Uchiha's Taijutsu Supreme

Sensing several familiar chakras, Fuma's lips curled up as he sighed.

"The Third Hokage arrived rather quickly... Afraid I'll lead the Uchiha in outright rebellion, is he? Even brought Sakumo along..."

"Stop the search. Pack up the Root Division's spoils and prepare to withdraw; the Third Hokage and the Anbu are on their way."

Fuma's rough voice echoed through the enclosed underground room, causing the smashing noises to cease.

The delighted Uchiha clan members emerged from various rooms in the Root Division's hideout, their arms filled with loot. Some had only managed to snatch a couple of kunai after fighting with others over the spoils.

With a dark expression, Fuma tossed out dozens of scrolls and instructed:

"Pack everything into these scrolls and keep them close. Take them home and use them as you please."

"And remember to maintain some dignity—don't let us Uchiha look so desperate, as if we can't even afford a kunai!"

Fuma glared at Testsuka, who stood nearby, looking enviously at the others' generous hauls with a sulky expression.

"Hahaha..."

"This is just pitiful. Tetsuka's going to get an earful from his sister Yodai when he gets home!"

The others teased Tetsuka, who could only grin sheepishly, proudly holding up his two kunai as if they were prized possessions.

The air was filled with cheerful laughter as the Uchiha, having had their fill of raiding, enjoyed a unique thrill in this sweep.

"Thanks to Fuma's leadership, this is the power and pride the police force should have! It feels amazing!"

Meanwhile, Danzo lay on the ground, his mouth tightly shut, eyes blazing with hatred as he glared at each person in the room, engraving the scene into his heart while cursing them all fervently.

"When I gain control of the Nine-Tails' power and become Hokage, every one of these fools will die. The entire Uchiha clan will be reduced to ashes, left without a trace!"

After being humiliated by Fuma in public twice, Danzo's hatred had festered to an unbearable degree, almost igniting his very soul.

Sensing this surge of malice, Fuma chuckled, glancing at Danzo lying at his feet, pretending to be unconscious. He shook his head.

"Pure hatred... Keep sinking into darkness, Danzo. I'm curious how many of the Nine-Tails' tails you can actually withstand with that body of yours."

"Even those with an Asura reincarnate's physique find Nine-Tails to be a heavy burden without it's consent. Let's hope he keeps surprising me."

Lifting his foot off Danzo, Fuma bid a sarcastic farewell.

"Well, the police force has successfully completed its mission. We thank the Hokage's advisor and the Root Division for their enthusiastic cooperation."

He then glanced at Fugaku, who understood and nodded in response. Fugaku unrolled a scroll, revealing two unrecognizable, bloodied corpses, their faces completely disfigured.

"Fugaku, it sounds like there are some villagers outside, likely here to watch the commotion. Announce that the police force has captured spies infiltrating Konoha to set the tone for this operation."

"Speak calmly and politely; we don't want it to look like we're up to no good."

With these instructions, Fuma led the group out of the Root Division's hideout, leaving behind Danzo sprawled on the ground and a now-stripped-bare Root Division.

At the entrance, the Third Hokage was soothing the agitated crowd of villagers with a composed demeanor.

"Everyone, there's no need to worry. This is merely a research division within the village, and the police force was conducting a routine inspection. Nothing is amiss here, so please rest easy."

Just then, Fugaku emerged, dragging the two corpses behind him. He surveyed the crowd and announced loudly:

"Spies from outside villages tried to infiltrate Konoha but have been dealt with by Chief Fuma of the police force. Rest assured, everyone. With the police force here, Konoha remains the safest village!"

He then cast a look at the Third Hokage and added pointedly:

"All thanks to the guidance of the Hokage."

A round of applause broke out as the onlookers, sensing the underlying tension, wisely began to disperse.

They had initially followed out of habit, expecting the usual family disputes and trivial matters that the police force often handled, but now they felt a different atmosphere.

The Third Hokage sighed deeply. With his experience, he was well aware that Fugaku's words were nothing but a front. He'd already guessed the true reason behind today's confrontation.

"Of course… Uchiha Fuma's return was bound to bring Hiruko's past actions to light, demanding accountability."

Beside him, Sakumo Hatake watched thoughtfully. Since Fuma's rise to prominence, his straightforward worldview has been shaken.

To face the whirlwind Fuma had stirred within Konoha, he had held back Kakashi's wish to graduate early from the Academy and rise to Chunin, deciding it was too dangerous for his son amidst this fierce power struggle.

Konoha was now at the boiling point, with all sides vying for dominance. A child like Kakashi would be better off staying at the Academy, waiting for the storm to pass.

Fuma walked over to the Third Hokage with a respectful bow, saying in a friendly tone:

"Lord Third, you must have heard of the rogue ninja Hiruko's actions. I was only gone from the village for a few months, yet such things have happened. I'm sure this is not something you would have wanted to see…"

The Third Hokage, taken aback, had expected a much harder conversation. But Fuma's tone suggested he was ready to let this matter rest here.

With Fuma's growing strength and influence, the Third Hokage's desire to suppress the Uchiha clan had faded, his outlook turning more conservative. Maintaining Konoha's current relative peace had become his main priority.

As for the policies of Tobirama Senju to curb the Uchiha, he thought, they could be set aside for now—he didn't have time for them when his own position was becoming unstable.

The Third Hokage stroked his beard with a solemn expression, replying:

"The Uchiha clan has always been a pillar of Konoha, serving the village faithfully since its founding."

"The incident with Hiruko and the Root Division was solely Danzo's doing, and I will see to it that he is properly disciplined. I ask for your understanding, Clan Leader Fuma."

