"No problem! That's it! I'll go prepare the recruitment notice first."
"Please help spread this news as soon as possible, Hokage-sama. Goodbye!"
With that, Uchiha Nobuhiko stood up, saluted the Third Hokage, and left swiftly.
The Third Hokage, deep in thought, immediately summoned Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.
More than ten minutes later, the three elders arrived.
"Hiruzen! What's the urgent matter?" Danzo asked sharply.
The Third Hokage recounted the village's recent security issues and Uchiha's reforms to the Security Department.
"What? Uchiha is opening up the Security Department?" Koharu exclaimed.
"Not completely," Hiruzen replied. "Only two squadrons of the Public Security Brigade. The captain and one deputy are still Uchiha."
Danzo narrowed his eyes. "Ah, so they're trying to offload the dirty work. Very naive. We'll just guide public opinion—keep the blame on them."
Hiruzen nodded. "Exactly. They don't understand how manipulable public opinion is."
Danzo sneered. "I want one deputy captain slot and three squad positions."
"I'm not greedy. Two teams for me," Koharu said.
"Same here," added Homura.
"Koharu and Yan can each have two teams. But Danzo, one deputy and two squadrons is too much. There are only two squadrons open. You'll get two team slots," Hiruzen clarified.
Danzo frowned but adjusted. "Fine, give me four team slots total. Two will go to the Shimura clan."
The Third Hokage nodded. "Done. Prepare your list. I'll deliver it to Nobuhiko."
Soon, they delivered the finalized list to Hiruzen, who then visited the Uchiha Security Department.
"No problem!" Nobuhiko welcomed. "Those chosen by Hokage-sama must be outstanding. I'll include everyone."
Then he smiled. "Would you like to attend the recruitment drive in two days, Lord Hokage? It could raise enthusiasm."
The Third Hokage hesitated. Something about Nobuhiko's smile seemed off.
"No, I'm far too busy," he said cautiously.
"A pity," Nobuhiko replied politely.
As Hiruzen left, a chill ran down his spine.
Nobuhiko watched him go, murmuring: "Just as Ren Takashi predicted. They want to infiltrate and divide us. But time favors us."
Plans were already underway for a news company under Uchiha control to combat misinformation and shape public opinion.
The trap was set.
And the Third Hokage had walked right into it.