A fight to the death!
Uchiha Fugaku's words stunned everyone present.
Ever since the Uchiha Marginalization Plan had taken effect, the Uchiha Clan had had virtually no say. They had even been "excluded" from a seat on the Council of Elders.
In other words, the Uchiha Clan actually held very little power at this point. If not for their firm grip on the Konoha Military Police Force, they would have had little left. Although few matters could be taken directly to the higher-ups, they had retained some authority in the end.
"Clan Head Fugaku, calm down. What exactly happened?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's head ached a little. Why had something like this happened at such a critical juncture?
"Lord Hokage, our Uchiha Clan's Great Elder's grandson was attacked and killed. The evidence points straight to Kumogakure. I hope you will enforce the law impartially and allow our Uchiha Clan onto the battlefield! To kill the enemy!"
The corners of Uchiha Fugaku's eyes were red, as though he truly was furious over this matter.
"Well..." Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated. In principle, he did not want the Uchiha Clan on the battlefield. Those people fought as though they had no regard for their lives, and their military achievements would look rather impressive afterward.
"Clan Head Fugaku, if your Uchiha Clan goes to the battlefield, wouldn't that limit the Konoha Military Police Force's ability to maintain security?" Hyuga Hiashi said this as though in passing.
The Konoha Military Police Force!
That was right. Everyone present began to recover their composure. If the Uchiha Clan went to the battlefield, they would inevitably be unable to give the Konoha Military Police Force their full attention!
"That is indeed a problem. Clan Head Fugaku, please take a seat first. I'd also like to hear your thoughts on the Konoha Military Police Force," Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately responded.
At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no time to consider too much. If he could use the Konoha Military Police Force to hold the Uchiha Clan back, that would be the best outcome.
"Lord Hokage, esteemed Hokage Advisors, and fellow clan heads, I also considered the matter of the Konoha Military Police Force on my way here. After all, it has always been our Uchiha Clan's responsibility, so naturally, we will provide a satisfactory answer."
Uchiha Fugaku took his seat as a matter of course and looked around, pausing for a second when his gaze reached Sōkyū Hatake.
However, no one present noticed this.
"Let's hear it," Utatane Koharu said directly.
"Since our Uchiha Clan has been targeted like this, we will certainly make Kumogakure pay in return. Lord Hokage, as you know, our Great Elder is already eighty years old, and he dotes on this grandson of his to the utmost. After this happened, he could no longer sit still. He came straight to me and spoke about going to war. Of course, this matter still requires your final approval, Lord Hokage."
Uchiha Fugaku spoke bluntly. This could already be considered forcing the Hokage's hand.
Of course, in the eyes of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, this was actually a perfectly reasonable request.
"What about the Konoha Military Police Force?" Mitokado Homura had no interest in hearing such pointless talk. What he wanted to know was how matters would ultimately end for the Konoha Military Police Force, which the Uchiha Clan controlled.
"Since our Uchiha Clan will be leading most of our members onto the battlefield, we naturally won't be able to devote much attention to the Konoha Military Police Force. Therefore, Lord Hokage, I would like to propose here that members of the Inuzuka Clan, Aburame Clan, Sarutobi Clan, and Yamanaka Clan be brought into the Konoha Military Police Force."
Uchiha Fugaku delivered a thoroughly shocking statement. The Konoha Military Police Force had always been controlled by the Uchiha Clan. For him to surrender that authority now, he clearly had been pushed too far!
Upon hearing Uchiha Fugaku's words, the heads of the Aburame Clan, Inuzuka Clan, Sarutobi Clan, and Yamanaka Clan exchanged glances. This was an astonishing surprise!
Caught in the maelstrom of the Konoha Military Police Force, Uchiha Fugaku naturally knew it was no prize, but the others did not!
Nor had Uchiha Fugaku chosen these four clans without considerations of his own. After discussing it with Sōkyū Hatake, he had included the Inuzuka Clan and Aburame Clan, who had originally sided with Danzo, along with the Yamanaka Clan and Sarutobi Clan, who sided with Hiruzen Sarutobi. This could be called the best possible arrangement.
Of course, doing this amounted to a redistribution of power.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, knitted his brows tightly and looked at Uchiha Fugaku with some suspicion and uncertainty.
He knew the intent behind assigning the Konoha Military Police Force to the Uchiha Clan in the first place. Of course, with matters having developed this far, the Uchiha Clan was indeed the undeniable victim.
Moreover, the Uchiha clansman who had died was no ordinary person. He was the Great Elder's son, a candidate qualified to inherit leadership of the Uchiha Clan.
The death of such a prospective heir was a devastating issue for any clan, so it had to be handled properly!
"I disagree. Since the Uchiha Clan wants to recruit ninja from other clans into the Konoha Military Police Force, our Hyuga Clan is the most suitable for the task. Why aren't you including us, Clan Head Fugaku?" Hyuga Hiashi said mockingly.
Upon hearing Hyuga Hiashi's words, everyone else wore the look of spectators settling in to watch a show.
The Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan.
These two clans were as incompatible as fire and water.
After the Senju Clan's destruction, the Hyuga Clan had always wanted to compete with the Uchiha Clan for the title of Konoha's foremost clan.
So no one was surprised to see Hyuga Hiashi speak up at this point. It would have been abnormal if he had not voiced opposition.
"What, does the Hyūga clan head want a hand in this too?" Uchiha Fugaku showed Hyūga Hiashi no warmth. He was especially irritable now, after the Uchiha Clan had suffered this upheaval.
"We're merely putting forward a suggestion together. Aren't you being a little sensitive, Clan Head Fugaku?" Hyuga Hiashi had remained sitting perfectly upright throughout. For the perpetually rigid Hyuga Clan, sitting posture was also a form of training.
"Other clans can join the Konoha Military Police Force, but not your Hyuga Clan. After all, the Konoha Military Police Force's headquarters is located within our Uchiha Clan's grounds. Your Byakugan poses a problem for us. How about every Hyuga who joins blinds both their eyes?"
Uchiha Fugaku gave a mocking laugh, and an air of dominance that had long been absent burst from him.
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