[Read up to Chapter - 74 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
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Others might buckle under Hiruzen's oppressive aura, but it had no effect on Kanzou.
Kanzou's strength was on par with Hiruzen's—perhaps even superior—why would he be intimidated?
"Everyone we arrested had legitimate issues. The Konoha Police Force never lets criminals go free," Kanzou said firmly, with a righteous tone.
Hiruzen placed his pipe on the table and stared intently at Kanzou.
"Then explain the so-called security management fee to me."
"This is something you should ask yourself, Hokagay-sama," Kanzou replied flatly. "Konoha doesn't fund the Police Force properly—are we supposed to survive on thin air?
Unless you have another way to keep us going.
We work hard to maintain the village's safety.
It's because of the Police Force that shop owners enjoy peace and order.
So, charging a small fee for security is perfectly reasonable."
Kanzou explained to Hiruzen calmly and without haste.
"Hokagay-sama, do you know what I discovered this time? In Konoha Village, there are actually some truly vile people. We ask them to pay a small security management fee, to contribute to Konoha's peace and order, and yet not a single one is willing."
He sighed dramatically. "It's honestly heartbreaking. How can they not understand the need to support Konoha? Selfish people like that don't deserve to live in this village."
As he listened to Kanzou's words, Hiruzen's mouth twitched slightly.
Kanzou's rhetoric was sharp—he was painting himself as a champion of justice, while portraying those who didn't pay as ungrateful people.
"Let's put an end to this," Hiruzen said flatly. "Release everyone who was arrested."
After all, many of his own clansmen had been caught by the Konoha Police Force—including his son, Shinnosuke.
Hiruzen had two sons. The elder, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, was one year older than Kanzou and had just turned twenty.
He also had a younger son, Sarutobi Asuma, who was born just a few years ago.
After several members of the Sarutobi clan were arrested, Shinnosuke attempted to have the Konoha Police Force release them. When he caused a disturbance, Shin showed no mercy and had him imprisoned as well.
"Release all those who were arrested? That's out of the question. They're criminals. The justice in my heart won't allow their release," Kanzou replied without hesitation.
He was still counting on squeezing some gains—whether in money or in evil points—from those detainees. Letting them go would mean losing both opportunities.
Even after being flatly rejected, Hiruzen didn't lash out.
As the Hokage, he had to maintain his dignity and composure.
"Uchiha Kanzou," he said calmly, "why has your Konoha Police Force suddenly expanded? Care to explain that?"
Hiruzen stared at Kanzou intently, clearly suspicious that he might have ulterior motives.
The Uchiha clan had always coveted the position of Hokage. Did Uchiha Kanzou share that ambition? If so, Hiruzen couldn't allow such dangerous thoughts to take root.
"As the village grows and expands, the police force responsible for maintaining the law and security should expand as well, right? It's quite simple, you know… otherwise, how'd we maintain the law and order in Konoha?" answered Kanzou casually.
"I see," Hiruzen replied calmly, his tone neutral—neither pleased nor angry.
"By the way, Hokagay-sama," Kanzou continued, smiling, "your son openly attacked members of the police force. That's a serious offence. Of course, someone as wise as you wouldn't let your own son ruin your reputation. Allow me to assist you by properly 'educating' Sarutobi Shinnosuke on your behalf."
Hiruzen's hand rested firmly on the desk. If one looked closely, fine cracks had begun to appear in the wood—evidence of the pressure from his clenched fist.
He realised that, at this moment, he was powerless against Uchiha Kanzou.
He couldn't afford to make a full enemy of him—at least, not yet.
Turning against Uchiha Kanzou would be the same as turning against the entire Uchiha clan—something that would only bring harm to Konoha Village, not benefit.
Hiruzen had indeed considered the idea of having Kanzou assassinated. However, he couldn't find anyone capable of carrying out the task.
After all, Kanzou's strength was formidable.
In Hiruzen's estimation, only he, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, or Hatake Sakumo might stand a chance against him.
