When Namikaze Minato told Uchiha Shisui to become the deputy leader, Uchiha Shisui stood frozen in shock for several moments.
After gathering his thoughts, Shisui asked with confusion in his voice, "Hokage-sama, why choose me?"
Minato replied calmly, "Because I trust you. Among the entire Uchiha clan, you are the one I trust the most. You aren't bound by narrow clan loyalty. You're wise, rational, and thoughtful. You remain calm during difficult situations and approach your duties with a level head. You're an excellent shinobi who takes real action to protect Konoha."
Uchiha Shisui felt embarrassed receiving such praise from the Fourth Hokage. Was he really that good?
Minato spoke frankly to Shisui, "It's precisely because of these qualities that I decided to make you the deputy leader of the Konoha Defense Force. Though Fugaku is leading the Uchiha clan toward positive change and trying to regain our trust, and I do trust him, that alone isn't enough. As I mentioned earlier, the Konoha Defense Force was created after discussions between myself, the Third Hokage, and Assistant Hokage Danzo. In fact, this new department was Danzo's idea."
Minato's expression grew more serious. "The Uchiha clan must be aware that Assistant Danzo holds strong prejudice against your clan. While I want to trust the Uchiha, Danzo refuses to do so. That's why he pushed for this new department and strongly recommended Sora to become its leader."
"I understand that if Sora becomes the sole leader of Konoha's Defense Force, the Uchiha clan will panic. This would damage the trust that Fugaku and I have worked hard to build. That's why I proposed creating a deputy leader position and recommended you for it."
Minato clasped his hands together on his desk. "The establishment of the Konoha Defense Force is inevitable and cannot be changed. Shisui, I have great faith in your abilities, and you command respect within the Uchiha clan. As deputy leader, you can help keep the Uchiha people calm. If Sora and the Root ninja deliberately target the Uchiha, you'll be positioned to stop them. The Anbu shinobi in the Defense Force will support your actions."
Uchiha Shisui felt a surge of determination. He hadn't expected the Fourth Hokage to place such trust in him.
Taking a deep breath, Shisui replied, "I will definitely live up to your trust, Hokage-sama!"
Minato smiled gently. "I believe you can. If you encounter problems you can't solve, I'll be there to help you."
Shisui nodded firmly. "Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Minato stood up from behind his desk. "Once the Konoha Defense Department is established, you'll immediately take up your position alongside Sora. Now, it's time to meet with Fugaku. After all, we need to divide certain functions from the Konoha Guard Force. Since you'll be deputy leader of the Defense Force, come with me."
The Fourth Hokage and Uchiha Shisui headed toward the Uchiha compound.
...
Meanwhile, at the Root headquarters, Danzo summoned Sora through a Root ninja messenger.
When Sora arrived, Danzo spoke with clear displeasure in his voice, "The new department has been successfully established. It will be called the 'Konoha Defense Force,' and you will be the leader. However, that Namikaze Minato has decided to create a deputy leader position..."
Before Danzo could reveal who the deputy leader would be, Sora interrupted, "Danzo-sama, the deputy leader is Uchiha Shisui, correct?"
Danzo looked at Sora with surprise. How could he have guessed?
Sora explained, "If Namikaze Minato has decided to establish a deputy leader position, it must be to appease the Uchiha clan. For that purpose, the candidate must be from the Uchiha clan. And since Uchiha Shisui is a trusted confidant of Minato, he seems to be the only logical choice."
Danzo nodded with approval. "As expected from someone who led ninja troops to victory many times during the war. Your analysis is accurate. Yes, the deputy leader will be Uchiha Shisui. I agreed to Minato's proposal because I believe you can keep Shisui in check."
Sora merely smiled at Danzo's compliment before asking, "Danzo-sama, I'd like to know how far you want to go in targeting the Uchiha clan."
Danzo frowned, "What do you mean?"
Sora replied carefully, "If you simply want to prevent the Uchiha clan from acting as freely and arrogantly as before, that goal has already been achieved with the establishment of the Konoha Defense Force. This new department is like a sword hanging over their heads. They'll have to think twice before acting as they did in the past."
He continued, "This time, we've only divided two powers from them. In the future, we could potentially take more, until the Konoha Guard Force becomes nothing but an empty shell. The Guard Force is the foundation of the Uchiha clan's reputation and power in Konoha. As long as they don't want to lose that department entirely, they'll have to behave."
Sora's eyes narrowed slightly. "However, if you wish to actively suppress the Uchiha clan, that would be simple to arrange. Even if Uchiha Shisui and Namikaze Minato try to stop us, they won't have grounds to do so, since we'll be operating within our authority. That's why I'm asking how far you want to go with the Uchiha clan."
Danzo's eyes filled with anger after hearing Sora's explanation.
"Of course we must suppress the Uchiha clan so severely that they will never rise again!" Danzo said, his face darkening with malice.
Sora's lips curved into a slight smile. Danzo's answer wasn't surprising. He wouldn't have been shocked even if Danzo had said he wanted to exterminate the Uchiha clan entirely.
Now came the part of his plan to gain advantage.
Danzo asked with interest, "Sora, you just said it would be easy to suppress the Uchiha clan. What method do you propose?"
Sora explained, "Honestly, it doesn't matter that Namikaze Minato wants Anbu in the new department or that Uchiha Shisui becomes the deputy leader. To put it bluntly, they're simply there to monitor us. However, as long as we target the Uchiha clan within the scope of the Konoha Defense Force's authority, they can't interfere."
Danzo looked puzzled. "But the Uchiha know you're the leader of the new department, so they'll surely be careful. How can you use your authority to target them?"
Sora smiled confidently. "Danzo-sama, don't you understand the temperament of the Uchiha? If we provoke conflict between the villagers and the Uchiha, those proud Uchiha will likely react. They might even publicly criticize people. Then we can arrest them for showing 'criminal tendencies'!"
Danzo immediately showed great interest and motioned for Sora to continue explaining in detail.
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