Just after Uchiha Byakuya had overwhelmed Sarutobi Hiruzen in battle, on the other side of the village, the Konoha Military Police Force led by Uchiha En had also defeated the ANBU division stationed nearby.
"Lord Byakuya, how shall we deal with these ANBU?"
Uchiha En looked at him with deep admiration.
During the clash, he had witnessed part of the battle between Byakuya and the Third Hokage. He saw the terrifying might of the Mangekyō Sharingan—how Byakuya effortlessly overpowered Sarutobi Hiruzen, once dubbed the 'God of Shinobi,' forcing him to retreat in disgrace.
"This… this is the true power of the Uchiha," En thought with excitement. "The power of the Mangekyō Sharingan, and the might of Lord Byakuya. What 'Ninjutsu Professor'? What 'strongest Hokage'? He could barely defend himself!"
Byakuya stood calmly as his eyes swept over the defeated ANBU operatives, each subdued and restrained by the Uchiha guards.
"These ANBU… are traitors to the village," he said coldly. "Under normal circumstances, they should be executed on the spot."
At those words, several ANBU members panicked visibly.
"Uchiha Byakuya! You can't do this! We're loyal Konoha shinobi!"
"We were only carrying out the Hokage's orders—attacking us is treason!"
Despite their protests, there was fear in their voices. After all, they had just attempted to apprehend the Uchiha clan on the Hokage's command—and failed.
"If I'd known that being ANBU meant going head-to-head with Uchiha Mangekyō users… I'd have chosen a different path," one ANBU thought bitterly.
"Silence!" Uchiha En barked, slamming his foot onto one of the captives and drawing his blade. "Do you think you still have the right to speak? Lord Byakuya is right—traitors deserve death!"
But just before En could strike, Byakuya raised a hand.
"Killing them would be too merciful," he said coolly. "Uchiha En, take them to the Hokage. Let's see if Sarutobi Hiruzen is willing to pay to get back these loyal 'servants' of his."
"Yes, Lord Byakuya! But… what price should we demand?" En asked, sheathing his blade.
"Anything will do. Ryo, scrolls, forbidden techniques… Let the Hokage squirm. And while you're at it, demand compensation for the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki as well. His incompetence lost her," Byakuya added, his tone indifferent.
To Byakuya, it wasn't about the ransom. He simply wanted to provoke Hiruzen—to let the Hokage feel humiliation.
As the guards began rounding up the bound ANBU for transport, En called out,
"You heard Lord Byakuya! We're marching to the Hokage Residence—move out!"
"Yes, sir!" the Uchiha Police Force responded in unison, leading the ANBU away in a show of overwhelming strength.
Meanwhile, within the Hokage Residence…
After escaping Byakuya's attack, Sarutobi Hiruzen—bruised, bloodied, and disgraced—immediately summoned Konoha's elder council: Shimura Danzō, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane.
The three rushed into the chamber, startled at the sight of the injured Third Hokage.
"Hiruzen! What happened to you!?" Koharu exclaimed.
"Who did this? Was Konoha attacked!?" Danzō demanded, already gripping his cane tightly.
"It was… Uchiha Byakuya," Hiruzen replied grimly, his face ashen. "I was injured in battle with him. What's worse—the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Kushina Uzumaki, was taken."
A heavy silence followed. Then Homura slammed the table.
"What!? The Uchiha have captured the Jinchūriki!? This is a crisis!"
"They've crossed the line…" Danzō muttered, his expression turning cold. "Just like Madara once did—they'll try to use the Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails again."
"They already wield Mangekyō Sharingan. If they succeed in controlling the Nine-Tails, Konoha's power structure will collapse. The Uchiha will become unstoppable," Koharu warned.
"This must be stopped immediately. I'll mobilize Root and launch a strike on the Uchiha compound," Danzō said, turning to leave.
"Danzo, stop right there."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was grave as he reached out to halt Shimura Danzo, who was already halfway to the door.
"You're planning to retrieve the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki by force?" Hiruzen continued. "Listen to me—my injury was caused by Uchiha Byakuya. His Mangekyō Sharingan... it's unlike anything I've encountered. If you rush in now, you'll only be throwing your life away."
Danzo froze, turning sharply.
"Are you saying you, the Professor, were injured by a single Uchiha?"
The tension in the room thickened. Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane exchanged glances, clearly alarmed.
Hiruzen nodded heavily.
"Yes. His Mangekyō isn't just visual prowess—it manipulates space itself. I attempted to subdue him, but he escaped with Kushina. It wasn't deception or trickery. He confronted me directly... and won."
Danzo's expression hardened, though the flicker of disbelief in his eyes gave way to wariness. He knew Hiruzen wasn't one to exaggerate.
"If even you failed..." Homura began slowly.
"Then that power... it truly rivals the legends. Mangekyō Sharingan strong enough to defeat the Hokage in battle."
"This can't stand." Koharu muttered. "We cannot allow the Uchiha to gain control over the Nine-Tails."
Danzo's voice was like ice.
"The Uchiha are dangerous by nature. Their curse of hatred only grows with power. If one of them controls the Nine-Tails... it's the beginning of the end."
Hiruzen turned to Danzo.
"How is your research on the First Hokage's Wood Release progressing?"
Danzo's single visible eye narrowed.
"Still unstable. I've conducted several transplantation attempts using Hashirama's cells, but the regenerative properties are too strong. Most hosts reject the power. The only successes have been partial and unstable."
Hiruzen's jaw clenched.
"We don't have time. Byakuya won't stop. We need a countermeasure to the Mangekyō—something to suppress the Nine-Tails if the worst happens. If you require more resources, you'll have them."
"I'll accelerate the experiments," Danzo said with grim resolve. "If we can stabilize Wood Release in a viable host, we may have a fighting chance."
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