24. Danzo's Counter-Plot

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"Of course!" Danzo stated matter-of-factly. "Hiruzen also mentioned that this is an open conspiracy. Direct opposition won't work. Naturally, we can only go with the flow and wait for an opportunity to seize the initiative!"

He continued, "I've already dispatched some Root operatives and a few Shimura clan members to sign up. I believe we can secure some spots! You should also send some of your clan's shinobi to register. Try to dominate all the available positions in this brigade. Once that's done, this brigade will fall under our control. We can then use it as a means to gradually erode the Konoha Military Police Force's authority. At the same time, under the guise of the Konoha Military Police Force, we can further tarnish the Uchiha's reputation and make them even more despised."

Danzo sneered inwardly. The Uchiha were desperate to repair their reputation, but he had no intention of letting that happen.

"You can't take up all the spots!" The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, interjected, shaking his head in disapproval. "This matter has been widely publicized and is now well-known among countless civilian shinobi and members of small and medium-sized clans. Many of them have already signed up.

"Even if Uchiha were willing to select all our people—though I doubt they would—we can't do that. It would be too obvious that we orchestrated this. Those civilian ninjas and members of the smaller clans who are excluded would undoubtedly direct their anger and resentment toward us. I will not take actions that create trouble for myself."

Danzo, unrelenting, scoffed. "They're just civilian ninjas and members of minor clans. What does it matter? At worst, we can simply shift the blame to the Uchiha, claiming they deliberately tried to curry favor with us."

The three advisors—Hiruzen, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu—exchanged exasperated glances. Mitokado Homura finally spoke up, clearly irritated. "Danzo, do you even listen to yourself? Everyone knows the Uchiha's relationship with us is strained. Who would believe they're trying to win our favor?"

Hiruzen added, "And as I just said, the choice of candidates lies with the Uchiha, not us. Danzo, let it go."

"Exactly!" Utatane Koharu chimed in, shaking her head in disbelief. Danzo always had a way of concocting schemes that caused harm to others while benefiting himself, and the rest of the council had grown used to his antics.

Danzo frowned, still unwilling to relent. Turning back to Hiruzen, he asked, "Hiruzen, can't you summon Uchiha Mikasa under your authority and pressure her to yield?"

He was clearly not ready to abandon the plan. This was an opportunity to weaken the Uchiha further, expand the influence of Root, and consolidate his own power. How could he let it slip away? His ambition wasn't limited to targeting the Uchiha—he aimed to replace Hiruzen and become the Hokage. In Danzo's mind, if he had spoken up just a bit sooner, the Hokage title would have been his already.

Hiruzen sighed, his patience wearing thin. "Danzo, you're talking about Uchiha Mikasa, and you should know she's regained her peak strength. Don't tell me you're unaware of this. Are you seriously expecting her to compromise or follow our directives?"

"Have you not noticed that some of your recent schemes against the Uchiha have been quietly dismantled by her efforts? Be realistic."

"You may send people to register, and try to secure as many spots as you can."

"There's still plenty of time ahead. We'll just take it slow! Uchiha Mikasa's age and health are against her. Even if she's regained her peak condition for now, I don't believe she'll outlive us. Once she's gone, things will become much simpler.

"Over the years, we can influence and support an Uchiha we deem suitable to lead the clan in the future—a weaker head who understands compromise. That's the kind of leader we need."

They didn't want a strong, defiant leader like Uchiha Mikasa. A compliant leader was far more useful.

"That's the only way for now," Danzo concluded reluctantly. "I'm leaving."

With that, Danzo hurriedly departed.

The remaining three advisors, Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura, exchanged uncertain glances.

"Let's act quickly," Hiruzen said, breaking the silence. "Have some of the clan members submit their applications. Hopefully, a few of them will be selected."

"Understood!" Koharu and Homura agreed, and the three immediately began their preparations.

The next day, at the Konoha Military Police Force, the Third Elder presented a compiled application list to Uchiha Mikasa.

"Master Mikasa," the elder began, "here's the list. More than a thousand people have signed up, including members of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans, as well as operatives from Root and Anbu. What should we do about them? Should we eliminate all of them right away?"

"There's no need for that," Uchiha Mikasa replied, shaking her head. "Most of the applicants will be civilian ninjas or members of small and medium-sized clans. Divide the candidates by region and select a group of ninjas who live nearby. Assign them to patrol the areas around their own homes.

"Neighbors are better equipped to mediate civil disputes and can reduce unnecessary conflicts. Be sure to plan and organize the patrol areas for each team carefully.

"As for team leaders and squadron leaders, you can arrange for them to come from the Shimura clan, the Sarutobi clan, Mitokado's people, or even others who have recently joined their factions."

"This..." The Third Elder hesitated, frowning. "If they're part of the police force but act under the Uchiha name, couldn't they deliberately tarnish our reputation? What if they cause problems and claim to represent the Uchiha?"

"It's not that simple," Mikasa replied calmly. "No one will truly believe they represent us, especially given the circumstances. And we'll take precautions to ensure this doesn't become an issue."

"We'll establish an inspection department within the second brigade to secretly monitor and record the third brigade's law enforcement activities. Additionally, we'll subtly spread the true identities of these operatives to shift public grievances back onto them."

"Furthermore, if they violate rules or regulations, post their infractions on public notice boards for criticism. Make sure to include their origins when doing so."

'You have your siege tactics; I have my ladder to climb over the wall. Let's see whose methods prevail.'

The Third Elder smiled, clearly impressed. "Master Mikasa, you're brilliant! I'll see to it right away." He gave her a thumbs up, fully committed to her plan.

"Good. That's settled."

Mikasa personally reviewed the list and paid special attention to a candidate named Might Dai, whom Sora had mentioned. She selected him before handing the list back to the Third Elder.

"I've chosen some candidates. You can handle the rest," Mikasa instructed. "Make sure civilians and shinobi from small and medium-sized clans make up the majority. Prioritize them. This is an opportunity for us to build relationships with these smaller factions and even civilian ninjas. Don't mess it up."

Preparation was everything; without it, all efforts would be wasted.

"Understood!" The Third Elder took the list and nodded, eager to carry out the instructions.

With that, Mikasa stood and left.

The next morning, the list of the third brigade was officially announced, along with detailed patrol area divisions and law enforcement rules for the new Konoha Military Police Force.

The selected candidates were overjoyed, while those who weren't chosen couldn't hide their disappointment.