Danzo's Intent Was Known to the Third Hokage

"Hiruzen, we need to strengthen our surveillance of Uchiha Yan."

Seeing Danzo's expression grow increasingly grim, Koharu Utatane stepped in to smooth things over.

"This Uchiha Yan is clearly an unstable element. In just a few days, he's caused so much trouble. The Dove Faction has fallen, and Shisui, whom we cultivated, has been transferred away."

"This has made it much harder for us to obtain intelligence from within the Uchiha."

"Yes."

The Third Hokage leaned back in his chair and sighed.

"The bridge of communication between the village and the Uchiha has been cut off just like that."

Shisui had been that bridge, but Yan had torn it down.

"Enough."

"I'll remind Fugaku about the Police Department and have him cover up the news. I hope this matter can pass as soon as possible. Root cannot be exposed to the light."

In the end, the Third Hokage still decided to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

At the same time, he warned Danzo.

"Danzo, I hope you don't do anything to Uchiha Yan recently. At such a critical juncture, if anything happens to Uchiha Yan, it could provoke a backlash from the Uchiha."

"They wouldn't dare!!!"

Danzo crushed the wooden cane in his hand in anger.

The Third Hokage was speechless. You still thought they wouldn't dare do anything, yet what happened? You got cursed out indirectly all the same.

"That's enough."

With a wave of his hand, the Third Hokage indicated that he did not wish to discuss the matter further.

After Nine-Tails Night, the Third Hokage's guard against the Uchiha had reached its peak. At the same time, he was also on guard against his old companion, Danzo.

Sending people to assassinate him, forbidding the Uchiha from providing aid during Nine-Tails Night—those actions had made it abundantly clear to the Third Hokage what Danzo wanted.

"Hmph."

Danzo turned and left without saying a word.

But silence was the best answer. For the time being, he would not make another move against Yan.

At least not before this matter had died down.

Still, Danzo had already marked Yan in his heart.

As long as he found an opportunity, Danzo would not mind giving Yan an unforgettable memory.

Danzo's departure did not mean the matter was over.

Koharu Utatane said worriedly, "Hiruzen, the Dove Faction has fallen. I'm worried that the Uchiha's Hardline Faction will grow stronger. You need to speak with Fugaku as soon as possible. The Uchiha's Hardline Faction has always been an unstable bomb."

"I will."

The Third Hokage nodded slightly.

The Uchiha could have a Hardline Faction, because the Hardline Faction could stir things up. But it could not be allowed to grow stronger—at the very least, it could not continue growing.

Otherwise, the balance within the Uchiha would tilt.

Danzo had quieted down, but some news could not be easily suppressed, and Yan would not allow anyone to suppress it.

Let everyone know that a subordinate of Shimura Danzo, the Hokage's advisor, had impersonated Anbu, worn Anbu equipment, and attacked the captain of the Police Department. Let Konoha's villagers have something to gossip about after meals and share a laugh over.

The Uchiha did not even need to actively help spread such a matter.

As long as they did not restrict it and pretended nothing had happened, the news would spread rapidly. After all, there had been quite a few people in the Police Department lobby when Danzo arrived.

Even if the Uchiha did not speak, those who had come to the Police Department on business might spread it.

No matter how absurd the rumors became, as long as the news had not been leaked by the Uchiha, the higher-ups could do nothing to trouble them even if they were displeased.

To make trouble, they needed at least a suitable excuse.

Slandering people for no reason was not good behavior.

Facts proved that Anbu could not shut everyone's mouths. It was like the news that Naruto was a fox demon. Danzo had people spread it, and the Third Hokage had Anbu suppress it, but it was useless. The news still spread like wildfire throughout Konoha.

Never mind quietly suppressing it— even if the Hokage Office Building issued an announcement forbidding discussion, it might not be able to make everyone shut up.

Fugaku was on the verge of collapse.

He had the urge to strangle Yan to death.

Because of Yan, he had gone to the Hokage Office Building several times over the past few days.

Back when nothing was happening, he might not visit once in several months. Now, he was going there as eagerly as if it were his own home.

Yet when the Third Hokage summoned him, Fugaku had no room to refuse. He could only come over reluctantly.

Before he had even reached the Hokage Office Building, he could already predict what would happen next.

"Fugaku, while Danzo was in the wrong in this matter, how can a junior show no respect for his elders?

"Moreover, Danzo is one of the village's higher-ups and the Hokage's advisor. I do not wish to see Uchiha Yan behave this way again."

The Third Hokage spoke earnestly.

Fugaku forced himself to listen, as though Yan had not been the one who did it, but him.

"Lord Hokage."

Fugaku repeatedly assured him, "Please believe me, this will not happen again. When I return, I will discipline and restrain Yan. Please rest assured, Lord Hokage."

Fugaku felt that the chances of making Yan obedient were slim.

But he was desperate too. He could only keep making assurances, hoping the Third Hokage would let the matter go.

What he was thankful for was that Danzo and the two elder advisors were not present. Otherwise, it would not have been just the Third Hokage lecturing him. All four of them would have joined in.

Exhausting.

Fortunately, the Third Hokage had not intended to make a big issue out of it either.

After getting lectured, Fugaku was finally able to go home and rest. No, go back to work at the Police Department.

After returning to the Police Department, Fugaku sent someone to find Yan and tell him to come see him.

When Yan arrived, he looked up and saw Fugaku sitting in his chair with a long face, his expression plainly screaming that he was in a terrible mood.

Looks like he got lectured.

Given Uchiha Fugaku's temperament and how he behaved before the Third Hokage, it would have been difficult for him not to get lectured.

"Clan Head, you wanted to see me?"

Yan pretended not to know and spoke.

"Uchiha Yan, you've got some nerve."

Fugaku slammed his palm onto the desk and rose to his feet in anger, loudly rebuking him.

"Do you know what you did? That was the Hokage's advisor, one of the village's higher-ups! And you? You cursed him out right to his face. Do you think that just because you didn't name him directly, you weren't cursing someone?"

"Clan Head, don't you feel better after that?" Yan spread his hands.

"Of course I do—"

Fugaku answered instinctively, then realized something was wrong. His already unpleasant expression immediately darkened.

"What are you saying? What do you mean, feel better? You should maintain respect for your elders and superiors."

"Then what was I supposed to do? The old bastard showed up and tried to put me in my place, then cursed me out. Was I supposed to stand there and take it?"

"If that isn't throwing his weight around because of his age, what is?"

"You..."

Fugaku was so angry that he laughed.

You caused me such a huge mess, and you still think you're innocent?

Though I admit, it did feel satisfying to hear him get cursed out.

But... there cannot be a next time.

The words he had intended to use to scold Yan would not come out. Fugaku sighed, sat back down, clasped his hands together, and said with a headache, "Yan, I know you're outstanding. In some ways, you're even stronger than Shisui. But you need to restrain yourself. I believe you understand Danzo's way of doing things. Since he has already set his sights on you, you could encounter danger at any time."