Back to the Battlefield

Danzo and Fugaku confronted each other.

Shintaro noticed that Hiruzen, standing silently beside Danzo, was Danzo's trusted ally.

However, Fugaku also held his ground. He said, "It is wartime now. The police force must help Konoha solve its problems. Some of its troops can be allocated to support the front lines. Konoha also needs the strength of the Uchiha Clan."

Hearing this, Danzo turned to Hiruzen and said, "I propose that the Hyuga Clan lead the reinforcements while the Uchiha Clan stays in Konoha to guard the garrison."

Hiruzen then looked at Hyuga Tokuyo and asked, "Does the Hyuga Clan still have enough strength to lead the troops?"

Tokuyo spoke up, "Although the patriarch and some clan members are stationed on the northeastern defense line, the Hyuga Clan is a major clan of Konoha, so of course, we still have the capability to lead reinforcements and share Konoha's burden."

Fugaku immediately countered Tokuyo, "What can the Hyuga Clan do on the front lines? Besides seeing a few kilometers further, it would be better to bring a few more pairs of binoculars."

"Uchiha Fugaku! Don't be so arrogant!"

Hyuga Tsukisho, Tokuyo's son, stood up, slammed the table, pointed at Fugaku, and angrily shouted.

Fugaku crossed his arms, revealing his three-tomoe Sharingan, and his aura was so overwhelming that it frightened Tsukisho instantly.

Ignoring Tsukisho, Fugaku addressed Tokuyo, "The Uchiha Clan is very strong. We are all elite ninjas with many talented individuals."

"Did you know that Shintaro beside me once defeated the Hachibi of Kumogakure? The newly developed ninjutsu is even more powerful than the Tailed Beast Bomb."

Fugaku pulled Shintaro forward, and Shintaro just watched, somehow involved in this war of words.

As the Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Clan continued to clash and the scene grew tense, Hiruzen stood up, exuding the authority of the Hokage, and said, "What are you all talking about? What kind of place do you think this is?"

"One of you slaps the table, and the other glares. Why not just use your words?"

"Alright, I've made my decision. This time, we will strengthen the southeast. Minato will be the supreme commander, and the Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Clan will jointly assist and lead two thousand ninjas to consolidate the southeastern defense line."

Danzo was about to protest, saying, "The Uchiha Clan cannot advance to the front lines, they..."

"That's enough, Danzo. I am the Hokage."

Hiruzen's words silenced Danzo.

"Half of the Konoha police force will remain, and the other half will follow the troops to the front lines. The remaining police duties will be temporarily filled with assignments."

Fugaku replied with satisfaction, "Thank you, Hokage-sama, for making this possible."

He glanced at Shintaro beside him and smiled.

'Sure enough, bringing Shintaro here was the right move. The higher-ups are indeed afraid of Shintaro's strength.'

Hiruzen then announced the list of other selected Jonin, and the meeting was adjourned.

Shintaro followed Fugaku to the Uchiha Clan station.

"Shintaro, this time the Uchiha Clan can advance to the front lines as a single clan unit. Do you know what this means?"

"A great service." Shintaro answered Fugaku's sudden question.

"More than that, after rendering meritorious service, we can prove that the Uchiha Clan not only excels as police but is also qualified for other tasks. This way, we can break the shackles placed on the Uchiha Clan since the time of the Second Hokage."

Fugaku's eyes were full of hope.

But Shintaro disagreed with this idea in his heart.

This time was indeed a concession from Konoha's higher-ups. After all, it was wartime, and Konoha desperately needed the strength of the Uchiha Clan.

After this, the higher-ups would definitely find ways to continue restricting the Uchiha Clan within the police force.

There was a high possibility that the old methods could not be used as an excuse, and they would continue to weaken and exclude the Uchiha Clan.

This time Hiruzen stood up and played the good guy, but it might not happen again.

With Danzo's thoughts and methods, he was probably thinking about how to deal with the Uchiha Clan right now.

However, Shintaro did not reveal his inner thoughts; he nodded silently, seemingly agreeing with Fugaku's point of view.

Fugaku arrived at the Uchiha Clan station and first came to his house to invite Shintaro to discuss the expedition.

Mikoto made tea for both of them, and Fugaku and Shintaro sat on the tatami, drinking tea and chatting.

This time, two-year-old Itachi came.

"Hello, Shintaro Nii-san."

Itachi smiled, and his delicate face made it hard to distinguish between male and female for a moment.

"Hello."

Shintaro turned and greeted.

Mikoto quickly came and took Itachi away. She instructed him, saying, "Itachi, don't disturb your father's and Shintaro's discussion."

Itachi nodded obediently and said, "I know, Mom, I just came to say hello."

Mikoto smiled gently and poked Itachi's forehead, "I know you're wise."

Seeing this expression of maternal kindness and filial piety, Shintaro could only sigh, "When you have a son, he should be like Itachi. Captain, your son is truly outstanding."

"You're still very young; what can you tell?"

"Three years old is a big deal."

"Hahaha, Itachi is only two years old. Okay, let's not talk about him anymore. Shintaro, what kind of people should we send to the front lines for support?"

Fugaku raised the topic again and asked Shintaro's opinion, "I want to transfer all the elites, what do you think?"

Shintaro understood that the other party was eager to perform meritorious deeds, but he stopped after thinking for a moment.

"Captain, this is inappropriate."

"Why?"

"Although this would give us more room to maneuver on the battlefield, the strength of the Konoha police force would be too depleted."

"If something unexpected happens in the village, the higher-ups, especially Danzo, will definitely take the opportunity to criticize it. This would harm the Uchiha Clan."

Fugaku, being a wise man, quickly realized this, "Indeed, this is something Danzo could do. Given the current situation of the Uchiha Clan, unfortunately, no mistake is more important than merit."

He sighed, looking disappointed.

Seeing this, Shintaro said, "We can proportionally adjust half of the Genin, Chunin, and Jonin. This can form a multi-level force on the battlefield and also provide enough experience to the juniors of the Uchiha Clan. This might not be a problem."

Fugaku nodded and said, "Since we can't use all our elites, this is the best way."

"I'll make the list tonight. Do you have any specific requirements?"

Shintaro smiled and said, "Include Tetsuo and Hamasu, they are my subordinates."

"Don't worry, they are not members of the police and can freely form a team."

Fugaku raised his hand slightly and said.

"In that case, I have no other requirements."

Thus, Shintaro and Fugaku parted ways.

❀❀❀

The next day, Fugaku announced the list, and the people of the Uchiha Clan eagerly awaited it.

All the Uchiha Clan ninjas wanted to go to the battlefield and contribute, so those who were not selected were quite disappointed, while those who were selected were happy.

As for Shintaro, he stayed at Kurenai's house to spend the last day together before heading off to war.

After that, he set off again, this time towards the southeast of the Land of Fire.