The Sarutobi Clan Backs Down, the Gatekeeper Clan Appears

After this day, Jinghuo Uchiha calmed down once more.

The villagers began to look forward to a bright future, treating the Sarutobi Clan well, bringing food and drinks to their shops.

The Sarutobi Clan did not become arrogant.

Having the Shimura Clan's previous example, they listened very carefully to their Clan Head, cautiously taking on the role of the Police Force with a good attitude.

This was fine, but they were good not only to the victims but also to the perpetrators.

It was as if they didn't want to offend anyone.

In the Sarutobi Clan's view, the perpetrators might also be wrongly accused.

Being good to both sides would also be good for the Sarutobi Clan.

However, it was precisely this attitude of appeasing both sides that led to gossip about the Sarutobi Clan within just three days.

"Why are they so polite to the criminals!"

"This..."

The friends and family of the victims were very unhappy, but bystanders couldn't empathize and could only laugh awkwardly.

The Sarutobi Clan, already cautious, immediately reported this news upon hearing it.

When the Sarutobi Clan Head heard this, the fate of the Shimura Clan flashed in his mind, and he almost fell off his chair in panic.

"No! If this continues, the Sarutobi Clan will be annihilated!"

After only three days as the Police Force, the Sarutobi Clan Head decisively went to Sarutobi Hiruzen, saying the Sarutobi Clan was incompetent, that they were all useless, and that he could broadcast this news to the entire village, begging only to have the Sarutobi Clan removed from the Police Force.

"Give the Police Force back to the Uchiha Clan?"

"Is it only me in the Sarutobi Clan who can do this?" Sarutobi Hiruzen heard this and thought that such rhetoric would work with the villagers, so he agreed.

But he worried that Jinghuo Uchiha would not agree, so he went to the Village Center to make a public announcement, and thus summoned Uchiha Itachi.

Upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's retelling of the Sarutobi Clan's surrender, Uchiha Itachi also relayed Jinghuo Uchiha's original words: "Shizuka said that we Uchiha are all rough people. If any villagers are injured because of us, it will be your fault, Sarutobi Hiruzen."

"..." Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned.

This could be linked to me too?!

At this moment, he felt Jinghuo Uchiha's malice and began to have some doubts.

So, he said to Uchiha Itachi, "How about... arranging for another clan to take over, like the Inuzuka Clan?"

"Lord Hokage can decide as he sees fit." Uchiha Itachi, as always, calmly left.

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched, his brow furrowed.

He couldn't probe further.

As for the Inuzuka Clan taking over the Police Force, it was indeed possible, but the Inuzuka Clan was too small in number. At least the Aburame Clan and the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio would need to be added.

However, five clans would appear too chaotic, with no one truly capable of suppressing them.

So, he summoned Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu arrived with an imposing aura.

Upon hearing the reason Sarutobi Hiruzen had called them, they were terrified.

"Let the Mitokado Clan be the Police Force?!"

"Let the Utatane Clan be the Police Force?!"

The two of them immediately shook their heads in unison and refused.

"No, no, absolutely not!"

Seeing their reactions, Sarutobi Hiruzen guessed what was happening.

First, they might have seen the destruction of the Shimura Clan, and the Sarutobi Clan's surrender, making them afraid to accept.

Second, they might have sensed Jinghuo Uchiha's malice.

Regardless, the village couldn't be without a clan serving as the Police Force!

"How about having Civilian Ninjas take on the role?" Utatane Koharu suggested.

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"No." Sarutobi Hiruzen had already considered this idea.

There were two problems.

First, the number of Civilian Ninjas was small, and their strength and character were uneven.

Second, there was no one in the village capable of leading them.

The first point was not a major issue; it could be resolved with more effort in guidance.

The most important point was the second one: there was no ninja capable of leading all of them.

Oh, wait... the image of the flat-topped youth Jinghuo Uchiha flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind.

Fugaku Uchiha, Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Shisui, all the Uchihas were convinced by his words.

If it were him, even a ninja he didn't know, he could probably lead them, right?

It's just that he didn't think Jinghuo Uchiha would obediently listen to him.

Refusal would be fine.

But if he agreed, he was afraid Jinghuo would pull some tricks.

Or would he just ignore those civilian ninjas?

Hiruzen Sarutobi was getting a headache.

The Police Force held considerable power, and if not controlled properly, it could easily lead to major problems.

For example, corruption, bias, and disregard for regulations. If that happened, the villagers would lose faith in the Police Force, an organization within the village, and by extension, lose faith in him as Hokage.

At that point, the problem would be truly serious.

Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, upon hearing this, also understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's troubles.

For a moment, the Hokage's office was filled with melancholy.

Several minutes later, Homura Mitokado tentatively suggested, "How about... handing it over to the Hyuga Clan?"

"The... Hyuga... Clan?" Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly repeated the words, his eyes growing brighter with each syllable.

What a great idea!

For a long time, two clans had vied for the title of Konoha's strongest: the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan.

The Hyuga Clan already had a competitive spirit with the Uchiha Clan. If they were given the Police Force now, they would definitely seize the opportunity, distance themselves from the Uchiha Clan, and definitively become Konoha's strongest clan.

Furthermore, with their kekkei genkai, the Byakugan, their observational skills were even stronger than the Uchiha Clan's, making them very suitable for this position.

As for the villagers' dissatisfaction, he believed the Hyuga Clan could resolve it perfectly, showcasing the demeanor of Konoha's strongest clan.

This proposal caused the three people, who had been full of worry just moments before—Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane—to now wear relaxed and self-satisfied smiles.

With the Hyuga Clan acting as the gatekeeper, the Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane clans behind them would not be implicated.

They were relieved.

Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned the clan head of the Hyuga Clan, Hiashi Hyuga, and informed him of the matter.

Hiashi Hyuga couldn't help but be taken aback.

"The Hyuga Clan will take charge of the Police Force?"

"What? You're unwilling?" Hiruzen Sarutobi felt uneasy, and countless phrases like "Will of Fire," "contribute to the village," and "build a better village" immediately sprang to mind, intending to persuade Hiashi Hyuga.

But before he could speak, he saw Hiashi Hyuga, dressed in a kimono, bow slightly and say with solemn respect, "The Hyuga Clan is willing to take charge of the Police Force."

"Is... is that so?" Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly suppressed the joy in his heart. "The village has high hopes for the Hyuga Clan."

"Yes," Hiashi Hyuga replied, his expression still solemn, showing no hint of joy or displeasure.

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke earnestly, adding a few more words about how much the village valued the Hyuga Clan, as if saying, "I'm counting on you; don't disappoint me."

"Yes," Hiashi Hyuga maintained his solemn demeanor.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, relieved.