The Old Man Has Plenty of Men in Root

When Hizashi Hyuga was questioned by the Third Hokage, he insisted that the attacker had definitely been Ao of Mist Village.

As for why his Byakugan had not worked, he was vague and evasive.

The Third Hokage did not pursue the matter further. After all, this was not Mist Village's first incursion.

He merely told Hizashi to strengthen their defenses and ensure there would not be a next time.

Recently, the Third Hokage had been busy negotiating with Cloud Village over the signing of a peace treaty.

The constant back-and-forth had worn him out, and he had little energy left to deal with this matter.

After returning to the clan compound and discussing it with Hiashi, Hizashi indeed went to the Uchiha Clan Compound that evening to request an audience with Fugaku.

"Captain Fugaku, the Police Force is short on manpower for its defensive deployments."

"Could you recall some of the Uchiha Clan members you suspended?"

Fugaku waved a hand. "My clansmen are not particularly obedient. It would not be easy to get them to return now."

"Besides, transferring clan members is not so simple."

Fugaku had made it clear that he no longer wanted to wade into this mess.

Hizashi said with a bitter smile, "Captain Fugaku, I finally understand the grievances your Police Force has suffered all this time. These days, I get complaints from the clan every day. Even when we simply do our duties, we still face criticism."

"Captain Fugaku, you really have to help with this. Otherwise, the Hyuga Clan won't be able to hold its position in the Police Force either."

Fugaku took a sip of tea. "Hizashi, you do not understand. The reason you are being criticized is because of comparison."

"Comparison?" Hizashi asked in confusion.

"That's right. Because you are not doing as well as the Uchiha Clan did, the villagers are dissatisfied with you."

Hizashi fell into thought.

Fugaku did have a point. As the Number One in the Shinobi World, the Uchiha Clan had always acted as though heaven came first and they came second.

No matter who backed you, if you deserved arrest, you were arrested; if you deserved imprisonment, you were imprisoned.

The Hyuga Clan was not lacking in ability, but the Hyuga Branch Family occupied an awkward position. At every moment, they had to watch the main family's expressions.

And everyone knew exactly what sort of people the main family were.

That was why the branch family was always so restrained when handling matters.

Now, the Police Force's outer patrol team had been ambushed and killed outside Konoha.

The main family was furious and demanded that the branch family resolve the issue no matter what.

Hizashi had also considered having the two branch families work together, but there were only so many people in the branch family.

If they increased the patrol team's numbers, the public security unit would have fewer people.

That was why Hizashi had come to seek Fugaku's help.

"As for me, I do not have any good solutions." Fugaku effectively refused him outright.

Just as Hizashi began to feel disappointed, Fugaku suddenly changed his tone.

"However, you can ask Natsuki. He has plenty of clever ideas."

"Oh?" Hizashi glanced at Fugaku, whose face remained as expressionless as ever.

Hizashi suspected that Fugaku had some solution but could not say it due to his position, so he could only use Natsuki as an excuse.

"Alright. Then where is Vice Clan Head Natsuki? I will pay him a visit."

Fugaku rose to his feet. "We worked together on the battlefield before, so there is no need to be so formal. I will call him over. Please wait here."

With that, Fugaku left the meeting room. Only moments after he walked out, Natsuki casually wandered in.

Just as expected. Seeing Natsuki enter so quickly, Hizashi became even more certain of his suspicions.

Natsuki was extremely enthusiastic upon entering. "Lord Hiashi, right? I am Uchiha Natsuki. I have long heard of your reputation. We should definitely spend more time together when we have the chance."

Natsuki had a favorable impression of Hizashi Hyuga. Though Hizashi was blindly loyal, he could not break free from the limitations of his era. Being able to die in place of his brother was something ordinary people could never do.

Moreover, he was Neji's father. Among ordinary people, Neji's talent was already exceptionally rare.

If there was an opportunity, it would be good to build a closer relationship.

Besides, the Third Shinobi World War had only just ended, and the Cloud Village incident involving Hinata's kidnapping had not yet occurred.

Natsuki wanted to lend Hizashi a hand. It would be far too unfortunate for him to die just like that.

Hizashi found Natsuki's enthusiasm somewhat strange, but one did not slap a smiling face.

