Setsuna regarded Hiruzen with a newfound respect, his voice steady as he spoke.
"As one of Konoha's founding families, the Uchiha clan is an inseparable part of this village. It is only right that we uphold its rules and regulations."
In truth, Setsuna felt a rare sense of satisfaction. Since the departure of Lord Madara, no Hokage had openly affirmed the Uchiha's status—until now.
Hiruzen's voice remained low but resolute.
"To fear of poverty is misguided; what we must truly fear is the betrayal of our own ninja code. Can the hardships we face today truly compare to the chaos of the Warring States era? The peace that we now hold was forged through great sacrifice, and it is this peace that we must cherish above all. Instead of making endless demands, our duty is to safeguard the delicate balance that enables our village to thrive."
A wave of applause filled the hall, echoing Hiruzen's words. The moment stretched on, the approval of the gathered clan leaders resounding through the chamber.
Uehara Kamezaburo lowered his head in shame, realizing the weight of Hiruzen's words.
Then, Danzo's voice cut through the air, cold and merciless.
"The resolution has officially taken effect. You are no longer Jonin of Konoha. Leave at once. Frankly, people who lack gratitude and only know how to demand are unworthy of living in this village."
"Enough, Danzo." Homura interjected, his tone disapproving. "Don't escalate the matters further. Hiruzen has his own judgment in this."
"Alright, that's enough." Hiruzen raised a hand, his authority silencing the room. "The decision has been made—there is no need to dwell on it. While you have lost your Jonin ranks, you may remain as observers in this meeting. However, you no longer have the right to speak or vote. Our focus now should be on managing the consequences of this incident, not turning against one another."
His words settled the room, shifting the discussion toward solutions.
Masaki, representing the Sarutobi clan, spoke in a measured tone. "I believe we must strengthen the oversight of clan affairs to prevent such incidents from recurring."
"Supervision is necessary," Hayato, the Hyuga clan's representative, agreed. "However, we must also ensure that the interests of the clans were not ignored."
"I support the Hyuga's stance," Setsuna added. "We must craft policies that safeguard both the village and the clans, striking a fair balance between duty and autonomy."
Kagami, assistant to the Minister of the Guard Department, posed the next question. "How do we address the immediate impact of this incident on the village?"
Kurama Yoshio, head of the Kurama clan, finally spoke for the first time.
"I propose forming a family alliance, where the major clans can negotiate and find collective solutions to such crises."
Izumo Ichiro, patriarch of the Izumo clan, nodded in agreement. "This is a good idea. By forming a family alliance composed of representatives from the major clans, we can protect the family interests while ensuring the village's stability."
Kamiya Tenji, head of the Kamiya clan, added, "I support this. The alliance could establish rules prohibiting internal clan conflicts and private alliances, preventing unnecessary power struggles."
Hiruzen, however, felt a wave of irritation. Was this not redundant? Konoha itself was already an alliance of ninja clans. Creating another one would only undermine the village's authority.
No—were these clan leaders truly so short-sighted?
Of course not. They knew exactly what they were doing. This was a clear expression of their frustration with the current power structure. Konoha's governance was dominated by a handful of major clans, either directly or through influence. Smaller clans, unable to secure a meaningful share of power, were growing resentful.
Danzo, ever the enforcer, stepped forward. "What are you all trying to do? The village itself is already an alliance of families!"
Silence fell over the room. Some lacked the courage to respond, while others simply saw no point in speaking.
Nara Shikatsu sighed internally. This was a foolish debate. If they wanted a voice, they needed strength to back it up. Without strength, demanding power was nothing more than a wishful thinking.
Hiruzen, however, saw an opportunity. He smiled slightly, his tone measured.
"There is no harm in sharing opinions, Danzo. Do not let yourself be so quick to anger."
"Regardless of origin—whether civilian-born or from a noble clan—every ninja is an integral part of Konoha. Ninjas owe their loyalty to the village, and in turn, the village must bear responsibility for all those who serve under its banner."
"We all understand the immediate cause of this incident, but have we truly considered the deeper issue at play?"
His gaze swept across the room. "The real problem is that many ninja prioritize their clan's interests above all else. They obey the will of their families, even when it comes at the village's expense. They would rather see Konoha suffer than allow their own clan's influence to wane."
"Tell me, clan leaders—am I wrong?"
His words sent a shockwave through the hall, shattering the carefully maintained illusion of harmony between the village and its powerful clans.
Setsuna, ever blunt, slammed his hand against the table as he rose to his feet. "Sarutobi, what exactly are you planning?"
In the corner, Shikatsu absentmindedly pulled at his beard in distress, yanking out a few strands without even noticing. Was the Third Hokage truly considering dismantling the power of the ninja clans? If so, this was no mere policy change—it was a declaration of war.
Shikatsu felt for the first time, that things were spiraling out of control. The Ino-Shika-Chō trio had always stood by the Hokage, but if the Third Hokage truly intended to dismantle the ninja clans, that loyalty could not be maintained.
Destroying the clans now? That was not a wise move.
If the Third Hokage truly pursued this course, then regretfully his own clan would have to part ways with him.
His head lowered as the weight of the situation pressed upon him.
Had Sarutobi even consulted Lady Mito about this?
In the corner, the Senju clan sat in silence, nearly invisible in the political landscape. Senju Daiki, their representative, shook his head slightly. He did not understand the Third Hokage's intentions either.
Since Lord Hashirama had chosen to dissolve the Senju clan, their presence at these meetings had been little more than symbolic.
The younger generation lacked patience. Did they not see the long-term vision? The village's true strategy was clear—to erase the divisions between ninja clans and to integrate family-born and civilian ninjas into one seamless force.
Yet such changes had to be handled delicately.
The First Hokage had led by example, disbanding his own clan to set the precedent. The Second Hokage had taken a different approach, subtly suppressing the major clans from the shadows. That was how politics should be played.
Even so, out of respect for Lady Mito, Senju Daiki rose and spoke in a calm, measured tone.
"Lord Hashirama's foresight remains unmatched. The Senju clan has long since faded into history, and the village has now moved forward. However, I urge the Third Hokage to consider this carefully before taking action."
His words were tactful—a quiet gesture of support while also offering an opportunity to de-escalate the tension.