Fire Country.
Konoha.
Night falls.
The villagers, weary from a long day of work, were finally enjoying their dinner.
But in the Hokage's office, the lights remained bright.
Since reclaiming power, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had refused to loosen his grip on authority. The sting of his forced abdication still haunted him. Losing his position had only made him more aware of how important it was to sit in this chair.
Even during the reign of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, when he had served as an advisor behind the scenes, the feeling had been entirely different. There was a price to pay for holding power, and Sarutobi was willing to pay it.
Konoha's affairs—every single one—had to pass through him.
That was why he worked later and later.
But that was fine.
He actually enjoyed it.
---
"Did he really say that?"
Seated in his chair, Sarutobi Hiruzen lit his pipe, his expression unreadable as he listened to Kakashi's report.
Kakashi nodded indifferently.
He had only come to deliver the message.
"You have to pay more."
Just three simple words.
Kakashi didn't overanalyze them, but he knew this situation wasn't that simple.
It was clear that both sides were playing word games.
After all, he hadn't been involved in the matter directly, so he didn't fully grasp the underlying confrontation.
But to put it bluntly, it was obvious.
The Third Hokage had told Uchiha Bai Ye that the incident was a "misunderstanding." Of course, this was to protect Mitokado Homura's son, Mito Ido.
Not for personal reasons—no, it was a matter of Konoha's reputation.
If word got out that a Hokage advisor's son had secretly sold village secrets, the damage to the administration's credibility would be catastrophic.
Hiruzen wanted to handle it quietly, to sweep it under the rug.
But Bai Ye wasn't buying it.
He had a simple solution.
Pay up.
Corruption in Konoha was none of his concern, but if they wanted his cooperation, they'd have to compensate him.
And he had made his demand blatantly clear.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sensed the provocation hidden within those three words—"You have to pay more."
His eyes darkened, his expression turning cold.
Since reclaiming his title as Hokage, this was the first time someone had dared to challenge him so brazenly.
Could Bai Ye's actions be taken as representing the entire Uchiha clan?
Was this a test from the Uchiha?
To an old man steeped in politics and paranoia, every action carried hidden motives.
There were always schemes within schemes.
If Bai Ye knew what the Third Hokage was thinking, he'd probably die laughing.
Uchiha?
Even Uchiha Fugaku couldn't order him around.
Bai Ye's demand was about money.
Nothing more.
If they didn't pay?
Then tomorrow, he'd publish Mito Ido's full confession for the whole village to see, humiliating Konoha's leadership in the process. Then he'd execute Mito Ido himself under the charge of treason.
And no one would be able to stop him.
---
"Did he say anything else? Or take any further action?"
After a long silence, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally spoke again, frowning.
He needed to know if Bai Ye was acting alone or if this was an Uchiha power play.
"He didn't say anything else."
Kakashi's tone was flat.
"As for his actions… I'm not sure if this counts, but your son was arrested."
Hiruzen's brows twitched.
"What?"
"Sarutobi Asuma was taken into custody by the Konoha Military Police Force. The charge is street harassment. He's currently being interrogated to determine if he has any connection to Mito Ido's crimes."
Kakashi paused before adding:
"After all, Hokage-sama, you know that Mito Ido and your son were close."
Boom!
Sarutobi Hiruzen's palm slammed onto his desk, his face twisting in anger.
His son? Molesting women?!
That confirmed it.
This wasn't a coincidence.
Bai Ye was threatening him.
The old Hokage's mind worked quickly, piecing the situation together.
From his perspective, Bai Ye had deliberately arrested Asuma to pressure him into paying up. A message, clear as day:
If you want this to be handled as a 'misunderstanding,' you'd better meet my price.
The Uchiha were testing him—challenging his authority yet again.
Hiruzen's expression darkened, but he did not let his emotions explode.
Decades of experience had taught him patience. He had endured far worse, and he had built his power through calculated restraint.
---
Kakashi, by contrast, remained utterly calm.
He observed the Third Hokage's reaction and could already guess what the old man was thinking.
After a brief hesitation, he spoke.
"With all due respect, I don't think this is retaliation or a threat."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.
"Oh? Then what is it?"
Kakashi sighed.
"Because the woman your son harassed… was Bai Ye's girlfriend."
A strange silence filled the room.
Hiruzen's eyes flickered with doubt, but he said nothing.
Too naïve.
Kakashi was still too young—too blind to the deeper layers of conflict.
His father, Hatake Sakumo, had been a victim of this same naïveté. A powerful shinobi brought down by the very village he had sworn to protect.
And now, his son stood before him, unable to see the larger political game at play.
That was fine.
Hiruzen preferred it this way.
The less Kakashi understood, the more useful he was.
He was just a tool—obedient and predictable.
The Third Hokage's confidence returned.
He exhaled a slow puff of smoke, his eyes thoughtful.
Yes.
Everything was still within his control.
---
Meanwhile…
Konoha's Core District—Outside the Home of Mitokado Homura.
Uchiha Bai Ye stood before the advisor's residence, his expression unreadable.
Having sent Kurenai Yuhi home to bathe and rest, he now focused entirely on the next step.
The arrest.
"Who are you?! Are you from the Military Police Force?! Do you dare lay hands on a Hokage Advisor?!"
"Is the Uchiha clan planning a rebellion?!"
The uproar was immediate.
But before anyone could resist, Uchiha Sanyo delivered a vicious slap to the nearest guard's face, silencing the protest.
The operation had officially begun.
Uchiha Satoshi smirked, taking in the shocked expressions of the gathered ninjas and villagers.
He raised his voice.
"The Military Police Force is conducting an official arrest! Step aside!"
"The people ANBU won't touch, we will!"
"The things Hokage-sama won't handle, we will!"
"First act, then ask for forgiveness! That's our captain's way!"
"And remember—no matter how high your rank, the law applies to all!"
A chilling silence followed.
The villagers and shinobi exchanged uneasy glances.
The meaning was clear.
This was the Uchiha Military Police Force making a statement.
They were serious about the arrest