Power!

Inside the office, Uchiha Yoru naturally knew what Shisui was thinking when he saw the hesitation on his face, but he did not want to bring it up. Some things could only be kept bottled up in one's heart to preserve those times forever.

"In one week, the Konoha Military Police Force's Seventh Division must be operating normally. I'll be counting on you this time, Shisui."

Hearing the gravity in Uchiha Yoru's voice, Shisui hurriedly reined in his wandering thoughts and nodded respectfully. "Rest assured, Brother Yoru. The Konoha Military Police Force's Seventh Division will definitely be ready in a week."

Seeing Shisui's assurance, Uchiha Yoru gave him a long look, then slowly lowered his head, as though he were concealing something.

"The Konoha Military Police Force's Seventh Division does not merely represent the Uchiha. It will also be Teacher Orochimaru's point of contact with the village's various clans, so its future direction must be different."

It could be said that this Seventh Division was a miniature gathering of Orochimaru's faction. It was foreseeable that the eyes of Konoha's major clans would converge here.

"Brother Yoru, you mean?" Shisui was still somewhat confused. The Konoha Military Police Force had once represented the Uchiha, and its duty was maintaining public order.

Any crime within the village fell under their jurisdiction, yet Uchiha Yoru was giving these instructions in such a solemn tone. Clearly, things would be different.

Seeing Shisui's confusion, Uchiha Yoru lowered his gaze even further, as if he had placed himself in darkness. In a hoarse, deep voice, he said, "From now on, the Seventh Military Police Division will implement a ninja-first policy in public security management. And among ninjas, the major clans come first."

Shisui's expression changed drastically upon hearing that. He looked up at Uchiha Yoru, who had closed his eyes with a weary expression, as if this had been an incomparably difficult decision for him to make.

The meaning was obvious. Under his administration, this was also a political signal released by one of the Sannin, Orochimaru: elevate the status of ninjas while clearly establishing ranks within the ninja community.

Put bluntly, if a member of a major clan and an ordinary ninja committed a crime, the major clans would be given leniency, while ordinary ninjas would be handled strictly according to procedure.

Likewise, if civilians had disputes with ninjas, the ninjas would be favored.

Though it had not been stated outright, a hierarchy of status had been clearly drawn.

Uchiha Shisui's face darkened at those words, and he could not help saying in a low voice, "Brother Yoru! This isn't wartime. Doing this will invite enormous criticism."

This sort of unspoken rule that practically divided people by status was only implemented during wartime. Ninjas were constantly tense on the front line, and after returning, they were extremely prone to causing trouble.

Now that the Third Shinobi War had ended, the higher-ups had ordered the Konoha Military Police Force to govern public security within the village. Especially at such a critical time, if they failed to do well, would that not make the village distrust the Uchiha even more?

"Shisui!"

At his heavier tone, Uchiha Yoru opened his bloodshot, exhausted eyes. "Some people have already made their move. Teacher Orochimaru has been sidelined, and the village has delayed appointing the Fifth Hokage. Only by doing this can Teacher Orochimaru avoid losing the support of the major clans."

That was right. Clearly favoring the ninja community, especially the major clans, might be somewhat unfair to civilians, but it would also elevate the status of ninjas.

The benefits would be immense as well. No one disliked being placed above others, especially ninjas who possessed tremendous power.

"Shisui, you must understand. Although Teacher Orochimaru has been sidelined, the village absolutely cannot be without his voice. If it truly comes to that, there will be far more uncertainty surrounding the Fifth Hokage."

Uchiha Yoru alone could not represent Orochimaru, but if countless followers of Orochimaru gathered under him, then their collective voice would become Orochimaru's voice.

After contemplating for a long while, Shisui finally let out a faint sigh and nodded. "Brother Yoru, I understand. You've had it hard."

In Shisui's eyes, Uchiha Yoru had clearly been pushed forward by the clan. This position was tempting, but also exceptionally dangerous. Now, he could see that his elder brother was exhausted by political struggle, so much so that it made him feel a revulsion toward politics.

"Go on. Some darkness needs someone to handle it. In the future, Shisui, you are meant to be a genius who stands in the sunlight."

At that moment, it seemed as though all the pressure rested on Uchiha Yoru's shoulders. He might have become a Konoha Military Police Force division commander, but this position was also a hot potato.

In political clashes, Uchiha Yoru was Orochimaru's public representative. One misstep, and he would become a sacrifice in the struggle between both sides. Even those who knew little about politics understood just how dangerous this position was.

"Brother Yoru, get some proper rest. I'll take my leave first."

At that moment, Shisui's heart was filled with guilt. He possessed strength but could not help at all. Instead, he had allowed Brother Yoru to shoulder the heaviest burden.

"Go on, Shisui. I'll rest for a while. I still need to report to Teacher later."

He rubbed his brow tiredly, looking utterly drained. Shisui could only turn and leave guiltily. Now, all he could do was turn the guilt in his heart into motivation and work hard to lessen his elder brother's burden.

With a creak, the wooden office door closed. Bright sunlight spilled into the room, and Uchiha Yoru, seated in his office chair, opened his eyes.

There was no trace of the exhaustion and heaviness from before on Uchiha Yoru's face. Instead, he narrowed his eyes with an intoxicated expression.

He picked up the teacup at his side and gazed quietly at the busy figures beyond the glass, especially those black dots flickering like fleas. It gave him the feeling of having ninjas beneath his feet.

The corners of his lips slowly curled upward. Uchiha Yoru narrowed his eyes and murmured intoxicatedly, "So this is power? Sure enough, no world can escape it."

Though ninjas possessed powerful strength, most of them were merely weapons in the hands of those in power.

"Does that mean I'm now someone who holds weapons in my hand too?"

After asking himself that question, Uchiha Yoru smiled. No one disliked everything power brought. Though he was still a weapon in the hands of certain people with great power, at least he was now the head of a weapon.

Every step he took looked like walking a tightrope to others, but in his eyes, they were decisions based on information about the future. Did they really think that, just because he had rendered great service, the clan would give him such authority?

One had to know that every Konoha Military Police Force division commander was an experienced veteran Elite Jōnin. What was he, by comparison? Even combining all aspects of his overall strength, he could only barely reach the level of a Special Jonin.

Looking at the Jōnin appointment document sent by the Hokage on the desk, he revealed a mocking smile. "Perhaps, in your eyes, someone you can manipulate at will was never worth noticing."

Power also required corresponding strength. His current strength was entirely unqualified for this position, yet everyone in Konoha had tacitly accepted it.

He had accepted the hot potato. His confidence came not only from knowing future developments, but also from believing in himself—believing that he could make his strength worthy of this position in the shortest possible time.

Thanks to brother 'Yuan Yuan Is Number One Under Heaven' for the 600 Qidian coin reward. Thanks for everyone's support. Please support the follow-up reading next Monday and Tuesday, brothers. Everything depends on follow-up reading to push for recommendation promotion.