Fugaku Changed His Strategy and Arranged for Itachi to Join the Police Department!

"For the time being, don't go anywhere except the Police Department and the clan grounds. Have someone else cover your patrol duties."

You're the clan head. You had the final say.

Yan had no objections to that. Slacking off while still getting paid was pretty nice too.

"By the way."

Yan had already reached the door when Fugaku's voice came from behind him:

"Don't blame Shisui. He has no choice either. Shisui is actually a very gentle person, whether toward outsiders or his own people."

"I know, but I don't have a choice either."

Shisui was a decent person, but unfortunately, he lacked his own convictions. Otherwise, he would not have been so easily brainwashed by the higher-ups.

But if he was in a difficult position, what about me?

I've been running myself ragged trying to unite the Uchiha. It hasn't been easy for me either!

If I sympathize with him, who will sympathize with me?

Yan no longer held much hope for Shisui.

As long as the other man did not jump out and obstruct him, that was enough.

"I will reorganize the Police Department's teams. I believe the department needs several more captains. I will discuss this with the elders. I hope you can lead your people well."

What did that mean?

A reorganization?

Yan did not understand why Fugaku had such an idea.

The Police Department's current division of positions was already a fairly standard arrangement.

After all, the Uchiha had managed it painstakingly for many years. The Uchiha might be arrogant, but that did not mean they were stupid.

Yet Fugaku wanted to reorganize things at such a critical moment.

The Police Department's reorganization would likely bring great changes to the Uchiha.

The minister's office fell silent. Fugaku pressed both hands against the desk, his face lowered toward its surface. Suddenly, he let out a muffled groan as blood trickled from his eye sockets.

He picked up a towel and covered his eyes with it. Fugaku leaned back in his chair, breathing heavily as he murmured to himself, "How could there be nothing?"

After resting for a while, the dizzy and disoriented Fugaku returned home.

Itachi, who had been playing with his younger brother Sasuke, hurried forward and bowed when he saw his father return. "Father."

"Mm."

Having recovered, Fugaku responded indifferently and asked, "How has Sasuke been doing at school?"

"Of course I'm doing great! I'm going to become as strong as my brother."

Sasuke boasted with a cheerful grin.

Before the clan was destroyed and before his parents died, Sasuke had been bright and cheerful. He also loved showing off his achievements before his father and brother, hoping to earn their praise.

"As expected of my son."

A rare smile appeared on Fugaku's face as he affectionately ruffled his son's hair. "Go play upstairs. Your brother and I have something to discuss."

"Ooh..."

Sasuke was a little disappointed. He loved sticking close to his father and brother, but faced with his stern and imposing father, he could only obediently head upstairs.

Itachi sat quietly on the mat, waiting for his father's instruction.

Fugaku sat cross-legged and casually asked, "I believe you've heard about what happened in the clan and the Police Department. What do you think of Yan's conduct?"

"Yes."

Itachi leaned forward slightly, then straightened up. Looking calmly at his father, he answered, "Father, I believe Senior Yan's ideas are good. It's just that his methods are somewhat radical, and he was very disrespectful toward the elders."

Changing the Uchiha's current situation and resolving some of the clan's more troublesome problems were things Itachi wanted to do but could not.

He could not even bring them up.

Yan was alone. Apart from some young followers, he had nothing. He could say whatever he wanted and do whatever he wanted without restraint.

Even when faced with the aggressive Sixth Elder, he could act directly.

If it were Itachi, he would never dare do that.

Yan could strike the Sixth Elder and nothing would happen. If it were him, he would be criticized to death.

"Itachi, is that truly what you think?"

Fugaku's tone turned stern.

Faced with his father's sudden change in attitude, Itachi lowered his head slightly and answered respectfully, "Yes, Father. Senior Yan may appear disrespectful, but everything he has done was for the clan. The Police Department's complaint issue had troubled everyone for a long time, yet it has now been resolved very well.

"And Senior sees things clearly.

"Some matters are not beyond the clan's ability to resolve. It is simply that no one resolves them."

Those words carried an implied accusation that his father was incompetent, but Itachi said them anyway.

"But by doing this, he will make the village even more resentful toward the Uchiha, and it will inevitably increase their surveillance and control over us."

Fugaku did not shy away from the topic and discussed it directly with his son.

Itachi fell completely silent.

He had already learned about these matters through Shisui. As far as these issues were concerned, Itachi was also troubled over how to analyze them.

From the Uchiha's perspective, Itachi believed Yan had done nothing wrong. But doing these things would strengthen the village's guard against and surveillance of the clan. The pros and cons were obvious.

Seeing his son fall silent, Fugaku did not press him. The father and son simply sat together in silence.

After an unknown amount of time, Fugaku finally spoke, as though he had been tempering his son's patience.

"For the time being, do not go see Shisui. I will reorganize the Police Department's squads. Shisui has been transferred away, so his position will be vacant. I want you to fill it and follow Yan.

"Get some rest. I hope you can think from his perspective."

The Uchiha needed someone to open up a path, and that opportunity was the Anbu.

Originally, Fugaku had planned to send his son Itachi into the Anbu.

The Uchiha had worked at it for many years and paid no small price before obtaining the Third Hokage's approval. It was an opportunity.

But after Yan's repeated disruptions, Fugaku changed his mind.

He wanted Itachi to join the Police Department and work under Yan.

"Yes, Father."

Itachi obediently accepted his father's arrangement without the slightest resistance or dissatisfaction.

As though this was simply the fate of Uchiha Itachi.

Night.

After a busy day that had nearly made him question his life, Shisui arrived at the clan head's residence.

The guards at the clan head's residence had already returned to rest. In the entire courtyard, only Fugaku remained, sitting outside and drinking tea.

"Clan Head."

Dressed in a tight black outfit, Shisui entered the courtyard and respectfully bowed to Fugaku.

Fugaku slowly set down his teacup and raised his head. "The work over there has been quite troublesome, hasn't it?"

The department responsible for handling complaints had been established, and the Third Hokage had not gone back on his word. After agreeing to Fugaku's request, he immediately began making preparations.

However, the department's progress in handling complaints had not gone smoothly.

Those who went all the way to the Hokage Office Building to lodge complaints were either the sort who would not let things go or people who hated the Police Department and the Uchiha to the bone.

No matter how much you talked, there was nothing you could do about such people.

After just one day of being transferred there, Shisui already felt utterly exhausted in body and mind.

"They're very difficult to deal with."

Shisui forced out a faint, strained smile, scratched his short hair, and sighed. "I never imagined these matters would be so troublesome to handle. There are so many procedures to follow, and getting others to forgive us is not easy."

"Then do you think Yan's proposal was right or wrong?" Fugaku asked.