He was also glad that Natsuki was so easy to talk to.

"Vice Clan Head Natsuki, you are too polite. I cannot accept being called 'Lord.'"

"Haha, then let us both stop being so formal. You can call me Natsuki, and I will call you Hizashi."

Hizashi could not help laughing. Natsuki really knew how to take advantage of an opening. Still, Hizashi had a good nature, so he agreed.

Hizashi then repeated to Natsuki what he had said to Fugaku.

Natsuki clearly already had a plan. "Hizashi, this is simple. Since the villagers are making comparisons, bring in someone who will definitely do worse than the Hyuga Clan and use them as cannon fodder."

Someone who would definitely do worse than the Hyuga Clan? Hizashi ran through the possibilities in his mind but could not think of any suitable shinobi clan.

"I cannot think of any suitable shinobi clan right now." Hizashi shook his head.

Seeing this, Natsuki decided to be blunt.

"You can ask Danzō for people. Hasn't Danzō always wanted to insert his men into the Police Force?"

Hizashi was startled. Danzō's people—did that not mean Root?

"How could that work? How could those bloodthirsty Root people do this kind of job?"

"Ah! That's right... Bloodthirsty is exactly what we need."

Natsuki wore an amused expression. "You need bloodthirsty people to manage public security. Then you can free up your own men for the patrol team."

"Hmm..." Hizashi understood.

No matter how bloodthirsty Root was, they could not possibly kill civilians.

And with someone like Danzō, once he had the chance to seize power, he certainly would not let go.

As for whether Root could properly maintain public security, that seemed like something whose answer did not even need consideration...

In any case, the Hyuga Clan and Danzō were not on good terms.

Hizashi quickly left the Uchiha Clan Compound and returned to his clan to discuss the matter with his brother, Hiashi Hyuga.

Hiashi was also full of praise for the idea.

Patting Hizashi on the shoulder, he said, "This Uchiha Natsuki is interesting. Perhaps Fugaku sent him to negotiate with you because he wanted to cultivate him."

"It was Natsuki who suggested to Fugaku that we join the Police Force this time. Get closer to him in the future. There may be other opportunities for cooperation."

Hizashi nodded in agreement.

Soon afterward, he sent a calling card to Shimura Danzō.

Everyone knew of Danzō's Root, but Danzō normally did not allow outsiders to go there.

He received guests within the Shimura Clan Compound instead.

Danzō was somewhat surprised when Hizashi sent over a calling card.

The Hyuga Clan had always been insular and rarely interacted with outsiders.

They had even less of a personal relationship in private.

Still, Hizashi was the head of the Hyuga Branch Family. Danzō could not refuse him even this small courtesy.

Thus, he soon received Hizashi Hyuga.

After exchanging a couple of sentences of pleasantries, Hizashi got straight to the point.

"Elder Danzō, as you know, our Hyuga Clan has recently taken over many of the Uchiha Clan's Police Force duties."

"Hmm..."

"But yesterday, the patrol team on Konoha's outskirts was attacked. I have found that our Hyuga Clan is somewhat short on personnel. I have heard that Root has ample manpower, so I would like to borrow some people from you to supplement the Police Force. I wonder..."

"Oh?" Danzō was delighted. He had always wanted to enter the Police Force, but the Third Hokage had kept suppressing him.

Now Hizashi had come asking him himself. No one could blame him for this, could they?

Hmph, a bunch of trash. They could not even handle a simple patrol mission.

"No problem, Hizashi. The old man has plenty of men in Root. How many would you like to borrow?"

Hizashi considered it. "How about thirty? Lord Danzō, we must make this clear first: once your people enter the Police Force, they must follow my command. Otherwise, Fugaku will not agree."

Naturally, Danzō agreed without hesitation. "No problem. Since they are being seconded to you, they will certainly obey your orders."

The two quickly reached an agreement, and Hizashi took his leave.

Watching Hizashi's departing back, Danzō sneered inwardly. Once my Root people get in there, it will no longer be up to you.

Hizashi's Byakugan naturally allowed him to see Danzō watching from behind. Hizashi also snorted coldly within his heart. You are taking the blame for this one no matter what!