Standing at the front of the group, Hiruzen Sarutobi swept his gaze across the Uchiha who were fully prepared for battle.
From beneath the brim of the Hokage hat, his eyes finally settled on Uchiha Anlan, who stood at the head of the opposing side.
Facing the hostility in the air—so thick it felt almost tangible—
There was not the slightest anger on his face.
Instead, he wore his usual warm smile, the kind that made people feel as though they were basking in a gentle spring breeze.
"Heh."
He chuckled softly.
His calm voice cut through the faint murmurs around them.
"The most prestigious clan in the ninja world… the department responsible for maintaining order in Konoha."
"And yet in Anlan-kun's words, it becomes merely 'a small place.'"
"That seems a little too modest."
He paused briefly.
His gaze drifted—seemingly casually—past Anlan's shoulder.
Behind him stood Uchiha Fugaku, the head of the Police Force.
Beside him was Uchiha Mikoto, the granddaughter of a prominent dove faction elder.
Behind them stood sharp-eyed Uchiha elites.
Hiruzen recalled the intelligence reports about the three factions of the Uchiha clan merging.
He had assumed that even if it were true, it had only just begun.
But now—
The heirs of two factions were clearly standing behind the grandson of the hawk faction elder.
The internal situation of the Uchiha clan was even more complicated than he had imagined.
Suppressing the disturbance in his mind, Hiruzen returned to the matter at hand.
"The Police Force made quite a stir today."
"Several ninja were arrested in broad daylight, and the entire village is discussing it."
"As Hokage, I could not remain at ease."
He looked calmly at Anlan.
"May I ask what crimes these people committed… that required the entire Police Force to mobilize like this?"
Notably—
He avoided mentioning ANBU or Root entirely.
It was obvious he wanted to reduce the matter to something small.
Moreover, the Hokage himself had come in person.
That alone showed considerable respect toward the Uchiha.
Some Uchiha who were inclined toward the Hokage side noticed this.
Their hostility weakened slightly—
Though their vigilance remained.
Behind Hiruzen, the Hyuga, Nara, and other clan heads remained silent.
They simply observed the Uchiha reaction carefully.
The sight before them had already shaken them deeply.
A divided Uchiha clan—
And a united Uchiha clan—
Were two completely different forces.
Seeing Hiruzen's attitude, Anlan immediately understood.
The old monkey is worried now.
Which means…
I can push further.
Anlan stepped slightly aside.
The path into the Police Force headquarters opened before the Hokage and the clan leaders.
At the same time, he raised his hand in a polite gesture.
"Third Hokage. Honored clan heads."
"The main hall has already prepared tea."
"As for today's matter…"
"It is hardly proper to discuss it outside the door."
"Nor is it appropriate for deliberation."
"Please, come inside."
This invitation—like opening the gates to a trap—caused the "Professor" Hokage's deep gaze to linger on Anlan's face for a moment.
He seemed to search for some hidden intention.
But the seasoned Third Hokage showed no change in expression.
The warm smile remained.
"Anlan-kun is thoughtful."
He nodded and calmly walked toward the brightly lit hall of the Police Force headquarters.
Behind him, Koharu Utatane tried to speak—
But Hiruzen silenced her with a glance.
I am the Hokage.
Koharu had no choice but to hold her tongue.
She signaled the other clan heads with her eyes.
Only when she saw them follow did she relax slightly and walk behind Hiruzen.
Truthfully—
She was afraid the Uchiha might seize the opportunity to attack.
After all, if their positions were reversed—
She certainly would not hesitate to suppress the Uchiha.
Once everyone had taken their seats, Hiruzen's gaze returned to Anlan at the head of the room.
Clearly, he had no intention of letting the earlier topic disappear.
Meeting the Hokage's eyes calmly, Anlan replied.
"Hokage-sama should know that the Police Force's duty is to maintain order within the village."
"All regulations were personally established by the Second Hokage."
"We would not dare neglect them."
"As for those we arrested today…"
"They were merely suspicious individuals wandering near the Uchiha compound."
"And with war about to break out…"
"The village has become crowded with forces of all kinds."
"There is no guarantee that spies from other nations have not infiltrated Konoha."
"Such spies might attempt to steal our secrets…"
"Or even sow discord within the village."
The clan heads listened to the exaggerated explanation with expressions of astonishment.
It was as if they had just discovered a new continent.
"As for mobilizing such force…"
Anlan smoothly returned the question.
"The Police Force never hesitates to deploy manpower when eliminating potential threats."
"After all…"
"If a spy were allowed to escape…"
"The consequences would be disastrous."
He smiled slightly.
"Hokage-sama, don't you agree?"
The smile on Hiruzen's face faded ever so slightly.
He was about to respond—
When Koharu Utatane could no longer restrain herself.
Her voice carried suppressed anger.
"That's sophistry! They are clearly—"
"Koharu."
Hiruzen raised his hand to stop her.
Then he looked back at Anlan.
"If they are criminals…"
"Should they not be handed over to the ANBU for interrogation?"
"The Police Force maintains order."
"But interrogating spies…"
"May not be your specialty."
That was the true objective.
He wanted the prisoners.
The atmosphere instantly tightened.
Every Uchiha present understood.
Once the prisoners were handed over—
Everything they had done today would become meaningless.
Worse—
They might even be accused in return.
After all, the fate of Sakumo Hatake was still fresh in everyone's memory.
Before Anlan could respond—
Mikoto stepped forward half a pace.
She bowed slightly.
"Hokage-sama. Advisor-sama."
"Precisely because this case may involve spies…"
"And because the matter is serious…"
"The Police Force must act cautiously."
"We have already uncovered some preliminary clues."
"The suspects are currently being interrogated urgently."
"Our goal is to uncover the entire network behind them."
"If they are transferred now…"
"It may interrupt the interrogation and break the chain of evidence."
Mikoto lifted her head.
Her tone was sincere and composed.
"For the safety of Konoha…"
"I ask Hokage-sama to allow the Police Force to complete the investigation."
"Once interrogation is finished…"
"We will immediately submit the full report to the Hokage Tower."
Her explanation was perfectly reasonable.
It demonstrated the Uchiha's "loyalty"—
While blocking the Hokage's attempt to demand the prisoners.
Hiruzen stared at Mikoto deeply.
Then he looked at Anlan, who remained calm and steady as a mountain.
A chill rose in his heart.
The younger generation standing before him—
Was far more troublesome than the rough and straightforward elders of the past.
For a moment, he remained silent.
The air around them felt frozen.
Several Uchiha quietly prepared themselves.
If Anlan gave the word—
They were ready to rush forward and cut down the Hokage and his companions.
Under this suffocating pressure—
Koharu fought the urge to flee.
Inside, she cursed the "inherently evil Uchiha brats."
The clan heads also prepared themselves mentally.
None of them dared bet that the Uchiha wouldn't kill them as well.
Finally—
Under everyone's watchful eyes—
Hiruzen spoke.
"Oh?"
His voice carried neither anger nor approval.
"In that case…"
"I shall wait and see."
"Let us see what remarkable 'clues' the Police Force manages to uncover."
He paused briefly.
"Of course…"
"Anlan-kun wouldn't mind if I arranged for the Yamanaka clan to assist with the interrogation."
"That way…"
"The 'clues' might appear more quickly."
Anlan smiled.
"Of course…"
"I don't mind."
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