The morning mist had yet to fully dissipate before Konoha's main gate.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood solemnly at the forefront, clad in his Hokage robes and hat. Flanking him were the three senior advisors: Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura. Further back stood the heads of the prominent clans—the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Aburame, and Inuzuka.
They waited on the main street leading to the gate. The street itself was flanked by a sea of people. Even with the Konoha Military Police Force maintaining order, they couldn't stop the villagers from continuously gathering. People jostled shoulder to shoulder, the din of their voices rising like a tide.
"Clan Head."
An Uchiha clansman named Uchiha Yashiro appeared behind Uchiha Fugaku. Seeing Fugaku's somewhat trailing position among the clan heads, he frowned slightly before lowering his head and speaking calmly. "All arrangements are in place."
Uchiha Yashiro wore a black, form-fitting inner garment, covered by the standard green, sleeveless Jōnin flak jacket. The Konoha Military Police Force emblem was embroidered on both shoulders.
Uchiha Fugaku, however, wore a deep blue overcoat with the Uchiha clan's fan emblem on the back, signifying his presence today as the head of the Uchiha clan, not as the Captain of the Konoha Military Police Force.
"Good. Maintain order strictly. There must be no slip-ups. Any mistake would shame the entire clan."
Uchiha Fugaku's features were stern and rigid. He offered a few quiet words of instruction before turning back.
He looked towards Sarutobi Hiruzen standing at the very front, his gaze flickering as he sighed inwardly.
"Once Konoha and Kumo sign this treaty, the Third's prestige in the village will soar even higher. Who knows if that's good or bad."
The Konoha Military Police Force was established by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, and its members were primarily drawn from the Uchiha clan.
Its main duties were maintaining Konoha's internal security and stability, setting village regulations, upholding order and peace, and arresting individuals—shinobi or civilians—with criminal tendencies. However, they had no jurisdiction over the Hokage's direct ANBU.
Tobirama's original intent in giving the Uchiha control of the police force was pragmatic. Though he viewed the Sharingan-wielding Uchiha as an unstable element, during his life, he consistently tried to integrate and guide the clan's power for the village's benefit.
However, after Sarutobi Hiruzen ascended as the Third Hokage, the ANBU—the de facto "intelligence agency"—had part of its functions quietly absorbed by Danzō's "Root."
Consequently, the ANBU began encroaching on the village's general security affairs, creating functional conflicts with the Military Police Force.
One could only say that Hiruzen and Danzō were true old friends; both were independently promoting their own "private guard forces."
Remember, the ANBU's full name was the Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai (Special Assassination and Tactical Squad). Their responsibilities were strictly limited to reconnaissance, assassination, protecting the Hokage, and defending against external threats.
Unfortunately, most Uchiha clansmen were rigid and inflexible by nature. Compared to the more adaptable ANBU, villagers generally disliked the harsh enforcement handed down by the Uchiha.
Therefore, conflicts and disputes between the ANBU and the Military Police Force over law enforcement jurisdiction were frequent.
And Hiruzen's handling of these disputes—soft on the surface but firm underneath—had deepened the Uchiha clan's dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage. Even the usually steady Uchiha Yashiro was affected by the clan's growing resentment…
Just thinking about these matters gave Uchiha Fugaku a headache. He even found himself missing the days when Minato was the Fourth Hokage.
Not only because he and his wife were friends with the Fourth and Kushina, but also because the Uchiha clan genuinely respected the Hokage who had risen from common roots.
Hiruzen had already abdicated once. Yet, after the Fourth's death, he had reclaimed the position and showed no inclination to seek a successor. It was a rather unseemly display of clinging to power.
'I should wait until after the treaty signing, while the Third is in good spirits, to bring up some suggestions' Uchiha Fugaku thought, looking at Hiruzen's back.
At this moment, Hiruzen was indeed in a good mood. Hearing the excited chatter and adulation from the villagers behind him filled him with deep satisfaction. He completely ignored Danzō's sour expression beside him.
However, noticing an empty spot behind him from the corner of his eye, he frowned slightly.
"Is Hyūga Hiashi still not here?" Hiruzen asked without turning his head.
Nara Shikaku, the Jōnin Commander standing behind him, inwardly sighed. He stepped forward and spoke in a low voice, feigning ignorance. "We sent someone to urge them half an hour ago, but…"
Before he could intercede on the Hyūga clan's behalf, an ANBU operative appeared beside Hiruzen, whispering into his ear. Shikaku only caught the faint words, "Today is the third birthday of the Hyūga main family's eldest daughter…"
Shikaku sighed deeply inside.
'The Hyūga clan… this display was rather foolish.'
Perhaps the Hyūga were more adept at self-preservation than the Uchiha, but neither clan possessed much political wisdom. Today's events demonstrated that clearly.
A flicker of displeasure passed through Hiruzen's murky eyes, gone in an instant.
As a father and clan head, Hyūga Hiashi might have a personal reason for not attending. But if the Hyūga clan truly respected the village, they could have sent a significant main family elder in his stead. Their current complete absence simply indicated they didn't deem this event important.
In their eyes, the third birthday of the main family's eldest daughter represented the Hyūga clan's future, far more significant than the "minor" matter of a peace treaty between Konoha and Kumo.
And what Hiruzen detested most was these clans placing their own interests above the village's.
The Uchiha clan was like this. The Hyūga clan was no different.
"The Hyūga clan has important internal matters and cannot attend." Despite his growing displeasure, Hiruzen's tone remained calm. "Fill the position. Prepare to receive the Kumogakure delegation."
Hearing this, many present were inwardly shocked. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura frowned. Danzō, whether unintentionally or deliberately, let out a faint, derisive snort, causing Hiruzen's face to darken slightly.
But Danzō had indeed contributed this time. Having reaped the benefits, Hiruzen couldn't very well get angry at him, so he directed his silent annoyance towards the Hyūga instead.
"They're here! They're here!"
A child who had climbed a tree to look into the distance suddenly shouted. The noisy crowd erupted into a frenzy.
In the distance, several figures, led by Konoha shinobi, passed through the village gates. The three Kumogakure shinobi at the forefront wore their village's forehead protectors. Their dark, rugged features stood in stark contrast to the Konoha natives.
Women leaning out of windows on both sides of the street began tossing prepared flower petals from their baskets into the air.
Within the crowd, Hyūga Kumokawa watched the scene with a calm expression, a cold sneer in his heart.
'What a splendid display of prosperity and celebration. Like adding oil to a raging fire.
How joyous they are now will be matched by their fear later.
Peace bought through compromise?
Such an opportunity won't exist.
The world is already a labyrinth. Why build another?' Hyūga Kumokawa's eyes gleamed faintly.
The shinobi world held too many secrets, enough for him to accomplish many things.
But only by stirring up this stagnant pond would he have a chance to fish in troubled waters.
Therefore, he would make war arrive ahead of schedule.