Regret! Hokage! Slam!!

Noticing Hiruzen Sarutobi's misgivings about the Uchiha Clan, Danzo seized the chance to propose, "Let Uchiha Kōki join my Root. I'll keep them under close surveillance, and if I detect any suspicious activity, I'll deal with it immediately and decisively!"

"Absolutely not!" Hiruzen Sarutobi exclaimed. "Never mind that Uchiha Kōki isn't old enough to attend the ninja academy yet. As Uchiha Fugaku's eldest son, his inclusion alone would be enough for Fugaku to refuse."

The Uchiha Clan and the Konoha High Command had been at odds for a long time. As clan head, how could Fugaku send his beloved son into Danzo's Root? That would be like sending a lamb into a tiger's jaws. How would he be any different from a hostage?

"Hmph, forget it, then." Danzo's gaze grew colder still as he made another proposal. "What about Shisui Uchiha?"

If Uchiha Kōki was out of the question, surely Shisui Uchiha would do? The boy was exceptionally gifted, having awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at such a young age. If Danzo brought him into Root and trained him with care, he would surely become a powerful asset under his command. With some brainwashing, perhaps one day he could become a sharp blade against the Uchiha.

Then he could have the Uchiha kill one another. The thought alone excited Danzo, and a cruel smile appeared on his face.

"It's too late."

"Why?" Danzo frowned.

"It might have been possible before, but Uchiha Fugaku took Shisui Uchiha into his home some time ago."

"What!? Damn the Uchiha! Uchiha Fugaku must have come prepared. A Three-Tomoe Sharingan-his intentions are damnable." Danzo was beside himself with rage.

"So what? What proof do you have that he has ulterior motives? Besides, the Uchiha have handed over their authority over the Military Police Force. That's a fact everyone has seen." Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was indifferent.

"You!" Danzo had no answer.

After a long while, Danzo calmed down. Looking at Hiruzen behind the desk, he sighed heavily and compromised. "Then surely Root can keep the two of them under surveillance? They'll have no secrets from Root."

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a moment. In the end, he relented and nodded silently.

He, too, had grown suspicious of Uchiha Kōki and Shisui Uchiha. Why hadn't Uchiha Fugaku reported to him that a member of his clan had awakened the Sharingan?

"Put the two of them on Konoha's surveillance list. If necessary, I'll need the Anbu's assistance."

"Whatever you do, don't alert the Uchiha Clan," Hiruzen Sarutobi said helplessly.

Tensions between the nations were running high, and the slightest misstep could lead to war. Once war broke out, the Uchiha Clan would be a steadfast bulwark for Konoha, with many powerful fighters among their ranks. If they angered the Uchiha Clan now, wouldn't Konoha find itself beset by troubles from within and without?

Besides, Uchiha Fugaku had already shown weakness before him and handed over the clan's authority. If they pushed him now, there was no telling what might happen. Even a cornered rabbit would bite, let alone the proud Uchiha Clan.

The village's interests came first. Konoha's stability outweighed everything else.

Unless he had no other choice, Hiruzen Sarutobi always tried to avoid a direct confrontation with the Uchiha. He preferred to gradually weaken their influence and wait until they were at their weakest to deliver a fatal blow.

Danzo did not respond. Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened, and he said sternly, "Listen carefully. Root is only to watch them in secret. You are not to take any other action, and you certainly must not lay a hand on either of them!"

Tch, you really are getting weaker with age, Hiruzen.

I wonder whether, if our teacher were still alive, he'd regret choosing a coward like you to inherit the Hokage Position instead of me.

Though Danzo grumbled inwardly, his expression gave nothing away. "Of course, Hiruzen," he said seriously. "The bigger picture comes first. I won't provoke the Uchiha Clan."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction, a faint smile finally appearing on his face.

Hypocrite!

Leaning on his cane, Danzo turned to leave.

"Wait!"

"Is there something else?" Danzo stopped, but did not turn around. Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice came from behind him. "You were behind what happened to Hatake Sakumo, weren't you?"

Danzo stiffened. "Nothing of the sort."

"We both know the truth. I can let what happened before go, but starting today, I don't want to hear another rumor about this! You should know what to do!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was stern.

"What?" Danzo turned around in anger. "You don't still intend to let him remain Anbu Captain, do you?"

"Who else is better suited to the role in terms of strength?"

"Hiruzen, I'm doing this for the village!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was so angry at Danzo's shamelessness that he laughed!

He sprang to his feet!

"For the village? Whether you're doing this for the village or to satisfy your own selfish desires, you know the answer yourself. Don't think I don't know what you're plotting! I'm not dead yet!"

"Put an immediate stop to the rumors about Hatake Sakumo, or don't blame me for taking action!"

"He will definitely return and continue serving as Anbu Captain."

"I've already given you face over what happened before! Starting today, if I hear anyone discussing this again, I'll hold you responsible!"

Danzo fixed his remaining eye on Hiruzen Sarutobi, his expression dark. "Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"

"Don't forget, Danzo, I'm the Hokage!" Hiruzen Sarutobi glared fiercely back at Danzo, refusing to back down.

Slam!

Danzo walked out of the Hokage's office without looking back, the door shaking behind him from the force of the slam.

"One last reminder: don't forget what policy our teacher adopted toward the evil Uchiha when he was alive!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Danzo's retreating back for a long time before coming back to his senses.

In a dark, spacious underground chamber, Shimura Danzō stood alone. Two people wearing animal masks knelt around him, his Root ninja subordinates. Danzo wore a serious expression, as though they were discussing something important.

"Keep close track of Uchiha Kōki and Shisui Uchiha's movements," Shimura Danzō said in a grave tone. "We must not allow the Uchiha Clan to cause any harm to the village!"

"Yes, Lord Danzo!" The two Root ninja both nodded in agreement.

They knew full well how important the Uchiha Clan was to Konoha, and they also understood Shimura Danzō's intentions.

"My lord, we'll keep a close watch on their every move," one Root ninja replied. "The moment I discover anything unusual, I'll report it to you."

"At the same time, we must increase surveillance on the other members of the Uchiha Clan," Shimura Danzō continued. "Although they've handed over their authority, who can know what they're thinking? We must not let our guard down."

"Yes, Lord Danzo," the other ninja responded. "We'll increase patrols around the Uchiha's perimeter."

"Also, we need to strengthen Konoha's defenses." A hint of concern entered Shimura Danzō's voice. "The enemy may take advantage of an opening. We must be fully prepared."

"As you command, Lord Danzo. We'll increase patrols and vigilance to ensure Konoha's safety."

"Good. Go and make your preparations," Shimura Danzō said finally. "Keep watch on Uchiha Kōki's movements at all times. If necessary, you may act directly without reporting first! Test his strength!"

"Yes!"

The two ninja took their leave, leaving Shimura Danzō alone in the darkness, deep in thought.