Late morning. The Hokage's office.
The bright sky outside had dimmed without warning. Heavy gray clouds hung low, pressing down like an unseen weight.
Inside, the atmosphere was even heavier than before—wrapped in a layer of polite, almost formulaic warmth.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his wide desk, watching the Uchiha clan head enter. He set aside his smoking pipe, a kindly smile resting on his face.
This time, Koharu Utatane sat beside him.
Her posture was straight, her expression solemn. Her gaze, gentle on the surface like that of a kindly elder, carefully studied every reaction of the man before her.
The clan head paid it no mind.
He sat calmly in the guest seat, like a mountain weathered by countless storms—silent, yet carrying undeniable presence.
Hiruzen's eyes lingered on him for a moment before he spoke directly.
"Regarding the deployment of the Uchiha to the eastern front to resist Kirigakure… the village leadership has reached a preliminary decision."
The clan head lifted his gaze slightly, signaling his attention.
"I'm listening."
Koharu took over.
Her voice, usually sharp, was deliberately softened.
"The Uchiha are undeniably one of Konoha's foremost bloodline clans. We fully recognize your resolve to serve the village."
She paused briefly, gauging his reaction.
"Given the urgency of the situation… and the Uchiha's ability to operate independently…"
"By the Hokage's special approval, the Uchiha are permitted to form an independent shinobi force."
"This force will coordinate with the eastern army and take responsibility for defending the eastern coastline against Kirigakure."
After learning from Homura that the Fire Daimyō continued to stall, and that Konoha's battle against Sunagakure was far from smooth—while Iwagakure and Kumogakure advanced simultaneously—
Konoha's leadership had already reached a consensus.
The Uchiha issue could no longer be delayed.
Even if it meant deceiving themselves—
They had to send the Uchiha into the grinder of war.
Just like the Senju before them—
Let them burn willingly as leaves to sustain Konoha.
A faint glint passed through the clan head's eyes.
He didn't respond immediately.
He knew—
The real terms were still to come.
Hiruzen followed up, his tone seemingly generous.
"The commander of this force will, of course, be appointed by the Uchiha."
"You will have full authority to make battlefield decisions without seeking prior approval. Reports can be submitted afterward."
On the surface—
It sounded like a major concession.
Almost complete military autonomy.
But the clan head understood—
They would never be this generous.
"What are the conditions?"
His voice was calm, his gaze sharp.
Koharu answered without hesitation.
"The condition is simple."
"All expenses for this independent force—personnel arrangements, logistics, medical supplies…"
"Every aspect of its armament—must be funded and prepared entirely by the Uchiha."
She paused, her expression shifting into one of practiced difficulty.
"The village is surrounded on all sides. Resources are stretched thin."
"We simply cannot support an additional force of this scale."
She leaned forward slightly, even bowing her head.
"Given the Uchiha's long-standing status and deep foundation… even the Hyūga cannot compare."
"At this critical moment…"
"We ask that you shoulder this burden—for the sake of Konoha."
Silence fell.
The air itself seemed to freeze.
Hiruzen picked up his pipe again, appearing calm—but his gaze remained fixed on the clan head.
Even he felt the shame of such a demand.
To ask for everything—
And give nothing in return.
But what concerned him more—
Was whether the Uchiha would push further.
Demand more.
Koharu, however, remained composed, waiting.
To fund an entire army alone—
Even a village would struggle under such weight.
The clan head remained silent, his fingers tapping lightly against his knee.
This was an open scheme.
One they had already anticipated.
Konoha needed the Uchiha's strength—
But feared their rise.
So they imposed economic shackles.
Accept—
And pay a heavy price.
Refuse—
And be branded as cowards unwilling to serve the village.
But Ren had said—
Authority and power must never be entrusted to others.
Now that Konoha was offering command—
Once the army was in the field—
Would it answer to the Hokage…
Or the Uchiha?
After a moment, the clan head raised his eyes.
His voice was steady.
"Agreed."
Koharu froze slightly.
Even Hiruzen's expression flickered.
"I accept the terms."
"The Uchiha will form an independent force."
"We will fund it ourselves."
"And we will exercise full battlefield authority."
His gaze sharpened.
"In return, I ask that this decision be formalized in writing—"
"And announced throughout Konoha."
The decisiveness caught them off guard.
They had expected negotiation.
Demands.
At the very least, a push for greater political leverage.
"Of course."
Hiruzen quickly composed himself.
"Your sense of duty does you credit. On behalf of the village… I thank the Uchiha."
"For Konoha."
The clan head rose slowly.
His tall figure carried quiet pressure.
"For Konoha."
He gave a slight nod.
"Time is short. Kirigakure will not wait for us to prepare."
Without another word, he turned and left.
The door closed behind him.
Koharu frowned slightly.
"He agreed too easily…"
Hiruzen set down his pipe, gazing at the darkened sky beyond the window.
"This outcome is what we wanted."
"As for whether the Uchiha truly have the resources… or something else in mind…"
He paused.
His voice carried a trace of fatigue.
"At least the eastern crisis is resolved for now."
"And as for the Uchiha…"
"We are still tightening the reins."
He exhaled slowly.
"Now… let's see how they perform."
"Send the order."
"The Uchiha Independent Force plan—approved."
And with that—
The Uchiha Crimson Guard…
Was officially set in motion.
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