Seeing the situation unfold before him, Sarutobi Hiruzen reacted swiftly, his expression shifting in an instant.
"Who dares to bring chaos to Konoha Village!?"
"Anyone who threatens the peace of the Hidden Leaf... shall not be forgiven!"
He turned toward the crowd with a solemn face.
"Captain Byakuya, I'm not sure what rebel ninja you're referring to..."
His tone, full of righteous sorrow, sounded convincing to the uninformed. But Byakuya, watching closely, could only sneer inwardly.
As expected of the Professor—this kind of manipulative sleight of hand is second nature to him.
"These three..." Byakuya gestured to the trio of Sarutobi clan members.
"They're the ones spreading false rumors, stirring unrest."
Hiruzen's face darkened.
"You fools... how could you betray the village!?"
"You've disgraced the Sarutobi name!"
"Hokage-sama, we—" one of them tried to explain, but Hiruzen immediately cut them off.
"Silence!" he barked.
"As the Third Hokage, I hereby declare you traitors to the Hidden Leaf!"
"Konoha will judge you accordingly."
It was a calculated move. Hiruzen knew these three could expose his involvement in the rumors aimed at destroying Hatake Sakumo's reputation. Declaring them traitors was the fastest way to bury the truth.
"Very well, Lord Hokage," Byakuya said smoothly.
"In that case, allow me to honor you with the chance to personally execute these traitors."
He offered Hiruzen a sword.
The Third Hokage froze.
This wasn't part of his plan.
He had intended to label them as traitors, then have the Anbu quietly take them away. Whether they were silenced or pardoned later would have been his decision. But now—Byakuya was cornering him.
"Hokage-sama?" Byakuya said pointedly.
"Aren't traitors supposed to be dealt with swiftly? Or... do you have second thoughts?"
The pressure was clear. If Hiruzen refused, it would cast doubt on his conviction—and possibly expose his involvement.
"...You're right."
"Traitors must be punished without mercy," Hiruzen said after a long breath.
He took the blade and slowly approached the three.
"Hokage-sama, please, we only did what you told us—!"
But their pleas were cut short.
Slash. Slash. Slash.
Three clean strikes. Blood spattered across the ground. The courtyard fell silent.
"...Excellent swordsmanship, Lord Hokage," Byakuya said with mocking applause.
"You truly are skilled at eliminating your own subordinates."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said nothing, his face an unreadable mask as he turned toward another man watching in silence—Hatake Sakumo.
"Sakumo, are you alright? Don't let these rumors trouble you," he said gently.
"The village has always stood behind you."
It was a pitiful attempt at damage control. Hiruzen knew how vital Sakumo was to Konoha's stability—especially as the commander of the ANBU.
But Byakuya couldn't hold back a loud laugh.
"Haha... keep going, Lord Hokage," he chuckled.
"Your acting deserves a medal."
Hiruzen's face twitched, his eyes cold with suppressed fury.
Ignoring Byakuya, he turned again to Sakumo.
"The ANBU still needs you. The village needs you. When will you return to your post?"
But Sakumo shook his head.
"...I'm sorry, Hokage-sama. I don't believe I'm the right person for that responsibility anymore."
"You should appoint someone else."
His voice was calm, but firm—betraying the deep wound left by betrayal, and the burden of being forced to watch it all unfold.
After this incident, Hatake Sakumo's heart was filled with disillusionment. He had led the Anbu with unwavering loyalty, protecting Sarutobi Hiruzen and Konoha from the shadows — but what he received in return was betrayal, rumors, and orchestrated isolation.
Why was I ever chosen to lead the Anbu… if this was the end planned for me?
Seeing Sakumo's cold and disappointed gaze, Hiruzen's expression remained calm, even kind — a carefully maintained facade.
"You've worked hard all these years, Sakumo," Hiruzen said gently. "You should take some time to rest. If you ever wish to return, the position of Anbu Commander will be waiting."
Sakumo gave no reply. He looked away from Hiruzen and turned to face Uchiha Byakuya.
"Captain Byakuya... does your offer still stand?"
Byakuya raised a brow, clearly surprised. "You mean… joining the Konoha Military Police Force?"
Sakumo nodded. "Yes. If the offer still stands, then I'd like to join. Please take care of me."
For a brief moment, silence fell.
Then, the Uchiha around them broke out in excitement.
"Konoha's White Fang is joining the Police Force?"
"Haha! Incredible. With him on our side, who would dare challenge the Uchiha?"
"Our force has no use for deception and hidden schemes. Our mission is simple — protect the village and uphold the law."
Even Uchiha En, who had once been skeptical of outsiders joining, looked visibly moved.
Sakumo remained stoic. He wasn't doing this for power or recognition — he simply wanted to distance himself from Hiruzen's inner circle. The whispers that had driven him to near suicide had not come from nowhere. They had come from above.
He had no fear for his own life — but he feared what might happen to his son, Kakashi. If anything ever happened to him, the boy would be left without protection. And in Konoha, loyalty to the Hokage wasn't always rewarded.
Joining the Uchiha was a risk — but it was the only faction in the village strong enough to stand on equal footing with the Hokage's authority.
Watching his former Anbu Commander stand alongside the Uchiha, Hiruzen's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. His hands, hidden in his sleeves, clenched.
Damn it. This wasn't supposed to happen.
He had intended to isolate Sakumo, break him, and replace him. But now, not only had Sakumo rejected him — he had become a powerful asset for the Uchiha.
"Take care, Hokage-sama," Byakuya said mockingly, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Also… perhaps it's time you tightened control over your own Sarutobi clan."
"If we catch another traitor next time, don't expect mercy."
"Tch…" Hiruzen turned and left in silence, his Anbu escort trailing behind him.
His plan had not only failed — it had backfired spectacularly.
Curse you, Uchiha Byakuya…
If not for you, this would have ended differently.
System Prompt:
[Ding! Sarutobi Hiruzen's anger detected. +500 negative energy. Genjutsu proficiency +30.]
[Ding! Sarutobi Hiruzen's fury deepens. +600 negative energy. Taijutsu proficiency +32.]
[Ding! +700 negative energy. Chakra control +35.]
[Ding! +800 negative energy. Ninjutsu mastery +40.]