Uchiha Hirotomo agreed to Uchiha Kō's terms. A genius who was eighteen, had the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and possessed the Magnet Release kekkei genkai had agreed to become an elder of the clan. This would strengthen their bond.
He chose to accommodate Uchiha Kō's requests as much as possible. An intelligence network was a small matter, but he never imagined that what Uchiha Kō said next would make him break out in a cold sweat.
"Clan head, there's one more thing. Put me in charge of the Konoha Military Police Force. I'll handle communications with the village leadership." Uchiha Kō stared at Uchiha Hirotomo. He knew the Police Force was the Uchiha's only real source of authority.
Uchiha Hirotomo hesitated. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, lowering his head as he considered the matter. The Police Force was usually controlled by the clan head, who managed the clan on one hand and dealt with the village leadership on the other.
Now Uchiha Kō was clearly trying to take some of the clan head's power. Even though every clan head had to attend meetings, the head of the Police Force had far more clout when he spoke!
Besides, the Police Force was also the main source of positions for the Uchiha Clan. It allowed them to fight lawbreaking and punish criminals, and was a particularly respectable job.
Uchiha Kō sighed. "If the clan head isn't willing to agree, I'll leave right away and never involve myself in clan affairs again." With that, he stood up to leave.
The implication was clear: if Hirotomo wouldn't give him the position, he wouldn't become an elder, and whatever happened to the Uchiha from then on would have nothing to do with him.
"Wait, Kō. I want to know why you want to take over the Police Force. Are you trying to take power from the clan head's branch?" Uchiha Hirotomo stared at Uchiha Kō, hoping to catch some change in his expression.
But he was disappointed. Uchiha Kō remained composed, sitting upright as he said, "Heh. Let me ask you this: what do the villagers think of the Uchiha?"
Uchiha Hirotomo's face turned livid. Because of the Police Force, his clan members were often treated with contempt by the villagers. They acted obedient to their faces, then cursed them behind their backs.
Even the Uchiha serving in the Police Force had lost their enthusiasm. They no longer bothered to explain themselves; now they simply arrested people, their expressions grim.
"Besides, Clan Head Hirotomo, don't you think power can sometimes be a double-edged sword? What do people call the Police Force outside the clan? The Uchiha Police Force. They've practically made it ours. Have you ever considered what the people above us think?" Uchiha Kō pointed toward the Hokage Building.
Uchiha Hirotomo's face turned livid again. Uchiha Kō knew this was his final push. "Clan head, when you hold on to power for too long, you become its slave. That only puts you at a disadvantage and keeps you from thinking clearly." Uchiha Kō fell silent, sitting there at ease.
Uchiha Hirotomo recalled the past. It seemed Uchiha Kō was right. When he had first inherited the clan head position and taken charge of the Uchiha Police Force, he had not only held power over the clan but had also been part of the village leadership, protecting the villagers.
But at some point, people began deliberately smearing the Police Force, and the Uchiha were portrayed as villains who arrested anyone they didn't like.
He had brought it up with the village leadership, but they always said they would handle it. The matter was never resolved. Still, he had been unwilling to give up control of the Police Force, so he had kept silent and continued making arrests.
And so the Police Force became despised by everyone, while the Uchiha Clan's reputation suffered too. They went from being the foremost clan to one that abused its power to bully others.
Only the clan members serving in the Police Force knew how aggrieved they felt. They had meant to protect the people of Konoha and their property, yet they were insulted as bullies who abused their power.
Uchiha Hirotomo looked up and asked, "Kō, do you have a way to change all this?"
Uchiha Kō leaned back. "I'm ten out of ten certain. But I need the clan head's cooperation. Otherwise, I can't guarantee success."
Uchiha Hirotomo nodded. "If you're sure, Kō, I'm willing to give up the position of Police Force chief. I'll go see the Hokage tomorrow."
Uchiha Kō shook his head. "Now. Night has just fallen; this is the best time."
"Now? You're in too much of a hurry! The Hokage will be asleep by now." Uchiha Hirotomo stared at him in disbelief.
"Clan head, what I'm saying is that we should visit the Hokage tonight and make it clear that the Uchiha Clan fully supports his leadership. Changing the Police Force's chief will just be a side matter."
"You've forgotten the Uchiha's pride! You'd actually have our clan bow its head?" Uchiha Hirotomo's face darkened. He hadn't expected someone he'd thought so highly of to be this kind of person.
Uchiha Kō smiled faintly. "You have to understand: the Hokage has only just taken office, and his position isn't secure yet. We wouldn't be bowing our heads. We'd be making an investment."
"There's a saying: better to send charcoal in the snow than add flowers to brocade. We'll be the first to visit the Hokage and offer him our support. Do you believe that afterward, all the rumors against us will disappear?" Uchiha Kō said confidently.
"Even if they don't disappear, the Hokage will speak up and clear our name." Uchiha Kō smiled.
Uchiha Hirotomo was still hesitating. Uchiha Kō frowned and said coldly, "Clan head, I hope you understand that I'm doing this for the Uchiha. If you think it's humiliating, then give me the clan head position too. I guarantee the Uchiha will have a much easier time within the clan and in the village."
"Instead of being ostracized and slandered like we are now!" Uchiha Kō's voice turned icy as he looked at Uchiha Hirotomo.
Uchiha Hirotomo's face went pale. For a moment, he seemed to see Lord Madara from the Warring States Period, that glance full of contempt and mockery.
"I... I agree, Kō. Let's go right away!" Uchiha Hirotomo grabbed Uchiha Kō's hand and started to leave. Uchiha Kō pulled his hand free. "Clan head, are you going empty-handed?"
Uchiha Hirotomo froze. He'd already chosen a side. Wasn't that enough? Did he still have to bring a gift?
Uchiha Kō sighed. "Clan head, the Hokage has a son named Sarutobi Shinnosuke, who's a student at Konoha Academy. Give him a set of ninja tools, preferably ones made by the Ninja Cat Clan."
Uchiha Hirotomo nodded. He was beginning to feel that Uchiha Kō was right about everything. He couldn't match the way Kō understood human nature.
The Uchiha were all a bunch of headstrong hotheads. This was the first time one of them had turned out to be a strategist.
With that, Uchiha Hirotomo summoned the Ninja Cat Clan's summoning beast and spoke with it. Less than ten minutes later, a brand-new set of ninja tools and a tool pouch arrived.
Uchiha Hirotomo and Uchiha Kō opened the door and headed toward the Sarutobi Compound.
At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was reading through documents. They contained information about Uchiha Kō that the Anbu had gathered.
"Uchiha Kō, son of Uchiha Donpu, grandson of Uchiha Izuna. His grandfather was Uchiha Tajima." Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Uchiha Izuna was a legendary figure, renowned for his cunning just like his teacher. This boy had certainly inherited quite a bit of that.
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