Qingguang, You Truly Are My Soulmate!

The patrol soon ended.

Perhaps because the line behind Qingguang was exceptionally long during today's patrol, the mission tonight went very smoothly.

Qingguang's assigned area had no disputes whatsoever.

But as the line returned to the entrance of the Police Department and was about to disperse.

Qingguang, with a dark expression, called everyone together.

The smile that had been on his face vanished instantly, sending a jolt of dread through everyone.

Wasn't today's patrol smooth? Hadn't there been any problems?

But why did Qingguang's expression look so terrifying right now?

No one dared to speak.

Gentle and kind were Qingguang's labels, his personality, but his identity and strength as a genius ninja were almost unknown among the village's ninjas.

"I am very dissatisfied, extremely dissatisfied, with your performance behind me today." Qingguang's gaze swept across everyone's faces.

The heavy pressure made them struggle to breathe.

Even Inabi, who considered himself to have a good relationship with Qingguang and understood him well, had never seen Qingguang wear such an expression.

"Qingguang, your patrol mission should be over, why are you all still gathered here?"

It was two in the morning. Fugaku had been busy with paperwork at the Police Department until now and was just preparing to go home.

But as soon as he stepped out, he saw this scene.

The moment he saw the expression on Qingguang's face, he put on a stern expression and walked over to Qingguang's side, his gaze piercingly fixed on the dozen or so people in the line.

What could these guys have possibly done to make Qingguang show such an expression?

"Qingguang, did they do something tonight, or what happened?"

"Don't hesitate to tell me, I'm here, you don't need to hold back."

After a long silence, Qingguang gave a wry smile and shook his head slightly, his eyes filled with a hint of disappointment. "Director Fugaku, perhaps I was too strict with everyone from the start. It's not their fault."

Qingguang then turned to everyone and bowed ninety degrees, apologizing. "I'm sorry everyone, for losing my temper with you for no reason."

But at this moment, the members of the Police Department still didn't understand why Qingguang was angry.

In their eyes, tonight's patrol was simply the most satisfying one since they joined the Police Department.

Just then, Hikari, who had been the most uncooperative with Qingguang and had the most strained smile, couldn't help but ask, "Qingguang, if we did anything wrong, please just point it out."

"Uchiha clansmen are all brave and responsible men, no one will dwell on these things!"

Hikari's words sent a warmth through Qingguang's heart.

"Does everyone feel the same?"

The crowd remained silent, their gazes firm. Their continued presence there was the best answer to Qingguang.

Though they couldn't articulate it, as Uchiha with delicate emotions, they could all sense the villagers' different perception of them tonight.

It might have been due to the halo of Qingguang's Smiling Executive Officer status, but even this faint goodwill was something they had never experienced before.

It was an emotion called respect, and deep affection.

Fugaku, looking at the determined expressions on his subordinates' faces, also turned his gaze to Qingguang.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Qingguang finally spoke. "Everyone, during the first half of the patrol, I could feel each of you doing your best to maintain goodwill."

"But later, a thought of comparison and competition emerged."

"When we go on patrol, we represent the Police Department, and the responsibility we carry is the safety of the entire village."

"When you put on this uniform, you are no longer yourself, but a part of the Police Department. Don't let pride or honor blind you. Such competitive emotions should not exist in your hearts. Can you achieve this in the future?"

Qingguang's voice grew louder with each sentence, penetrating everyone's hearts and turning into an uplifting anthem.

"Yes!!!"

At this moment, the members of the Police Department finally realized the gap between themselves and Qingguang, their Smiling Executive Officer.

They were all filled with shame.

Qingguang, only an Uchiha like this, a member of the Police Department like this, was worthy of the title "Smiling Executive Officer."

No wonder the villagers spontaneously supported and cherished such an executive officer!

After disbanding, Fugaku and Qingguang walked on the night road.

"Qingguang, from childhood, they have been bound by the honor and pride of their clan. Even I couldn't make them realize it."

"If it weren't for you, who knows how long it would have taken them to notice this."

Facing this junior who was only a year younger than him, Fugaku rarely spoke of his long-held confusion and worries.

In Qingguang, he saw hope, the possibility of breaking this constraint.

"Director Fugaku, as a subordinate, I, Uchiha, only need to consider how to maintain safety during patrols. But you have many things to consider."

"The reputation of the Police Department, the salaries of subordinates, complaints from villagers, targeting from higher-ups—all of that will suffocate you."

"It's precisely because I understand these things that I chose to join the Police Department. I will do my best to share some of this pressure with you. You've worked too hard all these years, Minister."

Qingguang's heartfelt words even made Fugaku feel as though they had met too late.

He was truly his confidant.

He understood him even better than he understood himself!

"Qingguang, thank you."

"Minister Fugaku, why must we be so formal between us?"

"Everything is for the Uchiha, for the village."

In the following days, Qingguang's reputation within the Police Department grew even hotter.

There were so many Police Department members who wanted to study with Qingguang at night that he had to implement a limit on numbers.

A maximum of twenty people per night; any more would have to queue. They had to wait until all registered participants had gone through the session once before they could be scheduled for the second round.

As for the first group of Uchiha from the first night, they had already become like seniors in the eyes of many Police Department members.

They were constantly being asked for guidance.

After all, Qingguang was too busy, so they had to find alternative ways to learn.

It wasn't for any other reason than wanting to experience what it felt like to be respected and loved by the villagers.

They desperately wanted to improve!

The changes in the Police Department members were extremely rapid, spreading like a virus, from ten to a hundred.

After just one month, all Police Department members had undergone a complete transformation.

Some members' smiles might still have been a bit stiff, and their behavior a little unnatural.

But the villagers had grown accustomed to it and adapted.

It was said that Yashiro had recently become quite close with a female ninja from the Inuzuka Family after helping her find her lost ninja dog's puppy.

It was truly a happy ending for all involved.

The Police Department's transformation even reached Hiruzen Sarutobi's ears.

"Heh heh, this child Qingguang, I knew he had the power to change the Uchiha," Hiruzen Sarutobi commented with a smile.

Orochimaru was not surprised by this at all and even expressed his agreement. Judging by his rational thinking, if it weren't for Qingguang's Uchiha identity, he might have even considered Qingguang the most suitable ninja to become Hokage.

If such a person became his subordinate, it would definitely greatly enhance his influence and reputation.