Such a large-scale operation by the Konoha Military Police Force—controlled by the Uchiha clan—soon drew the attention of the major clans in the village.
At a secluded courtyard, the current heads of the Ino-Shika-Chō trio—Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Chōza, and Nara Shikaku—had gathered in private.
"Shikaku, what on earth is the Uchiha clan up to?" Chōza grumbled, visibly upset. "They shut down one of our family's barbecue restaurants, claiming it violated hygiene codes!"
As part of their clan traditions, the Akimichi maintained several food businesses across Konoha to accommodate their high-caloric needs. The sudden closures were both a blow to the clan's finances and a public humiliation.
"Same here," Inoichi added with a deep frown. "My family's flower shop was also sealed off this morning. They're accusing us of unlicensed chakra herb sales. Since when does the Police Force enforce commercial regulations?"
Shikaku, ever the strategist, remained quiet for a moment before speaking. "My clan's medicinal herb outlet near the Deer Forest was closed too… For alleged violations of classified storage protocols."
Though all three clans were angry, they shared one common emotion—confusion. The Uchiha had always been aloof, but this level of bold, coordinated enforcement was unprecedented.
"This doesn't feel like a simple shake-down," Shikaku said thoughtfully. "The Uchiha know they're already under scrutiny by the village elders and ANBU. Doing this openly means either they're desperate—or confident."
"You mean they have a plan?" Inoichi asked, lowering his voice.
"A plan… or a motive we haven't seen yet," Shikaku replied.
"You don't think… they're planning to challenge the Hokage, do you?" Inoichi said, almost whispering. "There have been rumors. The clan's been marginalized ever since the Nine-Tails' attack…"
"That's absurd!" Chōza exclaimed. "No one would dare go that far! Not even the Uchiha!"
Shikaku's eyes narrowed. "I've just confirmed something troubling. Uchiha Fugaku hasn't made a public appearance in days. Word is… he's been confined. The one leading the clan now is someone named Uchiha Byakuya."
"Byakuya?" Inoichi echoed. "That's not a name we've heard among the clan's senior council."
"He's a rising figure, from what little I could find. Not part of the traditional hierarchy, but powerful and radical," Shikaku explained. "I've seen these patterns before… Forced restructuring, resource control, information lockdown—it's the framework for a coup, or at least a statement of power."
The three exchanged uneasy glances.
"What do we do now?" Chōza asked. "Some of our clan members are being detained by the Police Force. We can't just let this go."
Shikaku took a deep breath and shook his head. "We wait. This situation is volatile, and we don't know the full picture yet. If we act rashly, we might spark a civil conflict. Let the Hokage respond first. If Sarutobi-sensei moves, we follow."
The Ino-Shika-Chō were known for their loyalty and tactical prudence. Moving against the Uchiha unilaterally would be reckless—especially with ANBU forces and Konoha Council watching closely.
Meanwhile, the sentiment was spreading through other clan circles. The Hyūga, Aburame, and even the neutral merchant guilds were all watching—waiting to see what the Sarutobi clan would do now that their own holdings were under attack.
In the Hokage's office, a tense emergency meeting was underway.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in silence, flanked by his long-time advisors: Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzō.
"This is an act of defiance," Homura snapped. "The Uchiha have crossed the line! Shutting down our clan enterprises and detaining our operatives—what else is that if not a declaration of war?"
"They've also frozen several accounts linked to my orphanage network," Koharu added, fury in her voice. "This isn't just a challenge. It's a message."
Hiruzen's eyes were heavy with fatigue, but his mind raced. The Uchiha had long felt alienated. He had tried to balance the village's security with clan autonomy—but this was escalation.
Danzō, calm and cold, spoke last.
"We warned you, Hiruzen. The Uchiha cannot be trusted with power. You coddled them after the Nine-Tails incident. Now we all suffer the consequences."
Hiruzen remained silent.
These industries had been gradually acquired by their families over the years, using the political influence and authority they held within the village. Any damage to them would represent a significant blow—not just financially, but to their standing within Konoha.
After years of quiet development, their clans had finally risen to prominence, becoming influential forces in the village. None of them wished to regress into obscurity, struggling to survive like minor clans.
"The Uchiha clan is getting too arrogant..."
"We can't allow them to continue like this!"
"They must be taught a lesson before they undermine the village order completely!"
Shimura Danzo said with barely restrained fury. His Shimura clan, closely tied to Konoha's power structure, had suffered notable losses due to the Uchiha's recent assertiveness.
Danzo had long harbored animosity toward the Uchiha clan. As far back as the end of the Second Great Ninja War, he considered them a latent threat—too emotional, too proud, and too powerful. Now that public discontent was rising against the Uchiha due to their oppressive actions as the Konoha Military Police Force, Danzo saw an opening.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat silently, puffing from his pipe as the room buzzed with anger and accusations. He was torn—he had always tried to preserve balance and unity among the village's clans. But the Uchiha's behavior was growing harder to justify.
After a long pause, Hiruzen exhaled smoke and said gravely,
"...Yes, the Uchiha clan's recent actions are troubling. We must proceed cautiously."
He turned to Danzo.
"Danzo, have your Root operatives observe the situation—discreetly. I want to understand what's really going on before we act."
Danzo's single eye gleamed behind his bandages.
"Understood, Lord Third. Leave it to Root."
Without another word, he turned and left the room, returning swiftly to Root's underground base. As soon as orders were issued, his silent, masked operatives mobilized—descending upon the Uchiha district under the cover of night.
However, the moment they crossed into Uchiha territory, they were met by armed patrols of the Uchiha Police Force. The tension in the air was thick—neither side moved, but everyone had a hand near their weapon.
The Uchiha had been expecting them.