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Danzō walked into the Hokage's office. No pleasantries. No small talk.
He laid it out straight for Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi. Remove Qianyu as captain of the Leaf Village Defense Force. Expel him from the unit entirely.
He was confident they'd agree.
Minato and Hiruzen exchanged a glance. So that's what happened.
Qianyu and Danzō had finally torn the veil.
Now Danzō wanted Qianyu out. Wanted to slot one of his own puppets into the captain's chair.
The Defense Force was Danzō's pet project. Thirty Root elites were embedded within it. On paper, the unit answered to the Hokage. In reality, it danced to Danzō's tune.
If this request had come before Qianyu's visit… they might have said yes.
Because they did want Qianyu out. For the Uchiha's sake.
With Qianyu in command, the Uchiha clan lived on a knife's edge. Fugaku might support Minato, but the rank-and-file Uchiha? They blamed the Fourth Hokage. They saw the Defense Force as his creation—a department that stole their authority, led by the man who hated them most. They never saw Danzō's hand.
Minato had borne that unfair blame in silence. If a chance came to pull Qianyu out, Hiruzen might hesitate, but Minato would take it.
Now they understood Qianyu's parting words. Consider it a favor.
If Danzō spoke first and they agreed, the next captain would still be Danzō's man.
But Qianyu resigned first. Voluntarily.
That changed everything.
The initiative was now theirs. They would choose the next captain.
Minato felt a sudden, dizzying rush. Like the heavens had dropped a prize right into his lap.
He looked at Danzō, who stood there smug, certain of his victory.
"Advisor Danzō," Minato said, his voice calm. "Your proposal is no longer relevant."
Danzō's brow furrowed. "What do you mean? How is it not relevant?"
"Qianyu was just here," Minato explained. "He has already voluntarily resigned and withdrawn from the Defense Force. The Third Hokage and I have already discussed and decided on his successor."
Danzō's face tightened. Twisted.
He hadn't expected this. Qianyu was ruthless. The moment their alliance shattered, he'd marched straight here and cut himself loose.
By resigning to Minato directly, Qianyu gave the Hokage the right to appoint the next captain. Officially, the Defense Force was the Hokage's department. Minato had every right.
He'd been played. Outmaneuvered.
But Danzō wasn't done. "Fourth Hokage," he pressed, voice tight. "The captaincy of the Defense Force is a position of great importance. It should not be decided lightly. We must deliberate further!"
He was trying the old trick again. The same method he'd used to install Qianyu. Push another puppet into place.
But times had changed. Back then, circumstances forced their hand. Not anymore.
Minato finally held the initiative. He wasn't letting go.
A gentle, harmless smile touched Minato's lips. "The Third and I did not decide lightly. We gave it considerable thought. We have decided that Nara Shinsuke will be the next captain of the Leaf Village Defense Force."
Hiruzen, of course, backed him up. Shinsuke of the Nara clan was a solid choice.
"Indeed, Danzō," Hiruzen said, puffing on his pipe. "After discussion, the Fourth and I believe Shinsuke is suitable. He performed admirably in the Third Great War. A cautious, meticulous man. He will perform the duties of captain well."
Danzō was furious. "Have you forgotten why the Defense Force was created? To divide the authority of the Military Police! To prevent a repeat of the Uchiha's previous arrogance! Do you think Nara Shinsuke can control the current vice-captain, Uchiha Shisui? Shinsuke will be a puppet! The Defense Force will become the Uchiha clan's private army once more! What is the point then?!"
Minato kept smiling. That gentle, harmless smile. "I understand your concerns, Advisor. Therefore, I have decided to abolish the position of vice-captain within the Defense Force. Furthermore, Uchiha clansmen will be prohibited from joining the unit."
Hiruzen took a long drag. Exhaled smoke. "There, Danzō. You can rest easy. You needn't worry. Regarding the Uchiha, Minato knows what he's doing. I will assist him from the sidelines."
Danzō seethed. His lungs felt ready to burst.
Abolish the vice-captaincy? Bar the Uchiha? Then Shisui would be gone too.
His last excuse was gone. Shattered.
Qianyu had checkmated him.
"You will regret this!" Danzō spat the words, a final, venomous threat, before storming out.
The door slammed shut.
Hiruzen exhaled a long stream of smoke. "Qianyu really did us a favor this time. This takes a weight off your shoulders, Minato."
Minato nodded. "It does. Now, we need to deal with the Defense Force fallout."
Hiruzen didn't stay long. After he left, Minato summoned Uchiha Shisui.
The young man arrived promptly.
"Shisui," Minato began. "Qianyu has resigned as captain."
"What?"
Shisui was stunned. Just like that?
So that's what Qianyu meant earlier. You won't have to worry anymore.
Minato gave him the broad strokes—the split with Danzō, the resignation. "To leave Danzō no room for argument, I've decided to abolish the vice-captain position. Uchiha clansmen will also be barred from joining. I hope you can understand."
Shisui shook his head. A soft, relieved sound escaped him. "I understand completely. I'm grateful, Lord Fourth. This way… my clansmen won't have to live in fear anymore. That was always my goal in joining. I am more than willing to step down to make it happen."
Minato's smile was genuine now. Warm. "Good. I believe things will get better for the Uchiha clan from here on."
A surge of hope—limitless, bright—flooded Shisui's heart. With Lord Fourth leading them, the Uchiha clan's future could only grow brighter.
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