In the end, it wasn't a matter significant enough for Sarutobi Hiruzen to confront Danzo over.
The Hyūga clan simply didn't have the political weight.
And besides—
Konoha was at war. There were far too many crises demanding his attention.
So, he wasn't planning to intervene further in Hyūga affairs.
"If you say you weren't involved, then you weren't." Hiruzen exhaled a thin trail of smoke. "Now—what has that Mangekyō wielder from the Uchiha clan been doing lately?"
Compared to the Hyūga incident, this mattered more.
Especially when the new Mangekyō belonged to Uchiha Jin.
Danzo narrowed his eyes.
"Tea. Feeding crows. Sunbathing."
"He mostly stays at home. Occasionally helps at Ichiraku Ramen."
"It looks carefree… but something about it feels wrong."
"So, Hiruzen," he continued, voice lowering, "trust me. Hand this matter to me."
"Uchiha Jin—leave him to me."
Hiruzen's eyebrow twitched.
He didn't believe a word.
This was a Mangekyō Sharingan user—no one knew his ocular abilities yet.
And he could manifest Susanoo.
Even if Danzo could contain him, how would he explain it to the Uchiha?
A rare Mangekyō suddenly "neutralized" by the village?
The clan would erupt.
And with manpower stretched thin across three warfronts, the last thing Konoha needed was a revolt in its own backyard.
He didn't hesitate.
"Danzo. Drop it."
"Uchiha Jin is valuable. I will not hand him over."
Danzo's voice lowered, hoarse with resentment.
"You'll regret this, Hiruzen."
Hiruzen's reply was sharp.
"I am the Hokage."
…
Meanwhile—
Within the Uchiha district, Uchiha Jin reclined comfortably in his courtyard.
A purple clay teapot rested in his hand. Fresh grapes sat on a table beside him. Warm sunlight glowed across his face.
He looked utterly content.
"This," he murmured, "is how life should be."
"Working yourself to death every day—what's the point?"
Hyūga had spent weeks running in circles like headless chickens. The matter had grown cold.
Which meant Hinata Aya was effectively "one of his own" now. She wouldn't betray him unless absolutely forced.
"Good. Very good."
The Third Shinobi War had nothing to do with him.
Hiruzen wouldn't dare send a Mangekyō to the front.
Until the Nine-Tails incident in the coming years, he could simply relax and train.
A peaceful, quiet life—exactly what he wanted.
Hinata Aya's situation was resolved cleanly. There'd been zero exposure.
Perfect.
As for the village's attitude?
Simple enough.
Hiruzen wanted to suppress him—keep him contained.
A forced retirement, essentially.
But that suited him just fine.
The brief smile on his lips deepened.
Retirement was a cage for most. A slow death of potential.
But not for him.
Reputation meant nothing.
Battlefields only wasted training time.
Growth happened in peace.
As a clan elder, he technically wasn't even considered an active shinobi anymore. As long as the Uchiha remained stable, he could enjoy a carefree existence.
Could any outcome be better?
…Well, almost.
When he thought about the Uchiha clan, a headache formed.
To maintain his leisurely lifestyle, he would have to protect the clan's long-term interests. Otherwise, a disaster could easily drag him back into chaos.
But that was complicated.
Despite his title, he held no real political power.
At best, he was a mascot.
If he ever tried to interfere, both radicals and moderates would unite—against him.
Power was intoxicating.
No one gave it away willingly.
Even with a Mangekyō Sharingan, they'd never allow him influence in clan politics.
Still…
He recalled Nara Kazama's words:
If he wanted a peaceful family in the future, he'd need a secure home front.
Even the strongest shinobi couldn't guard their loved ones around the clock.
The Uchiha were too valuable to abandon.
But there was no rush.
Right now, radicals, moderates—even Fugaku—were watching him closely.
If he showed the slightest ambition, they would immediately grow wary.
Some might even move to eliminate him.
And if conflict escalated?
The village leadership would inevitably get involved.
So, patience was the key.
He would wait.
Silently. Calmly.
Just as the sun warmed his skin and the tea soothed his tongue—
He simply waited.