A White-Haired Uninvited Guest (Please Vote! Please Invest!)

"What? Is there a problem?"

Sōken turned his gaze toward Narukami Uchiha, who stood at the very front.

"Captain Narukami, if you have something to say, say it plainly. If you don't speak now, I'll assume that all of you understand. If anyone has complaints afterward... don't blame me for punishing you without warning."

The Police Force's structure was not particularly bloated. Setting aside administrative departments such as the office, Finance Office, personnel division, and equipment room, its most important branches were the three Patrol Corps. Each had a full complement of one hundred men, making three hundred in total—the very cream of the Police Force.

Narukami Uchiha was one of the three Patrol Corps captains.

Besides him, Uchiha Yashiro, Fugaku Uchiha's trusted confidant, commanded another corps.

As for the third captain, he had returned to the clan grounds that night to oversee their defense and was not present.

Pressed by Sōken like this, Narukami Uchiha instead fell silent. Even Lord Fugaku had personally stated that he was no longer the clan head... what could Narukami do? Besides, Sōken might be young, but as the genius known as the [Flame Demon], he was one of the clan's most renowned figures and strongest members.

He looked at the silent Lord Fugaku, Senior Yashiro, and the others, then at Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Arashiyama, and the other gifted young Jonin standing behind Sōken.

An overwhelming pressure crashed down upon him!

Well, on second thought, being led by such a genius... was not entirely unacceptable.

"Chief, forgive me. I was simply too surprised and didn't react in time... Please pardon me." Narukami Uchiha chose to follow his heart. Becoming one of the Police Force's only three corps captains required not only strength sufficient to win his subordinates' respect, but also a flexible, adaptable mind.

The Uchiha Clan did not lack Jonin-level experts.

There were more Jonin in the clan capable of matching Narukami Uchiha than could be counted on both hands, yet fewer than five possessed a mind as nimble as his.

"No matter."

Sōken raised an eyebrow slightly. He had been hoping Narukami Uchiha would be a little more defiant, giving him an opportunity to establish his authority. But... Narukami Uchiha did not wish to make trouble, and that did not mean Sōken could not find fault. Rather than leave behind grudging compliance that would cause trouble later, it was better to be forceful from the outset and crush all resistance in one go.

As long as he subdued the Jonin, the Police Force's Chunin and Genin would naturally know what to do.

"I rather like clever people, because clever people like you speak pleasantly, handle matters reliably, and save others worry and effort. But sometimes, clever people are too clever, and they become easily distracted... Wouldn't you agree, Captain Narukami?"

Sōken stared at Narukami Uchiha.

Their eyes met.

[Illusionary Arts: Binding Chain Technique]

In that brief instant, Narukami Uchiha suffered a crushing defeat within the mental realm Sōken had constructed. He personally experienced just how terrifying the clan's famed genius truly was. That overwhelmingly powerful ocular force left him unable even to fight back in the mental realm.

Such power

inspired awe!

He finally understood why Senior Yashiro, who had always been utterly loyal to Clan Head Fugaku, had remained silent... because Uchiha Sōken was truly, terrifyingly strong!!!

The Uchiha were arrogant and proud because of their immense strength, but for the same reason, they revered those who possessed great power.

"Chief, your will is my will."

Narukami Uchiha dropped to one knee and offered his loyalty.

This sudden turn immediately stirred up a commotion among the crowd. Most of those whispering were Chunin. The Jonin present, as well as a small number of perceptive Chunin, had all sensed the brief eruption of ocular power between Sōken and Narukami Uchiha.

Seeing Narukami Uchiha's current behavior, they understood who had won and who had lost. Quite a few clan members who had still harbored some dissatisfaction felt as if cold water had been poured over their heads, instantly abandoning certain foolish thoughts.

Sōken waved for Narukami Uchiha to rise.

Looking at the clan members, he continued, "I said before that I know you have many doubts. But reality is what it is. Senior Fugaku, the six elders, and most of the clan's Jonin have all acknowledged this reality. Everything has been done according to the rules. You need only follow the rules and obey my orders. As for your doubts..."

His words came to an abrupt halt.

Sōken frowned.

He turned to look at the Rooftop Terrace of a residence not far away. Beneath the moonlight, an Anbu with conspicuous white hair, an animal mask, and a standard uniform was leaping across the Rooftop Terrace, taking the shortest direct route toward the Police Force.

Sōken was not the only one to notice the uninvited guest.

Shisui turned his head at the same time as Sōken. The Jonin were only a second or two behind them, all noticing the Anbu who had made no deliberate effort to conceal his movements.

"You got here fast enough!"

Sōken narrowed his eyes as he watched the Anbu leap onto the terrace and stride closer.

The surrounding clan members stared at the Anbu with hostile eyes. Pairs of scarlet eyes lit up beneath the moonlight, and hostility so intense it was nearly tangible surged toward the white-haired Anbu like a raging tide, stirring the hidden left eye beneath his mask into faint activity.

Shisui felt a chill in his heart. He looked at the Police Force clansmen's icy stares and indifferent expressions. Many did not even bother concealing their hostility toward the Anbu—or, more precisely, toward the village. The sight shook Shisui deeply.

He had never had many friends to begin with, and after joining the Anbu, he had interacted even less with his clansmen. Although he had heard from Sōken, Elder Jun, and others about the rift between the clan and the village, one that was practically out in the open, he lacked a direct impression of it and had always naively believed the conflict between the two could be reconciled.

"It's only one Anbu..."

Shisui murmured in an extremely soft voice.

"This isn't directed at any particular Anbu. This is the resentment and anger the clan has accumulated over decades, from the Second's administration until now!" Sōken quietly shifted over to Shisui's side and spoke in a low voice, faint but clear enough for Shisui to hear.

Shisui fell silent.

The disagreements and fractures between the village and its clans... seemed to have truly reached a point where they could no longer be mended.

"Uchiha Chief."

As he spoke, the white-haired Anbu came before Fugaku. "The Hokage has ordered—"

"Sorry, but our clan head has changed. I am no longer the clan head, nor am I the chief. If you have orders, speak to the new chief instead!" Fugaku Uchiha cut off the Anbu, then pointed at Uchiha Sōken beside Shisui and said solemnly, "This is our clan's new clan head and the Police Force's new chief, Uchiha Sōken."