The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki was of unparalleled strategic importance to Konohagakure. No matter the circumstances, Hiruzen Sarutobi would never relinquish control over such a vital asset.
More critically, Hiruzen was fully aware of the dangerous synergy between the Uchiha clan and the Nine-Tails. Long ago, Uchiha Madara had used his Mangekyō Sharingan to manipulate the Nine-Tails and wage war against the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. That night of devastation was etched deeply into the annals of shinobi history.
Because of this, Hiruzen could not—would not—allow the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Kushina, to fall under Uchiha control. The consequences could be catastrophic.
Now, faced with Byakuya's blunt refusal, Hiruzen's expression darkened with gravity.
"What did you say?" Hiruzen's voice was low, his gaze sharp. "Uchiha Byakuya, do not forget your position. You are the captain of the Military Police Force—not the Hokage."
"I command you, hand over Uzumaki Kushina. That is a direct order."
Hiruzen invoked the authority of the Hokage, hoping to suppress Byakuya with status alone and retrieve the Jinchūriki without conflict.
But to Byakuya, such pressure meant little.
"I already said—starting now, Uzumaki Kushina is under the protection of the Uchiha clan."
Byakuya stood firm, his arm protectively around Kushina.
"You—Uchiha Byakuya, are you openly defying Konoha!?" Hiruzen barked. "Disobeying the Hokage is tantamount to treason!"
But before Hiruzen could finish, Byakuya interrupted coldly.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen. You call yourself Hokage, yet you failed to properly safeguard the Jinchūriki. You allowed her to be harmed, and the village suffered. That is your betrayal of Konoha."
"If you are incapable of fulfilling your role, then it is time the Uchiha take over. All for the Will of Fire."
Byakuya knew full well that in matters of ideology and rhetoric, Hiruzen was a master manipulator—skilled at twisting ideals into justification. So he beat him at his own game, using Hiruzen's own words against him.
Hiruzen's face stiffened at the invocation of the "Will of Fire"—his doctrine.
How dare he…
"Uchiha Byakuya… surrender the Jinchūriki," Hiruzen growled. "This is your final warning."
"I've already told you. Uzumaki Kushina belongs to the Uchiha now. No one is taking her away."
Byakuya stared down the Third Hokage without a hint of fear.
"Enough! ANBU, restrain the Jinchūriki and detain Uchiha Byakuya immediately!"
Despite knowing Byakuya wielded the Mangekyō Sharingan—a rare and deadly power—Hiruzen could not allow this to escalate further. But he also knew that inaction now would be seen as weakness.
At his command, the ANBU operatives surrounding him drew their blades.
"What do you think you're doing?" Byakuya's voice was sharp as a kunai. "You dare attack the Uchiha's police force? Are you the ones turning against the village now?"
Around him, the Uchiha guard squad had already taken up formation, weapons drawn in sync.
"Hmph," Hiruzen scoffed, shedding the last of his usual composed demeanor. "I am the Hokage. I decide what is treason."
"All units—engage!"
"Understood!"
At the Hokage's command, the ANBU leapt forward in perfect coordination.
"Tch… so this is how far you've fallen."
Byakuya raised his hand, Mangekyō Sharingan flaring to life.
"Guards—prepare to eliminate the ANBU!"
"Yes, Captain!"
The clash was immediate and brutal. Elite ANBU clashed with the proud Uchiha Police Force, both sides unleashing high-level jutsu and deadly precision. The ANBU were individually stronger on average.
However, the Uchiha clan members in the Konoha Military Police Force were significantly stronger than the average ANBU.
Especially those who had awakened the Sharingan — their enhanced perception and ability to predict movements gave them an overwhelming advantage in one-on-one combat.
With the Sharingan's keen insight and their honed battle experience, the Uchiha police force swiftly overpowered the ANBU unit.
"This... this is the strength the Uchiha clan should be recognized for!"
Byakuya couldn't help but feel a surge of pride watching his clanmates dominate.
The ninja world was one where power reigned supreme — and in this world, the fastest way to gain that power was through a powerful bloodline.
Kekkei Genkai users like those from the Uchiha or Hyūga clans often surpassed ordinary shinobi, even those with similar combat experience or effort.
While it wasn't impossible for non-bloodline users to catch up through harsh training — like Might Guy or Hatake Kakashi — such cases were rare and exceptional.
"I don't understand," Byakuya thought coldly.
"Konoha possesses so many powerful clans — yet instead of supporting them, the leadership constantly seeks to control or marginalize them."
Over the years, distrust and suppression of the Uchiha clan had only grown worse under Hiruzen's reign and Danzo's influence.
This paranoia contributed to deepening divisions, weakening the unity of Konoha as a whole.
Eventually, the village would pay the price.
Years later, Pain — the leader of the Akatsuki — would single-handedly destroy the entire village using the Shinra Tensei of the Deva Path.
If not for Naruto Uzumaki's heartfelt plea and ability to empathize, Konoha might have never been rebuilt.
"Damn it... damn the Uchiha..."
Hiruzen's expression turned grim as he watched his ANBU agents fall one after another.
He knew all too well — the longer this fight dragged on, the worse it would become.
He had to end it quickly and reclaim the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Kushina Uzumaki, from Byakuya.
"Shua—"
Without hesitation, Hiruzen ripped off his Hokage robe, revealing the combat gear he had donned earlier after hearing the Jinchūriki might have gone berserk.
What he hadn't anticipated was that Kushina had already been subdued — not through force, but through Byakuya's unexpected intervention.
Still, the battle armor wouldn't go to waste. Hiruzen prepared to take action himself.
"Swoosh—"
Using the Body Flicker Technique (Shunshin no Jutsu), Hiruzen appeared instantly before Byakuya.
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