Tobirama Came Up with Another Foolish Move? Perfect, Here's Our Excuse!

As Kagami Uchiha dropped to one knee, the final—and toughest—piece of the puzzle within the Uchiha clan was perfectly fitted into Uchiha Xuan's blueprint for "Genesis."

The radicals had Uchiha Setsuna leading them, while the moderates had Kagami Uchiha to soothe them.

Supplies, funding, personnel, a route of retreat, even Madara Uchiha—the ultimate force meant to intimidate the entire Ninja World—were all in place.

Everything was ready but the east wind.

Xuan had originally been considering how to "create" that east wind, so that when the entire clan defected, they would be united in hatred and leave without a trace of regret.

Then—

On the afternoon before the planned defection—

That east wind was actually delivered right to his doorstep!

Hokage Building, highest conference room.

Senju Tobirama sat at the head of the table, his face so gloomy it seemed water might drip from it.

Ever since Uchiha Xuan's prophecy had come true, his reputation in the village had skyrocketed.

Over the past few days, quite a few villagers and shinobi had even begun privately calling that twelve-year-old brat a "prophet" and a "prodigy."

This gave Senju Tobirama—who possessed an exceptionally strong need for control and held deep prejudices against the Uchiha clan—an unprecedented sense of crisis, as though thorns were pressing against his back.

Especially Xuan's arrogant words from the conference room before, when he had dared curse him to his face with "bullshit." They were like a poisoned thorn, lodged deeply in Tobirama's heart, impossible to pull out.

"We can't let him keep acting so arrogantly."

Senju Tobirama's finger struck the tabletop heavily, and a cold light flickered in his red eyes.

He swept his gaze across Konoha's upper ranks seated around the table, including Shimura Danzō, whose face was still half-wrapped and whose gaze was gloomy, as well as Hiruzen Sarutobi, who kept his head lowered with his brows tightly furrowed.

"Although Cloud Hidden Village has withdrawn its forces, the situation at the border remains tense."

Tobirama spoke slowly, his voice carrying unquestionable authority.

"The village also needs a thorough cleanup. Especially certain... departments whose tails are already sticking up into the sky."

At those words, everyone present tensed.

They all knew exactly which "certain department" the Hokage meant.

"I have decided."

Without giving anyone a chance to object, Tobirama directly threw out a resolution document he had drafted long ago.

"Effective immediately, the Konoha Military Police Force's authority and personnel establishment will be drastically reduced. All personnel exceeding the approved establishment will be transferred into ordinary combat units and placed under the unified command of the Hokage Building."

"At the same time."

He paused, and his tone turned even colder.

"The Police Force's headquarters and office building must be relocated within three days from the village center to the remote northwestern edge of the village. It is closer to the prison there, making it more convenient for them to... 'work.'"

The instant those words fell, sharp breaths were drawn throughout the conference room.

Reducing their establishment, stripping away their authority, and even driving them into the most remote corner of the village!

What kind of cleanup was this?

This was naked exile! It was a vicious slap across the Uchiha clan's face in front of the entire village!

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly raised his head, his face full of disbelief. "Teacher! This... this is too extreme! The Police Force has always been responsible for village security. If we move against them now, it may provoke a fierce backlash from the Uchiha clan!"

"A backlash?" Shimura Danzō was like a shark that had scented blood, excitement bursting from his lone eye. "Would they dare? Who would dare defy the Hokage's orders? If they dare cause trouble, my Root can teach them the rules!"

"Hiruzen, you are too soft." Tobirama cast a cold glance at his disciple. "The Uchiha clan is like a wolf that can never be tamed. The more you yield, the more they push their luck. Only an iron hand can make them recognize their place."

"But..." Hiruzen Sarutobi still wanted to persuade him.

"No buts. The resolution has passed." Senju Tobirama made the final decision. "Danzō, you will announce this to the Uchiha clan. If you encounter resistance, you may act as you see fit."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Danzō accepted the order loudly, barely suppressing his wild delight.

Less than half an hour later.

This resolution, filled with humiliation and malice, was delivered to the Uchiha Clan Grounds through Danzō's revolting mouth.

Boom!

The entire Uchiha clan instantly exploded into an uproar!

"What?! Reduce our establishment?! And drive us to the northwest corner?!"

"That place is where Konoha's slums and prison for serious criminals are located! What does the Hokage take us for?!"

"This is going too far! They've gone too far!"

The Uchiha clansmen, who had already been holding back their anger after suffering exclusion for so long, were completely ignited.

Whether they were radical members of the Police Force or ordinary clansmen who had still held a trace of hope, all of them now had reddened eyes. Fury spread through the clan grounds like wildfire.

"Kill that bastard messenger!"

"Let's fight them!"

Countless people seized their weapons, ready to rush out and fight Root shinobi brought by Danzō to the death.

"Everyone, stop!"

Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, a sharp shout came from behind the crowd.

Uchiha Xuan emerged in a black kimono, his expression blank.

Behind him followed Uchiha Setsuna and Kagami Uchiha, both equally grim-faced.

At Xuan's appearance, the enraged clansmen quieted somewhat, though the flames of anger in their eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

"Lord Xuan! Look at what the Hokage Building has sent us!"

Uchiha Yan held up the resolution stamped with the Hokage's seal, trembling with rage.

"They're trying to cut off the Uchiha's path to survival! We can't endure this any longer! Even if we die, we must die with dignity!"

"That's right! Lord Xuan! Lead us out there and kill them!"

Xuan looked at the faces around him, twisted by fury, and at the Sharingan turned crimson by humiliation.

There was still little change in Uchiha Xuan's expression.

Yet deep within his profound black eyes, an almost imperceptible glint of amusement flashed.

What was this?

This was practically having someone hand him a pillow when he wanted to sleep, or a fishing rod when he wanted fish!

He had been wondering what method he could use to ensure that, during tonight's defection, the entire clan would no longer feel any attachment and would erupt with two hundred percent fighting spirit and resolve.

Yet Senju Tobirama, the self-proclaimed clever Second Hokage, had personally presented him with such a "weighty" gift at this most crucial moment!

This was a god-tier assist!

"Quiet down."

Xuan raised a hand, suppressing the clansmen's clamor.

He walked to the very front of the crowd and looked at the impassioned clansmen, his gaze turning deep and cold.

"This is the village you fought desperately for, bled for, and sacrificed to protect for so many years."

His voice was not loud, yet it entered every ear with perfect clarity, carrying a penetrating force that struck directly at their souls.

"When you are useful to them, they call you heroes."

"When you display power that frightens them, they call you the 'evil clan.'"

"Now."

Xuan sneered, his tone filled with undisguised mockery.

"They can't even be bothered to pretend anymore. They want to sweep us out like garbage."

He looked at the red-eyed clansmen, his voice gradually rising.

"Are you willing to accept that?!"

"NO!!!"

A heaven-shaking roar resounded through the entire Uchiha Clan Grounds!

"Good!"

Xuan abruptly turned, facing the direction of the Hokage Building. Brilliant golden flames suddenly ignited within his black pupils!

"Since they show us no mercy, don't blame us for showing them none!"

"Senju Tobirama thinks a worthless order can trample the Uchiha clan beneath his feet?"

He sharply turned back toward the clansmen whose fury had been thoroughly ignited, an incomparably arrogant smile curling across his lips.

"Pass down the order! Everyone is to immediately enter the highest state of combat readiness according to the predetermined plan!"

"Don't they want us to move?"

Killing intent blazed openly in Xuan's eyes.

"Then we'll give them one hell of a move!"