They're probably afraid that Ruri will bring the bodies of the Root Ninja to the Yamanaka Clan for some sort of identification.
As for whether it was the Hokage himself who gave the Yamanaka Clan this order, or some other higher-up, either way the Yamanaka Clan's stance is clear.
"So these are the 'comrades' of the village? I understand."
Ruri didn't bother sighing; this was all within her expectations.
Which meant the four Root Ninja corpses, specially handled by Hakushi, were now useless too.
"After the war, the Hokage will impose restrictions on Root and has promised there won't be any more incidents like this, or he'll punish Danzo. Not only that, the Hokage is letting you view the Sealing Book again and select one Ninja Technique from it."
"How generous. But this isn't what I want, Elder Shihou."
Ruri raised her head, her eyes black and white, meeting Elder Shihou's gaze without the slightest fear.
"Not enough?"
Elder Shihou thought Ruri's little tantrum would end here.
After all, to be allowed one more look at the Sealing Book and select a powerful Ninja Technique from it—that's something many Jonin dream of but can never obtain.
For the Uchiha, it was all benefit and no drawback.
That's why he'd opted for a secret meeting with the Hokage, instead of convening a clan assembly.
"No matter how strong the Ninja Techniques in the Sealing Book are, it's not enough to make me swallow this. What I want is power for the clan. And, pardon my bluntness, but Shimura Danzo is far too dangerous—a man like that targeting Uchiha among the village leadership will eventually become a catastrophe for us. We have to use this opportunity to trip him up, even if it costs the Uchiha dearly..."
Ruri's face was ice cold, her eyes already sharp with murderous intent.
Fugaku stood to the side, hesitant as if wanting to urge Ruri to calm down.
Yet Elder Shihou wasn't angered by Ruri's harsh words—instead, he merely scoffed and said, "Ruri, you overestimate Shimura Danzo. With just the Shimura Clan and Root, they're not even fit to carry our shoes. That kind of sneaky rat can only play games in the shadows; in the face of our Uchiha's absolute power, his tricks won't matter."
The implication: someone like Shimura Danzo isn't worth draining the Uchiha's strength to deal with.
"Keep your evidence for now. I promise you, if Danzo tries this again, we'll do things your way. But I believe he won't dare touch the Uchiha again."
As he spoke, Elder Shihou was absolutely confident in the Uchiha Clan's power.
Ruri fixed her gaze on the elder's arrogant face, then lowered her head slightly.
"Understood. We'll do as you say, Elder."
Her fist clenched, chakra surging in powerful waves—proof of the deep unrest in her heart.
Elder Shihou patted Ruri's shoulder. Knowing she was dissatisfied, he offered comfort: "Ruri, there's still much you need to learn. Politics is constant compromise between both sides. Your talent surpasses even Fugaku's, but in this respect, it's your greatest weakness."
"Is this for the Hokage's seat?"
Ruri suddenly asked, cold as ever.
Elder Shihou gave a reassuring smile and said, "We Uchiha will do our utmost to compete for the Fourth Hokage position. Since you understand that, think it over carefully."
As he spoke, he got up from his seat, Fugaku rising with him.
After they left, Ruri remained seated, unmoving.
Her eyes shone with a dim, shadowy light, staring at the floor.
The room was heavy, suffocatingly oppressive.
"How boring..."
She muttered under her breath.
It's not that Ruri didn't understand Elder Shihou's intentions.
She could understand his point of view—but this was never the result she wanted, and she would never agree with that way of thinking.
The Uchiha's strength is great, but that's no excuse to look down on others.
In this world, there are only thieves for a thousand days, never a guard for a thousand days.
She rose slowly from her seat and turned to look outside the room.
It was as if she could still see Elder Shihou and Fugaku's retreating backs, growing distant.
"Elder Shihou, I'm not protesting your decision—just surprised that you misunderstood me from the very beginning."
This was giving her a headache.
Or maybe just resignation.
Coming here really was a waste of time; she'd have been better off going home to sleep and rest.
Clan Leader, Hokage—it's all strength that decides everything in the end.
Take the God of Ninja, for example. Without his overwhelming strength as his backing, no matter how noble his convictions, people would just scoff.
If the Uchiha Clan tries to become Hokage by imitating the Senju Clan, does that mean they've surpassed the Senju?
It's just self-deception.
The moment they lost the position of the First Hokage, the Uchiha had already failed.
Their current restlessness is mostly just pride from founding Konoha alongside the Senju Clan.
But unlike the Senju, not a single Uchiha Ninja has ever become Hokage.
Resentment, envy...for older Uchiha like Elder Shihou, it's probably not even resentment or envy anymore, but pure obsession.
A terrifying obsession with seeing an Uchiha born as Hokage.
"Without strength, the grandest dreams are nothing but illusions. And a Hokage who won't punish those who frame his comrades—such a leader isn't worthy of trust. Looks like I'll have to find some like-minded allies in the clan..."
In an instant, Ruri's eyes turned a deep crimson, and in the crimson irises, three black magatama spun into appearance.