Stimulated by Danzo's proposal, the Third Hokage's expression darkened. The threat posed by the Uchiha clan was indeed formidable, and it was growing by the day.
His heart ached as he thought back to the night of the Nine-Tails' attack. Despite claims that he had usurped Minato's position, Minato's death and the rampage of the Nine-Tails had cost Konoha dearly. The aftermath had severely weakened the village, which was already exhausted from the war.
Worse still, his wife, Sarutobi Biwako, had died that night.
The Third Hokage compromised under pressure.
Danzo raised his brows in satisfaction. This was the outcome he had hoped for, and it had come about even more smoothly than expected.
"I will monitor Uchihahiko personally. That child is dangerous. The moment he gives us an opening, we'll move. Someone that volatile and unpredictable cannot be left unchecked."
To act rashly, however, would invite backlash.
The Third Hokage wanted to stop Danzo, but the words lodged in his throat.
He had to admit — the recent turbulence caused by the Uchiha clan had all stemmed from that boy, Yan.
Like a catfish thrown into still waters, Yan had stirred the depths, forcing everything beneath to awaken and churn. He was a disturbance—unavoidable and uncontainable.
Perhaps… if they could control Yan, the chaos might subside.
Konoha could not afford another internal collapse.
As night fell and work concluded, Yan began his walk home, weary from a day burdened by the clan's affairs and the endless duties at the police department.
Yet fate, as always, had other plans.
On his way, two unfamiliar figures awaited him — uninvited and unapologetic.
Danzo, known for immediate action, had dispatched his subordinates right after his talk with the Hokage. The plan was clear: corner Yan and bring him in. But because the clan was under pressure and Fuyue had taken a direct role in the police department, Yan had to work deep into the night.
On any other day, he might have already been home.
But today, they found him late — exhausted yet alert.
"Anbu… or Root?"
It wasn't surprising to be watched, but rarely this close. Rarely this boldly.
Yan's eyes narrowed, suspicion swirling beneath his calm exterior.
He did not slow. He walked straight past the two.
Anbu or Root — it made no difference. As long as they didn't strike here, there was no danger. This was Uchiha territory. The police headquarters was nearby, and if they dared to move, all Yan needed to do was buy time — backup would arrive, and then the real trouble would begin.
Assaulting a Uchiha captain near the police department?
That would set off a storm.
The two Root ninjas expected him to stop. They stood tall, silent, expecting intimidation to work — a favorite tactic.
But Yan didn't even acknowledge them.
He walked on, utterly ignoring their presence.
They were dumbfounded.
Since when did an Uchiha have the guts to ignore Root operatives?
"Uchihahiko."
The words burst from one of them before Yan slipped too far.
"Danzo-sama requests your presence. Please come with us."
Yan stopped, turned halfway, and looked at them with curiosity.
"Is this an invitation… or an arrest?"
The Root operative frowned.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go.
Their standard method was simple — fabricate a reason, invoke Danzo's name, and drag the target off under some obscure charge. Once isolated, the rest was easy.
Danzo's shadow was not something most dared defy.
But Yan?
He wasn't most people.
"So, which is it?"
His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.
"If it's an arrest," Yan said, "produce the warrant from the Hokage's Office."
He let the pause stretch.
"If it's just an invitation — I decline. I'm not interested in meeting Danzo-sama."
The silence grew heavy.
Technically, Anbu could arrest someone under specific circumstances. Root, however, lacked such authority officially. But the lines had blurred — Root had long operated in the dark, weaving through the fabric of Konoha.
Still, legality meant little depending on who they targeted.
Ordinary citizens could be taken easily.
But some prey bit back.
"You're refusing?" the Root ninja said, placing a hand on his katana.
"Danzo-sama insists. You will come."
"Oh?" Yan's eyes gleamed with amusement as he stopped walking, completely surrounded. "You sure you want to start something… here?"
His voice turned mocking.
Because the Root ninja hadn't noticed — but Yan wasn't alone anymore.
From the shadows and rooftops, Uchiha shinobi had silently gathered.
"You… dare attack a police captain outside the station?"
"Uchihahiko, I advise—"
"Take them!"
Yan's command was swift.
The surrounding Uchiha exploded into action.
"These unknown individuals attempted to attack the captain of the police force. Arrest them!"
"Wha—?!"
The Root operatives panicked. This wasn't the plan.
They were supposed to intimidate, isolate, and abduct — not be overwhelmed and dragged away.
"Wait! We are—"
Too late.
Under the leadership of Uchiha Oriyan, the Uchiha moved in formation.
The Root ninja had no chance to fight back.
"Insulting! You dare—ugh!"
A painful cry echoed.
Within seconds, both Root operatives were down.
Zhi Yan grinned, grabbing one in each hand. "Captain, what do we do with them?"
"Lock them up," Yan said flatly. "Deliver them to prison in the morning."
He turned away. "Charge: assaulting the head of the police force."
Rest would not wait. He had no time for fools or Danzo's provocations.
And Danzo?
Let him wait.
Even if Hokage himself had sent that invitation, Yan wouldn't have answered — not without the clan head.
And even then, it would be on his terms.
"Take them away!"
Zhi Yan obeyed, dragging the defeated Root operatives off as the others dispersed.
But from the shadows, another figure emerged.
Fu Yue.
"Patriarch," Yan said, slowing his steps and smiling faintly, "Did I do something wrong?"
Fu Yue didn't answer immediately. He took a deep breath, trying to keep calm.
"They were Danzo's people."
Yan scoffed.
"And?"
He pointed to the ground beneath their feet.
"This is the Uchiha Police Department's territory. They attacked a ranking officer. I don't care whose dogs they are — they don't get to walk away."
He continued, "They wore Anbu gear but had no official marks. That's espionage."
He wasn't wrong.
Root operated in the shadows, often disavowed. Without proper insignias, their presence could be treated as rogue infiltration.
They couldn't even prove they were Anbu.
Even if they cried Danzo's name, Yan could deny it. Play deaf.
Let them argue in the Hokage Tower — it wouldn't matter. The charges were clear.
"Patriarch," Yan said with conviction, "I'm no extremist. But if we keep backing down, they'll keep pushing."
He looked Fu Yue in the eye.
"We have no more room to retreat."
"You would drag the clan into conflict with the village?" Fu Yue's voice was low as he activated his Sharingan.
Yan raised his hands innocently. "I arrested unidentified criminals. That's not conflict — that's law."
Fu Yue stared long and hard.
Yan fell silent too.
For a while, they stood facing each other in the moonlit street, neither blinking, neither yielding.
At last, Fu Yue closed his Sharingan and turned away.
He walked into the night but left behind one final statement:
"I hope you know what you're doing..."