A Farce at the Military Police Force

Uchiha Tokimitsu led the ninja army back from their drills, marching through the village with imposing momentum before returning to the Military Police Force plaza outside the clan grounds' walls, where they disbanded.

Along the way, villagers, merchants, and ninja clan members alike were awed by the Uchiha Ninja Army's bearing. To Uchiha ninja, whose minds worked somewhat differently from ordinary people's, the respectful, wary, and fearful looks and remarks they received were the greatest and best form of respect.

—Perhaps what the Uchiha truly wanted was not integration into the village or harmonious coexistence. As a bloodline-limit ninja clan inherently different from ordinary people, and one of the foremost great clans in the Ninja World, the Uchiha differed from villagers, Civilian Ninja, and even ordinary Secret Jutsu Clans in both actual strength and worldview. Just as a Daimyo could not be equal to commoners, and wealthy people were unwilling to live with Poor people, forcing a noble clan to lower itself and mingle with commoners would only leave both sides uncomfortable.

Drawing on the thinking and class consciousness of his previous life, Uchiha Tokimitsu thought so.

Ninja and civilians could not coexist, which was why ninja villages had been established to reduce harm to civilians and facilitate management. That was even more true for bloodline-limit ninja clans, the pinnacle of the ninja hierarchy.

In a world where greatness belonged to oneself, estrangement was only natural.

After dismissing the Radical Faction's ninja army, Uchiha Tokimitsu planned to visit the Military Police Force building and check in on his father, Uchiha Nakagen.

The Military Police Force building's entrance resembled a cat's head, reflecting the Uchiha Clan's fondness for cats. Not only were cats the contract Summoning Beast of most clan members, but even their workplace had been built in the shape of one.

As expected of a clan of cat slaves.

Muttering inwardly, Uchiha Tokimitsu entered the Military Police Force lobby. Uchiha Kamon followed slowly behind him, like a bodyguard.

"Good evening, Tokimitsu-kun~"

"Good evening~"

The Military Police Force ninja had naturally witnessed the imposing sight of the troops assembling in the plaza. They knew that this young Uchiha boy was not only the son of Uchiha Nakagen, one of the Military Police Force's most powerful Squad Leaders, but also the successor personally designated by the Great Elder of the Radical Faction. His individual strength far exceeded what his age should permit. Faced with such an outrageously exceptional figure, even the proud Uchiha clan members did not dare stir up trouble.

Uchiha Tokimitsu politely returned the clan members' greetings as he headed toward the Military Police Force's office area. Those who worked in the Military Police Force were basically all Uchiha clan members. As one of the great ninja clans, the Uchiha were not as strict about etiquette as the Hyuga, but courtesy offended no one. These clan members were all his elders, whether in age or seniority, so he could not slight them.

Arriving at an office with a plaque reading "Squad Leader Nakagen" hanging on the door, Uchiha Tokimitsu sensed several people inside and lightly knocked.

"Knock knock~"

"Come in."

Uchiha Nakagen's voice came from inside.

"Little Tokimitsu, what brings you here~"

Three people were seated around the room. One was Uchiha Fugaku, the son of the Uchiha Clan Head and Minister of the Military Police Force. The other was unfamiliar, with gentle features and a relatively quiet demeanor.

"Father, I just finished intensive training and came to see you while I was at it."

"Mm, your timing is perfect. Tell us about the three suspects you had Xinyan and Qianjie escort over today."

Uchiha Nakagen asked.

"Oh~ I happened to be leading ninja drills at the clan Training Ground when I noticed those three acting suspiciously near it. They were not clan members, so I tested them. Who knew that not only would they refuse to surrender, they would even Dare to fight back..." Uchiha Tokimitsu briefly described the reason for their capture, their background, and the process.

Naturally, he did not hold back when adding embellishments and Hidden Agendas.

As Uchiha Tokimitsu spoke, the brow of the other Uchiha ninja clan member, whose name he did not know, furrowed tighter and tighter.

Once Uchiha Tokimitsu finished, he frowned and asked, "So... Tokimitsu-kun, you used ninjutsu to injure them before confirming their identities?"

"Uchiha Keiji, one of the Military Police Force's Squad Leaders."

Uchiha Nakagen introduced him.

"He is also Kagami Uchiha's cousin."

Uchiha Kamon, seated behind Uchiha Tokimitsu, spoke up to remind him.

Hearing that, something stirred in Uchiha Tokimitsu's mind.

"...Those three were lurking suspiciously toward the Training Ground. They had Chakra fluctuations and were carrying binoculars, Explosive Tags, poison, and Various types of Ninja tools. Based on that alone, they could be directly identified as spies from an enemy village."

Uchiha Keiji's question caught Uchiha Tokimitsu slightly by surprise.

"Using ninjutsu so rashly inside the village, were you not afraid of hurting innocent people?"

"That was outside the village. It was the clan's Training Ground."

Uchiha Tokimitsu corrected him.

"Regardless, using ninjutsu so rashly before determining their identities..."

"That was the clan's Training Ground!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu interrupted him. "The place where they were Lurking was also within the clan Training Ground's boundaries!"

The silent Uchiha Fugaku looked toward Uchiha Kamon with a questioning gaze. Uchiha Kamon gave a slight nod, confirming that it was true.

"Tokimitsu-kun... you are still young. You must not become intoxicated by power and act recklessly."

