Sakumo quickly arrived outside the Uchiha Clan's territory.
Upon seeing Sakumo's arrival, the two Uchiha ninjas guarding the clan's gate immediately stood up straight and respectfully paid their respects to Sakumo.
Where is Captain Fugaku now?
With a gentle smile, Sakumo nodded in greeting and inquired about Fugaku's whereabouts.
"The captain is patrolling the tribe's territory. Should we go and call him?"
Upon hearing Uchiha immediately set off to find Fugaku.
"No need, I'll go myself. I'll just wander around here and experience the customs and culture of the Uchiha Clan."
Sakumo smiled and waved his hand, then stepped into the Uchiha Clan's territory.
Sakumo randomly picked a dango shop, ordered a small single-person set meal, and sat in the innermost booth, quietly observing the Uchiha at this moment.
Because Fugaku had previously demonstrated the Mangekyō Sharingan's abilities in front of everyone, the Uchiha Clan members were in high spirits, especially the trained Military Police Force, who walked with a confident stride.
However, the number of members in the Military Police Force is always limited.
Within the Uchiha Clan, there are many who, even after living for decades, have never awakened the Sharingan.
Most of them run small businesses in their ancestral lands to make a living.
The dumpling shop where Sakumo is located is one of them.
A small number of Uchiha ninjas who had passed the basic training but had not yet awakened their Sharingan worked in the Military Police Force.
In short, the Uchiha's autonomy ensured that every member could live a comfortable life in Konoha.
This is why, when Madara Uchiha wanted to lead his clan away, not a single person was willing to follow him.
Having endured too much war, the Uchiha Clan had been completely blinded by their comfortable lives and no longer wanted to follow Madara back to the bitter days they had endured before.
After drinking the tea in his cup, Sakumo looked at the happy smiles on the faces of the Uchiha and a smile also appeared on his lips.
"I'm very sorry, Fourth Generation, I neglected you because of my patrol duties."
Not long after, Fugaku, who had rushed over after receiving the news, arrived at the dango shop.
"No, the dumplings are delicious; there's no question of neglecting them."
Sakumo smiled and shook his head, then gestured for Fugaku to sit down.
The owner brought over another small set meal for one person, placed it in front of Fugaku, and then tactfully closed the door to the private room, while hanging a sign outside saying "No Customers Allowed."
"The Fourth Generation didn't come here just to drink tea and eat dumplings, did he?"
After taking a large gulp of tea, Fugaku, with a serious expression, tentatively inquired about Sakumo.
"Indeed, Captain Fugaku. Thanks to the Military Police Force and your intervention, we were able to avoid greater losses when fighting the Uchiha of unknown origin. I would like to express my gratitude to you."
Sakumo bowed his head and sincerely thanked Fugaku.
"Not at all. The Uchiha Clan is part of Konoha, and the Military Police Force fights for Konoha. When foreign enemies invade, it's only natural that we must step in to defend against them."
Fugaku waved his hand, telling Sakumo not to worry about it.
"However, Captain Fugaku is right. The Military Police Force is Konoha's Military Police Force. In that case, shouldn't we let ninjas who are willing to contribute to Konoha join us and fight together to protect Konoha?"
What Sakumo said next did not surprise Fugaku too much.
He could see some of the problems with the Military Police Force, but as the Clan Head, he had to obey the will of his people. In addition, his relationship with the village had been awkward before, so he never considered taking the initiative to apply for the reorganization of the Military Police Force.
Sakumo's bringing this up actually relieved Fugaku.
He knew that, given Sakumo's character, if he was going to reorganize the Military Police Force, he would definitely give the people of his tribe a satisfactory explanation.
"From what I've observed, aside from members of the Military Police Force, most members of the Uchiha Clan earn their living within their clan's territory. Only a small portion, or rather, a very small number, of ninja choose to join Konoha's ninja teams."
"Here's what I'm thinking: double the size of the Military Police Force, recruit some other ninjas, and appoint a Vice Captain. You will remain the captain, and you'll also be responsible for Konoha's espionage work."
Sakumo quickly stated his thoughts, but this answer did not particularly satisfy Fugaku.
If it's just a matter of expanding the clan and adding other ninjas, the radical elements within the clan will definitely oppose it.
As the Clan Head, whose side should he take?
"Of course, I want to do more than just that. I hope the Uchiha Clan can join other departments in the village, such as the Research Bureau, the Medical Unit, or even the Anbu."
Sakumo noticed Fugaku's predicament and immediately laid out his own bargaining chips.
Including the Uchiha Clan in other departments is indeed good news.
The village's leadership has always prohibited Uchiha Clan ninjas from joining any department other than the Military Police Force. Now that Sakumo is willing to open up departments for the Uchiha Clan to choose from, it truly shows his sincerity.
It's one thing to go to the Research Bureau, but going there makes me wonder if I'll become a test subject or just an employee—it's really hard to tell.
"The Fourth Generation's considerations are indeed thorough, and I agree with your idea. However, Advisor Danzō Danzo..."
Fugaku still hasn't forgotten the scene when Danzo led his men to stop him during Susanoo's invasion.
Upon hearing Danzo's name, Sakumo also somewhat conflicted.
The advisor's actions were indeed somewhat excessive, but after I took office, he didn't make any underhanded moves, and his base showed no intention of continuing to act.
Aside from this incident where he brought people to appear before Fugaku, Danzo's Root was always in an extremely obedient state.
"The three advisors, the former leader, Utatane, and Mitokado, all agree with this resolution, Advisor Danzō won't say anything."
Ultimately, Danzo is just an advisor now; even if the other side objects, they can only resort to petty tricks.
"Besides, Obito Kazashiro have a good relationship, don't they?"
Sakumo thought of Kazashiro again.
"Obito, I understand."
Fugaku instantly understood Sakumo's meaning and immediately decided to hold a clan meeting that night to inform the clan members of the matter.
"Captain Fugaku, it's best to discipline stubborn radicals appropriately."
Seeing that Fugaku had agreed to his plan, Sakumo did not forget to remind him how to deal with radicals.
"If Captain Fugaku is unavailable, I can ask Jiraiya..."
"Fourth Generation, I still want to try, but rest assured, if they are truly obstinate, I will punish them according to the clan rules."
At this point, Fugaku was no longer weak. He had previously been unwilling to believe the Third Hokage, mainly because the Third Hokage had been too Danzo with Danzo.
Even if he backs down, the Konoha High Command, influenced by Danzo, won't give him any benefits.
Now that Sakumo is willing to step forward to resist Danzo's pressure, Fugaku will naturally not let this golden opportunity pass him by.