Tobirama: I feel like I've always lived in Uchiha Yan's shadow

The fourth portion was for the Ministry of Justice.

Uchiha Yan opened the account book, his gaze settling on Senju Momoka, the Minister of Justice. The Ministry of Justice oversaw Konoha's laws, case trials, criminal punishment, and judicial affairs—along with education and healthcare, it was one of Konoha's three great pillars of stability.

"Therefore, an additional 500 million will be allocated. Minister of Justice Senju Momoka and Minister of Works Shimura Yuno will be responsible for promptly constructing the Konoha Guard Department headquarters and the prison."

"Yes!" Senju Momoka sprang to his feet. "The Senju Clan will give it our all and guarantee that we complete the task!"

The Ministry of Justice had only just been established and was starting from nothing. It had no personnel, no building, and no prison. With this money, he could recruit staff, select a site, construct the building, purchase equipment, and truly establish the framework of the Ministry of Justice.

"Momoka."

Uchiha Yan's voice suddenly deepened, solemn and earnest.

"The law is Konoha's skeleton, while education is Konoha's flesh and blood. The burden on your shoulders is no lighter than Sarutobi Sasuke's."

Uchiha Yan spoke each word distinctly. "Law enforcement must be strict, and every violation must be prosecuted—remember these eight words well."

Senju Momoka nodded heavily. "Rest assured, village. Rest assured, Hokage. The Senju Clan will not fail the trust placed in us!"

The Ministry of Justice, the Guard Department, and the prison—these were all genuine departments of power. Whoever held law enforcement authority held the village's lifeline. Uchiha Yan had now handed the Ministry of Justice to the Senju Clan, yet on further thought, something felt off.

Senju Tobirama frowned tightly.

He always felt that Uchiha Yan was up to no good. Handing the Ministry of Justice to the Senju? Giving them 500 million in funding? Even putting Senju Momoka in charge of the Guard Department? Since when had Uchiha Yan become so generous?

Tobirama vaguely felt as if he had lost something, but he could not put it into words.

Just then, Uchiha Yan clapped his hands and had someone carry in a golden plaque.

The plaque stood as tall as a person, gilded all over and gleaming beneath the lights of the council hall. Three lines of bold, vigorous calligraphy stood prominently upon it, their strokes sharp and powerful—

First, never act on emotion!

Second, never let a single evil deed go unjudged!

Third, render judgments with absolute fairness and beauty!

A buzz immediately rose from the audience.

Uchiha Yan smiled faintly and announced, "Last night, Lord Hokage specially inscribed these words for the Konoha Guard Department. Their meaning is that, as Konoha's law enforcers, the Guard Department must be fair and impartial. From today onward, these three principles will be the Konoha Guard Department's code."

"Wonderful calligraphy!"

"These are Lord Hokage's words? I never expected Lord Hokage's calligraphy to be so exceptional!"

Senju Tobirama kept a stiff face and said nothing. Uchiha Yan had shoved the Ministry of Justice and the Guard Department onto the Senju—was he making the Senju take on the role of offending everyone?

Uchiha Yan, you really are ruthless.

In the original story, the Uchiha Clan had been exterminated, and the Guard Department had definitely been the root of the disaster. Now, Uchiha Yan was going to make the Senju Clan taste that bitter fruit as well.

After arranging the four portions of funding, Uchiha Yan did not sit down.

He looked around, his gaze sweeping across the face of every clan head, and raised his voice slightly. "Everyone, the matter of funding is settled. Next, I have something even more important to discuss."

The hall immediately fell silent.

Something more important? Even the distribution of ten billion was not the most important matter?

Uchiha Yan took a deep breath, his tone grave. "In order for Konoha to have laws to follow and to ensure that those laws are followed, the Hokage and the secretaries of the three ministries have discussed the matter and decided to formulate new laws for Konoha."

The moment those words were spoken, the audience erupted once more.

"Laws?"

"What laws?"

"Every clan has its own rules. Why do we need separate laws?"

Uchiha Yan raised a hand and pressed it downward, signaling everyone to quiet down.

"Everyone." He paused. "Konoha's administration is currently far too chaotic. Many matters are still handled according to each clan's own methods—you have your clan rules, and I have my family rules. If the Uchiha and Senju come into conflict today, whose rules do we follow? If the Hyuga Clan and the Sarutobi have a dispute tomorrow, who should they listen to?"

"If this continues, Konoha will be nothing more than a disorganized mob! If we are to have laws to follow, then the creation of a complete body of Konoha law is imperative!"

During the Warring States Era, every clan had its own rules. Some were harsh, some lenient, and some simply came down to the clan head's word. Back when everyone lived separately and stayed out of one another's affairs, they could coexist in peace. But now that everyone had moved into Konoha, getting by without a unified body of law was truly impossible.

"What are the three essential elements of law?"

"Fairness, justice, and openness!"

"The harm caused by one unjust trial exceeds that of ten crimes. Crime merely pollutes the flow of water, but an unjust verdict pollutes the source itself. Everyone, keep these words in your hearts."

"This is the Konoha Constitution drafted by the Hokage."

Uchiha Yan picked up a thick volume from the table. Five large characters were written on its cover—Konoha Constitution. He raised the book in his hand. "This Konoha Constitution contains the Civil Code, Criminal Code, Education Act, and Konoha Daily Management Regulations—four volumes in total, covering every aspect of Konoha's operations."

He waved his hand, and several Uchiha ninja filed in one after another, each carrying a stack of thick volumes. They distributed them to every clan head and representative present.

Senju Tobirama accepted one and opened to the first page, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

Drafted by the Hokage, my ass!

He cursed inwardly.

With a brute like Uchiha Madara, just like his elder brother, whose mind contained nothing but battle after battle, could he possibly write something like this?

Tobirama felt that he had encountered the greatest opponent of his life.

Senju Tobirama was sharp-minded and meticulous in his calculations. He had once thought he could easily manipulate the Uchiha—a group of brutes who only knew how to rely on their Sharingan. A little provocation would be enough to split them from within. But now, the Uchiha had produced an Uchiha Yan.

More terrifyingly, this man was always one step ahead of him.

Senju Tobirama always felt as though he had been living beneath Uchiha Yan's shadow.

That feeling irritated him immensely.

"After taking these back, clan heads should communicate them within their respective clans. Later, Konoha's officials will also publish the full text on the village bulletin boards. If you have differing opinions, raise them promptly. Suitable suggestions will be adopted."

"This is not merely for show. Konoha belongs to everyone, and its laws concern each person's vital interests. If anyone finds any clause unreasonable, bring it up. Lord Hokage and the secretaries of the three ministries will consider it seriously."

Senju Tobirama set down the booklet in his hand and took a deep breath.

He had to admit that this Konoha Constitution was indeed well written. Though he was unwilling to accept it in every possible way, reason told him that once this set of laws was implemented, Konoha would no longer be a loose alliance of shinobi clans, but a village in the truest sense of the word.

And Uchiha Yan was the architect of that village.

Senju Tobirama closed his eyes and silently calculated in his heart.

He had lost this round again.

But in the next round, he would definitely win it back.