"Then who could it be?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi irritably tapped his pipe against the desk. "How would I know?"
"Hiruzen, even if the person who captured the Nine-Tails wasn't from the Uchiha Clan..."
"As long as they remain in Konoha, we can never ignore this threat."
Danzo spoke through gritted teeth.
A shadow flickered through Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, but he said nothing.
What could he do about it, anyway?
Resolve to go to war with the Uchiha?
How was that possible?
"Don't act rashly for now."
"And don't take any unnecessary action against the Uchiha Clan."
"Their surrendering their duties in the Military Police Force is a good thing for us."
"Otherwise..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said no more, but his meaning was already clear.
"We must restrict their power!"
Danzo's voice was grim.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression shifted uncertainly. After a long while, he nodded.
Two Mangekyō Sharingan were already beyond his control. That meant the squad proposed by the Uchiha Clan could not be allowed to develop any further.
Otherwise, it truly would become a cancer within Konoha.
"Another thing!"
"I want to form a squad!"
Danzo looked up. He seemed to have been turning this decision over in his mind for a long time.
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his head and stared at him. "What do you mean?"
"We must also have a powerful force of our own, to guard against and counter the Uchiha Clan's Akatsuki."
Danzo spoke in a low voice.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said nothing, his expression souring.
"Danzo, I know what you're scheming."
"But you're right. We do need to make preparations."
After a pause, he finally gave his tacit consent.
"Don't go too far!"
Danzo's spirits lifted. He nodded firmly, then turned to leave.
"You've finally done something right, Hiruzen!"
Hearing those words, the Third Hokage's mouth twitched,