The moment Uchiha Keiji said These words, Uchiha Nakagen and Uchiha Kamon's expressions turned extremely ugly.

"People with ill intentions were lurking in the clan Training Ground. If we did not seize them on the spot, what were we supposed to do, leave them there? Is arresting spies acting recklessly? Not killing them on the spot was already showing mercy!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu retorted just as sharply.

That forceful reply made Uchiha Nakagen and Uchiha Kamon's expressions ease somewhat.

"Tokimitsu-kun, using a ninja's power so freely will not benefit the unity and harmony of the clan and village..."

"As ninja, if we do not use ninja power, are we supposed to charge forward swinging swords like samurai?"

"They are Anbu!"

"There were no documents on them that could prove their identities!"

"Even so, you could not injure people so rashly! What if they were allies?"

"Anyone lurking with ill intentions is absolutely not an ally!"

After that exchange, Uchiha Tokimitsu matched Uchiha Keiji word for word and refused to yield an inch.

Uchiha Keiji took a deep breath. "Tokimitsu-kun, they should be members of the Anbu Training Department managed by Advisor Danzo. Some of them do not have Proof of Identity from the village."

"If they have no Proof of Identity, how can they be confirmed as village ninja? By intuition? Or should we simply show weakness, turn a blind eye, and let them do as they please?"

Uchiha Tokimitsu's stubbornness left Uchiha Keiji speechless.

"Tokimitsu-kun, this will deepen the divide between the clan and the village."

"Would a lion care what sheep thought?"

Those arrogant words once again made Uchiha Nakagen and Uchiha Kamon nod slightly in approval.

"But our clan is still part of the village. Shouldn't we integrate into it and treat Konoha villagers equally?"

"Would a Daimyo speak of equality with farmers?"

Uchiha Tokimitsu's counterquestion left Uchiha Keiji at a loss for words.

As a ninja, he naturally could not spout nonsense about Daimyo being equal to farmers. By that logic, were ninja clans supposed to be equal to civilians?

"Nakagen-kun, if this continues, it will only deepen Lord Hokage's suspicion of our clan..."

Uchiha Keiji turned to Uchiha Nakagen and said.

Before Uchiha Nakagen could answer, Uchiha Tokimitsu cut in directly. "The Hokage's suspicion is nothing but the mindset of a petty man. It proves that he is unfit to be Hokage!"

"Tokimitsu-kun, that way of thinking is dangerous! It will push the clan into danger!"

"As long as the clan remains as strong as it has always been, there will be no such thing as danger!" Uchiha Tokimitsu stared at Uchiha Keiji and said each word distinctly, "How many jonin does the Hokage even have? On What basis does he stand above the Uchiha and speak of equality? If we are talking about equality, shouldn't the seat in the Hokage's Office Building be given to our clan for a turn?"

"You..."

Uchiha Keiji was too angry to speak.

Uchiha Tokimitsu had no desire to keep entertaining this childish appeasement faction member.

At that moment, someone knocked on the office door and entered, then approached Uchiha Nakagen and whispered a few words in his ear.

After listening, Uchiha Nakagen dismissed him and spoke to the people who had just finished arguing.

"Anbu has sent people to retrieve them. Let us go take a look."

With that, he rose to his feet, and the others followed him out of the office.

In the Military Police Force lobby, three ninja wearing masks and Anbu attire stood in the hall, unmoved as the Uchiha clan members scrutinized them.

Judging by the patterns on their masks, they were likely from the so-called Root.

When Uchiha Nakagen emerged, one of them stepped forward.

"Captain Nakagen, hand over the mistakenly injured Anbu Personnel!"

The moment he said that, expressions changed throughout the Military Police Force. Some even activated their Sharingan and stared fiercely at the insolent speaker.

"Those three suspects are Anbu?"

Uchiha Nakagen wore a Gloomy Face.

"They are not suspects. They are members of the Anbu Training Department."

"Then why did they have no Proof of Identity?"

"Anbu Proof of Identity has nothing to do with your Military Police Force!"

These words enraged the Uchiha clan members. Some slightly pushed open the hilts of the swords at their waists with their thumbs as they slowly closed in.

"...So you have no Proof of Identity on you either?" Uchiha Tokimitsu asked.

Uchiha Nakagen's gaze sharpened. "And where is the Hokage's order document?"

"Anbu operations... require no order!" The leading Anbu—or rather, Root member—was momentarily speechless before responding forcefully.

"Heh heh!"

Uchiha Nakagen sneered.

"So you have neither the Hokage's order nor Proof of Identity, yet you want to come to the Military Police Force and take people away?"

"Furthermore, the Military Police Force should punish the instigator of this incident and severely punish his actions in harming Anbu Personnel!" The Root member remained forceful.

Uchiha Nakagen grabbed him by the throat. Lightning Style Chakra burst outward and electrocuted him unconscious.

"Seize these madmen!"

"Yes!"

The Uchiha clan members, who had long found them intolerable, pounced like wolves and tigers. Uchiha Keiji tried to stop them, but none of the Uchiha paid him any heed.

The so-called Root was merely an Anbu within the Anbu, and not many people in the village even knew they existed.

As unregistered ninja, those who knew them understood what they were. When people gave them face, they possessed authority equivalent to Anbu; when they did not, Root did not even have a chance to preserve their lives.

And as it happened, the Uchiha—especially the Radical Faction Uchiha—had no intention of giving them that face.