"Now is not the time to let emotions get involved."
Homura Mitokado's gaze swept over and he was the first to speak.
His tone was somewhat blunt and distant.
"What good does it do that you trust him?"
Hatake Sakumo actually trusted Uchiha Chiya this much?
That was something none of the three had anticipated.
Where did such strong trust come from?
Could it be that the Uchiha had already won Sakumo over?
Sakumo, as the captain of the Anbu, actually trusted an Uchiha this much?
"If Uchiha Chiya can normally use the Sharingan to put the Nine-Tails to sleep, then none of this becomes an issue. But if he manipulates the Nine-Tails and uses it to damage the village, how do we clean that up? Can the Anbu handle a Nine-Tails gone berserk?"
"Furthermore, when has it ever been possible to apply common logic to the people of the Uchiha Clan? If things truly reach that point, how much of the village's losses could actually be recovered? Could you, Sakumo, bear that responsibility?"
Sakumo was left speechless. He was not a ninja who was skilled in politics.
Although he felt that Homura was making too much of things.
On the battlefield, sweeping through enemy ninja, it was certainly Uchiha Chiya who had used the "Uchiha Forbidden."
Someone capable of acting in a way that harmed himself for the sake of his comrades.
How could such a person possibly control the Nine-Tails and commit an act of betraying the village?
When it came to Uchiha Chiya.
Sakumo held quite a great deal of respect and admiration for him.
Others did not know about the "Uchiha Forbidden," but as the captain of the Anbu, he did.
He had gotten his hands on a good amount of Uchiha files in the past.
That power which surpassed ordinary three-tomoe Sharingan, while granting tremendous strength, also drove them toward darkness.
The more it was used, the closer one drew to that darkness.
In the end, swallowed by the darkness completely.
However, Homura had just brought up the Uchiha Clan.
Thinking back over the "glorious deeds" of the Uchiha from the years past, it seemed there really were some troubling incidents in their history.
Meeting the scrutinizing gazes of the three of them.
The words Sakumo had been about to say in defense of Chiya reached his lips, and in the end he swallowed them back down.
Most of the Uchiha Clan were extremists, especially after awakening the Sharingan.
Among the Uchiha he had come to know, Uchiha Chiya was one of the few he felt was not so extreme.
But considering Konoha's current state, with the war having only just ended.
Their being so cautious and guarded about Uchiha Chiya, or rather the Uchiha Clan as a whole, was something he could understand.
"Yes. I understand."
"When do we begin?"
Hiruzen's gaze was calm, and his face carried a gentle expression.
As though what had just happened did not concern him at all.
"When it comes to matters involving Lady Mito, we can only be as careful as possible. Sakumo, we understand what you mean as well. The Uchiha are part of Konoha after all. But there are times when we have no choice but to prepare our defenses and account for every possible factor."
Watching Sakumo settle quietly back into his seat.
Only then did Hiruzen continue.
"Three days from now, ten miles outside the village. The specific mission will be assigned at that time. Beyond watching over Uchiha Chiya, the more important task is to ensure no one gets anywhere near."
Sakumo nodded with full attention.
"Yes, Third Hokage-sama."
"The specific location will be told to you three days from now."
Sakumo paused briefly.
The specific location was not being handled by the Anbu?
Sakumo did not think too deeply about it.
"Sakumo, Anbu duties keep you busy. You may head back for now."
Sakumo nodded and rose quickly.
Without hesitation he walked out of the Hokage's office.
"That Sakumo is getting more and more out of line."
Koharu Utatane pulled her gaze back from the doorway and looked at the two of them with a cold tone.
"Could Hatake Sakumo and the Uchiha be..."
Homura's face turned serious and he could not help probing the question.
"No. Sakumo has met Uchiha Chiya only a handful of times. The two know each other, but there has not been much interaction between them."
Hiruzen shook his head.
He then walked to the desk and opened a drawer.
