Konoha Police Force.
Hatake Sakumo took small sips of tea as he surveyed the interior of the Police Force.
Not bad...
This institution, personally established by the Second Hokage and specifically assigned to the Uchiha Clan, was responsible for maintaining order and public security within the village. It had the authority to arrest criminal ninja.
Right beside the Police Force was Konoha Prison.
Ordinary Genin and Chunin might never set foot here even once in their entire lives, unless something unexpected happened...
Uchiha Fugaku sat across from Hatake Sakumo.
He held a document in his hands, frowning as he read it carefully.
It was the proposal for the Konoha Patrol Force, compiled from Hiruzen Sarutobi's words and written by Hatake Sakumo.
"So, are you interested?"
While drinking tea, Hatake Sakumo reached for the snacks beside Fugaku. "Can I eat these? Kakashi made a little too little grilled saury this morning, so I'm still hungry."
Fugaku rolled his eyes inwardly.
This was the Military Police Force, yet this guy was treating it like a cafeteria! Eating and drinking whatever he pleased...
And he was a father, yet he made his son cook?
"Please, make yourself at home." Though that was what he thought, Uchiha Fugaku appeared very enthusiastic.
"Try my wife's cooking."
Hatake Sakumo's behavior was actually a gesture of goodwill.
Fugaku truly could not get a read on the White Fang.
A few days ago, while off duty, Fugaku had gotten drunk with several friends and complained that Hatake Sakumo looked solemn, but was actually a man with a wicked sense of humor!
Yashiro had immediately agreed. "The White Fang is the slyest guy around. He tells everyone he uses a blade, but then wraps Lightning Release around One Thousand Years of Death!"
After learning what kind of Taijutsu One Thousand Years of Death was, Fugaku sobered up by half.
What decent person would study a technique like that?
And add Lightning Release to it?
"These Three-color Dango are delicious. You have a wonderful wife, Fugaku." Hatake Sakumo ate with great satisfaction.
"I'm glad you like them!" Uchiha Fugaku smiled. He had once joked with Mikoto that their son would like these dango after he was born as well.
"Is this plan Lord Third's idea?" Uchiha Fugaku coughed lightly and got to the point.
"Of course. Other than Lord Third, who else could adjust the village's public security arrangements?"
Hatake Sakumo said in surprise, "Wasn't it written at the very beginning of the proposal? Didn't you read it carefully?"
Uchiha Fugaku felt a little tight in the chest.
Of course he knew it was Hiruzen Sarutobi's idea, and he had seen it...
Wasn't that just a casual opening line to end the pleasantries and get down to business?
He discovered that Konoha's White Fang was extremely nitpicky!
And that stuff about only the Hokage being able to adjust public security...
Uchiha Fugaku always felt that Hatake Sakumo was hinting at something, but he had no proof.
"Overall, this is very beneficial for the Military Police Force and for the Uchiha..." Uchiha Fugaku carefully chose his words.
He could not see anything unusual in the plan.
It was simply meant to allow some Uchiha Clan members who had suffered battle injuries but possessed abundant experience—
Or members holding idle positions in the Military Police Force who still had spare capacity and wanted to earn more money—to join this new security system.
The problem was—
First, it did not reduce the Military Police Force's original duties. Second, it did not cut their funding.
Was this right?
The entire proposal merely stated that Konoha's current security forces were insufficient. Although it mentioned the Uzumaki Kushina incident, it did not place all the blame on the Military Police Force.
Was this still the usual style of Konoha's upper ranks?
Could such a windfall really fall from the sky?
He had discussed it privately with Clan Leader Isshin.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's public emphasis on security issues was a precursor to making trouble.
They had to be wary of that move. If it truly happened, they would have to argue their case and find problems in other departments.
"Very good. Does that mean you agree?"
Hatake Sakumo smiled. "Deputy Chief Fugaku, you can go back and discuss it with the clan members. Joining will not be mandatory."
"The Uchiha are important members of the village and possess extensive experience. Personally, I hope you can join. Lord Third specifically emphasized your importance to the village."
"The funding for the Patrol Force was donated to the village by Lord Third. He also hopes to take care of the Uchiha Clan members."
Uchiha Fugaku's expression turned solemn. "Thank you for Lord Third's concern!"
"Give me an answer as soon as possible. I'll reserve one spot in each squad for the Uchiha first." Hatake Sakumo stood and extended his hand to Fugaku.
