Noon.
Hayato's squad returned from patrol.
Their assignment today had mainly covered the central district. It wasn't very far away, but it had the greatest need for public order and the most disputes.
There were plenty of drunkards who'd been drinking all night, as well as people with short fuses.
Even though the three of them had done their best to avoid trouble, they'd still brought back three people, all of them drunkards.
At that moment, the men were still running their mouths.
Seiichi, who'd held back the whole way, punched each of them, looking at them like they were trash.
"Go in yourselves, or should I send you on your way?"
Hayato covered his face beside him. Good grief, they were only being locked in the Police Force jail. He made it sound like he was sending them to the afterlife.
Paired with that distinctive look in his eyes, his words made the three drunkards shudder. They obediently walked into the cell.
"Come on. We'll train after lunch."
Uchiha Rin patted Seiichi on the shoulder, then turned to Hayato.
"Sure." Hayato nodded.
This was a standard part of the routine. Even the most ordinary members had to train during their afternoon break.
Hayato headed toward the cafeteria. Being in the Police Force had one advantage.
The Uchiha Clan took care of lunch themselves.
That's right—not Konoha, but the Uchiha themselves.
Apparently, some Konoha elder had said the Police Force had too many members, so the Uchiha Clan would have to take care of them.
What the hell!
If there were really too many, couldn't they just cut down the numbers?
Besides, were there really that many?
The Uchiha Clan had only about a thousand people in total, and even fewer were eligible to join the Police Force.
The Police Force was responsible for the central district, the outposts along Konoha's borders, and patrols and public order in the Uchiha Compound.
The Anbu and regular ninja, meanwhile, were now only responsible for external security.
There were hardly any Uchiha at the key checkpoints along the village walls.
Hayato was speechless. If only the system had activated sooner, he might already have countless traits by now.
Every single one of these things showed hostility toward the Uchiha!
What a rip-off!
"By the way, I heard Shisui's coming to train us later."
Uchiha Rin suddenly spoke up beside him.
"Really?" Uchiha Seiichi, who'd been wearing a cold expression, immediately brightened.
They were all a year or two older than Shisui, but Uchiha Shisui was publicly recognized as the strongest among them.
Naturally, he had plenty of admirers.
Hayato, meanwhile, headed out in front, excitement in his eyes.
Just what he needed. He hadn't expected Uchiha Shisui to come instruct them today.
Until now, they'd always been taught by the Police Force squad leaders—in other words, veteran Chunin or elite Jonin from the clan.
Sometimes it was even one of the clan elders.
An opportunity!
That was the only thought in Hayato's mind. This was an opportunity.
If he could just talk to Shisui and make him feel regret, then he'd be able to obtain a trait!
When it came to the most powerful techniques in Naruto, some people might say Senjutsu or Wood Release.
But Hayato thought they were all garbage. The child of destiny, Naruto Uzumaki—ever heard of Talk-no-Jutsu?
Hayato really wanted to have Naruto's ability right now.
For one thing, plenty of people could solve their problems with that technique. Shisui, for example.
Compared to Uchiha Itachi, whose brain was seriously scrambled, Shisui was at least a decent person.
Hayato could barely taste his food. He had no appetite at all.
His mind was filled with thoughts about how he'd approach this Uchiha prodigy later.
"Shisui's here!"
A sudden shout interrupted Hayato's thoughts. Then he saw Uchiha Seiichi dash over like a gust of wind.
"Seiichi's still the same as ever. Hayato, are you going to eat?"
Uchiha Rin turned back after speaking, then couldn't help freezing.
Hayato stood up, patted Rin on the shoulder, and chuckled. "Eat what? We'd better hurry over."
Uchiha Shisui was here. Hayato hadn't figured out what to do yet, but that didn't mean he couldn't go over now.
With that, Hayato left.
Left behind, Uchiha Rin helplessly carried the three of their trays to the washbasin.
Hayato hurried to the second floor of the Police Force headquarters. This was where they announced the weekly assignments.
"I heard Shisui's going to explain the best Genjutsu and Body Flicker Technique today!"
Hayato glanced to the side. The Uchiha who'd arrived early to claim seats were chatting excitedly.
It couldn't be helped. In the Ninja World, strength was everything. Their enthusiasm was already fairly restrained.
Hayato found a seat toward the back.
As Police Force members streamed in, many crowded toward the front, hoping to hear as much as possible.
Even Seiichi and Rin did the same.
Hayato just sat quietly where he was and glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was almost time.
Sure enough, Uchiha Shisui walked in a moment later.
By sheer luck, he'd come through the door behind Hayato. When Hayato glanced over, Uchiha Shisui happened to look his way too.
It couldn't be helped. Hayato was sitting so far away from the other clan members.
He was hard to miss.
Shisui smiled and nodded at Hayato, then walked up to the stage.
The first step was done.
Hayato smiled back. Now it was just a matter of seeing how Shisui explained the day's topic.
If it went the way he expected, he'd achieve his goal today.
The meeting room was quiet. This was a rare opportunity to learn, and the Police Force members listened intently.
Shisui really did have a distinctive understanding of the Body Flicker Technique and Genjutsu.
At the very least, Hayato felt he'd learned something. He just couldn't practice it yet; otherwise, he'd have gained even more.
"Everyone, you're all members of the Police Force. Have you ever considered that authority doesn't come from force, but from the villagers' trust?"
After finishing his lesson, Shisui took a deep breath and spoke.
That was why he'd come today. The Uchiha squad leader beside him stood up and said sternly, "Shisui, that's enough."
"Senior, this is my own personal wish. If you have any objections, please discuss them with the clan head."
Shisui ignored the veteran Chunin's grim expression and instead looked at the Police Force members.
Lately, he'd seen a lot and thought about a lot. That was why he'd held this lecture today.
But the atmosphere in the meeting room had already turned tense when Shisui said, "Authority doesn't come from force."
Bang!
A member of the Police Force slammed a hand on the table and shot back angrily, "Shisui, I don't agree with that."
"Do your eyes only see your so-called ideals? Or do you see us the way the villagers do—as a ninja clan of madmen who only know how to use the Sharingan?!"
"The villagers' trust? Tell me, what can their trust get us?"
Before you continue