He handed the scroll inside to the two of them.
The two looked at the information written on it, and were momentarily surprised.
The contents of the scroll covered almost every meeting between Hatake Sakumo and Uchiha Chiya.
Even the words spoken between the two had been recorded on it.
From the contents, it did appear that Sakumo and Uchiha Chiya truly had no particularly deep connection.
The two of them suddenly thought of something and both froze at the same moment.
Why was this information so detailed?
Without exchanging a word, they both looked toward Hiruzen.
It was clear that he had been paying close attention to the two of them as well.
Hiruzen cleared his throat.
His gaze settled on Homura.
"In these three days, there is a task to hand to Root."
A task?
Homura thought back to what had just been said to Sakumo.
It seemed the Anbu were specifically the ones not being told the exact location.
Could it be...
"Within three days, select three suitable locations outside the village. The barrier setup and everything else, all of it is to be handled by Root."
Upon hearing this task, Homura felt a weight lift from his chest.
So that was it after all.
"Understood."
Leaving the Hokage's office.
Homura walked at a quick pace toward Root's base. He entered the deepest part of it.
He opened the door inside.
A familiar figure appeared before him.
The person wore bandages over their head and leaned on a cane.
It was the suspended Danzo.
"What is it today?"
Danzo looked over.
"Lady Mito's matter."
Mito?
A flash of surprise passed through Danzo's eyes.
"Is it time to carry out the transfer to the new jinchuriki?"
Homura shook his head.
"It is having Uchiha Chiya use the Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails, in order to reduce the harm the Nine-Tails is causing Lady Mito."
Upon hearing Uchiha Chiya's name, Danzo's expression changed drastically.
"You are saying you want Uchiha Chiya to come into contact with the Nine-Tails jinchuriki? Have you gone mad, or has Hiruzen gone mad?"
Danzo's eyes were filled with fury.
"Do not get so worked up."
Homura knew that Hiruzen had already made the final call, and this matter was decided.
The Uchiha Clan was likely about to take a historic step.
Having the Uchiha come into contact with the Nine-Tails jinchuriki was something that had never once happened in the entire history of Konoha.
Of course, with the exception of that one rogue ninja from long ago.
"Damn the Uchiha. No, this absolutely cannot be allowed to happen. I am going to find Hiruzen."
He said this and walked straight toward the outside, the sound of his cane striking the floor echoing steadily.
As the sound gradually faded into the distance, Homura shook his head.
This matter had already been settled.
Danzo going there would change almost nothing.
"Bang!"
The door of the Hokage's office was kicked directly open.
Hiruzen's brow furrowed slightly.
"Hiruzen! How could you allow the Uchiha to act this freely?"
Danzo's furious voice rang out.
Hiruzen looked up at him briefly and said nothing.
After the Anbu closed the door behind them, Danzo crossed the room in a few quick strides and came to stand before Hiruzen.
He demanded an answer with a sharp gaze.
"Hiruzen, what are you thinking exactly? Have you forgotten what our teacher used to say about the Uchiha?"
Teacher, of course, referred to the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
The man who understood the Uchiha best.
"The Uchiha are also members of the village."
Hiruzen spoke without any hurry.
Danzo's face darkened.
They were all supposed to be on the same side, and yet he was still putting on this act.
"Hiruzen, have you lost your mind?"
"Quickly cancel having Uchiha Chiya involved with the jinchuriki..."
Before Danzo could finish speaking, Hiruzen stood up directly.
"Danzo."
Danzo stopped mid-sentence.
"You have already been suspended. You should rest properly at home for the time being. Whether you can return to your position leading Root in the future will depend on how you conduct yourself going forward."
"As for matters within the village, you do not need to concern yourself with them for now."
Danzo's expression turned angry, his fingers trembling as he pointed at Hiruzen.
Hiruzen gave him a calm, measured glance.
"Danzo, do not forget. I am the Hokage."