"I look forward to the Military Police Force providing assistance to the Patrol Force."
Their hands clasped together.
After Hatake Sakumo left, Fugaku hurried to find Uchiha Isshin.
This old man was the pillar of support for Fugaku and the entire Uchiha Clan, practically a living fossil of the Uchiha.
After hearing Fugaku's account, Isshin remained silent for a long time before taking out his Pipe for the first time in ages.
He exhaled puff after puff of smoke.
"Clan Leader Isshin, don't just smoke. Say something!" Fugaku was anxious.
"I never expected Hiruzen Sarutobi's methods to be this vicious. He's almost as bad as that bastard..."
Uchiha Isshin's voice was hoarse. "Actually giving the clan members money and jobs—I never saw that coming!"
Confusion appeared on Fugaku's face.
What was he talking about?
Seeing Fugaku's expression, Isshin looked even more pained. "Have I not told you not to forget the clan's history?"
"When the Military Police Force was first established, everyone thought it was good. But what about now?"
"You only see the benefits Hiruzen Sarutobi is offering, but not the scheme behind them..." Uchiha Isshin took another deep drag of smoke, stimulating his thoughts. "This so-called Public Security Force may not be encroaching on the Military Police Force's duties now, but what about in the future?"
"Once these clan members receive new jobs and money, and come into contact with Konoha's pro-Hokage faction, will they still remember that our Uchiha should have a Hokage position after enough time passes?"
Fugaku frowned.
He felt Uchiha Isshin was being somewhat extreme, but it also made sense.
"And those Uchiha who join the Patrol Force are disadvantaged groups. They will be easier to win over."
"They have little voice within the clan, but they have relatives and friends. One person can produce the publicity effect of ten..."
Isshin sighed heavily. "And that money was donated by Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
Fugaku said in a low voice, "Then we refuse! We'll say the Military Police Force is too busy..."
"Refuse?"
Uchiha Isshin gave a bitter smile. "How can you refuse? The clan members will be the first to not understand. They have extended an olive branch, yet we want to burn it with Fire Release..."
"If we refuse this time, then when the village makes further adjustments to power in the future, I'm afraid we won't even have the right to speak!"
If they would not participate in benefits that also served the village, what right did they have to be upper management?
Fugaku was stunned and hurriedly asked, "Then what should we do?"
"You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?"
At that moment, Uchiha Isshin seemed to have aged many, many years. In Fugaku's eyes, even the wrinkles in his skin seemed to deepen by several degrees.
"I am an incompetent Clan Head, Fugaku."
"Whenever I think of the previous Clan Heads, the Great Clan Leader possessed great power, the Young Clan Leader possessed wisdom, and even my brother Setsuna had a heart full of reckless courage."
"What do I have? I have nothing, so I can only follow the final words left by Young Clan Leader Izuna."
"Do not trust Senju Tobirama!"
Uchiha Isshin's tone was utterly powerless. "Many times, I have imagined whether Madara and Clan Leader Izuna, if their spirits still lingered in heaven, could be reincarnated into the clan and guide our people..."
"Even if they could just appear in my dreams once and teach me a few things!"
Sometimes, a man's breakdown happened in an instant.
Uchiha Fugaku deeply understood that statement.
"Clan Leader Isshin, please pull yourself together! We need you!" Uchiha Fugaku carefully comforted Isshin and asked,
"Then, in the end?"
"Join. Do as Hiruzen Sarutobi said." Uchiha Isshin looked exhausted and waved his hand.
"From now on, we must hold clan meetings frequently and do our best to make the clan members remember that we are one of Konoha's founders! We absolutely cannot be blinded by such petty benefits..."
"We must also subtly dismantle the things Senju Tobirama did. Let me think carefully about the extent. Given the current situation, stirring up hatred will not benefit us."
"This is all we can do."
"Let us wait for the right time." Uchiha Isshin shook his head. "Fugaku, your child is about to be born, right? You must educate him well in the future, understand?"
"Perhaps he will become a genius like Clan Leader Izuna."
"May your words come true..." Uchiha Fugaku replied respectfully.
Seeing Uchiha Isshin like this, Fugaku even felt a trace of fear toward the position of Clan Head...
It was not an easy seat to occupy.
At this moment—
The black-handed Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, whom Uchiha Isshin had condemned as exceptionally ruthless—
Was walking with his hands behind his back.
He was preparing to inspect the first phase of Konoha Pharmaceutical's construction!
Before you continue