The Origins of Uchiha Kō

Uchiha Hirotomo agreed to the conditions set by Uchiha Kō; for an eighteen-year-old genius with Three-Tomoe Sharingan and the Magnet Release bloodline to agree to serve as a clan elder was, in his eyes, a way to deepen their bonds.

He chose to grant every request Uchiha Kō made, thinking that an intelligence network was merely a trivial matter, yet he did not expect that Uchiha Kō's next words would leave him drenched in a cold sweat.

"Clan Head, there is one more thing: hand the position of Chief of the Konoha Military Police Force over to me. I will be responsible for communicating with the village's upper echelons." Uchiha Kō stared directly at Uchiha Hirotomo, for he knew that the Military Police Force was the only true source of authority the Uchiha possessed.

Uchiha Hirotomo hesitated. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, lowering his head to ponder the implications; the position of Chief was typically inherited by the Clan Head, allowing them to manage the clan with one hand while dealing with the village leadership with the other.

Now, Uchiha Kō was clearly trying to strip power from the Clan Head. Even if every clan head was required to attend meetings, having the authority of the Chief of the Military Police Force made one's words carry much more weight.

Furthermore, the Military Police Force was the primary source of employment for the Uchiha clan, providing a respectable role that allowed them to combat crime and punish evildoers.

Uchiha Kō sighed. "If the Clan Head is unwilling to agree, then I shall leave immediately and never concern myself with clan affairs again." With that, he stood up, prepared to depart.

The implication was clear: if you are unwilling to grant this, then I will not serve as this elder, and whatever happens to the Uchiha in the future will have nothing to do with me.

"Wait, Kō. I want to know why you want to take over the Military Police Force. Are you trying to divide the power of the Clan Head's lineage?" Uchiha Hirotomo stared intently at Uchiha Kō, hoping to catch a shift in his emotions.

He was disappointed; Uchiha Kō's expression remained unchanged as he sat upright and said, "Heh, let me ask you: what is the villagers' attitude toward the Uchiha?"

Uchiha Hirotomo's face turned ashen. Because of the Military Police Force, so many clansmen were subjected to the villagers' duplicity—acting obedient to their faces while cursing them as bastards behind their backs.

Even the members of the Uchiha Military Police Force had lost their enthusiasm; they no longer bothered to explain themselves, simply grabbing people with grim, dark expressions.

"Furthermore, Clan Head Hirotomo, don't you think that power is sometimes a double-edged sword? What do people outside call the Military Police Force? The 'Uchiha Military Police Force.' It has become synonymous with our clan. Have you ever considered the opinions of those above?" After saying this, Uchiha Kō pointed toward the direction of the Hokage Building.

Uchiha Hirotomo's face turned ashen once more. Uchiha Kō knew this was the final push. "Clan Head, when power is held for too long, one becomes a slave to it. This leads to a loss of perspective and prevents calm, rational thought." Having said his piece, Uchiha Kō fell silent, sitting there with calm composure.

Uchiha Hirotomo recalled the past, and it seemed exactly as Uchiha Kō had described. When he first inherited the position of Clan Head and the Military Police Force, he not only held the power of the clan but was also a high-ranking official in the village, protecting the safety of the villagers.

Yet, he did not know when it had started, but the Military Police Force began to be maliciously slandered. The Uchiha were painted as villains who would arrest anyone they didn't like.

He had reported this to the higher-ups, but they always said they would handle it, though the matter was never addressed. Still, he had been unwilling to relinquish the power of the force, choosing instead to remain silent and continue the arrests.

Just like that, the Military Police Force became a universally loathed department, and the reputation of the Uchiha clan suffered, falling from the status of the premier noble clan to one that bullied others with its power.

Only the members of the force within the clan knew how stifled they felt; their original intent was to maintain the property and personal safety of the people of Konoha, only to be insulted as bullies.

Uchiha Hirotomo looked up and asked, "Kō-kun, do you have a way to change all of this?"

Uchiha Kō leaned back tactically. "Ten tenths. I have absolute certainty, but I need the Clan Head's cooperation; otherwise, I cannot guarantee success."

Uchiha Hirotomo nodded. "Since Kō-kun is certain, I am willing to step down as Chief of the Military Police Force. I will go see the Hokage tomorrow."

Uchiha Kō shook his head. "Now, just as night has fallen, is the most appropriate time."

"Now? You are too impatient! The Hokage will have already gone to sleep by now." Uchiha Hirotomo was stunned, then said in disbelief.

"Clan Head, what I mean is that our visit to the Hokage tonight should primarily focus on the Uchiha clan's full support for his administration; the change in the Military Police Force will simply be a natural byproduct."

"You—have you forgotten the pride of the Uchiha! To think you would make our clan bow our heads!" Uchiha Hirotomo's expression was grim. He had not expected that the person he thought so highly of would be this kind of man.

Uchiha Kō smiled slightly. "You must understand, the Hokage has just taken office and his foundation is unstable. At this moment, we are not bowing our heads; we are placing a bet."

"There is a saying: 'Adding flowers to brocade is not as good as sending charcoal in the snow.' We will be the first to visit the Hokage and express our support. Do you believe that all the rumors against us will disappear?" Uchiha Kō said confidently.

"Even if they don't disappear entirely, the Hokage will step forward to clear our name," Uchiha Kō laughed.

Uchiha Hirotomo was still hesitating, so Uchiha Kō frowned and said coldly, "Clan Head, I hope you understand that I am doing this for the Uchiha. If you feel it is shameful, then hand the position of Clan Head to me as well. I guarantee that both within the clan and in the village, the Uchiha will be much more comfortable."

"Instead of being ostracized and slandered like we are now!" At this point, Uchiha Kō's voice was icy as he stared at Uchiha Hirotomo.

Uchiha Hirotomo's face went pale. He felt as if he were looking at Madara from the Warring States period; that glance just now carried a sense of contempt and mockery.

"I... I agree, Kō-kun. Let us depart at once!" After saying this, Uchiha Hirotomo grabbed Uchiha Kō's hand, preparing to leave. Uchiha Kō pulled his hand away. "Clan Head, are you going empty-handed?"

Uchiha Hirotomo was stunned. I've already pledged my allegiance, and I still can't go empty-handed?

Uchiha Kō sighed. "Clan Head, do this: the Hokage has a son named Sarutobi Shinnosuke, who is currently a student at Konoha Academy. You should gift him a set of ninja tools, preferably ones crafted by the Ninja Cat Clan."

Uchiha Hirotomo nodded. He now felt that what Uchiha Kō said made perfect sense; his grasp of human nature was something he could not compare to.

The Uchiha were all a bunch of reckless brutes; this was the first time a true strategist had appeared among them.

After speaking, Uchiha Hirotomo summoned a beast from the Ninja Cat Clan. After a brief conversation, a brand-new set of ninja tools and a tool pouch were delivered in less than ten minutes.

Uchiha Hirotomo and Uchiha Kō pushed open the door and headed toward the Sarutobi Compound.

At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was reviewing documents; they were the files on Uchiha Kō collected by the Anbu.

"Uchiha Kō, son of Uchiha Donpu, grandson of Uchiha Izuna, and his grandfather was Uchiha Tajima." Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Uchiha Izuna—that was a legendary figure whose intellect was on par with his own teacher's. This kid had certainly inherited quite a bit.