This is Politics

The Third Hokage frowned.

He did not want the situation to spiral out of control.

He wanted even less for the Uchiha and the advisors to start a shouting match right there.

Thus, he said in a deep voice, "That is enough."

The office fell silent.

The Third Hokage looked toward Fugaku.

"I can agree to the first point."

"The village will acknowledge that the Uchiha compound was infiltrated last night and will establish an investigation team."

Fugaku did not speak.

The Third Hokage continued, "As for the second point, members of the Uchiha Police Force may participate in the investigation team."

A flicker of joy flashed in Uchiha Tekka's eyes.

But Fugaku remained calm.

Because there was still a third point.

The Third Hokage said slowly, "As for the third point, notifying all clans of the security risk is not appropriate to disclose at this time."

Tekka's expression darkened.

As expected.

The Third Hokage continued, "The village will secretly strengthen its defenses."

"I will also personally order the Anbu to assist with patrols."

"But if we notify all the clans directly, it will likely trigger unnecessary speculation."

"The village needs stability right now."

Stability again.

The big picture again.

Tekka clenched his fists.

Fugaku, however, was not surprised.

He knew the Third Hokage would definitely block the third point.

Because what the third point was truly after was not defense.

It was the spread of public opinion.

The high-ranking officials of Konoha absolutely did not want this matter to be known by all the ninja clans.

At the very least, they did not want the Uchiha to be the ones to expose it.

Fugaku was silent for a moment, then said, "Lord Hokage, the Uchiha can agree not to demand notification of all clans for the time being."

The Third Hokage was just about to breathe a sigh of relief.

But Fugaku's next sentence made his brow furrow once more.

"However, the investigation must have a deadline."

"Seven days."

"Within seven days, the Hokage Building must provide the Uchiha with a formal result."

The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe and did not answer immediately.

Mitokado Homura said in a deep voice, "Seven days is too short."

Fugaku looked at him.

"Then how long does the advisor think is appropriate?"

Mitokado Homura replied, "A matter like this involves the safety of the village; it will take at least a month."

Tekka sneered.

"A month?"

"After a month, wouldn't all the traces be cleaned up by then?"

Anger flashed in Mitokado Homura's eyes.

"Uchiha Tekka, watch your tongue!"

Tekka did not back down in the slightest.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"If it were a child of the Sarutobi Clan who had been attacked, would the advisor still be saying a month?"

The temperature in the office plummeted.

That statement was far too heavy.

The presence of several Anbu flickered slightly.

But Fugaku did not reprimand Tekka.

Because although those words were sharp, they voiced the true feelings of the Uchiha.

The Third Hokage's expression also darkened.

He looked at Tekka, and after a long silence, he said slowly, "Seven days."

Mitokado Homura was stunned.

"Hiruzen?"

The Third Hokage waved his hand.

"Within seven days, the investigation team will provide preliminary results."

"Fugaku, this is the greatest guarantee I can give."

Fugaku looked at the Third Hokage.

The two stared at each other for a moment.

Finally, Fugaku nodded.

"Very well."

"The Uchiha will await the result from you, Lord Hokage."

Having said that, he turned and left with the members of the Police Force.

After the office door closed, Utatane Koharu spoke immediately, "Hiruzen, you shouldn't have agreed so quickly."

"The Uchiha are forcing the Hokage Building's hand."

Mitokado Homura also said in a deep voice, "Once this precedent is set, they will only become increasingly aggressive in the future."

The Third Hokage rubbed his temples.

"Then what would you have me do?"

"Refuse them?"

"And let the Uchiha make last night's incident known to their entire clan, or even spread it to the ears of other clans?"

Utatane Koharu frowned.

"They already know about it, the entire clan."

The Third Hokage exhaled a puff of smoke.

"That is exactly why we cannot continue to suppress them."

"The Uchiha need an attitude right now."

"If we don't even provide a superficial gesture, Fugaku won't be able to keep the radicals within his clan in check."

Mitokado Homura was silent for a moment before asking, "What about the investigation team?"

The Third Hokage's eyes darkened slightly.

"Let the Anbu lead it."

"The Police Force can participate, but they must not be allowed to make contact with Root."

Utatane Koharu whispered, "Do you suspect Danzo as well?"

The Third Hokage did not answer.

But the silence itself spoke volumes.

Mitokado Homura sighed, "If it really was Danzo's doing, this matter must be suppressed."

The Third Hokage looked up, his eyes weary.

"Suppressed?"

"How do we suppress it?"

"Two Root ninjas died in the Uchiha compound, and their bodies were seized by the Uchiha."

"That child is still alive."

"He heard the word 'specimen'."

"Do you think the Uchiha will just act as if nothing happened?"

Utatane Koharu fell silent.

The Third Hokage looked out the window, his gaze heavy.

"The best way now is to find a plausible explanation."

"Enemy village spies."

Mitokado Homura understood immediately.

"Do you intend to classify this incident as an infiltration by foreign enemies?"

The Third Hokage did not deny it.

"At least on the surface, that is the only way."

"Otherwise, the relationship between the Uchiha and the village will collapse immediately."

Utatane Koharu frowned. "But will the Uchiha believe it?"

The Third Hokage sighed.

"They won't believe it entirely."

"But as long as we offer sufficient compensation, Fugaku might accept it."

Mitokado Homura asked, "What kind of compensation?"

The Third Hokage was silent for a moment.

"Increase the patrol authority for the perimeter of the Uchiha compound."

"Increase the budget for the Police Force."

"Allow some young Uchiha ninja to enter the village's internal mission system."

Utatane Koharu's expression changed.

"That is equivalent to making concessions to the Uchiha."

The Third Hokage looked at her.

"This is appeasement."

"We need appeasement right now."

"Not continued provocation."

The two advisors did not speak again.

They both knew that this was the only way for now.

But they were also equally aware.

This was merely stalling.

The rift between the Uchiha and the Konoha leadership could no longer be filled by a few concessions.

Meanwhile.

Deep beneath the Hokage Building.

Danzo sat in the shadows, and after listening to the report from the Root ninja, he sneered.

"Seven days?"

"Hiruzen is truly the same as ever."

"He always thinks that compromise can buy stability."

The Root ninja in front of him bowed his head and asked, "Lord Danzo, is it necessary to clean up the traces?"

Danzo said coldly, "Destroy all relevant records."

"The deployment orders, routes, and intelligence sources of last night's strike team—not a single word must remain."

"Additionally, prepare two scapegoats."

The Root ninja asked, "What identities?"

Danzo said indifferently, "Cloud Village spies."

"Don't they want to investigate?"

"Then let them find the trail leading to the Cloud Village."

The Root ninja bowed immediately.

"Yes."

A cold light flashed in Danzo's single eye.

Shifting the blame to the Cloud Village was the simplest and most logical method.

The Cloud Village had always coveted Konoha's bloodline limits.

They had once made a move against the Hyuga in the past.

It was perfectly plausible to claim they were now coveting the Uchiha Sharingan.

As long as the evidence was fabricated cleanly, the Hokage Building would accept it.

Even if the Uchiha were suspicious, they would have no evidence to refute it.

This is politics.

The truth is not important.

Whether or not the situation can be settled is what matters.

It was just that...

Danzo's mind conjured the name of Uchiha Shingetsu.

That brat could not be left alone for too long.

He could stall for now, but next time, he had to find an opportunity to uproot this unstable seed.

"Uchiha Shingetsu."

Danzo tapped his cane slowly.

"I would like to see just how much longer you can live."