trouble Again?

Seeing that the Hyuga Clan was also willing to join the Police Force, Masaki Uchiha could consider his goal achieved.

Recently, the reputation of the Police Force had improved significantly, and both the small-to-medium ninja clans and the civilian ninjas who supported the Fourth Hokage had made great contributions to this.

If the Hyuga Clan were added to the mix, then more than half of the ninja clans in Konoha would be tied to the Uchiha ship.

This would be of immense help in the upcoming struggle for the position of Hokage.

The remaining half of the ninja clans in Konoha relied on the four great families—Sarutobi, Utatane, Mitokado, and Shimura—for their livelihood; to put it bluntly, they were mere vassals to these four families.

Although the Hyuga Clan joining now might affect the distribution of some interests within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the benefits they could bring to Masaki Uchiha were also obvious.

Whether it was the voting in the Jonin Squad, the future vote for the position of Hokage, or even contributing some Byakugan for research, none of it was impossible.

After all, the Otsutsuki Clan was still on the moon; surely the news of the Tenseigan could sway the Hyuga Clan?

If that didn't work, he could just offer more money; in any case, all of this was to improve the overall strength of Konoha and ensure future self-preservation.

If Hyuga Hiashi didn't want to become a part of the Tenseigan, he would certainly agree.

Just as Hyuga Hiashi and Masaki Uchiha were feeling a mutual appreciation for one another, news of the sudden visit from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio reached the ears of Uchiha Fugaku, who was "studying" beside Masaki Uchiha.

Why were so many great families showing up unannounced today?

First the Hyuga Clan, and now the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

Setting aside his doubts, Uchiha Fugaku hurried forward to welcome them.

As a great family, one must be meticulous with etiquette.

Masaki Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi also heard the news.

Hyuga Hiashi thought to himself, Could it be about that matter?

Masaki Uchiha, however, mused, "They must be here specifically to express their gratitude; it couldn't be anything else, right?"

Ever since they agreed to the conditions set by Minato Namikaze, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio had sent people to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Police Force, and they had been performing quite well lately.

Could some other trouble have cropped up?

Just as Masaki Uchiha was speculating, Uchiha Fugaku arrived with Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi.

Seeing that Hyuga Hiashi was also there, the three of them immediately understood his purpose, but since today's matter also concerned Hyuga Hiashi, there was no need to deliberately avoid him.

The three of them first greeted Masaki Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi, then looked around before sitting down. Shikaku Nara lowered his voice and spoke to Masaki Uchiha, "President, have you heard any news about Root recently?"

Masaki Uchiha was a bit confused by the question. He had been busy with his wedding lately, and having finally finished, he was planning to rest for a few days before finding trouble with Root. He hadn't expected to hear about Root from Shikaku Nara now.

"You know how it is, I just finished my wedding, so I haven't had the time to pay attention to Root."

Seeing that Masaki Uchiha had indeed not received any "attention" from Root, Shikaku Nara understood. This Shimura Danzō doesn't dare to provoke the Uchiha, yet he has the gall to target us, and it's something we can hardly refuse.

However, since they had tied their interests to the Uchiha, they needed the President to step forward and solve the problem.

He believed that Masaki Uchiha would be more than happy to put in the effort to find trouble for Shimura Danzō.

As everyone knew, the Uchiha Clan was the one that wanted Shimura Danzō dead the most in all of Konoha.

"We ask that the President help our Ino-Shika-Cho trio!" The three of them stood up and requested of Masaki Uchiha very sincerely.

"Don't be like that. We are all partners in the organization. If members of the organization are in trouble, as the President, I am duty-bound to help!" Masaki Uchiha first urged the three of them to sit down, then asked with confusion what the matter was.

The three of them recounted the threats Shimura Danzō had made when he came to demand people to fill the ranks of Root, while also indicating that they were not the only three families threatened; other members of the organization had certainly been threatened by Shimura Danzō as well.

Hyuga Hiashi interjected at this point, "That is indeed the case. Shimura Danzō even demanded that my Hyuga Clan hand over five Chunin and two Jonin to join Root." He slammed the table in anger as he finished.

It seemed this was not just an "offensive" aimed at members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization; even the Hyuga Clan had been dragged into it.

"There is such a thing? Did you not report this to the Fourth Hokage?" Masaki Uchiha asked, puzzled.

After all, Minato Namikaze also despised Shimura Danzō's Root; if he knew, he certainly wouldn't let Danzō be so arrogant.

The group looked at each other, then smiled bitterly. "Shimura Danzō came with an order from the Third Hokage, threatening us not to disclose the situation of Root to the Fourth Hokage, and even claimed that all of this was permitted by the Third Hokage."

At this, Masaki Uchiha understood.

Sarutobi Hiruzen might have retired, but his power had not.

It made sense; Sarutobi Hiruzen had served as Hokage for decades, and his prestige had long since permeated every family in Konoha.

Except for the Uchiha Clan, what ninja clan wouldn't give Sarutobi Hiruzen face? This was one of the reasons why the Uchiha Clan was being targeted.

Not to mention that the Fourth Hokage was his student's student; they were all family, so how could they have a falling out?

Even if this matter were exposed to Minato Namikaze, it wouldn't be a major issue for Sarutobi Hiruzen, but the ninja clans that refused to hand over their people would have a hard time later on.

For example: deliberately assigning high-difficulty missions, delaying the allocation of pensions, stalling medical treatment from the Medical Department, or transferring people to guard the borders, and so on.

In the end, Sarutobi Hiruzen had more than nine ways to ruin these ninja clans.

But no one dared to touch this hornet's nest, except for the Uchiha.

This was the reason the Ino-Shika-Cho trio had come to seek out Masaki Uchiha.

Only Masaki Uchiha had the strength and capability to go head-to-head with Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"I knew it. Shimura Danzō and his old comrades have been idle for so long; I would truly be unaccustomed if they didn't stir up some trouble."

Masaki Uchiha wore a faint smile as he said, "Leave this matter to me. Shimura Danzō won't be jumping around for much longer. Just stall him for a while, and once I've made the arrangements, I'll send him to meet the Second Hokage." As he spoke, the unintentional aura of dominance he exuded made everyone's hearts tremble.

That confident and overbearing demeanor caused the confidence of those present to soar even higher.

Shikaku Nara was the first to raise his glass with both hands toward Masaki Uchiha, saying, "Then we leave it to you, President."

The others followed suit, raising their glasses in a toast.

"We are all members of the organization; there is no need for such formalities. As President, I am glad that you thought of me when trouble arose," Masaki Uchiha said with a hearty laugh.

How could Masaki Uchiha not be happy? His goal was to get these ninja clans accustomed to coming to him to solve their problems instead of seeking out the Hokage.

In the long run, this would also serve the purpose of winning over their hearts.

As for why he insisted on wading into these muddy waters, it was simple.

From the perspective of vengeance, Shimura Danzō had to be eliminated; this was also the heartfelt wish of his clansmen.

From the perspective of interests, whenever there was an opportunity, he had to strike at the Konoha F4, forcing them to be overwhelmed and reveal flaws, which would make it easier to contend for the position of Hokage.

Doing this would not only break the control that the four great families—including Sarutobi Hiruzen—held over Konoha.

It would also clear away some obstacles on his path to becoming Hokage.

Heh, I wonder how many more times I can win.

Masaki Uchiha sipped his wine, thinking happily, an expression of certain victory unconsciously appearing on his face.

Seeing this, the others toasted him even more diligently.