Four Edicts

Uchiha Kazuna had far too much experience dealing with the Uchiha.

For more than three years, he had wandered around the clan grounds every day, ignoring everything else and focusing solely on understanding the Uchiha.

From their personalities to their livelihoods!

He was certain of one thing.

Among the Uchiha, if you wanted to do anything, it had to be built upon one foundation... strength!

What the Uchiha acknowledged most was strength.

A thousand words were worth less than one punch!

At that moment, Kazuna had activated his Mangekyo. His presence was overwhelming, like a towering mountain, crushing the Uchiha until they could barely breathe.

Yet not one of them showed the slightest anger. Instead, their faces were filled with excitement.

Even that Peace Faction Elder lowered his head before the Mangekyo.

"The reason the Uchiha have been bullied so badly is due to many factors. One of them is that there are simply too many mouths."

"For a clan, too many mouths are not a good thing. Wouldn't you agree, Elder?"

Kazuna smiled as he looked at the Peace Faction Elder.

The elder's face flushed bright red.

He wanted to argue, but under Kazuna's pressure, he could not force out a single word.

"What is your name?"

"Sh-Shiken!" the Peace Faction Elder said quietly. "Uchiha Shiken."

"Very good, Elder Shiken. The Uchiha Security Force is preparing to expand. Are you interested in becoming a Squad Captain?" Kazuna smiled broadly.

The Peace Faction Elder fell silent.

Becoming a Squad Captain was a good thing, but it also meant placing himself under Kazuna's command. Kazuna could handle him however he pleased.

"What? You disagree? You don't want to contribute to the Uchiha?" Kazuna narrowed his eyes as the triangular pattern slowly turned within them.

That cold, razor-sharp aura made sweat continuously bead on the elder's forehead.

"I understand!"

The Peace Faction Elder lowered his head.

"Ahem!" Fugaku coughed lightly. "Kazuna, continue."

"Fine. The changes to the Barrier, the hidden sentries, and the patrol personnel are only my first edict. My second edict is that the Konoha Military Police Force should stop meddling in so many trivial matters."

Stop meddling in trivial matters?

The higher-ups' hearts stirred.

The reason the Uchiha were so hated had much to do with the duties of the Konoha Military Police Force.

As law enforcers, they were already unpopular. Coupled with the Uchiha's personalities, their reputation had only worsened until they had practically become the village's public enemy.

"Ninja missions have ranks. From now on, the Security Force's law enforcement will have ranks as well. Aside from important matters, such as deaths, which must be handled, there is no need to pursue every minor issue."

"How can that work?"

An Uchiha questioned, "We are the Security Force. This is our duty. If we abandon that duty, are we still the Security Force? Are the Uchiha still the Uchiha?"

The others began discussing it in low voices as well.

They were clearly very resistant to Kazuna's order.

Fugaku and the others remained silent.

They had noticed this problem as well.

It was precisely because of their strict enforcement that the Uchiha had gained such a poor reputation. Combined with their arrogance, it had made everyone hate them.

This was a trap the village had planted for the Uchiha long ago. After countless years of manipulation by the higher-ups, strict enforcement and refusing to overlook even the smallest matter had practically become an Uchiha habit.

"Quiet down!" Kazuna clapped his hands. "I want you to concern yourselves less with small matters because there is something more important."

Something more important?

The Uchiha looked at one another.

What could be more important than their own duty?

"Release!"

Kazuna formed hand seals with both hands. In a cloud of smoke, several Scrolls appeared before everyone.

"These are my third and fourth edicts."

"The third edict is to learn these ninjutsu. You are far too weak. Rather than wasting time chasing petty thieves, why not strengthen yourselves? What do you think?"

Fugaku stepped forward and opened one of the Scrolls, his expression turning somewhat stunned. "Kazuna, where did these Scrolls come from?"

They were all advanced ninjutsu of B-rank or higher.

Water Release, Fire Release, Lightning Release, Earth Release, and Wind Release were ordinary enough, but there were even introductions to Yin-Yang Release and some Kekkei Genkai.

The Uchiha specialized in Fire Release and had collected other ninjutsu as well.

But who would ever complain about having too many clan techniques?

"The battlefield!"

Kazuna said calmly, "During the Third Shinobi World War, I captured quite a few ninja from other villages and used Genjutsu to force these techniques out of them."

The Third Shinobi World War?

That had been three years ago!

He had acquired so many techniques, yet kept them hidden for three years, all for today?

Fugaku was secretly shocked.

Kazuna, however, continued smiling.

They had not only come from enemies. Some had been extracted from Konoha Ninja as well.

Kazuna automatically judged ninja clans hostile to the Uchiha as enemies. He felt no pressure at all about acting against them.

Sarutobi, Shimura, Mito, and Mitokado were the worst among them.

Naturally, the ninja of those clans would not genuinely fight on the battlefield. They had come for military merit, merely going through the motions, or simply to steal credit.

The ninja of those four clans were not particularly strong, but the number of techniques in their heads was truly impressive.

Of the hundred-odd techniques before them, those clans had contributed nearly one-third!

What good people!

Kazuna sighed inwardly.

Not only had they contributed these techniques to the Uchiha, they had also increased the life energy of his Fruit. If that did not make them good people, what did?

At the sight of those Scrolls, the Uchiha were eager to try.

Indeed!

How could catching petty thieves compare to learning powerful ninjutsu?

"One last thing!" Kazuna's expression became serious. "I am giving you an extremely important task."

The Uchiha all became solemn.

Fugaku was the same. He thought to himself, Was Kazuna's ultimate purpose finally about to be revealed?

At the same time, he found it strange and did not understand why Kazuna had not yet deactivated his Mangekyo.

The cost of using those eyes was no small matter.

"Help the Uchiha!"

What?

Everyone froze.

What did that mean?

What did he mean by help the Uchiha?

"Because of the Shinobi World War and dangerous missions, there are many elderly, children, women, and widows within the Uchiha who have no one to care for them. That is the task I am giving you!"

"This..."

The Uchiha looked at one another.

They truly had never imagined that Kazuna would bring this up.

Crack!

Bang!

Another cloud of smoke erupted.

A huge chest appeared before everyone.

"Uchiha Shisui will be responsible for this matter!" Kazuna pointed at the chest before them. "This is the funding, a total of 500 million Ryo!"

A wave of shocked cries erupted from the Uchiha.

They were considered a wealthy ninja clan, yet 500 million Ryo was still an enormous sum.

Even the Clan Leader could not produce such a large amount without affecting the Uchiha's operations.

Setsuna Uchiha stood up directly. "Where did you get so much money?"

"Do you think I have truly spent these past few years doing nothing but eating?"

Kazuna asked in return.

He had stepped forward at this moment because his preparations were complete.

Now was the time to sound the horn of counterattack!

He would stabilize himself first, then throw one devastating punch.