Gento immediately picked up on the cue and replied tactfully:
"That's a good thing!"
He wore a smile on his face.
"After all, the Third Hokage-sama is rich in experience. It's only right for him to pass on that valuable experience to Minato, the newly appointed Hokage."
Hiruzen listened, a satisfied expression appearing on his face as he nodded and took a puff from his pipe.
Then his tone shifted as he brought up the main matter:
"Regarding the evacuation drill you mentioned, Minato has already explained it to me in detail.
"My opinion is that, in principle, it is acceptable. However, the Uchiha must ensure the safety of the civilians during the evacuation.
"In addition, if the civilians are unwilling, you must not force them."
Gento nodded right awayand said seriously:
"That is only proper!"
He turned his head and instructed Shisui behind him:
"Go inform Department Head Fugaku to begin the evacuation drill according to plan."
"Yes!"
Shisui clasped his fists and accepted the order. With a flicker, he disappeared from the spot.
Gento then looked back at Hiruzen and casually asked:
"Kushina is about to give birth–has everything been properly arranged? If needed, our Uchiha can provide assistance."
The smile on Hiruzen's face faded slightly, and his tone grew a bit colder:
"There's no need for the Uchiha to trouble themselves over that."
He paused, his voice carrying a hint of finality:
"I have arranged for the Barrier Team to set up a barrier. The specific location is not convenient to disclose.
"Additionally, my wife, Biwako, will be overseeing the delivery with several Medical Ninjas.
"In short, everything has been properly arranged."
Gento listened and said nothing more, only nodding:
"In that case, I will take my leave."
With that, he turned and walked out the door.
Since he had obtained the Hokage's approval, he needed to hurry and oversee the evacuation.
Every additional civilian evacuated meant another life saved.
Gento exited the Hokage Tower and walked along the street toward the village center, intending to check on the progress of Fugaku's evacuation efforts.
As soon as he turned a corner, the noisy clamor from the central plaza of the Hidden Leaf rushed toward him.
On the raised platform, Fugaku stood in a line with dozens of Leaf Police Force members, with a striking banner hanging behind them:
"Evacuation Drill."
Below the stage, a dense crowd filled the entire plaza.
Fugaku stepped forward, his voice carrying across the entire area:
"Villagers, we have gathered everyone here today to explain the evacuation drill that will soon begin–"
"We're not leaving!"
A burly middle-aged man waved his arms.
"Who gave your Uchiha the right to say evacuate, and we have to evacuate?"
"You, Fugaku Uchiha, have only been Police Chief for a few years! We've lived here for decades. What haven't we seen?"
"We're not going anywhere! If you want a drill, do it yourselves!"
"That's right! Not going!"
"Whoever wants to go can go!"
A wave of agreement erupted from the crowd, growing louder and louder.
Fugaku frowned and spoke again:
"Everyone, please calm down!
"This is a drill approved by the Hokage! It's for everyone's safety!"
"Don't use Hokage-sama to pressure us!"
A sharp-faced man shouted while jumping in agitation:
"The Fourth Hokage just took office! He must have been fooled by your Uchiha!"
"Evacuation drill?"
Someone added in a sarcastic tone.
"I think the Uchiha just want to show off their authority and mess around with us civilians."
A shop owner wearing an apron shouted in a shrill voice:
"What do you Uchiha know? All you do is arrest people, lock them up, and bully civilians!"
"That's right! Always arresting people!"
An elderly woman leaned on her cane, trembling as she pointed at the Police Force members:
"What are you Uchiha up to? Do you think we don't know? You just want to abuse your power!"
"My son only made a small mistake, and your Uchiha arrested him! He still hasn't been released, and now you're pretending to be good people!"
Watching coldly from the side, Gento immediately recognized the elderly woman.
The "small mistake" she referred to was her son drunkenly committing murder.
The Police Force's arrest of her son had been entirely lawful, yet in her words, it became an abuse of power.
"That's right! If the Uchiha arrest people at every turn, what else is that if not abuse of power?"
The crowd erupted.
"Get down!"
"Uchiha, get down!"
"We don't need your fake goodwill!"
The civilians surged forward, pointing at the Police Force members on stage, venting years of pent-up resentment all at once.
At that moment, a stern voice rang out:
"What's all this shouting? Have you no sense of order!"
The crowd automatically parted, making way.
