CHAPTER 9

Fire Country – Konoha – Guard Headquarters

As Sarutobi Hiruzen left with his son, along with Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane, Uchiha Renn watched with a faint smile.

His subordinates were tallying the latest spoils, their murmurs filling the room. The wealth accumulated was staggering, and among the documents being reviewed was a proposal for expanding the Konoha Military Police Force.

However, the Third Hokage's expression was anything but pleased. His face was dark, his heart boiling with rage.

The price he had to pay to retrieve these three was exorbitant.

As soon as he stepped through the door, Uchiha Renn's voice rang out, firm and unwavering. The very notion of paying such a high ransom to free his old comrades was something he would have outright refused.

After all, in his eyes, Mitokado Homura alone was far from worth such a sum.

But when Renn's subordinates presented Mitokado Homura's confession, the Uchiha had paused in silence for a long while before finally making his decision.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze swept toward Homura, taking in his bruised and swollen face. Fury flared within him.

A Hokage advisor—reduced to this state.

During the war, the man had made countless decisions in Konoha's best interests, yet under mere interrogation, he had folded almost immediately, spilling every detail.

If his confession were made public, the consequences would be disastrous—far more severe than anything his son had done.

Sarutobi had no choice but to yield.

But that did not mean he would simply accept this humiliation.

The Military Police Force was growing too bold.

Pausing just before stepping out of the headquarters, he turned slightly, his sharp gaze locking onto Renn.

"The Guard has performed well as of late."

He spoke slowly, deliberately.

"Konoha remains stable under Captain Renn's leadership. Everyone has taken note of your accomplishments."

He had not paid much attention to the Military Police before.

But now…

Now, he realized their authority had grown far beyond what he had anticipated.

This position—this power—could not be left in Uchiha hands.

Sarutobi's mind raced. As Hokage, even he could not arbitrarily dismiss the Uchiha from their post. Especially now, with tensions rising between the Uchiha clan and the village, every move required precision.

Besides, the Guard's operations were legally justified. Their actions were not only aboveboard but had earned the approval of many villagers.

Sarutobi found this… troubling.

The Military Police Force had originally been established as a means to curb Uchiha influence, to separate them from the rest of the village. Yet, instead of serving that purpose, it had gained popularity.

This was not what Tobirama Senju had envisioned.

This was a miscalculation.

One that needed correcting.

The Guard itself was not the problem.

The problem was Uchiha Renn.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was no fool. He had navigated the treacherous waters of Konoha's politics for years, outmaneuvering rivals, consolidating power.

The Guard could remain—for now.

But its captain…

He would ensure that Renn fell.

All men make mistakes.

And when Renn made his, he would be removed.

"The envoy from Kumogakure will be arriving in Konoha soon," Sarutobi said at last, his voice carrying an ominous weight.

"The responsibility for the village's security will be yours."

A flicker of cold calculation passed through his gaze.

"The old man trusts that Captain Renn will handle any situation that arises… appropriately."

With that cryptic remark, the Third Hokage turned to leave.

But just as he took his first step forward—

A hand clamped onto his shoulder.

His body tensed.

Renn's grip was firm, unyielding.

"Rest assured, Lord Hokage," Renn said with a bright, almost mocking smile.

"This captain will fulfill his duty."

For the briefest moment, a flicker of unease crossed Sarutobi's face.

He glanced at the hand on his shoulder.

He couldn't break free.

Was he weak? No.

Despite what the textbooks claimed about him being "The Professor," the so-called "strongest Hokage"—it was a title built more on reputation than reality.

The true strength of the First and Second Hokage was undeniable. Compared to them, where did Sarutobi truly stand?

And in that moment, he realized—

Uchiha Renn was a problem.

One that needed to be solved.

But that doesn't mean he's weak.

It could be said that the shadow of a village will never be too fragile an existence.

Of course, Boruto's generation is an exception.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was shaken.

Just now—when Renn moved—he hadn't even had time to react.

He was certain that if Renn had intended to kill him, he would already be a corpse.

Terrifying.

Since when had the Uchiha clan harbored such a chilling presence?

Sarutobi steadied himself and attempted to break free, but it was futile.

In the hands of his opponent, he was like a monkey pinned down—utterly powerless.

"The safety of the village is not something Lord Hokage needs to worry about."

"The Uchiha Police Force will handle it."

"But none of that concerns me."

Renn's once gentle smile had vanished.

He leaned in close to Sarutobi Hiruzen's ear, his voice smooth and deliberate, audible only to the two of them.

"Please, Lord Hokage, keep an eye on your son."

"If I catch him harassing my woman again…"

"I promise—he won't be leaving the police force in one piece."

A blatant threat.

This wasn't an order from the Uchiha Police Force.

Nor was it the will of the Uchiha clan.

This was Uchiha Renn himself speaking.

He refused to tolerate pests swarming around his woman.

Call it a man's possessiveness—he only wanted her to have eyes for him alone.

The reason he remained in the Police Force, the reason he took on the role of a disciplined captain—was simply for the benefits.

But if he truly decided to overturn the table…

He could rewrite Konoha's history in an instant.

Never forget—

The Hidden Leaf Village was founded by both the Senju and Uchiha clans.

The Sarutobi clan?

They were nothing more than opportunists who sided with the victors after the fact.

Releasing Sarutobi's shoulders, Renn turned and waved dismissively before walking toward his office.

Sarutobi watched his retreating figure, his gaze deep with contemplation.

He rolled his shoulders, wincing.

He was certain—the spot where Renn had gripped him was already bruised black and blue.

Uchiha Renn…

Just what kind of existence was he?