"Other clans are manageable," Homura Mitokado began calmly. "Even the Hyūga suffered significant losses in this war. Their Main House even lost a Byakugan. Offering them proper compensation is only fair."
"As for the smaller clans, we simply follow standard policy—pensions, subsidies, nothing unusual."
He paused.
"The real problem… is the Uchiha."
Koharu Utatane took over.
"In this war, the Uchiha deployed three hundred and fifty shinobi."
"Among them were twenty-five jōnin possessing three-tomoe Sharingan."
"One hundred elite chūnin and special jōnin with two-tomoe Sharingan."
"The remainder were mid-to-low ranks, most either without Sharingan or only one-tomoe."
She adjusted her glasses.
"After the war, however, our current estimates show thirty-six three-tomoe jōnin."
"One hundred fifty-three elite chūnin and special jōnin with two-tomoe."
"And most of the rest have awakened at least one tomoe."
A quiet breath filled the room.
"And during this war," Koharu continued, "three particularly outstanding figures emerged from the Uchiha."
"'Fierce-Eyed' Uchiha Fugaku."
"Shisui of the Body Flicker."
"And the so-called 'Red Sun'—Uchiha Jin—whose reputation rivals even the Yellow Flash."
"In other words," she concluded flatly, "while every other clan grew weaker through this war…"
"The Uchiha grew stronger."
They had lost nearly a hundred clan members.
Yet their overall combat strength had increased dramatically.
Other clans bled.
The Uchiha evolved.
Silence settled over the Hokage's office.
For once, all four elders shared the same thought.
Tobirama-sensei had been right.
Confine the Uchiha.
Keep them within the Military Police Force.
Keep them inside the village.
Because the battlefield—
Was the perfect forge for their power.
Daily life-and-death combat was precisely the stimulus the Sharingan thrived on.
Pair Uchiha shinobi in mixed squads.
Let them form bonds.
Let teammates die.
Each loss could trigger awakening.
If allowed to operate freely like other clans, within a few decades…
Konoha might find itself with hundreds of elite jōnin wielding three-tomoe Sharingan.
The image alone was chilling.
No.
This could not be allowed to continue unchecked.
Without needing to speak it aloud, the so-called "Konoha F4" reached silent consensus.
They would restrain the Uchiha.
Koharu spoke first.
"The Uchiha led the pushback against Kirigakure. Their prestige is at its peak."
"If we act without justification, we risk backlash."
Homura nodded.
"And targeting a decorated clan immediately after war could provoke resentment—not just from the Uchiha, but from other clans as well."
The risk was real.
If they appeared to punish victory, other families might feel threatened.
Hiruzen exhaled a thin stream of smoke.
"The village treasury is exhausted," he said quietly. "Years of war have drained us dry."
"Fugaku is a man who understands the bigger picture."
"I will speak with him."
He had already decided.
The Uchiha's compensation and pensions would be… delayed.
As for rewards for merit—
If there were no pensions, there would be no bonuses either.
It was, after all, "reasonable."
Konoha had ceded territory in negotiations with Sunagakure.
Talks with Iwa and Kumo were still ongoing.
Were it not for Minato's capture of A and the Eight-Tails, the village might not even afford basic war pensions.
In such times—
Shouldn't the largest clan in Konoha show responsibility?
And conveniently—
Fugaku was cautious. Reserved. Politically malleable.
Hiruzen was confident he could persuade him to "endure for the village."
Better still—
If the Uchiha agreed voluntarily, they could be held up as a model.
A "selfless" clan.
Other clans—like the Hyūga—would hesitate before demanding their share.
The Uchiha would gain hollow praise.
And quietly alienate their peers.
Two birds.
One stone.
Homura smiled faintly.
"The Uchiha care about face. Say a few flattering words, elevate them publicly—they won't refuse."
Koharu added, "We must not appear forceful. It would be best if they propose it themselves."
Hiruzen nodded.
"That can be arranged."
He wasn't arrogant.
Just experienced.
In his eyes, most Uchiha were political amateurs.
Apply a little pressure. Offer a little honor.
They would walk willingly into the cage.
Homura glanced toward the silent figure seated slightly apart.
"Danzō."
"What do you think?"
Ordinarily, Danzō was the most enthusiastic voice when it came to suppressing the Uchiha.
But now—
He had been silent the entire time.
Danzō let out a low snort.
"My opinion?"
He cast a cold glance across the room.
"Does it matter anymore?"
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