"Then, Lord Hokage, could you expand the Uchiha's authority within the village a little further?"
Those words made Fugaku's eyes widen as he looked at the other man in surprise and shock.
Hiruzen Sarutobi froze as well, his pupils contracting slightly. He seemed to have never expected such a request.
Silence fell over the room again, and the atmosphere turned awkward.
"What sort of expansion did you have in mind, Xia Le?"
"The Military Police Force the Uchiha currently oversee already carries considerable responsibility within the village!"
Only after a long pause did the Third Hokage speak gravely.
He had never expected the other man to ask for power outright.
"The Military Police Force is important, of course."
"But it also means offending a great many people!"
"We might be better off without it."
Xia Le's next words left both Fugaku and Hiruzen stunned again.
"Elder Xia Le!"
Fugaku was the first to panic at those words, his expression instantly turning grim.
The Uchiha Clan had struggled for a long time to secure authority over Konoha's Military Police Force. If they simply handed it over, the clan would be in an uproar.
The Third Hokage was utterly stunned. Looking bewildered, he asked, "The Uchiha don't want to oversee the Military Police Force?"
"Then what do you want?"
His expression grew strange.
Since the First Hokage's time, the Uchiha Clan had fought for power and influence, seeking a greater say in Konoha and even setting their sights on the Hokage's seat.
The Military Police Force had been the outcome of that political struggle.
Yet now, this man was saying they could give it up.
"Rather than the Military Police Force..."
"We Uchiha would prefer to establish a Shadow Force that belongs to Konoha!"
Lifting his teacup, Xia Le ignored Fugaku's anxious