After Yuuki dealt a blow to Hiruzen Sarutobi's reputation that day, he took advantage of the Military Police Force's increased prestige and began issuing announcements.
The general content of the announcement was that due to the Military Police Force's responsibility for Konoha's safety, coupled with recent actions, the shortage of personnel in the Military Police Force was gradually becoming apparent.
To better protect Konoha, the Military Police Force decided to lift restrictions, allowing all Konoha Ninja to participate in the Military Police Force's assessment with their Ninja registration numbers. Those who passed the assessment would become official members of the Military Police Force.
Whether you want to protect Konoha, help your neighbors, or learn more Ninjutsu, then join the Military Police Force. The Military Police Force has everything you want.
After the announcement was issued, it caused a sensation among everyone in Konoha.
The conversation between Yuuki and the Hokage was inevitably spread, and the Ninja also learned for the first time that the Military Police Force was not just a village management department.
For a time, many Ninja were interested, but no one took action.
After all, people actively divide themselves into circles. The Uchiha Clan's reputation was no longer as notorious as it once was.
But after joining, everyone else would be from the Uchiha Clan, all with Sharingan, and you would stick out like a sore thumb.
Therefore, while there were those who were interested, in a tolerable environment, there were no actual participants.
Three whole days passed. The actions of the Military Police Force were praised by everyone, but no one was willing to join.
As Yuuki felt awkward, Hiashi, who knew what Yuuki had done before, generously sent ten branch family Ninja to join the Military Police Force.
This somewhat eased Yuuki's embarrassment.
The addition of ten Hyuga Ninja greatly improved the operational efficiency of the Military Police Force. It must be said that the Byakugan is indeed useful, except in combat.
Yuuki naturally received news of the Hidden Mist delegation's arrival.
Yuuki didn't pay too much attention. He knew that these Hidden Mist envoys could decide almost nothing.
The only one who could determine the direction of Hidden Mist was the man standing behind the Mizukage, Uchiha Obito.
While Yuuki was busy expanding the Military Police Force, Hiruzen Sarutobi was already so worried that he was almost bald.
Hiruzen Sarutobi once again recalled the conversation from that morning.
"Hokage-sama of Konoha, the Hidden Mist Village's request is very simple. As long as Konoha Village hands over the two butchers, Uchiha Tomoki and Uchiha Shisui, then the Hidden Mist troops will immediately withdraw to the Land of Water."
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi directly rejected the Hidden Mist envoy's request.
"Why is it impossible? Konoha could hand over the Hyuga Clan Head to avoid a war with Kumogakure. Why can't it hand over the Uchiha Clan Head to avoid a war with Hidden Mist?"
The Hidden Mist envoy said with a sneer, "Of course, Hokage-sama of Konoha, if you find it difficult, handing over just Uchiha Tomoki alone is also acceptable."
"War or peace, the choice is in your hands, Hokage-sama!"
The Hidden Mist envoy added at the end.
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time before saying, "Hidden Mist envoy, may I have some time to discuss this with others and give you an answer tomorrow?"
"As you wish, Hokage of Konoha."
"Farewell."
After the Hidden Mist envoy left, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately instructed the Anbu, "Closely monitor their every move. Do not let anyone contact them. Also, keep the content of our conversation just now confidential!"
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
After the Anbu left, Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair and fell into deep thought.
Hidden Mist's attempt to emulate Kumogakure's actions forced Hiruzen Sarutobi to re-examine his own problems.
He was clearly pursuing peace, but this kind of peace had been perceived as weakness by the Ninja World.
Hidden Mist was not Kumogakure, and Uchiha was not Hyuga. Who gave Hidden Mist the audacity to make such an outrageous demand?
After the Hidden Mist envoy made the demand, Hiruzen Sarutobi had a momentary flicker of interest, but it was quickly suppressed by reason.
He vaguely sensed that Hidden Mist intended to exploit Konoha's internal conflicts, causing instability within Konoha, and if a conflict could erupt, that would be even better.
"Have the disputes between Uchiha and Konoha become known throughout the entire Ninja World?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed in his heart.
Based on Hiruzen Sarutobi's understanding of Yuuki, if the Hidden Mist envoy's words were to spread, it was estimated that the entire Konoha would be turned upside down.
For Konoha's stability, even if it was just superficial stability, not a single word from the Hidden Mist envoy's conversation could be leaked.
Now there was only one path left before Hiruzen Sarutobi, and that was to prepare for war with Hidden Mist.
If war truly had to happen, the power of Uchiha would be indispensable, whether it was Yuuki's or Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan, or the Jonin of the Uchiha Clan.
He recalled what Yuuki had said at the previous meeting.
"Do I really have to go find him?"
Soon, Hiruzen Sarutobi made up his mind. For Konoha, his personal honor and disgrace were insignificant.
In the evening, Yuuki, who still left work on time as usual, was walking home.
Suddenly, Yuuki felt as if he was surrounded.
"Yuuki-kun, are you interested in taking a walk with this old man?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's figure emerged from behind a large tree and asked calmly.
"Of course, Hokage-sama!"
Yuuki agreed with a smile on his face.
The two then walked together in this sparsely populated area, with Anbu constantly following them.
"Yuuki-kun, the Hidden Mist envoy arrived today. As long as we agree to their conditions, the Hidden Mist troops will withdraw to the Land of Water."
"Ah! Isn't that a good thing? It shows that Hokage-sama's decision back then was correct."
"I rejected Hidden Mist's request."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's next words clearly startled Yuuki.
Seeing Yuuki's expression, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued.
"Hidden Mist demanded that you and Shisui, or at least you, be handed over to Hidden Mist, and then they would withdraw to the Land of Water."
"Why would Hokage-sama refuse? Even without mentioning that handing over just one person could bring peace, handing me over to Hidden Mist would also be a good thing for Hokage-sama, wouldn't it?"
Yuuki asked with great confusion. Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't possibly refuse such a condition, let alone when the person to be handed over was him, Uchiha Tomoki.
Looking at Yuuki's very confused eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi's mood was not very pleasant either.
"Because I understand you, Yuuki-kun. You are definitely not the type to surrender without a fight. If I had agreed to Hidden Mist's terms, you would absolutely dare to kill the Hidden Mist envoy first, and then lead the Military Police Force to storm the Hokage Building."
"So I refused, and even suppressed the news. Apart from the Anbu who were present at the time, no one knows what I discussed with Hidden Mist."
Yuuki finally understood. As expected of you, you saw right through me. I hid it so well, yet you still found out.
If such a situation really occurred, Yuuki couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't directly launch a military coup or something.
As for how the weakened Uchiha and Konoha would deal with the other Ninja Villages after a coup, Yuuki said they would worry about surviving first.
Although he was that kind of person, he couldn't admit it verbally.
"Ah! Hokage-sama's determination to protect his subordinates deeply moves me, but I must say, Hokage-sama's prejudice against me breaks my heart!"
As he spoke, Yuuki even clutched his chest with his left hand, as if truly heartbroken.
"Hokage-sama, where tree leaves dance, fire burns brightly. If sacrificing this old leaf of mine allows Konoha's new tender leaves to sprout, I am willing to agree to Hidden Mist's conditions!"
At the same time, he raised his right hand to show his determination.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, looked at Yuuki's performance with distaste. You? Have such resolve? You would have died at Danzo's hands long ago. Don't think I can't tell what 'old leaf' means.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi still suppressed the disgust in his heart and looked at Yuuki seriously.
"Then, Yuuki-kun, is the Uchiha Clan willing to fight for Konoha?"
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