Danzo slowly walked forward.
Reaching the front, Danzo frowned and asked:
"What's going on here?"
"Danzo-sama!"
A man immediately stepped forward and exaggeratedly recounted the situation.
After hearing this, Danzo raised his eyes and looked toward Fugaku.
"This is simply nonsense.
"What evacuation drill? This is nothing but alarmist talk!"
Danzo turned toward the crowd, raising his voice:
"There is no war right now! What enemy could possibly invade the Hidden Leaf?
"Even if there were…"
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the crowd:
"I would lead Root and be the first to charge to the front, protecting the civilians of the Hidden Leaf!"
The crowd stirred.
"Danzo-sama is the Second Hokage's disciple!"
"I believe in Danzo-sama!"
The bald man was the first to shout:
"Danzo-sama said there's no need to evacuate!"
"That's right! Danzo-sama will protect us!"
"Our safety doesn't need the Uchiha worrying about it!"
The crowd erupted once more, but this time it was excitement and pride.
They shouted toward the stage:
"Did you hear that? Danzo-sama will protect us!"
"You Uchiha, go somewhere cool and stay there!"
"Stop embarrassing yourselves here!"
Danzo turned his head to look at Fugaku, his gaze filled with contempt:
"Did you hear that?
"The people of the Hidden Leaf don't like you.
"You'd better take your people and leave."
He paused, lowering his voice so that only those nearby could hear:
"Trying to gain power with such petty tricks. Pathetic."
Fugaku opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but looking at the excited faces and mocking smiles below the stage, the words reached his lips but never came out.
A hand suddenly rested on his shoulder.
At some point, Gento had appeared by his side.
Gento's gaze was calm as he swept over the crowd below, over those smug faces, over the cold smile at the corner of Danzo's mouth.
He slowly spoke to the civilians:
"Since you say you don't need the Uchiha's protection…
"Then we will do as you wish.
"We only hope that when you truly face danger, you won't regret it!"
The crowd was stunned for a moment, then erupted into even louder cheers.
"We won't regret it!"
"Go on, hurry up and leave!"
"Who wants your protection!"
"Even if danger comes, Danzo-sama will protect us!"
Gento ignored their shouting, only looking at Danzo as he said calmly:
"I hope that when the people of Leaf face danger, you will truly stand up."
Danzo immediately sneered:
"That is none of your concern."
Gento said nothing more and turned to Fugaku:
"Withdraw."
After speaking, he left with Shisui without looking back.
Behind them, the cheers rose wave after wave.
"The Uchiha are gone!"
"Long live Danzo-sama!"
"Let's see if they dare act arrogant again!"
Walking out of the plaza, Gento paused his steps and glanced back at the distant, noisy square.
Since the people of Leaf were so naïve, when the Nine-Tails was released tomorrow, they would have to pay for that naivety.
"We've done what we could.
"They don't want it, so… let them be."
Now he had to head to the clan's settlement first.
After all, aside from his hostility toward Leaf, Obito also held considerable malice toward the Uchiha clan.
He had to return to prevent Obito from suddenly changing his mind and attacking their base.
Thus, he said to Shisui and Fugaku:
"I'll head to the clan settlement first. You two remain in Leaf and stay vigilant. If anything happens, contact me immediately."
"Yes!"
After making the arrangements, Gento left Leaf without looking back.
...
This farce quickly became a topic of conversation among the villagers of the Hidden Leaf.
In taverns, at dining tables, among groups of women, discussion could be heard everywhere.
"Ah, that was really satisfying today! Did you see the Uchiha's faces?"
"Exactly! They actually wanted us to listen to them! Dream on!"
"Danzo-sama's words were so firm! 'I will lead Root and charge at the front'–that's what a real man is!"
"If you ask me, the Uchiha are just bored. There's no war right now. What danger could there be?"
"Exactly! What danger could there be?"
"Come, drink, drink! Let's celebrate the Uchiha getting put in their place!"
"Cheers!"
...
Amid this atmosphere, another day and night passed.
Night fell.
Outside the village, atop a large tree.
Space slowly twisted and folded.
A masked man gradually emerged from the distortion.
Standing on the treetop, he looked down upon the Hidden Leaf Village below.
Beneath the mask, only a single scarlet Sharingan was visible.
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going! [Patreon.com/RedZTL]