Byakuya couldn't help but sneer internally at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
For all his lofty reputation as the "Professor" and the Third Hokage, Sarutobi's greatest strength wasn't his ninjutsu—but his ability to suppress and sideline powerful shinobi who threatened the established order.
Even someone like Hatake Sakumo, once renowned across the Five Nations as the "White Fang of Konoha," had been reduced to this pitiful state—disgraced, forgotten.
"The great Konoha White Fang? Hah. You look more like the Konoha Idiot now."
"What did you say...?"
Hatake Sakumo's eyes snapped open, and for a moment, the dull haze faded. The fury in his gaze burned like a drawn blade, sharp and focused.
[Ding! Detected Hatake Sakumo's rage: +100 negative energy. Taijutsu proficiency +2]
Byakuya's smile deepened.
"There it is. That killing intent. That's the aura of Konoha's White Fang. Say... have you ever considered joining our Uchiha Security Force?"
Sakumo looked at him as if he'd lost his mind. "Join the Security Force? Are you insane?"
"I'm the commander of Konoha's ANBU Black Ops. There's no way I'd join the police force."
He knew of Byakuya—an Uchiha radical gaining influence recently. His open defiance of Hokage authority had raised eyebrows across the village.
"The Hokage doesn't dare act, but we will"—that was the Uchiha's latest slogan.
Sakumo had dismissed them as overzealous before. Now, he wasn't so sure.
Still, his resolve was unchanged. "I serve the Hokage and the village. I won't turn my back on them."
"Hah… And that's why I called you an idiot," Byakuya replied with scorn. "You risked your life on missions for the village, and what did you get in return? Nothing but rumors and disgrace. Hiruzen cast you aside the moment your presence became inconvenient."
"That's a lie!" Sakumo roared, clenching his fists. "Hokage-sama would never betray me!"
[Ding! Detected Hatake Sakumo's anger: +500 negative energy. Taijutsu proficiency +30]
"Then explain why the villagers turned against you after one failed mission?" Byakuya said coldly. "Why didn't Sarutobi speak a single word in your defense?"
Before Sakumo could respond, footsteps echoed in the hallway. A small voice followed.
"Father?"
Sakumo turned instantly. "Kakashi, get over here."
The boy quickly moved behind his father, glancing warily at the stranger in the room.
"This is your son?" Byakuya looked down at the silver-haired child. "Not bad… it'd be a shame if he got caught up in the mess meant for you."
"You… you bastard! If you even touch Kakashi, I'll—!"
Sakumo's rage surged again, his chakra flaring faintly.
"Easy," Byakuya said, lifting his hands mockingly. "I'm not here to hurt a child. But if you don't start seeing clearly, others will use him against you."
A knock came at the door. Uchiha En entered briskly.
"Master Byakuya. The investigation is complete. The rumors about White Fang all originated from members of the Sarutobi clan."
"As expected," Byakuya said. "Then what are you waiting for? Detain them. Immediately."
"Yes, sir. Men, follow me!"
Uchiha En left swiftly with several clan members.
Sakumo stood in stunned silence. "You're going to... arrest Sarutobi clan members? Are you insane?"
"Insane?" Byakuya chuckled. "No. Just tired of letting your so-called Hokage play god while ruining people like you behind the scenes."
He glanced around the shabby interior of Sakumo's home. "Clean this place up. More people will be coming soon."
"Uchiha Byakuya, what is your goal here?"
Byakuya turned back, his tone suddenly softer. "Hatake Sakumo... I respect strength. And despite everything, you still have yours."
"I don't want to see you die in someone else's conspiracy."
Sakumo stiffened. That word again—conspiracy.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked, voice quieter now.
"You'll understand soon enough," Byakuya said, eyes narrowing. "Just don't let blind loyalty get you killed."
…
Uchiha En led the Konoha Police Force directly to the Sarutobi clan compound. His expression was cold and resolute.
"This is it," he said, stopping before the main residence. "Target confirmed—Sarutobi Otake, Sarutobi Kawasui, and Sarutobi Omo."
Standing inside the courtyard, three shinobi of the Sarutobi clan stepped forward, frowning in confusion.
"Yes, that's us. What's this about?" asked Sarutobi Otake.
Uchiha En narrowed his eyes. "You're under investigation for inciting slander against Hatake Sakumo. Come quietly."
"What!?" Sarutobi Kawasui blurted. "This is absurd! On whose authority!?"
"The Konoha Police Force operates under the mandate of the Hokage," Uchiha En said coldly. "You'll be questioned."
With a wave of his hand, the Uchiha officers moved in and restrained the three before they could resist.
"Are you out of your mind!? You dare barge into the Sarutobi compound!?" shouted one of the clan's other shinobi, rushing forward.
"The Police Force has gone too far—arresting members of the Sarutobi clan without warning?!"
As more clan members tried to block their exit, Uchiha En raised his voice. "The Police Force is performing its duty. Interfere, and we will respond with force."
The Uchiha drew their weapons in unison. Steel glinted in the sun.
The Sarutobi clan members hesitated. Though proud, they knew of recent incidents—how the Uchiha had openly clashed with Root, and even detained some of Danzo Shimura's operatives. The Police Force had grown increasingly bold under new leadership.
Seeing the hesitation in their eyes, Uchiha En gave the order. "Move out."
With their captives in tow, the Police Force exited the compound. The Sarutobi watched them leave in silence—stunned, angry, but unwilling to escalate the confrontation.
"…What do we do now?" one finally muttered.
"Report to Lord Third—immediately."
A few moments later, inside the Hokage Residence:
"What did you say!?" Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed his hand on the desk. "The Uchiha Police Force took Otake, Kawasui, and Omo!?"
"Yes, Lord Third," said his attendant, bowing. "They entered the compound and detained them on the spot."
Hiruzen's face darkened. "Why those three…?"
He quickly masked his expression, but internally, he was shaken. He had personally instructed those three to spread whispers about Hatake Sakumo's mission failure, planting the seeds of public doubt. It had all been off the record. There should've been no evidence.
This arrest could only mean one thing: someone had traced it back.
"…Anbu. Assemble at once. I'm going personally."
Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, grabbed his staff and strode toward the exit. The matter had just escalated beyond politics—into something far more dangerous.