Konoha Military Police Force

With the elders' support, the Administration Institute recruited personnel at breakneck speed and tallied the population with remarkable efficiency. The ninjas' mission rewards and commissions had also been handed over to the Administration Institute for accounting. The Uchiha's scattered factions were gradually consolidating their power in the Clan Affairs Hall.

Uchiha Clan

Naraku House

"Son, you've done well. The changes in the Uchiha over the past month have been clear for all to see. The Hokage's oppression of us and the excessive number of factions within the clan are closely related." Uchiha Sanzang sat in the seat of honor.

Naraku knelt below, listening to his father's words.

"Yes, Father. The Clan Affairs Hall needs every clan member to take part in its construction. It serves everyone, from the ninjas cared for by the Ninjutsu Academy to the ordinary Uchiha looked after by the Sanitation Bureau and the Craftsmen Bureau."

"It also serves the elderly living alone and the orphans who have lost their parents, cared for by the orphanage and nursing home, as well as protecting the status and authority of the elders under the Advisory Institute."

"The Clan Affairs Hall covers every aspect of clan affairs. Only a unified leadership body can bring the Uchiha together as one, instead of having each elder manage their own branch."

Naraku didn't humbly decline. Instead, he explained the purpose of building the Clan Affairs Hall.

"Mm. It seems there's a reason my elder brother supports you. Clan affairs are important, but you mustn't neglect strength, either."

"In the Uchiha, in Konoha, and even throughout the Shinobi World, strength is everything. Without strength, death leaves you with nothing!"

"Death is fair. It doesn't care whether you're young or old, powerful or powerless, whether you're a clan leader or a villager of Konoha."

Uchiha Sanzang first praised him, then tempered his words. After a pause, he continued:

"Starting tomorrow, you'll serve as a consultant to the Military Police Force. As a consultant, you'll only handle consultations, not take responsibility for specific duties. Besides, who wouldn't be happy to earn an extra salary?"

Sanzang gave him a look that said, "Don't be ungrateful when you've got such a good deal."

"Besides, as my son, you need to understand the Military Police Force's future power structure. This is your first step toward getting involved with it. Since you're the clan leader, you can't afford not to understand the Uchiha Military Police Force."

Uchiha Sanzang's expression turned serious as he spoke in a low voice. The Konoha Military Police Force was led by a captain and comprised several squads.

As far as Naraku knew, there was no clear division of responsibilities. Whenever something happened, everyone simply jumped in together.

If someone was sneaking around, everyone jumped in. If someone seemed like a spy, everyone jumped in. It was chaotic and prone to problems.

A civilian sneaking around and a spy stealing classified information clearly shouldn't be dealt with in the same way.

Nor should they be handled by the same people. Ninja affairs were usually handled by ninjas. Ninjas were elite soldiers who had shed blood on the battlefield. Leaving Genin aside, which Chunin or Jonin didn't have blood on their hands?

There was no need for ninjas to handle petty, trivial matters. But capturing spies, criminals, and ninjas suspected of criminal intentions naturally called for powerful Kekkei Genkai users.

The villagers of Konoha had good reason to resent the Military Police Force. I'm just setting up a stall, but the moment I see the Police Force, I run. And you still chase me down, ready to beat me or kill me? That's clearly wrong.

Naraku came back to himself.

"The Military Police Force? It does need to be understood and adjusted appropriately." Naraku nodded.

"You brat, you really think you can change the Military Police Force? Don't tell me you think that earning the title of Copy Ninja makes you invincible among the Uchiha."

Uchiha Sanzang glanced at Naraku as if to tell him not to overestimate himself.

"I understand, Father. Don't worry."

Uchiha Sanzang and Dazang had originally agreed that Naraku would become clan leader and Fugaku would become captain of the Military Police Force.

But Naraku's governance had proven quite effective, and the clan's strength had been brought together as one under the Clan Affairs Hall.

His outstanding performance had also won Uchiha Sanzang's approval. The Konoha Military Police Force was an important institution through which the Uchiha exercised power in Konoha.

The Land of Fire provided Konoha with three billion ryō a year to support more than ten thousand ninjas. A top-rank A-rank mission could pay up to a million ryō, while S-rank missions paid a million ryō or more.

A three- or four-person squad could earn several million ryō by completing an S-rank mission.

During wartime, there were countless such S-rank and A-rank missions.

Tasks such as defeating enemy ninja units and assassinating important figures were rated A to S rank.

Missions to defeat enemy ninja units could involve thousands of ninjas. Afterward, compensation for casualties and other expenses needed to be managed by the Hokage. A budget of three billion ryō was hardly excessive.

Konoha allocated 150 million ryō a year to the Military Police Force, which had more than two hundred members. They were responsible for maintaining order throughout Konoha.

Even if each employee received the equivalent of one C-rank mission's pay each month—50,000 ryō—that came to 600,000 ryō per person annually. The salaries alone for two hundred members totaled 120 million ryō, leaving the Military Police Force's budget extremely tight.

How to spend the Military Police Force's money had always been a headache for Uchiha Sanzang. He could pocket the extra 30 million ryō, but felt that would violate the Three Prohibitions of Ninjas.

Returning it to Konoha was out of the question, either. Uchiha Sanzang was the sort of person who had money but didn't know how to spend it.

Perhaps handing these matters over to Uchiha Naraku would make things much better.

Uchiha Sanzang glanced at Naraku and said gravely, "You won't be the only consultant to the Police Force. Fugaku and Uchiha Yashiro will serve alongside you. This is also an evaluation."

"I've been in charge of the Military Police Force for too long. It's time for someone else to take over."

Naraku pursed his lips. Fugaku might have a chance, but Uchiha Yashiro was just there to make up the numbers.

Without someone like Uchiha Yashiro as a foil, the clan members would feel they had no hope of advancement. So, when it came to some senior positions, they had to select a few other clan members to serve as foils.

You're a candidate, too. If you lose out, you can't blame anyone else.

"Elder Brother Fugaku would do a good job in charge of the Police Force. When the time comes, I'll have Elder Brother Fugaku and Elder Brother Yashiro serve as my assistants." Naraku pondered for a moment, then picked up where Uchiha Sanzang had left off.

"Heh. You want Fugaku and Yashiro to be your assistants? You sound pretty confident about becoming captain of the Police Force."

"Of course. Just look at whose son I am." Naraku seized the chance to flatter him.