At this moment, Danzo said with a smile, "After bringing down the Uchiha Clan's Police Force, I hope the Third Hokage will hand over the administration of the Konoha Military Police Force to our Root."
"Our Root has sufficient manpower and methods to ensure civilians remain law-abiding and dare not cause trouble."
Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage's expression changed. This guy didn't just want to crush the Uchiha Clan; he even wanted to seize their power.
He was really making a calculated move.
If this happened, Danzo would not only control Root but also the Police Force. His power and influence would surpass even that of the Hokage.
The Third Hokage spoke up immediately. "After the Uchiha Clan steps down, the candidates for the Police Force are still a matter for discussion."
The Third Hokage did not intend to remain deadlocked with Danzo on this issue right now. Once the Uchiha Clan was removed, he had plenty of his own candidates to arrange for those positions.
The Police Force was a department with real power. He would feel much more at ease giving it to the clans that supported him. It would also serve as a substantial reward for their loyalty.
How could Danzo not understand the Third Hokage's thoughts?
Discuss it later? In the end, wouldn't the Third Hokage have the final say?
He was not willing to work hard only to make sacrifices for the benefit of others.
"Third Hokage, my Root must occupy a place in the Police Force this time. Otherwise, we might as well let the Uchiha Clan continue to hold the position."
Hearing Danzo's words, the Third Hokage felt helpless.
This guy was determined to fight him for power.
"I can allow Root to occupy a seat, but this matter should be discussed after the Uchiha Clan's Police Force has been brought down. It is too early to discuss it now."
He had to make some concessions because he also wanted to destroy the Uchiha Clan's Police Force. He wanted to turn them back into ordinary ninja who no longer possessed a transcendent status.
Furthermore, this seemed like a good plan for him as well. When he took control of the Police Force, wouldn't he be able to release his son?
Although Danzo was not entirely satisfied with this result, he had secured some decent benefits.
It was obvious that now was not the time to fight with the Third Hokage, but rather the time to suppress the Uchiha Clan.
He spoke directly. "Then I will return to Root to make preparations. I will mobilize a large number of people to impeach the Uchiha Clan."
"Don't forget to go and receive the Two-Tails Jinchūriki. I fear the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan will soon be able to manipulate the Tailed Beast Jinchūriki."
The Two-Tails Jinchūriki belonged to him. He didn't want any accidents to happen.
The Third Hokage nodded naturally. "You don't need to remind me of that."
He also felt that leaving the Two-Tails Jinchūriki in the Uchiha clan grounds was far too dangerous.
Although he had asked Shisui if he could control a Tailed Beast Jinchūriki and the answer was no, who knew what kind of secret techniques that clan possessed?
Hearing this, Danzo pushed the door open and left the office.
The Third Hokage waited until Danzo had been gone for a good while before ordering an Anbu member to notify Kakashi and several other Anbu members. Only then did he prepare to go to the Uchiha Clan grounds to receive the Two-Tails Jinchūriki.
The reason for this arrangement was that he feared Danzo might pull a dirty trick.
That guy was completely untrustworthy. It wouldn't be the first time he had done something out of line. The Third Hokage had to dispatch multiple Anbu members to prevent a sudden snatch-and-grab by Root.
Because he had made a promise to Danzo, if that guy acted recklessly and tried to seize the Two-Tails Jinchūriki by force, it would be difficult for the Third Hokage to openly turn against him, especially at a time like this.
After receiving the notification from the Anbu member, Kakashi, who was guarding Naruto, left one Anbu member behind to watch over the boy.
If any emergency occurred, they were to fire a signal flare immediately.
Kakashi then headed directly to the main gate of the Uchiha Clan grounds with the other three Anbu members.
When they arrived at the main gate, they did not barge in but instead notified the guards at the entrance.
"The Third Hokage has ordered us four Anbu members to come and receive the Tailed Beast. We hope your clan will hand the Tailed Beast over to us."
He still held respect for the Uchiha Clan, who had just defeated the ninja army of the Cloud Village.
Whether it was due to their combat power or the fact that they had protected the village—and had achieved victory with the strength of only two clans—they deserved respect.
Knowing just how disadvantageous the situation had been when the two clans won the war made him admire them even more.
The people guarding the Uchiha gate looked at each other and replied directly, in accordance with what Ryōsuke had told them.
"The Two-Tails Jinchūriki is being guarded by our Uchiha Clan. We will not hand her over to you Anbu."
Kakashi frowned, speaking in confusion. "This is the Third Hokage's order. I'm afraid this isn't something a few of you can decide, is it? Please pass this message on to your Clan Head."
One of the Uchiha clansmen spoke with a hint of impatience. "Orders have already come down from above. Even if Lord Hokage comes personally, we absolutely will not hand her over to you."
Since the other party was polite, he wasn't too arrogant in return.
If it had been a member of Root, he would have driven them away directly. He wouldn't have wasted so many words.
An Anbu member behind Kakashi was astonished to see that the Uchiha Clan was ignoring even the Third Hokage's orders. He couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Captain Kakashi, what should we do now?"
Kakashi could only say helplessly, "Let's report this matter to Lord Hokage."
This situation was indeed tricky. It seemed the Uchiha Clan was on the rise.
In the past, how could they have possibly refused Lord Hokage's order? Did they intend to claim the Tailed Beast Jinchūriki for themselves?
Soon after, the Third Hokage received the report from Kakashi and the other Anbu members.
He waved his hand, dismissing Kakashi and the others to return to their duties.
Only after they had left did the Third Hokage's face twist in anger.
It was one thing to refuse Danzo—after all, Danzo was merely a Consultant Elder, and his authority was granted by the Third Hokage himself.
But he, the Third Hokage, was the highest authority in the Leaf Village. All ninja were supposed to act according to his orders.
In the matter of the Tailed Beast Jinchūriki, it was naturally appropriate for him, the Third Hokage, to take control. Under no circumstances should it be up to a mere clan to control it, even if that clan was the Uchiha.
This was clearly a sign that they no longer held him in any regard.
The damn Uchiha Clan.
If this continued, he, the Third Hokage, would truly be treated as a decoration by them.
It seemed he could no longer allow them to be so arrogant. He had to convene a Clan Head meeting to properly suppress this clan.
If the many ninja clans stood on his side and demanded that the Uchiha Clan hand over the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, the Third Hokage didn't believe they would dare to refuse.