An Unexpected Turn of Events

"But you're still playing with fire, Hiruzen!"

Danzo alone still refused to accept Sarutobi Hiruzen's choice. It could be said that among the Second Hokage's disciples, Danzo held the deepest misgivings, vigilance, and suspicion toward the Uchiha Clan. The Uchiha Clan had never truly offended Danzo in any way, yet he simply could not stand them. He had always considered himself the one who had most perfectly inherited their teacher's teachings.

In Danzo's eyes, everything the Uchiha did was wrong. Only Kagami Uchiha had earned a measure of his trust because they had once fought side by side as comrades. Every other Uchiha was someone who deserved to die.

"Danzo, vigilance is certainly necessary, but your prejudice against the Uchiha Clan runs too deep. Naturally, we must deal severely with those who cause trouble, but we must also accept Uchiha clansmen who hold the village in their hearts. Just as Teacher Tobirama cultivated Kagami, you need to believe that!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen said with an unusually stern expression.

"Hmph! Kagami is Kagami, and the others are the others. No matter what you say, I will never trust those evil wretches! I will never agree to let Uchiha Shōji enter the Anbu!"

Danzo snorted coldly, his expression icy.

"I am the Hokage, Danzo. I will take responsibility for this matter. It is decided. Koharu, confirm the situation on the front lines, then issue the deployment orders. As for this corpse of Toroi, Magnet Release Ninja, Homura, I'll leave it to you. See whether you can research anything of value from it."

Sarutobi Hiruzen waved a hand, his tone resolute.

Sometimes, so-called discussions were merely a formality. Once Sarutobi Hiruzen, as the Hokage, made a decision, it would generally become the final outcome unless Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzō all opposed it, and did so with absolute determination.

Regarding Uchiha Shōji's entry into the Anbu, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu had their concerns to varying degrees, but they also felt that Sarutobi Hiruzen had a point. They could not be too extreme, nor could they be too passive. Certain risks had to be taken.

In return, they could gain something worth looking forward to!

"Hmph!"

Seeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen had made up his mind and that Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu had tacitly agreed, Danzo had no intention of restraining his emotions. After a cold snort, he rose to his feet and strode away with a flick of his sleeve.

Watching Danzo leave, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu could not help sighing inwardly. Those two old friends of theirs had been at odds ever since their youth, and it was difficult for them to agree on many matters. Things might have been better in other areas, but when it came to the Uchiha Clan, they were always like needles clashing against awns.

Still, the two of them leaned more toward Sarutobi Hiruzen's side. Danzo's methods were simply too cold and too extreme. The two advisory elders had always prioritized stability in their younger days, and now that they were old, they were even less willing to take risks.

Resolving internal conflicts in a safe and steady manner was the outcome the two advisors most wished to see. One Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack had already been tragic enough. They had no desire to endure a second great internal upheaval!

"Hiruzen..."

"I understand, Homura. Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on Danzo. For now, Kumogakure remains the priority. You and Koharu should pay closer attention to it. What the village needs now is a more peaceful transition and approach."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke softly.

"Mm!"

"I understand, Hiruzen."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu nodded in unison. After further discussion with Sarutobi Hiruzen about the situation on the Land of Hot Springs front and personnel deployment, the two advisors rose and left the Hokage Office Building to carry out the Third's orders.

After the two departed,

Sarutobi Hiruzen rose from his seat as well. With his pipe clenched between his teeth, he walked to the window and looked out over all of Konoha. His eyes narrowed slightly as the contents of his earlier discussion with his three close friends—Danzo, Homura, and Koharu—flashed through his mind one by one.

He naturally understood the risks in the decision he had made, but he believed even more strongly that it was the right choice. Setting aside everything else, regarding the Uchiha Clan itself, he had issued that conscription order half a year ago for three reasons. One was to observe the Uchiha Clan's attitude. Another was to further test Uchiha Shōji. The final purpose was to lure the snake from its hole. If that mysterious person from the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack a year ago truly intended to overthrow Konohagakure,

then this friction between Konoha and Kumogakure would undoubtedly be an opportunity for him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to further confirm whether this mysterious person truly had ties within the Uchiha Clan!

Unfortunately, only one and a half of his three objectives could be considered accomplished. Not only had he failed to clearly see the Uchiha Clan's attitude, but the most crucial mysterious person had not exposed even the slightest trace. That was what gave Sarutobi Hiruzen the greatest headache.

The Uchiha Clan was too closed off, just like the Hyūga, perhaps even more so. Hiruzen truly found the current situation exceedingly difficult to handle. Thus, he urgently wanted to find a breakthrough from within the Uchiha Clan. To that end, winning over as much trustworthy Uchiha strength as possible was especially important.

Shisui, Shōji, I hope this is the right step. Teacher Tobirama, I will firmly carry out your thinking and policies!

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled a ring of smoke as he silently thought to himself.

Once a resolution had been made,

it became an unquestionable order.

After confirming that the Kumo Ninja on the Land of Hot Springs front had indeed contracted their lines, that the frequency of clashes and disturbances with Konoha had decreased, and that further reconnaissance showed some Kumo Ninja had rotated out and withdrawn back to the Land of Lightning,

Konoha made targeted adjustments to the personnel stationed at its frontline strongholds in the Land of Hot Springs.

Not only would part of the frontline garrison force be reduced, but another group would be dispatched from the village to replace those who had fought on the front lines for a long time. The Uchiha Clan, including Shōji, were among those summoned back to the village.

It could be said that the moment they received the orders,

those Konoha Ninja who had fought on the front lines for half a year, or even a full year, were unable to react at first.