Fugaku left the office, and the Third Hokage sank into thought. Takigawa and Fujimoto were both among the Uchiha's elite.
Fujimoto had kept a low profile at Uchiha Tenjo's side for years, but the Third Hokage had never underestimated him.
He was a shrewd man and no weakling. Among the younger Uchiha, he could rank in the top five in strength.
Uchiha Takigawa was better known. He had distinguished himself in several wars, wielded no less authority than Uchiha Jin in the Security Force, and had spent years honing his strength. By now, he had probably surpassed Uchiha Jin and become the strongest fighter after Fugaku.
The Third Hokage had only learned today, when Fugaku told him himself, that Takigawa and the others were joining the Regular Forces. Apparently, he had neglected intelligence on the Uchiha lately.
"Someone."
An ANBU operative appeared in the office.
"Find out whether several elite Uchiha are planning to join the Regular Forces."
"Yes."
The news was not hard to verify. The Uchiha had made no attempt to keep it secret. Half an hour later, the ANBU ninja returned to the office.
"Hokage, it's true. Six elite Uchiha plan to form two Elite Squads and take on High-Difficulty Missions.
"They'll report to the Hokage's Office tomorrow."
The Third Hokage waved a hand, and the ANBU ninja vanished. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his brow.
Having elite Uchiha join the Regular Forces was good for Konoha. At the very least, it would ease the mission load on the village's strongest fighters.
The Shinobi World was peaceful now, but B-Rank and A-Rank missions were still plentiful, and S-Rank missions cropped up now and then.
Yet the Third Hokage instinctively resisted the idea. These Uchiha experts had never stood out much in the Security Force.