Koharu Utatane, standing nearby, narrowed her eyes with a disapproving glance at the Third Hokage and spoke sharply:

"Regardless, the police force should not have invaded the Root Division. That is a unit directly under the Hokage. Both you and the Uchiha clan must be held accountable."

Her words hung in the air, and Fuma, the Third Hokage, and even Homura Mitokado all turned cold gazes on Koharu, silencing her.

Homura coughed and, with a bureaucratic tone, said calmly:

"Let's consider this matter settled. The police force has indeed apprehended spies within the Root Division, which should satisfy all parties."

"This was simply a misunderstanding. It would be best for Konoha to avoid stirring up further trouble right now."

Fuma nodded, glancing meaningfully at Homura, the middle-aged man with black-framed glasses, and remarked, "Understood."

"Of course, I also ask everyone to remember the contributions of the Uchiha clan during the last war."

"Now that we've returned to the village, all we want is to recuperate. Let's avoid any unnecessary conflicts and make things hard for each other."

"If there's nothing else, I'll return to the Uchiha clan; I have many matters waiting for me to handle."

The Third Hokage nodded, smiling, "Being a clan leader certainly keeps one busy. I understand well. Do your best, Fuma."

After Fuma left, the Third Hokage turned his back on Koharu and coldly remarked, "Koharu, as a consultant of Konoha, if you can't see the bigger picture, you might as well retire and stop embarrassing yourself!"

"Hand over the Medical Department duties to Homura. Reflect on your actions, and refrain from making such foolish statements again!"

Koharu's eyes flashed with anger, and she snapped back, "If Tobirama-sensei knew you were compromising with the Uchiha like this, he'd be deeply disappointed, Hiruzen!"

"I stand by my opinion. The Uchiha clan must be dealt with!" With a fierce stomp, she turned and stormed off without a backward glance.

The Third Hokage shook his head, feeling a pang of disappointment.

"Tobirama-sensei's legacy has elevated Koharu to a position she doesn't fully understand… She only touts his will as a means to claim legitimacy, without truly reading the village's pulse"

"In the end, she's just a tool—a tool that can be replaced if it's no longer useful…"

Homura watched Koharu's departing figure with a slight smile. Unlike her, he understood his limitations well; he was merely an elite jonin at best.

His position as a Konoha advisor was owed to the Third Hokage's trust and the unresolved issues left by the Second Hokage's death.

With the Third Hokage now enjoying support from most clans in the village, neither he nor Koharu could restrain or oppose him any longer.

Given that reality, he thought it better to loyally serve and benefit from the influence the Third Hokage shared with him.

Nearby, Sakumo observed the scene in silence, absorbing lessons he'd never witnessed before.

As a valued ally of the Third Hokage's faction, he was inevitably drawn into this political struggle, exposed to the most unvarnished faces in Konoha's leadership.

This samurai-minded man was now beginning to learn the subtleties of the ninja world…

The Third Hokage shook his head and walked into the Root headquarters, where Danzo was struggling to sit up, a Root member tending to his injuries.

Seeing the Hokage arrive, Danzo, barely suppressing the agony from his broken ribs, angrily shouted:

"Hiruzen! The Uchiha have grown far too arrogant. This is a blatant challenge to Konoha! They must be dealt with severely!"

"I propose we rally the clans and prepare to eradicate the Uchiha. We can't allow this madness to go unchecked! They'll destroy Konoha someday!"

The Third Hokage ignored Danzo's rant, pulling an old pipe from his robe, calmly packing it with tobacco, and taking a deep, contemplative puff.

"Danzo, when will you finally learn? This stupidity you're displaying is repulsive…"

The Hokage's indifference infuriated Danzo, his face twisting in rage.

Spitting out a mouthful of dark blood, he prepared to lash out again but was cut short by the Hokage's harsh reprimand.

"Danzo, you concealed forbidden experiments from me and the village, recruiting prodigious talents for Root without authorization. You think I'm unaware?"

"We're alone here; drop the pretense. You crossed the Uchiha and now face the consequences. Take responsibility for your actions."

Danzo's face fell, realizing the Hokage had uncovered more than he thought. Still, he clung to a glimmer of defiance.

The Hokage sneered, continuing, "After much deliberation, Lord Mito entrusted you with the Nine-Tails, yet you still agitate the Uchiha's sensitive nerves, risking provoking them into revolt at a critical time."

"The Uchiha district is already sealed with a perception barrier. You know Fuma's temperament. How could you dare to send spies, even attempting to infiltrate other clans?"

"Even the Hyuga, Nara, and even my own Sarutobi clan would not tolerate such blatant provocation!"

"Until you assume the role of the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki, your position as my assistant is temporarily suspended. Stay within Root and reflect. I am disappointed in you, Danzo."

The Hokage exhaled a cloud of smoke, which swirled above them, like the chasm widening between him and his former friend.

Though the titles "Hokage" and "Hokage's assistant" were only two words apart, the gulf between them meant far more.

Danzo froze, then murmured, "Hiruzen…"

Hiruzen, pity in his eyes, simply shook his head. "Don't explain. You know better than anyone the truth."

"Stay in Root and cause no more trouble. Otherwise, even I won't be able to explain things to Lord Mito."

Danzo's expression turned grim; Hiruzen's words hit a nerve. The power of the Nine-Tails was his last hope…

As Hiruzen left, Danzo seethed with rage, his gaze shifting to a concealed compartment within Root's depths, muttering with fervor, "As long as that arm remains, I will claim the Nine-Tails' power!"

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