When Uchiha Kei uttered the six words, " I have one condition, " the atmosphere inside the Hokage's Office shifted subtly. The air, which had eased slightly due to his willingness to compromise, tightened once more. But this time, it was not a tense confrontation, but rather a silence filled with caution and calculation, akin to the moments before a business negotiation.

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes narrowed behind a thick cloud of smoke. He did not speak immediately, instead watching Uchiha Kei quietly, signaling him to continue. He was very curious about what kind of condition this young man, who had just forced him into a difficult spot with two questions, would propose.

The Inuzuka Clan Head and Hyuga Tokuma also watched Uchiha Kei nervously, fearing that the other party might propose some humiliating or unacceptable, harsh demands.

Uchiha Kei straightened up, his face still wearing that calm, ripple-free expression.

" My condition is very simple, " he began, his voice clear and steady, echoing in the quiet office. " I can represent the Third Division and release Inuzuka Gaku. I can even represent the Military Police Force and apologize to the Inuzuka Clan for this ' lack of finesse in law enforcement. ' "

Upon hearing this, the Inuzuka Clan Head's expression improved significantly. The Uchiha were actually willing to apologize? This was unprecedented. It made him feel as though he had regained some face.

However, Uchiha Kei's next sentence was his true purpose.

" But I request that the Hokage's Office, in the name of the Third Hokage, issue an official public document. It must reaffirm and clarify the law enforcement powers and scope of responsibilities of the Konoha Military Police Force to the entire village. "

He paused, emphasizing his tone.

" This document must emphasize one point: any unprovoked, public insult or provocation directed at any legitimate family in Konoha will be defined as a ' malicious incident that severely undermines the internal unity of the village. ' Once discovered, the Military Police Force has the right, and is obligated, to handle it severely. "

Once this condition was stated, the Inuzuka Clan Head and Hyuga Tokuma could not find any reason to refute it for a moment. Because it sounded too " fair and just. "

This was not just about defending the Uchiha; it was about defending the interests of all families. If someone dared to publicly insult the Uchiha today, tomorrow someone might insult the Hyuga, and the day after, the Inuzuka. From this perspective, this document seemed like a good thing.

They even felt that Uchiha Kei proposing this condition was an attempt to regain some face after being " lectured " by the Hokage, by choosing a method that was more " focused on the big picture. "

However, the moment Uchiha Kei's words fell, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils contracted sharply to the size of pinpricks.

He instantly understood Uchiha Kei's true intention.

This little fox!

He didn't care at all about punishing a lowly Inuzuka Gaku! Whether Inuzuka Gaku lived or died, whether he was confined or fined, was meaningless to Uchiha Kei.

What he wanted was to use this incident, and his own eagerness to quell the matter, to obtain a " Shangfang Sword " from the Hokage's Office that held the highest legal effect!

" Reaffirm and clarify the law enforcement powers of the Military Police Force " — these words seemed plain, but in reality, they were as heavy as Mount Tai. In the past, the power of the Military Police Force came from the Uchiha Clan itself. When enforcing the law, they were always met with overt or covert resistance from other families, and the villagers were full of fear and distrust toward them.

But once there was this document personally signed by the Hokage, everything would be different.

The law enforcement of the Military Police Force would no longer be " the Uchiha's family business, " but " the Hokage's will. " Every one of their actions would have irrefutable legal grounds. Any obstruction to the Military Police Force's enforcement would be equivalent to openly defying the Hokage's orders!

And that phrase, " any insult or provocation directed at any legitimate family in Konoha, " was a stroke of genius. It perfectly wrapped the Uchiha's demands in the sugar-coating of " protecting the interests of all families, " making it impossible for anyone to raise an objection from a moral standpoint.

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi felt as if he had swallowed a fly. His carefully designed game of " smoothing things over " was intended to reprimand the Uchiha, appease other families, and demonstrate his control. Instead, he had been countered, with the other party using this game to openly and legitimately secure unprecedented official authorization for themselves.

Agree, or disagree?

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into a rare dilemma since taking office.

To agree would be equivalent to personally plating the claws and fangs of the Uchiha tiger with a layer of tempered steel called " legal authority. " This ran counter to his fundamental strategy of restricting and weakening the Uchiha. He could foresee what kind of waves Uchiha Kei, this young man who acted without hesitation, would stir up in Konoha with this document.

But to disagree? What would be the reason?

Refuse such a " fair and reasonable, " " big-picture " condition? Then wouldn't all the teachings he had just given to Uchiha Kei about " unity " and " broad-mindedness " become a joke? His reputation as a Hokage who handled things unfairly and used double standards would likely spread throughout the entire village by tomorrow. The Inuzuka and Hyuga might be satisfied, but what would the other small and medium-sized families in the village think? They would feel that the Hokage's " justice " would not protect them.

This would shake the very foundation of his rule.

In the office, smoke swirled. Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked his pipe, puff after puff, rapidly and anxiously. He was engaged in an intense internal struggle, weighing political gains and losses.

Ultimately, in order to quell this incident, which was highly likely to tear apart the internal unity of the village as soon as possible, and to maintain his " fair and selfless " Hokage image on the surface, he made his choice.

" Fine. " Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi squeezed the word out through his teeth, his voice somewhat dry. " I agree to your condition. "

He picked up a pen and quickly wrote a few lines on a blank piece of official paper, the content of which was almost exactly the same as Uchiha Kei's request. Then, he took out the Hokage seal from his drawer, which represented the highest power in Konoha, and stamped it heavily onto the paper.

The bright red ink was branded onto the paper, and also branded onto the future fate of Konoha.

Uchiha Kei took the public document, still carrying the faint scent of fresh ink, with both hands. He read it carefully, confirmed it was correct, and solemnly tucked it into his robes.

He bowed deeply to Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi once again.

" Thank you, Hokage-sama, for your great understanding. For the sake of the village's unity, we Uchiha are willing to make this small concession. "

His posture was humble and polite, his words flawless.

Immediately, he turned around and issued an order on the spot to Kenji, who was at the office door.

" Kenji, send the notice down: release Inuzuka Gaku and his companions immediately. "

" Yes, Teacher! " Kenji replied loudly, suppressing the wild joy in his heart.

Uchiha Kei had won. He lost face (the apology), but won substance (power). Like the most brilliant gambler, he used a trivial chip to win the entire game at the Hokage's poker table.

Holding the document, Uchiha Kei did not say another word, turned around, and left the Hokage's Office. When he stepped out of the shadows and was bathed in the sunlight once again, a victorious smile finally appeared on his face.

Inside his heart, a voice echoed.

" Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, you think you are quelling the matter, but what you have personally handed me is a lever capable of prying up the entire Konoha. "