Hokage Building
In the Hokage Building's meeting chamber, the elder council of Konoha—Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura—sat quietly on tatami mats.
Hiruzen typically conducted his work from his office. Ever since consolidating his authority as Hokage, meetings between the four had become rare—perhaps only held a few times a year.
"How dare a minor nation like the Land of Rain keep challenging Konoha? Hanzō the Salamander must be tired of living," Mitokado Homura muttered with disdain, scanning through a classified report.
Despite the conclusion of the Second Shinobi World War, the Land of Rain remained turbulent.
Utatane Koharu added, "Our intelligence agents report the Land of Rain has been rigorously training shinobi, consolidating rogue factions, aiding villages, and expanding their economy. Clearly, they're preparing for something big. We must remain vigilant."
"Hanzō the Salamander still hasn't grasped the reality of his situation," the Third Hokage remarked while reading another dossier.
Though Konoha's intelligence-gathering was mostly reliable, some assumptions were incorrect. While Hanzō was a legendary combatant, arrogant and formidable in ninjutsu, he didn't seem the type to initiate such calculated political manoeuvring.
The intelligence agents believed all strategic shifts in the Rain Country came from Hanzō, but that was a misjudgment.
Shimura Danzō's Root had provided more precise intelligence. Several mercenary factions had recently emerged in the Land of Rain, and Root had even identified their probable leader. This highlighted that Root's reach surpassed the standard Konoha intel network.
Moreover, Danzō had personally led operations in the Land of Rain during the war and had firsthand experience with Hanzō. He knew the man's limits.
Without offering a lengthy explanation, Danzō said coldly, "I'll lead Root into the Land of Rain myself."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gave Danzō a glance. Despite their ideological differences, Hiruzen respected his old comrade.
Shimura Danzō and his Root could destabilize any region with ease. His methods were ruthless but effective. No one could deny that he had made significant contributions to Konoha's stability—albeit from the shadows.
However, the scale of Root had become worrisome. Since the Second War, even the Hokage didn't know exactly how large Danzō's operation had grown.
Koharu and Homura exchanged subtle glances. Sarutobi gave a faint nod and spoke with deliberate gravity:
"Danzō, the mission is yours."
Danzō gave a brief nod in response.
Koharu set down one scroll and picked up another. Her brow furrowed as she read.
"The current Uchiha clan head also leads the Military Police Force now."
"The system established by Tobirama had its logic. We need not meddle too deeply," Sarutobi said, exhaling a puff of smoke. Though nominally autonomous, the Police Force still reported to the Hokage.
"Still, Uchiha Naraku seems hungry for power," Homura noted. "He's overseeing both clan affairs and the Police Force. Can he manage both?"
"Even if he's a capable shinobi, Naraku is still a house pet—a caged bird," Hiruzen said calmly, taking another puff.
The Police Force was a double-edged sword. While the position held prestige, its operations were tightly budgeted by the Hokage's office. Originally allocated over 150 million ryō, their budget had been steadily reduced under excuses like military expenditures, the academy, and the hospital.
Additionally, shinobi were tools of war. Even with Konoha's idealistic education, the reality was harsh: only battle-hardened shinobi reached Jōnin rank.
Though the Uchiha appeared powerful at a glance, the clan's influence had waned. Once prominent in the Warring States Era and early Konoha, they now rarely left the village. Their missions were mostly low-risk C and D-rank requests—barely enough to keep them active.
Joining the Police Force offered a steady, if stagnant, career. Many Uchiha had grown complacent—sheathed tigers, dulled by peace.
Perhaps, someday, when the time is right, the Hokage office might strip the clan of all authority. And if they resist? Elimination wouldn't be off the table.
In canon, after all, the Uchiha were eventually wiped out.
"We must always be cautious of the Uchiha," Danzō interjected coldly. "They are born with a darkness inside them. Don't forget him. Decades later, even the memory of that man looms like an immovable mountain."
Hiruzen remained silent. He knew Danzō spoke of Uchiha Madara.
Root and its founder were deeply unsavoury, yes—but Danzō was a loyal blade. As long as he served the village's interest, Hiruzen allowed his darkness to grow.
But he never foresaw that these comrades—so loyal, so fierce—would one day let Konoha crumble if it meant protecting their own shadows...
The four continued discussing Konoha's future and internal tensions as if they were still in their youth.
---
Yamato Izakaya, Konoha
Inside the modest izakaya, the owner handed a sake bottle to a seated guest with a polite smile.
"Please enjoy."
"Thank you," replied the guest softly, examining the jug before pouring a drink.
Suddenly, eight shinobi clad in unique uniforms entered. Their blue hats bore the Uchiha fan surrounding a shuriken symbol, and their armbands bore matching insignias—on the left, the Uchiha crest; on the right, departmental designations like Criminal Investigation or Special Police.
The eight split into two teams—four encircled the owner, and four approached the guest.
"You are Sasuke Kimura, owner of Yamato Izakaya?" one of the officers asked. "Come with us."
The officer produced shackles and locked the man's hands before he could respond.
On the other side, Uchiha Saburō, a Special Police officer, stood in front of the drinking guest. He picked up the jug and examined it carefully.
The guest blinked, confused. "Uchiha-san, I don't understand. What have I done?"
"Don't you know?" Saburō asked impatiently.
"I'm just a Genin who respects Lord Hokage," he said hesitantly. "Have I broken a law?"
Saburō didn't respond. He activated his Sharingan, locking eyes with the Genin—Mitsuiha. In an instant, the man froze, entranced.
"Take him," Saburō ordered.
Two officers stepped forward and locked shackles around the stunned shinobi.
Saburō then split the ceramic jug in half with a kunai. Inside, along the inner walls, were faint markings—coded messages used by Iwagakure for intelligence smuggling.
Initially uncertain, Saburō now had proof.
"So," he muttered, "Iwagakure spies really are elite."
---