The atmosphere in the meeting room, due to the blood-stained scroll, had become exceptionally heavy.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura picked up the scroll. Seeing the various crimes of the Uchiha elders colluding with the Daimyo recorded on it, their faces turned very ugly.
Although they had always been wary of the Uchiha, they never expected that group of old fools would dare to do something so outrageous.
Shimura Danzo remained silent throughout. He just lowered his head, looking at the scroll on the table, his eyes flickering uncertainly.
Hiruzen's methods had once again refreshed his understanding.
Without a sound, he had orchestrated an internal coup within the Uchiha, uprooting the most stubborn hawkish faction without shedding a drop of blood, and in the process, installed a proxy who was absolutely loyal to him.
This level of scheming, this level of skill...
For the first time, Danzo felt that the gap between him and Hiruzen was perhaps not as simple as their teacher's favoritism.
"The Uchiha matter has been resolved," Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice broke the silence. "Tekka and Kagami are both loyal to the village. From today on, the Uchiha will no longer be a hidden danger to Konoha, but Konoha's sharpest sword."
He didn't explain in detail how he had orchestrated it, but the result was right before their eyes.
Koharu and Homura exchanged a look. Although they still had many questions in their hearts, in the face of the facts, they had nothing to say.
Hiruzen had solved this major problem, which had plagued Konoha's leadership for decades, in a way they couldn't understand, yet was incredibly efficient.
"Next, I will announce several new appointments."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze swept over the three of them.
"Uchiha Tekka will officially take over as the captain of the Military Police Force. The budget for the Military Police Force will be increased by twenty percent starting next quarter, and its personnel can also include civilians and ninja from other clans."
"Uchiha Kagami will serve as the official representative of the Uchiha clan and will attend all high-level meetings in Konoha."
"Uchiha Tokko and his squad will be formally integrated into the Anbu as my direct guards."
These appointments were tantamount to announcing to all of Konoha that the Uchiha clan, in a completely new capacity, would be fully integrated into the core of the village's power.
This was the carrot.
"Of course," Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone shifted, "honor must be earned through merit, not through bloodline and privilege."
"I have made it very clear to Tekka that the duty of the Military Police Force is to protect the peace of the village. If I discover any abuse of power or oppression of civilians again, I will not tolerate it."
"At the same time, S-rank and A-rank missions in the village will be open to all qualified Uchiha ninja. But the prerequisite is that they must obey orders and prioritize the team and the mission."
This was the stick.
A one-two punch of grace and power, delivered clearly.
After hearing this, Koharu and Homura both fell into deep thought.
They had to admit that Hiruzen's plan was far more comprehensive than theirs.
It both appeased the Uchiha and put shackles on them, forcing them to be firmly tied to the Hokage's war chariot for the sake of honor and benefits.
After the meeting, Sarutobi Hiruzen returned to his office.
He leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.
Having resolved the Uchiha, the biggest internal problem, he felt much more relaxed.
In the original story, the Uchiha clan massacre was one of his biggest regrets. For such a powerful clan to ultimately self-destruct due to suspicion and estrangement was truly a pity.
And now, he had changed that future with his own hands.
Just then, the cold, mechanical voice sounded in his mind as expected.
[Ding!]
[Detected that the Host has successfully reversed the key main storyline of the Uchiha clan massacre, significantly correcting the future direction of Konoha.]
[Mission Rating: Epic Perfect!]
[Distributing rewards...]
[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining Sage Body (Beginner)]
Boom!
A vast, pure life energy instantly erupted from the deepest part of his body.
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt as if every cell in his body was cheering and leaping for joy.
His body felt as if it had been injected with a continuous stream of living water.
The fatigue from the past few days of hard work was swept away, replaced by an unprecedented sense of power and fulfillment.
His total chakra amount had at least doubled in that instant.
Moreover, this chakra had become more refined, more vibrant.
His body's recovery ability had also reached a terrifying level.
Is this the Sage Body?
Although it was only at the beginner level, it was already so powerful.
Sarutobi Hiruzen clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within him, a satisfied smile on his face.
Scheming was for a better life.
And strength was the ultimate guarantee of survival.
Now, he had both.
He looked up at the window. The Uchiha compound was calm again.
From this day on, Konoha's interior would be truly monolithic.
It was time to turn his gaze outside the village.
He stood up, walked to the map in his office, and his gaze lingered on the markers for Sunagakure and Iwagakure for a long time.
"The days of peace are numbered."
He whispered to himself.
But, it didn't matter.
The current Konoha was strong and united.
He was confident he could face any challenge that came his way.