Kapitel 69: The Next Moves of The Hokage's Faction

"Firstly, I trust you all already understand the impracticality of taking any direct action against individuals like Sakumo Hatake or young Hikari Hyuga at this time. Their positions within the village's overall framework now, coupled with the sheer force and a team we would need to employ to confront them, make any covert operation exceedingly difficult.",

"Moreover, considering the current tensions within the broader shinobi world and the looming threat of another world war on the horizon, such actions could only make it worse for the overall village interests...",

Hiruzen explained while mainly sending a few glances in Danzo's direction while speaking.

Danzo, known for his aggressive and uncompromising approach, surprisingly concurred without hesitation, nodding in acknowledgment, "It's self-evident, Hiruzen. Sakumo Hatake's strength is well-recognized, and Hikari Hyuga enjoys the full protection of his entire clan.",

"Beyond the complexities of taking action against them, their support will also be crucial in the war that looms on the horizon. My intelligence sources indicate that tensions are escalating.",

"Skirmishes between the major nations and smaller neighboring states are becoming more frequent, the big nations themselves getting weaker, hence more wolfish and more militant in their policies, signaling a potential for these conflicts to escalate and eventually draw all of the major villages into a full-scale war amongst themselves in a few years time...", Danzo admitted. His agreement underscored the gravity of the situation and the external pressure.

"However, it is good that you started considering that kind of option more seriously, Hiruzen. Sakumo's continued existence poses a direct threat to us—it's become a matter of him or us. Right and wrong aside, if we don't address the Sakumo situation decisively, he could very well spell our collective downfall.",

"He's already seized such an invaluable, critical position from under us. What's to stop him from aiming for the Hokage title next, even potentially seeking to usurp you, Hiruzen? Sooner or later, we'll have to confront this, it is just a matter of the most optimal timing at this point...", Danzo said, his expression darkening at the mention of Sakumo, a clear sign of his deep-seated animosity and the perceived threat Sakumo represented to their positions.

Danzo continued, slightly shifting his focus but maintaining his strategic perspective, "Regarding Hikari Hyuga, I think we're giving him too much credit as an individual threat.",

"He doesn't compare to Sakumo in terms of immediate danger, he is nowhere near that level. It's the political maneuverings of his entire clan that we should be wary of, much like with the entire Uchiha clan.",

"Yes, the boy certainly exhibits a remarkable talent for someone from the Hyuga clan especially, but we mustn't lose sight of the broader context, in terms of both the powerhouses of the entire village that we have on our 'side', and the history of that clan.",

"Historically, no Hyuga has surpassed what might be considered early Kage-level strength, and only one person ever achieved that level as well. Even the most formidable among them, in each generation, typically the clan leaders themselves, hasn't posed a significant threat beyond the Quasi-Kage level. Their capabilities do not fundamentally endanger our position...",

Danzo articulated, emphasizing a broader view that prioritized the political dynamics of entire clan actions over the capabilities of an individual, however talented they might be.

"Regarding the rumors of his exceptional 'intelligence' as well, it's difficult to ascertain their authenticity. For all we know, these could be strategic exaggerations by the Hyuga Elders to enhance his perceived value or to throw us off from other things. Yet, while he really does appear to possess a notable aptitude for commerce and business, such skills are not directly threatening in a society governed by shinobi prowess.",

"Moreover, regardless of his commercial successes, the Hyuga clan's slightly rising revenues can't even begin to compare to the financial influence we wield. Our control over the village's executive and legislative mechanisms ensures our cemented superior position in terms of both business valuations and financial resources...",

Danzo remarked, scrutinizing the impact of Hikari Hyuga's talents on their strategic position with a blend of skepticism and analytical rigor, dismissing the potential threat his abilities might pose to their established power.

'Though a part of me would relish the chance to move against him just for the arrogance he displays as if he were some sort of untouchable, 'prince' above everyone else in the village our teacher built equally for everyone. It is, however pity that my organization is still in its infancy, and the timing isn't right...',

Danzo mused internally, reflecting on his external commentary about the boy. His irritation with Hikari's attitude towards the village, evident since the boy's early years, continued to fester. It was as if he 'didn't take the village seriously' with all of their hand extensions toward him being ignored or outright rejected.

