Uchiha Naka Shrine.
Inside the dim secret chamber, Uchiha Yoru sat kneeling respectfully below, facing Clan Head Fugaku and Elder Setsuna.
Only after a long while did Fugaku reveal a calm expression, though he was speaking to Elder Setsuna.
"Elder Setsuna, Uchiha Yoru's contributions to the clan are plain for all to see."
Hearing this, Uchiha Yoru, who was kneeling below, immediately stirred inside. It's here! Finally! After all he'd done, the clan was finally going to show something. If they only wanted people to work without giving them any meat, who would do it? Besides, what superior didn't understand the balance of favor and authority?
The elder beside him merely swept a calm glance over Uchiha Yoru below, then gave an almost imperceptible nod. "Indeed, he has done well, especially in becoming Orochimaru's Disciple."
As he said this, Elder Setsuna suddenly let out a hoarse chuckle. After giving Uchiha Yoru a meaningful look, he shook his head at Fugaku beside him. "This old body of mine worsens by the day. Sooner or later, someone will need to take over."
Fugaku nodded steadily. "Uchiha Yoru has rendered great service this time. The Seventh Division of the Konoha Military Police Force happens to be temporarily without a captain."
The Konoha Military Police Force! That was a department with real authority. It was practically Konoha's police force, with each division overseeing a section of the village.
Uchiha Yoru and Fugaku were like the chief commissioners, while the division captains beneath them were like precinct chiefs in charge of their own districts.
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Yoru lowered his head even further, though his heart pounded wildly. Before this, even with the title of Orochimaru's Disciple, he had ultimately still been an ordinary shinobi.
Put simply, civilians in the Shinobi World were ordinary citizens, while shinobi were public servants who wielded power. But at the end of the day, they were still soldiers. Even powerful Jōnin were only so-called elite soldiers. They might have been famous, but they held no real authority.
Take Hatake Kakashi, for example. He might have been impressive, but if he wanted to get by in Konoha and the Konoha Six Departments truly decided to detain or investigate him, there was nothing he could do.
There were too few departments with actual authority in the Shinobi World. Or rather, the circle of power was only so large. No matter how strong a shinobi was, as long as he had not reached Kage-level, he could only compromise before power.
A squad leader in the Konoha Military Police Force meant he had truly stepped onto the ladder of power. Of course, this was only within the Uchiha Clan's power structure, since the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha remained rather delicate.
After Fugaku spoke, there was no movement for a long time. Elder Setsuna even narrowed his eyes, as if considering something.
Seeing this, Uchiha Yoru cursed the old foxes inwardly, but he put on an expression of excitement mixed with unease.
"Although Teacher Orochimaru has been sidelined, he instructed me to do my best to ease the relationship between Konoha and the other clans."
Those words immediately caused a sharp glint to flash through Fugaku and Elder Setsuna's eyes. Both of them thought of something at the same time.
"Teacher Orochimaru said that the Uchiha are currently isolated. This is precisely the time to build bridges of communication with the major clans. A three-foot freeze is not formed in a single day."
But after hearing this, Elder Setsuna could not help laughing as he clapped his hands. "Good! Good! As expected of Orochimaru. A three-foot freeze is not formed in a single day—those words are absolutely right."
Uchiha Fugaku beside him also smiled. Others might not understand what that meant, but how could men who had dealt with power for years fail to understand?
Although Orochimaru had been sidelined, he would not give up. For example, his faction could begin visiting and building ties with Konoha's other clans.
After all, the reason Orochimaru had been sidelined was obvious: the former Hokage Faction feared that the balance would be broken and their interests affected.
And Orochimaru had made his move as well. During this period of being sidelined, he could reconnect with the clans. As for the future interests of those clans, there would be plenty of time to ease tensions and negotiate. Eventually, there would be an arrangement that satisfied everyone—or rather, the strong would remain untouched while the weak gave up some benefits.
Naturally, Orochimaru would not handle this personally. The Uchiha Clan, who now stood completely on Orochimaru's side, became the spearhead.
