Uchiha's personal opinion

Although Hatake Sakumo didn't say it very clearly, Uchiha Tokumitsu understood the underlying meaning.

"Don't worry, I'm the most afraid of dying." Uchiha Tokumitsu laughed heartily. "Besides, those insects over there only use the same boring tricks. What can they do to me?"

"It's always good to be careful."

He had asked everything he should and shouldn't have asked, and said everything he should and shouldn't have said. Sakumo Hatake waved and left alone.

Uchiha Tokumitsu watched Hatake Sakumo's departing figure from the doorway for a long time before returning to the police department office.

“Lord Deguang…”

My cousin, Uchiha Shiina, came over and asked, "So, is everything settled now...?"

"Shiina Jonin, are you scared?" Uchiha Tokumitsu teased.

“How is this possible? I am…” Uchiha Shiina’s face turned bright red.

"It's alright, Sakumo-kun is here, what could possibly happen?" Uchiha Tokumitsu laughed heartily, and walked back with his arm around Uchiha Shiina's shoulder.

"Also, arrange for some people to keep an eye on Root's recent movements," Uchiha Tokumitsu whispered.

Uchiha Shiina's expression remained unchanged; he simply replied in a low voice.

After Uchiha Tokumitsu returned to his office, he still felt uneasy, so he got up and went to the Chief of Police's office to find Uchiha Yomo.

"Commander, I think we can launch a sanitation and hygiene campaign in the village soon."

Uchiha Tokumitsu got straight to the point.

"...Civilized hygiene?...Exercise?" Uchiha Yomo was a little confused.

"In order to protect the health of the villagers, cut off the source of the virus, and reduce the spread of the disease..." Uchiha Tokumitsu said a lot of nice words before finally stating his core demand: "...to completely eliminate harmful organisms such as toads, snakes, soft-bodied insects, rats, and cockroaches from the village."

"Toads, snakes... and soft-bodied worms, you mean slugs, right..."

As expected of the clan head and leader, Uchiha Yomotsu immediately grasped the core information.

"...and rats and cockroaches, etc."

Uchiha Tokumitsu added.

"No need to be cunning...no need to explain, I understand." Uchiha Yomo waved his hand to indicate that he understood. "But what did the Sannin do to you?"

The summoning beasts of Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade, who were given the titles of the Three Legendary Sannin by Hanzo of the Salamander, are the snake, toad, and slug mentioned by Uchiha Tokumitsu.

In theory, all three have the ability to control similar creatures to obtain intelligence.

Uchiha Tokumitsu's move was to wipe out the three's spies scattered throughout Konoha.

“Sakumo-kun reminded me that someone might be plotting against me recently.” Uchiha Tokumitsu said calmly, “I don’t know about their other methods, but the summoning beasts of the Sannin are the best partners for stealing information. I won’t feel at ease until I eliminate them.”

"feasible."

After thinking for a moment, Uchiha Yoshikazu nodded in agreement. He then immediately rang a bell to summon a police department secretary and explained Uchiha Tokumitsu's idea to her.

Seeing that there was nothing more for him to do, Uchiha Tokumitsu left on his own.

……

In a gloomy underground space beneath Konoha, Danzo Shimura, returning angrily from the Hokage's office, once again ascends to his own lair.

Alone in his own area of ​​power, Danzo's angry expression, which he had brought back from the Hokage's office, immediately vanished.

As the Hokage's shadow, he knew very well what kind of emotions he should display in public to put people at ease.

He knew all too well the price that would be paid and the subsequent furious counterattack from the Uchiha clan if he were to eliminate Uchiha Tokumitsu.

But there was no choice. A shadow is a shadow. His thoughts, actions, and deeds are all derivative of the will of the people of light. Moreover, he has always claimed that the greatest value of the Root is to secretly eliminate obstacles that hinder the prosperity of the village.

He couldn't avoid this mission.

Since we can't avoid it, we might as well participate, which will also make it easier to adapt to changing circumstances.

"fox!"

A Root ninja wearing a fox mask instantly appeared in front of Danzo and knelt on one knee.

"Arrange for people to monitor Uchiha Tokumitsu around the clock. Don't use ninjas, just use ordinary people who don't have chakra."

Danzo gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "I need to know his every move!"

"Yes!"

The fox at the root immediately agreed, but did not leave right away.

"Recall the overseas assassination squad... From the date of their return, all members shall be on standby at the secret base!"

"Yes!"

"...Go and invite Orochimaru over again, and tell him I'm willing to sponsor his research."

"Yes!"

"Go..."

The fox vanished in an instant.

Danzo's office returned to darkness and quiet.