But even that assumption was made without knowing Kanzou's true power—Hiruzen had no idea that Kanzou had already reached beyond Kage-level and had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
If they were to actually fight, Hiruzen would not be a match for Kanzou.
Among the Kage still alive across the Five Great Shinobi Villages, the only one Kanzou could consider somewhat of a challenge was the Third Raikage, and perhaps Ōnoki if he manages to catch Kanzou off guard.
After all, the Third Raikage had gone head-to-head with the Eight-Tails, Gyūki; meanwhile, Ōnoki can use Dust Style… a very dangerous Kekkei Tōta.
Apart from them, Kanzou didn't worry about anyone else, not even Hokagay in front of him.
In Kanzou's eyes, his strength already surpassed that of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Though Hiruzen was often referred to as the 'God of Shinobi,' 'Professor,' and the 'strongest Hokage of all time,' Kanzou was well aware that—realistically—Hiruzen ranked weakest among all the Hokages so far.
Whether it was Senju Hashirama or Senju Tobirama… both were far superior to Hiruzen to the point that it wasn't even a match.
Even among the Five Kages of the current generation, Hiruzen was probably the weakest… Weaker than Sandaime Raikage, who can use the Lightning Chakra Mode, weaker than Sandaime Tsuchikage, who can use many secret Earth Style Jutsu and the Kekkei Tōta Dust Release, weaker than Sandaime Mizukage, who is a master of Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, and probably even weaker than Sandaime Kazekage, who has mastered the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai to an unnatural degree.
Indeed, among the Kages of the current, Hiruzen with no Kekkei Genkai or special Jutsu to back him up… Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, is probably the weakest Kage.
Yet he calls himself the 'Strongest,' 'God of Shinobi,' 'Professor,' and the 'strongest Hokage of all time.'
Kanzou couldn't help but disdain Hiruzen… a weak man trying to hide his weakness behind titles.
'It's truly pathetic…'
…
Kanzou left the Hokage building. As he departed, he made sure to ask once more about funding for the Konoha Police Force.
"Uchiha Kanzou… your existence is indeed a threat to Konoha," Hiruzen muttered, standing by the window and watching Kanzou walk away.
A flicker of killing intent flashed in his eyes.
He wanted to eliminate Kanzou, but what he didn't know was that Kanzou had already grown too powerful—and the opportunity to kill him had long since passed.
With Kanzou's strength, while it might be difficult for him to take on an entire ninja village alone, no one could actually stop him or pin him down. Even if the aged Uchiha Madara were to personally attack him, Kanzou would not be defeated—at worst, he could simply retreat.
After all, the current Madara had already given both of his eyes to Nagato.
No matter how formidable he once was, his power was now limited…
In fact, even if Madara appeared before him… it might end up being him who dies, considering Kanzou's Amenotokotachi, which can momentarily freeze his victim in time.
As such, Kanzou was indeed not afraid of anyone…
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Returning to the police headquarters, Kanzou immediately ordered his men to bring Sarutobi Shinnosuke to him.
After all, he had promised Hiruzen to help 'educate' his son—and Kanzou always made good on his word, especially when it came to settling scores.
"Let me go! My father is the Hokage—release me at once!"
Shinnosuke struggled frantically, restrained by two Uchiha clansmen.
Unfortunately for him, he couldn't break free.
Since his imprisonment, a specialised sealing technique had been used to suppress his Chakra. Though he was a Jōnin by rank and an elite Jōnin by strength, without access to his Chakra, even two Chūnin were enough to keep him restrained.
Watching him thrash about, the two Uchiha couldn't help but sneer. One of them even slapped Shinnosuke across the face.
They had no regard for his status.
"To hell with your status as that stupid Sarutobi Hiruzen's son—Uchihas are the true founders and rulers of this village," one of them muttered coldly, giving him another slap in the face.
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Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
[Read up to Chapter - 74 on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]