Yet the Uchiha were more than willing. They had been hoping for an opportunity to rebuild trust with Konoha's major clans. This was practically an opportunity delivered right to their doorstep.
The Uchiha had been isolated? Well, they now represented Orochimaru. After all, no one could say for certain who would become the Fifth Hokage in the future. If they truly offended him and he later became the Fifth Hokage, would they not suffer for it?
They might have tacitly accepted the Sarutobi Clan's actions, but that did not mean they wanted to completely fall out with Orochimaru.
"Fugaku, I think Shisui is quite good. Hasn't Shisui always served in the Konoha Military Police Force? Transfer him to be Yoru's deputy. That will help him take up this responsibility more quickly. At the same time, perhaps the Seventh Division should be reorganized."
Elder Setsuna wore a broad smile. After all, Uchiha Yoru had brought the clan such a breakthrough.
Fugaku also smiled and nodded. "Good. From today onward, Uchiha Yoru, you are appointed squad leader of the Seventh Division of the Konoha Military Police Force. You will operate independently of the Konoha Military Police Force, answer directly to Lord Orochimaru, and be responsible for security patrols on the village's western streets."
What a generous gift! They were directly handing one division of the Konoha Military Police Force to Orochimaru. First, it showed everyone that they firmly stood with Orochimaru. Second, could they not now act openly under Orochimaru's banner?
As for this being the Uchiha's Konoha Military Police Force? Before politics reached the point of openly tearing faces apart, appearances had to be maintained.
After hearing this, Uchiha Yoru gave the two men a firm nod. "Thank you for your trust, Clan Head and Elder. For the Uchiha!"
The Konoha Military Police Force had nine divisions, responsible for security patrols throughout Konoha and within a certain range outside the village.
Patrolling outside the village was tedious work, though those divisions had more personnel. The divisions responsible for the village itself had it comparatively easier.
For a moment, Uchiha Yoru was filled with excitement. This time, he had truly entered the center of power and begun to wield a portion of authority. In the future, he would be qualified to speak at the clan council.
Looking at the young Uchiha Yoru, Elder Setsuna could not help showing approval. They had not chosen the wrong man. He had secured such immense benefits for the clan—he was practically a great contributor to the Uchiha Clan.
Approval was approval, but Elder Setsuna, being an old fox, still could not resist offering a few pointers.
"Clan Head, if I recall correctly, quite a few members of the Seventh Division were transferred to the border. Their manpower seems somewhat insufficient."
Elder Setsuna gave the clan head beside him a meaningful look and smiled casually. Fugaku was stunned for a moment, but when he saw the elder's smile, he immediately understood and nodded solemnly. "The Seventh Division is short on personnel, and it is also responsible for the western streets."
At that moment, Uchiha Fugaku and Elder Setsuna both looked at him with contemplative expressions. Uchiha Yoru immediately cursed inwardly. Damn bureaucracy. This sort of thing really existed everywhere.
Would it kill you to just say what you meant? If he had not followed Orochimaru and encountered plenty of this sort of thing, there were times he truly would not have understood.
"Clan Head, Elder, rest assured. Quite a few elite shinobi from the village returned with Teacher Orochimaru. The Seventh Division will be restored to full strength as quickly as possible."
The two men immediately smiled. Inwardly, they praised him. As expected of a kid who had seen the world—at his age, he already understood things so clearly.
What they had meant just now was simple. The Seventh Division being short on manpower was merely an excuse to give this division to Orochimaru as a return gift.
A small police division made up of Uchiha and elite shinobi under Orochimaru was, plainly speaking, a gesture of goodwill toward Orochimaru. Look at how generous the Uchiha were—they were directly giving away real authority.
The purpose was perfectly clear. It was an exchange of benefits.
Thanks to brother 'Dark Star Emperor' for the 1,000-point coin donation,
and brother 'Kazha Ka' for the 200-point coin donation. Thanks to all brothers for your support.
Before you continue