“Uchiha Tokumitsu…”

Chapter 114 The Path to Death

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was becoming increasingly impatient.

The consequences of detaining members of the secret service are severe.

Because this is a blatant slap in the face to the Naruto.

Regardless of whether the actions of the Anbu were appropriate or reasonable, as the Hokage's direct subordinate force, the Anbu was an extension of the Hokage's will. Arresting Anbu ninjas in the street was tantamount to publicly tearing off the Hokage's divine robe and stomping on it.

If the Hokage doesn't do something about this, where will he find the authority to command tens of thousands of Konoha ninjas in the future?

However, eliminating Uchiha Tokumitsu was not an easy task.

Because Uchiha Tokumitsu never received or carried out missions through the village, it was impossible to accurately track his whereabouts. In addition, he usually traveled with a large number of followers, so it was impossible to find an opportunity to ambush him in a short period of time.

Moreover, an even more serious problem lies before the Hokage.

Jonin Squad Leader Sakumo Hatake submitted a proposal clarifying the scope of authority of Konoha's various departments regarding the public conflict between the Police Department and the Anbu, and obtained the joint signatures of the Jonin Squad members.

Although there were no Uchiha clan Jonin among the signatories of the proposal, the number of Jonin who signed it already reached 20% of the total number of Jonin in Konoha.

And that is precisely what is most terrifying.

If we include the Uchiha clan, who were supporters of Sakumo Hatake, then it would be a force capable of overturning the Hokage order that had been passed down since the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

In particular, he, as the Hokage, was completely unaware of the entire process of initiating, drafting, and co-signing this proposal.

This means that one-fifth of Konoha's Jonin have completely sided with Sakumo Hatake.

Even more seriously, if Sakumo Hatake were to publicly convene a meeting of all Jonin and discuss this proposal, how many supporters would he gain?

Thirty percent? Forty percent? Or fifty percent?

If we also take into account the power and prestige of powerful clans like the Uchiha, Uzumaki, and Kurama, how much power would the Hokage lineage still have to contend with them?

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, flipped through the proposal, thinking as he read, growing increasingly terrified.

Before Uchiha Tokumitsu could even resolve the situation, Hatake Sakumo launched a coup. The two cooperated seamlessly, switching between positions with ease, and their reasons were quite convincing. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them treacherous collusion!

Moreover, Uchiha Tokumitsu only lost face for the Hokage lineage, while Hatake Sakumo was going to take action against the Hokage's core interests!

They can't tolerate losing face, let alone having their substance affected!

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, grew angrier the more he thought about it.

"Notify the three advisors to come here!"

After ringing the bell on his desk and summoning the on-duty ANBU, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, instructed him to summon his three old friends to discuss countermeasures.

After the ANBU left, Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed the documents on the table and got up to pace back and forth in the room.

How did it turn out like this?

……

"Hiruzen, we're here."

A moment later, Mitokado En and Utatane Koharu pushed open the door and entered the office.

"There's something we need to discuss together." Hiruzen Sarutobi stood with his hands behind his back at the window of the Hokage's office, his back to the two advisors, gazing intently at the scenery of Konoha.

From the Hokage's office, the entire landscape of Konoha can be seen.

Bustling streets, wealthy villagers, thriving commerce, and formidable ninjas... all these elements intertwine to create the vibrant land of Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't understand why such a major crisis would suddenly appear when the seemingly prosperous and flourishing world was in such a state.

Konoha, having ended the First Shinobi World War under its rule and defeated Iwagakure and Sunagakure in the Second Shinobi World War, should have been at the height of its prestige and highly respected. So why did so many Jonin defect to Sakumo in an attempt to reform the region?

Even the Uchiha clan, during his rule, merely maintained the policies of the Second Hokage, Tobirama, and did not persecute the Uchiha too much. Why are they so ungrateful and insist on causing endless trouble?

Why can't the ninjas of Konoha be as selfless and dedicated as the Senju clan, quietly contributing to the prosperity and development of the village?

"Hiruzen..."

Mitomon asked again.

"Ok?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally came to his senses.

"Has there been any unexpected situation in the village again?" Mitokado asked cautiously.

"There are some documents on the desk that Sakumo Hatake brought. Take a look at them first."

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't turn around; he just stared out the window, smoking silently.

Mitokado En and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance, feeling somewhat puzzled.

After picking up the document, Guan was taken aback when he saw the title.

He quickly flipped through the pages to check the contents, and soon began to break out in a cold sweat.

The power and status upon which the advisors rely are precisely due to the unclear and relatively ambiguous boundaries of authority among the various departments in Konoha.