Sarutobi Hiruzen said in a deep voice,
"Qianyu—what did you just say?"
Qianyu's tone was calm, yet resolute.
"The Police Force was never created for slaughter on the battlefield."
"It exists to maintain village security and protect internal order."
"Sending the Police Force to war is neither reasonable nor appropriate."
"I, as the commander of the Police Force—"
"Object."
Hiruzen replied coldly,
"This is a different time. During wartime, normal logic does not apply."
"Precisely because it is wartime, internal stability becomes even more important," Qianyu countered.
"If the Police Force is sent to the battlefield and chaos breaks out within the village—who will take responsibility?"
"Moreover, when the Second Hokage established the Police Force, this rule was written into its foundation."
"If you want to change it, you must at least obtain the consent of the Police Force Commander."
"But I do not consent."
"You—!"
Qianyu's uncompromising stance shocked every senior official present at the Hokage meeting.
However, for forces like the Hyūga clan and the Ino–Shika–Chō clans—who were clearly being targeted by Sarutobi Hiruzen—there was an inexplicable sense of satisfaction in their hearts.
Hiruzen was furious, yet powerless.
In the end, he could only swallow his anger.
"Fine. The Police Force will not be deployed."
"But the Uchiha clan must go to war."
"That complies with the rules, doesn't it?"
"What do you say, Clan Head Fugaku?"
Qianyu was about to speak, but Fugaku stopped him.
"I agree."
Fugaku shot him a look, signaling him to remain silent.
Qianyu understood.
His own attitude had been too forceful just now—Fugaku was stepping in to ease the tension.
He also understood Hiruzen's intent.
The Hokage could not allow the Uchiha clan to pay no price at all.
Sending Fugaku to the battlefield was, in itself, a form of restraint and balance.
After lengthy discussion, the final decision was reached.
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Qianyu once, then left without another word.
Qianyu paid him no attention—but he noticed something else.
Danzō Shimura had not attended the meeting.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
He had already guessed the truth.
"Clan Head Fugaku, we'll have to rely on one another on the battlefield."
After the meeting, Hyūga Hiashi stepped forward and spoke.
Fugaku smiled faintly.
"Likewise."
This was his second reason for agreeing to fight.
Since the Uchiha, Hyūga, and Ino–Shika–Chō clans were all being suppressed by Hiruzen—
This war was also the perfect opportunity for them to form alliances.
Hiashi naturally understood this as well.
The two exchanged a glance and smiled—each with their own calculations.
Not far away, the Ino–Shika–Chō clans were far more restrained.
In this war against Kumogakure, Nara Shikaku served as overall commander.
But—
He sighed quietly.
He knew very well this was no good thing.
Once the others had left, Fugaku placed a hand on Qianyu's shoulder.
"Qianyu, this war with Kumogakure may actually be an opportunity for us."
"I'll work to draw the Hyūga clan and Ino–Shika–Chō to our side."
"As for the village and the clan—leave it to you."
Qianyu nodded.
"I understand."
Fugaku smiled.
"With you here, I'm at ease."
"But you must be extremely careful."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen will not stop here."
"He's promoted Koharu and Homura to command the Sarutobi and Shimura clans—clearly to consolidate power and suppress the Uchiha."
"And as for you personally…"
"He will definitely try to eliminate you."
"You noticed it too, didn't you?"
"Danzō Shimura didn't appear."
Qianyu nodded.
"He's the piece Hiruzen intends to use against me."
Fugaku sighed.
"That's what I thought as well."
"In any case—be careful."
"I will."
That year, war between Konoha and Kumogakure erupted once again.
Kumogakure's ninja army crossed the Land of Frost and the Land of Hot Water, advancing in massive numbers toward the Land of Fire.
Soon, they entered Fire Country territory and launched an assault from the northeast.
Konoha responded immediately.
With strategist Nara Shikaku as supreme commander, the Ino–Shika–Chō clans, the Uchiha clan, and the Hyūga clan were dispatched to meet the enemy.
A clash between two great powers naturally shook the entire shinobi world.
Though it was not an all-out war, its scale was anything but small.
Every nation watched closely.
Within Konoha, the outbreak of war also plunged the village into a tense state.
War was never confined to the battlefield alone.
Sarutobi Hiruzen understood this well.
He had already yielded repeatedly—almost to the point of humiliation.
Yet war had still broken out.
If he wanted to end it, he needed to show Kumogakure his resolve.
Thus, during this period, he appeared dutiful—doing everything possible to supply the front lines.
On the surface, it seemed as though he had temporarily abandoned his suppression of the Uchiha.
But that was merely an illusion.
"Captain, no abnormalities in the eastern district."
"The western district is also clear."
At Police Force headquarters, Qianyu's squad leaders reported in.
The three captains were Uchiha Yakumi, Uchiha Tekka, and Uchiha Inabi.
As for the fourth zone—the northern district—
Qianyu personally led Aoki, Yamato, and others to patrol it.
It was the most complex area.
Uchiha Inabi spoke again.
"The southern district is also fairly calm."
"Captain, since the new policies were enforced with strict laws across the village, criminals have been terrified and haven't dared to show themselves."
"However…"
"There is something strange."
The others turned to him.
"Strange?"
"Yes. A ninja reported that…"
"His family grave was dug up."
"…What?"
Everyone froze.
Aoki frowned.
"How does something like grave robbing still happen in Konoha?"
"That's… very strange."
The others were equally puzzled.
But—
Qianyu's heart suddenly clenched.
"Inabi. Explain in detail."
Though confused, Inabi saw the gravity in Qianyu's expression and immediately nodded.
"Yes, Captain."
"The reporting ninja is named Ōishi—a genin."
"His family produced no notable figures."
"His father was also only a genin, never took high-ranking missions, and ultimately died of illness and old age."
"Yet the corpse that was stolen from the grave—was his father's."
"Ōishi was furious."
"He begged us to find the culprit and recover his father's remains."
"He said that although neither he nor his father were exceptional, they served the village diligently their entire lives."
"Even if they had no merit, they had hard work."
"Yet even in death, his father was not allowed peace—his body desecrated."
"It's utterly inhumane."
"I checked the scene personally."
"There were no traces whatsoever."
"If Ōishi hadn't been particularly filial—visiting the grave regularly—this wouldn't have been discovered at all."
"Captain… do you think there's something more behind this?"
To everyone else, the incident was strange and infuriating—but hardly significant.
Yet Qianyu's expression had never been more grim.
Connecting recent events—
Four words instantly surfaced in his mind.
Edo Tensei.
And almost immediately, the entire truth became clear.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had sent the Uchiha, Hyūga, and Ino–Shika–Chō clans to the battlefield.
He placed Koharu and Homura in command of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans—to suppress the Uchiha internally.
Meanwhile—
Danzō Shimura had vanished.
Absent even from the Hokage meeting.
His only task was obvious.
To deal with Qianyu.
And there was no need to think further.
Danzō's method was clear—
Cooperate with the traitor Orochimaru.
Acquire forbidden techniques.
And the stolen corpses confirmed it.
At the very least—
Danzō had obtained one of Orochimaru's forbidden jutsu.
Edo Tensei.
He was secretly gathering bodies, researching the Impure World Reincarnation.
And his goal was equally clear.
To kill Uchiha Qianyu.