Originally, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane were deep in discussion, once again deliberating over how to suppress the growing influence of the Uchiha clan. Their anxiety had been increasing ever since Uchiha Byakuya had displayed the terrifying power of his Mangekyō Sharingan.
But suddenly, urgent news arrived.
"Hokage-sama! Uchiha En, the deputy captain of the Konoha Military Police Force, has appeared below the Hokage Building with a full escort. They've brought captured Anbu with them!"
The room fell silent for a breath.
"What!?" Koharu rose to her feet, face pale. "Are they launching a coup?"
"Damn it! The Uchiha clan couldn't even wait a moment longer…" Danzo muttered grimly, already reaching for his cane.
"This… this could be the end…" Homura added.
Panic swept the elders. They already knew how powerful Byakuya's Mangekyō Sharingan was — if even Hiruzen had been defeated, then none of them stood a chance. They assumed this sudden move signaled the Uchiha's intent to seize power by force.
But then came a detail that eased their fears.
"The captain of the police force, Uchiha Byakuya, is not among them," the messenger continued. "Only Uchiha En and a contingent of Uchiha guards are present."
Hiruzen exhaled sharply, tension easing slightly from his shoulders. "So… it's not a coup."
If the Uchiha clan truly intended to rebel, Byakuya would have come himself. His absence meant this was not a full-blown insurrection — at least, not yet.
"Let's go," Hiruzen said, standing straight. "We'll meet them and see what they intend."
Though he had recently been humiliated in battle by Byakuya, he was still the Hokage — and he would act the part. Danzo, Koharu, and Homura silently followed.
Outside the Hokage Building, a crowd had already formed — drawn by the spectacle. Dozens of civilians filled the street, murmuring in confusion. The Uchiha, with cold expressions, stood among the subdued Anbu — most of whom were injured or incapacitated.
"What is the meaning of this?" Hiruzen demanded as he stepped out. "This is disrupting the order of the village."
He gestured, and his own Anbu dispersed the civilians, forming a perimeter.
Then Hiruzen's expression darkened as he turned to Uchiha En.
"Uchiha clan! Do you realize what you've done? Attacking Anbu? Do you intend to rebel? Release them now!"
His voice was sharp, but he didn't mask the underlying caution. Without Byakuya present, Hiruzen was emboldened — but still wary.
Danzo quickly stepped in, using the opportunity to assert pressure.
"You're far out of line. Surrender the Anbu, and you might be spared," he said, signaling subtly to the Root members nearby.
"Capture the Uchiha if they resist," he added under his breath.
But Uchiha En stood firm, eyes glowing faintly with the power of his Sharingan.
"Rebel? Don't twist the facts, Hokage-sama," En replied coldly. "These Anbu are traitors who unlawfully detained the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki under Danzo's orders. We acted under the authority of the Military Police."
"You think we'll stand by while Root operates in the shadows, targeting the Uchiha and violating Konoha's laws?"
En raised his hand.
"Guards, eliminate them."
The guards unsheathed their weapons without hesitation.
"Wait! Stop!" Hiruzen barked, stepping forward. But it was too late.
"Shhk!"
Blood arced through the air. Several Root operatives collapsed, lifeless, their masked faces falling into the dirt.
"Stop, I said!" Hiruzen shouted again, fury and grief overtaking his features. These were his men — many personally recruited from his Sarutobi clan.
The Uchiha guards stopped at last, awaiting En's next command.
"You call yourselves guardians of the village," En said, his voice steady. "Yet you hide the truth and act in darkness. Today, we bring light to your hypocrisy."
Danzo clenched his fists, seething. Koharu and Homura stood frozen, pale and speechless.
These Anbu, many of whom hailed from the Sarutobi clan, had been personally trained by Hiruzen Sarutobi after he became Hokage. Each loss was irreplaceable, a blow not just to his forces, but to his legacy.
Now, seeing the Uchiha guards cut them down without hesitation, how could Hiruzen not feel fury? How could his heart not ache?
"Hokage-sama, did you say something? Sorry, I couldn't hear you. Next time, speak up a little," Uchiha En said mockingly, his expression unreadable.
But then, he raised a hand. "Since the Hokage has spoken... all units, stand down."
The security team swiftly sheathed their blades and fell back into formation. Their discipline was sharp—too sharp. Hiruzen's face darkened.
They no longer obeyed his command. The Uchiha Police Force was operating independently—no longer under the Hokage's effective control.
"What do you want in return for sparing the rest of them?" Hiruzen asked grimly. He knew full well this was a negotiation, not a raid. The Uchiha weren't fools—they had come here to bargain, but they came with blood already drawn to prove their leverage.
He had tried to pressure Uchiha En with force, but it had backfired disastrously. Several loyal Anbu—his kin—were already dead.
En's answer came calmly, but its content sent a chill down Hiruzen's spine.
"Hokage-sama, how about this? Why don't you hand over the Hokage's title to Lord Byakuya?"
"What did you say!?" Hiruzen barked, barely containing his anger. "You Uchiha dare to make such an outrageous demand!?"
The old Hokage's rejection was swift and absolute. "That position is not something I will give up. Not to Byakuya, not to anyone."
Hiruzen knew he would sooner die than relinquish the Hokage title to a clan already suspected of rebellion.
Uchiha En didn't flinch. "Then perhaps we should take over all administrative positions in Konoha. Let the Uchiha oversee the village's protection directly."
"No!" Hiruzen replied at once, without hesitation.
The implication was clear: If the Uchiha controlled every critical post in the village, then Hiruzen would become Hokage in name only.
"Hokage-sama, you reject that as well?" En said, voice sharpening. "Then what's the point of these talks?"
He turned to the security team. "Cut them down—"
"Wait!" Hiruzen shouted, raising a hand. "We can still negotiate!"
He was nearly breathless with frustration. Didn't these Uchiha understand how diplomacy worked? You ask for too much to get something reasonable—not go straight for the kill when denied.
Hiruzen had spent decades navigating power games in Konoha, but now, facing someone like Uchiha En—who had no interest in those rules—his tactics were faltering.
"What exactly are you proposing?" En asked coldly. "Will you step down as Hokage, or hand over all Konoha's governance?"
Hiruzen exhaled slowly, jaw clenched.
"I won't grant either of those things," he said finally. "But I can offer the Uchiha clan expanded authority. Greater influence in Konoha's internal affairs. Autonomy in police operations. Even a seat on the council."
"'Other rights'..." En echoed. "You'll need to be specific."
The two of them began to talk in earnest—one side pushing boldly, the other bleeding concessions. With each term offered, Hiruzen felt his control slipping, and cursed Byakuya in silence.
If it weren't for that man's overwhelming power and influence, none of this would be happening.
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