However, the practicalities of the situation held him back. Root had only recently begun to gain momentum, successfully recruiting notable talents from across the major shinobi clans, however, with the notable exceptions of the Hyuga and Uchiha, much to Danzo's annoyance.

Hiruzen and the two other advisors' support for Root's expansion was indeed a strategic move. They anticipated the need for another strong and covert outside-focused global force in the face of a potential large-scale conflict.

This expansion was deemed crucial, not just for their faction's power grab but for the entire village's readiness for the impending war.

"Acting against them before the onset of the war could compromise our position should the external threats escalate to a point where we require the support of everyone, including their faction. However, the dynamics could shift during the conflict.",

"Depending on how the situation evolves, we might find an opportunity to address the Sakumo issue, either through political means or more 'direct' methods. If not, we may need to bide our time until after the war concludes.",

"For now, it would be prudent to halt any actions against the Uchiha clan as well. Given their current alignment with both Sakumo's and the Hyuga's factions, it's likely they've established some form of mutual 'defense' agreement.",

"Besides, we've already significantly undermined Uchiha's position. It might be wise to pause and continue our long-term policy toward them after the dust settles...", Homura interjected, his strategic foresight the evident as always.

Ever since the era of their teacher, Tobirama Senju, a subtle, gradual strategy akin to a 'boiling-the-frog' approach has been established and directed towards the Uchiha clan.

From the outset, Tobirama had conceded leadership of the Police Force to the Uchiha, a move perceived by some as a double-edged sword. This position placed the Uchiha in direct oversight of law enforcement, exposing them to resentment and animosity from those they policed and incarcerated, effectively isolating them from the village's overall community.

However, the Uchiha, valuing power over popularity, seemed indifferent to these sentiments, prizing their authority and autonomy above the need for social acceptance.

They were a very asocial clan in nature, and all that ostracization didn't bother them much if they had power. In fact, they even preferred it that way, thinking of themselves as a cut above everyone else.

However, this dynamic underwent a significant shift under Hiruzen's leadership, with the advisors playing a pivotal role. They began to systematically redirect significant cases from the Police Force to the Anbu, effectively diminishing the Uchiha's role in handling minor civilian disputes and low-level shinobi infractions. Meanwhile, Anbu took on more critical security tasks, such as dealing with Jonin-level betrayals and foreign espionage activities.

Moreover, a policy was established early in the village's foundation stipulating that Anbu's (and vice versa's) arrest of a Police Force member required the Hokage's approval.

Given the Hokage's oversight of Anbu, this policy invariably skewed power dynamics in favor of Anbu, particularly during Hiruzen's tenure. It was during this time that masks were torn off, and Hiruzen began to openly exercise those loopholes purposefully put in law by Tobirama.

In recent times, particularly during the last few years, the Konoha Military Police Force, predominantly overseen by the Uchiha clan, saw a significant decline in its influence and operational capacity, rendering it, in many respects, a 'toothless force' to Hokage's Faction.

Their activities were largely confined to routine patrolling, conducting investigations into low-profile cases, maintaining order among both shinobi and civilians, managing a detention facility for those arrested, doing manual trials, and ensuring adherence to village laws overall.

These tasks, while essential, lacked the prestige and visibility of higher-profile missions that Hiruzen rerouted to Anbu thanks to other loopholes in law purposefully placed by Tobirama and thanks to Uchiha's losing power in proportion to Hokage's Faction and getting more and more isolated, without allies, falling essentially in some kind of a negative endless loophole od degradation of their power. However, that was evidently about to pause or change now.

The shift became more pronounced, with the Anbu taking precedence in handling any high-stakes, publicized security matters. Under the direction of Hiruzen's son, Shinsuke Sarutobi, the Anbu also developed secret cells throughout the village, further encroaching on the jurisdiction and traditional responsibilities of the Military Police in the most obvious sense.