In the dimly lit chamber of the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was thick with tension.
Danzo Shimura sat calmly across from the Third Hokage, his expression unreadable, but his words were anything but subtle.
"Once the Uchiha Police Force is dismantled," Danzo said with a small, cold smile, "I hope you'll consider turning over full control of Konoha's internal security to Root. We have the manpower, and more importantly, the discipline. With Root in charge, the commoners will learn their place — they'll think twice before stirring up any trouble."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's jaw tensed. For all his years of experience and wisdom, Danzo still managed to surprise him — and not in a good way. This wasn't just about removing the Uchiha from power anymore. Danzo was already preparing to snatch up the very authority the Uchiha would leave behind. First the Uchiha's autonomy, then their legacy, and now the keys to the village's law enforcement. It was a power play — and a dangerous one.
The Third Hokage folded his hands behind his back and paced a step before replying.
"Once the Uchiha step down, the matter of who controls the police force will be open for discussion," he said carefully. "That's not something I intend to decide here and now."
In truth, Hiruzen had his own ideas. The Police Force had always been a tricky post — symbolic but powerful. He was already considering awarding it to loyal clans who had backed his leadership through the years. Giving it to Root would mean giving Danzo even more unchecked authority. That was not something Hiruzen could allow — not without consequences.
But Danzo didn't miss a beat.
"Discussion?" he repeated, his tone flat. "With all due respect, Hokage-sama… If Root doesn't gain a position in the new guard, then honestly, it would be better to just leave the job to the Uchiha."
Hiruzen clenched his pipe between his teeth, annoyed. This wasn't just ambition. Danzo was testing him. Pushing the line.
"You'll have your seat at the table," he said at last. "But this isn't the time. Let's first focus on removing the Uchiha Police from power."
Danzo nodded — but the spark of dissatisfaction in his eyes was clear. He hadn't gotten everything he wanted, but he'd made it known that he wasn't going to sit quietly.
He stood and turned to leave but paused at the door.
"Then I'll begin preparations. I'll mobilize support across the council to submit official petitions for the Uchiha to be removed." His gaze darkened slightly. "And don't forget — the Two-Tails Jinchūriki is still in their custody. The longer she stays under their roof, the more dangerous the situation becomes. You know as well as I do — it won't be long before the Sharingan figures out how to manipulate a tailed beast."
The Third Hokage waved a hand, signaling the end of the meeting.
"You don't need to remind me," he said coldly. "I'll handle it."
After Danzo left, Hiruzen stood in the center of his office for a long time, lost in thought. Danzo wasn't wrong about the danger. The Uchiha were a proud and secretive clan. Ryosuke, their current rising power, had already proven himself capable of reshaping the balance of the village through his military prowess and unwavering defiance. With a Jinchūriki under their protection — and more importantly, under their control — the Uchiha were no longer just a powerful clan.
They were becoming a faction.
A potential threat.
He turned to one of the ANBU standing quietly in the corner and gave a sharp nod.
"Bring Kakashi and the others. Tell them to move out immediately. Their mission is to retrieve the Two-Tails from the Uchiha compound. Take extra men — I don't trust Danzo not to make his own move."
He knew Danzo would act on his own if he saw an opportunity. Better to send trusted operatives than risk Root taking the Jinchūriki by force — which could trigger a civil war.
Meanwhile, deep within the Uchiha district, Ryosuke was well aware of what was coming. After the battle with the Hidden Cloud, he knew the Two-Tails would attract attention, and he had already given orders:
"If anyone comes asking for the Jinchūriki," he had told the clan gatekeepers, "send them back. Doesn't matter who it is — even if it's the Hokage himself."
When Kakashi and three ANBU arrived at the entrance to the Uchiha grounds, they didn't charge in or bark demands. They approached with tact, knowing the Uchiha's pride and how fragile the current situation was.
"We are here under direct orders from the Third Hokage," Kakashi said politely. "We've come to transfer the Two-Tails into the custody of the village."
The two Uchiha guards exchanged a glance. They weren't hostile, but they weren't moving either.
"Orders from above are clear," one of them said evenly. "The Two-Tails remains here. Not even the Hokage can change that."
Kakashi frowned. The Uchiha had never spoken so boldly before. This wasn't just insubordination — this was a statement of power.
"Then please allow us to speak with your clan head," he said, trying to keep the peace.
The guard shook his head.
"He already spoke. That's the final word. Now, unless you've got a war to start, I suggest you return to headquarters."
One of the younger ANBU members behind Kakashi murmured under his breath:
"Captain… are they really ignoring a direct Hokage order?"
Kakashi didn't answer right away. He stared into the compound, deep in thought. This wasn't about the Jinchūriki anymore. This was about control — about dominance.
"We'll report this to the Hokage," he said finally. "Let's go."
Back in the Hokage office, when Kakashi delivered the report, Hiruzen's expression darkened. He dismissed the team and sat in silence.
Refusing Danzo's request was one thing. Danzo, for all his power, was still just a council member — someone whose authority derived from the Hokage himself. But the Uchiha…
They had outright defied him.
The leader of the village.
This wasn't about one Jinchūriki anymore. This was about authority. About control. If the Uchiha could refuse his orders and suffer no consequences, then what did that say about his position? What did that say to the other clans?
Hiruzen gritted his teeth.
"Damn them," he muttered. "They've stopped seeing me as Hokage."
If the Uchiha were allowed to continue like this, they would grow bolder. Next, they would make demands. After that, perhaps secede from the village altogether. He couldn't allow that. He wouldn't.
"It's time for a clan council," he said aloud, reaching for a scroll. "If I can gather enough of the other families, we'll force the Uchiha to surrender the Jinchūriki — publicly."
He didn't believe Ryosuke would back down so easily, but if the rest of the village turned against them, maybe — just maybe — they could bring them to heel before it was too late.
But deep down, Hiruzen knew something had changed.
The balance was shifting.
And if he didn't act fast, he wouldn't just lose control of the police force…
He might lose the village.
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