Uchiha Fugaku, dressed in formal attire, solemnly knocked on the closed door before him.
"Knock, knock!"
The heated discussion that could be heard from inside the room abruptly stopped. After a series of sounds of chairs being moved, Fugaku even heard someone chuckle inside the room.
Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed inside, and his old, steady voice followed.
"Is it Patriarch Fugaku? Please come in!"
Fugaku was slightly surprised, not expecting anyone to laugh openly in the solemn Hokage's office. However, since he had already received permission from the Third Hokage, Fugaku didn't think too much about it and pushed the door open with Uchiha Yashiro beside him.
"Lord Hokage!"
"Senior Orochimaru, Senior Sakumo, Senior Tsunade!"
Fugaku swept his gaze across the room and politely bowed halfway to them.
Although Fugaku was only 18 years old this year, his current status as the Uchiha clan head meant that this action would not make him appear to lack etiquette.
As for Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, the two elders who were seated beside Hiruzen Sarutobi with a corpse covered by a white cloth on the floor before them, Fugaku's inherent aloofness from his Uchiha bloodline became evident.
His gaze merely swept over the two, and the time spent on them was even less than the time spent on the unknown corpse.
The two advisor elders were clearly already angry, and upon being provoked by Fugaku's seemingly arrogant attitude, their expressions immediately changed, and they were about to reprimand him.
"Hm?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a soft "hm," which froze the two individuals who couldn't discern the situation in place.
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude, the two elders, though filled with mixed emotions, dared not openly challenge Hiruzen Sarutobi in front of so many people.
They could only glare resentfully at Fugaku and turn their heads away.
"Fugaku is here!"
"Sit down!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, looking at the stern-faced Fugaku, and then nodded at Yashiro, who was half a step behind him.
"Elder Yashiro, please sit too!"
Yashiro Uchiha looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with surprise, his eyes flickering slightly. He nodded politely to him and sat down beside Orochimaru with Fugaku.
"I was only recently elected as the Uchiha clan head, and I am not very knowledgeable about many matters. Elder Yashiro has provided me with much help and unique insights."
"Therefore, I was afraid that my youth might lead to imprudent words when meeting Lord Hokage, so I invited Elder Yashiro to accompany me to see you."
"I hope Lord Hokage can forgive Fugaku's rashness!"
Seeing everyone's gaze fixed upon him, Fugaku did not seem intimidated. He sat up straight, nodded slightly at Hiruzen Sarutobi, and wore a slightly apologetic expression.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze roamed between Orochimaru and Fugaku for a moment, then he suddenly narrowed his eyes and smiled.
"No blame, no blame!"
"Patriarch Fugaku is young and promising, how could I possibly punish you for such trivial matters!"
"And Elder Yashiro..."
Seeing the conversation suddenly shift to him, Yashiro looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and met his gentle gaze.
"If I recall correctly, you are the same age as Orochimaru, aren't you?"
Yashiro's eyes narrowed, and he subconsciously glanced at Orochimaru, who was smiling with narrowed eyes beside him.
"Yes!"
"I never expected Lord Hokage to remember my birthday. Yashiro is truly honored!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head with a chuckle.
"As Hokage, I naturally pay extraordinary attention to every ninja in the village who performs exceptionally well."
"To become an elder assisting the clan head at such a young age, Elder Yashiro's future is indeed promising!"
Yashiro lowered his gaze, unable to fathom Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions. He could only humbly and indirectly respond.
"Lord Hokage praises me too highly!"
"I am merely providing some insignificant assistance to Lord Fugaku!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze to Fugaku, following up on Yashiro's words, he asked:
"Patriarch Fugaku, is Elder Yashiro currently serving in the Police Force?"
Fugaku was startled and nodded gently.
"Naturally!"
"Elder Yashiro's strength and talent far surpass mine. It is truly a pity that he only holds the position of Deputy Captain in the Police Force!"
Yashiro Uchiha was moved and shook his head slightly at Fugaku.
"Patriarch, you exaggerate!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the two of them, stroked his short beard with a smile, and said with feigned surprise:
"Hmm..."
"What a coincidence!"
"My disciple is not only the same age as Elder Yashiro, but he also holds the same position."
"Orochimaru, you have also served as the Deputy Captain of the Anbu. You should interact more with Elder Yashiro in the future."
"Lest your former classmate camaraderie fade away!"
Orochimaru readily nodded.
"As Teacher commands!"
Fugaku and Yashiro exchanged glances, and a suspicion simultaneously arose in their hearts.
The Third Hokage intended to promote Orochimaru to a higher position!
"Heh!"
Yashiro Uchiha nodded calmly on the surface, but inwardly sneered.
"Relying on a tenuous connection, you think you can gain the support of the Uchiha clan for Orochimaru with just a few words?"
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, you've got quite a plan!"
Fugaku, however, was more astute. After giving Orochimaru a friendly smile, he shifted the topic to the main business.
"As members of the Leaf Village, Elder Yashiro would surely be willing to grow alongside Senior Orochimaru."
"Senior Orochimaru is powerful and is Lord Hokage's personal disciple, so he will surely be competent for the role of Anbu Captain."
"I congratulate you in advance, Senior!"
Fugaku stood up and cupped his fists towards Orochimaru.
"Lord Hokage, there are still matters to attend to in the Police Force. If there is nothing else, Elder Yashiro and I will take our leave."
After this exchange, Fugaku not only learned that Orochimaru would be appointed as Deputy Captain of the Anbu but also received intelligence that Hiruzen Sarutobi might intend to promote Orochimaru.
"After returning, I will convene a clan meeting to discuss countermeasures with the clan members."
Fugaku secretly resolved that as long as the changes in the Leaf Village's high command did not infringe upon the Uchiha clan, all would be well.
Otherwise...
Seeing Fugaku's eagerness to leave, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but sigh, thinking how impatient young people were!
"Patriarch Fugaku, please wait!"
He called out, then gestured towards Orochimaru and said:
"The matter of my disciple taking up the post of Anbu Deputy Captain does not warrant the presence of Patriarch Fugaku and Elder Yashiro."
"This matter is incidental. Orochimaru, it was your idea to invite Patriarch Fugaku here, so you can explain the rest."
"I am feeling rather tired."
Orochimaru nodded in understanding, walked to the corpse amidst the angry gazes of the two advisors, and gently lifted a corner of the white cloth.
"Fugaku-kun, Elder Yashiro, I heard that Senior Kagami Uchiha was the strongest ninja of his generation in your clan. After Senior Kagami's death, did your clan manage to find his body?"
Upon hearing this, their expressions immediately changed, and both assumed the corpse, whose head was obscured by Orochimaru's body, was Kagami Uchiha.
"Although it is difficult to say, Senior Kagami's body was indeed not recovered!"
"Senior Orochimaru, why are you suddenly mentioning this? Could this corpse..."
Fugaku's face darkened. If not for his composure as clan head, he would have rushed forward to lift the white cloth and examine it closely.
"Oh..."
"This is not Senior Kagami's body."
Orochimaru's eyes held a smile. He yanked the white cloth off the corpse and turned to face the two Uchiha, shaking his head slightly.
"Why don't you both come and take a look? Perhaps you might find some answers from it!"