Shisui looked at him.
"You're becoming more and more like the clan head."
Shingetsu shot him a disdainful glance.
"Don't insult me."
Shisui: "..."
Hokage Building.
The Third Hokage sat in his office, looking over the intelligence reports before him.
Naruto's protection plan.
The Uchiha's submitted plan to investigate the Nine-Tails Incident.
Records of the Masked Man's Kamui chakra.
Black Zetsu organization sample reports.
Reports on the purge of Danzo's remaining Root faction.
Every single one weighed heavily on him.
Nara Shikaku stood to one side and said in a low voice:
"Lord Hokage, the situation has changed."
The Third Hokage let out a puff of smoke.
"I know."
Shikaku continued:
"This time, the Uchiha have reason, momentum, and merit on their side."
"Continuing to suppress them will only push them back into opposition."
The Third Hokage gave a bitter smile.
"Do you think I still dare to suppress them?"
Shikaku did not smile.
"Then we need to give them a new role."
The Third Hokage looked at him.
Shikaku said:
"The Police Force reforms can no longer be about stripping away their authority."
"It should become a joint public security system."
"The Uchiha retain their core law enforcement authority while allowing the other ninja clans to participate in peripheral cooperation."
"That would both ease the villagers' fear of the Police Force and bring the Uchiha back into the village's everyday order."
The Third Hokage nodded.
"That will work."
Shikaku continued:
"Second, Shisui can no longer be treated as an Anbu tool."
"He should become the public contact person between the Uchiha and the village."
"A public identity is safer than serving as a bridge in secret."
The Third Hokage fell silent for a moment.
"Agreed."
Shikaku paused.
"Third, Uchiha Shingetsu."
The Third Hokage's expression grew complicated.
"What do you