Chapter 62: Negotiation

Due to the lockdown in the village, Seiryu had no trouble getting to the Hokage Tower, only passing a few guards dragging beaten rioters back to the police.

Seiryu greeted them with a smile and reminded them to finish up quickly so they could collect their bonuses and jutsu before clocking out.

Hearing this, the police members cheered and gave the nearly unconscious rioters a couple more kicks.

Seiryu arrived at the Hokage Tower just as Kakashi did. They exchanged a smile and walked into the Hokage's office together.

After a brief announcement, Seiryu and Kakashi swaggered into the office.

Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could speak, Koharu Utatane lashed out first: "Uchiha Seiryu, why did the police act as they did tonight? Is the Uchiha clan trying to—"

Before she could finish, Seiryu's Mangekyo Sharingan activated, and his ocular power and chakra exploded in the office. Hiruzen slammed his hand on the desk, shouting angrily, "Enough!"

Hiruzen's sudden outburst shut Koharu down.

Next to Seiryu, his chakra and ocular power formed a black skeletal arm inscribed with blue runes—Susanoo's arm moved two chairs from the corner. Seiryu sat down grandly and motioned for Kakashi to do the same.

Kakashi adjusted his clothes with a grin and sat.

Seeing this, Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly. The ultimate power of the Uchiha—the Mangekyo Sharingan's Susanoo—was something he hadn't seen since he was a boy. Although Seiryu's display was far from the godlike power of Madara, his nonchalant demeanor made it clear this wasn't his full strength.

And…

Hiruzen glanced at Kakashi, who now sat side-by-side with Seiryu. Their united front was clear: the two had formed an alliance.

Hiruzen shot a hateful look at Koharu and Homura Mitokado. These two fools had pushed Kakashi into the Uchiha's arms.

He had seen the earlier standoff between the Jonin and the fourth Hokage's supporters in his crystal ball. Now that Kakashi had publicly picked up Minato's banner, he was a force to be reckoned with in the village.

And Seiryu had quietly assembled a powerful team.

Hiruzen realized the initiative was no longer his.

"Advisor Koharu, words spoken can't be taken back," Seiryu said, leaning back and giving Koharu a lazy smile.

"You—" Koharu choked with anger.

Seiryu, having warned her, ignored her and turned to Hiruzen: "Third Hokage, the Police Force acted to lock down the village and suppress the rioters tonight because of an urgent attack by those with ill intent. There wasn't time to report to you—please forgive us."

"I'm aware of the situation, Seiryu. You did well." Hiruzen forced a smile, setting the tone. "Maintaining village stability is the Police's duty. This must be dealt with seriously."

"Hiruzen!" Homura couldn't take it and protested.

"It's late, and you two advisors are elderly. Someone, escort the advisors home to rest," Hiruzen said.

He knew that before formal negotiations with Seiryu, the first step was to send these two idiots away. If they stayed, they'd only make things worse.

After all, in the past, as long as the Uchiha lacked the power to rebel, he could overlook their schemes. But now the Uchiha truly could rebel, and every word these two said had consequences.

"No need, Hokage-sama. Since the advisors care so much about village affairs, they should stay and listen. What I'm about to say concerns them, too." Seiryu smiled brightly.

"What do you want?" Koharu gritted her teeth.

As she spoke, a huge explosion sounded from the south side of the Hokage Tower.

Hiruzen, Homura, and Koharu all tensed—especially Homura and Koharu, since that was the direction of their clan compounds.

"What did you do?" Homura demanded.

"I merely sent people to arrest those who colluded with the rogue ninja Orochimaru, harmed villagers, and spread rumors to tarnish heroes' reputations," Seiryu replied, smiling.

"It just so happens those criminals are from the advisors' clans, and the now-dead former Root leader, rogue ninja Danzo Shimura's clan," Seiryu spoke lightly, but his words chilled them to the bone.

"Just arrests, right?" Hiruzen lit his pipe, staring at Seiryu.

"Of course." Seiryu met Hiruzen's gaze without fear. "Shisui is leading the team—if Hokage-sama doesn't trust me, you must trust your own ANBU."

Hiruzen nodded, picked up his crystal ball, infused chakra, and activated his telescope technique.

Soon, the scenes from the clan compounds appeared in the crystal ball: the ninja of the three clans surrounded a giant green half-body warrior, attacking it with ninjutsu.

But despite the onslaught, the green warrior stood unshaken. With a casual sweep of its hand, enemy ninja fell in droves.

"That's…" Koharu and Homura were stunned. Seiryu kindly explained their confusion.

"That's our Uchiha clan's ultimate power—Susanoo," Seiryu said with a smile. "Advisors, you'd best think about how to explain this to the Hokage. According to what we learned from tonight's police interrogations, the rumors spreading in the village these days were all at the advisors' orders."