Arrangement

Root Headquarters.

"Sir, the Third Hokage has sent someone to collect Shisui's left eye."

Danzo gritted his teeth. "Go to the Storage Room and bring them a Sharingan."

The Root Member below him said, "But we only have four Sharingan left."

Danzo slammed his hand heavily against the armrest. "Do you think I don't know that!? If we don't hand over a Sharingan, Hiruzen won't let this pass."

"Yes."

The more Danzo thought about it, the angrier he became. "Bastard! This is a downright humiliation!"

Danzo wore a grim expression. He had never been outmaneuvered so thoroughly before.

He had suffered such a huge loss today—trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice used to bait it.

He had never expected Fugaku, who had always seemed so weak, to hide a blade beneath his softness.

He had pushed out an elder as his mouthpiece and, for Shisui's Sharingan, had not hesitated to openly break with the village.

He had to smear them somehow.

The sky had only just begun to brighten when Fourth Elder Uchiha Yohei, who had rested for only a few hours, arrived early at the Konoha Police Force.

Every morning, the Police Force personnel reported here to change shifts. If anything came up, they would also hold a small meeting.

When he reached his desk, he found a huge pile of complaints waiting for him.

Most of them accused the Uchiha Clan of violent law enforcement.

His usual way of dealing with such cases was to rotate the accused Uchiha members to another part of the village.

That resolved the complaints while ensuring the accused Uchiha members were not punished.

But today was different. He picked up the feedback stamp engraved with "Suspension for Reflection" and slammed it down on the complaint forms again and again.

For the sake of efficiency, the Fourth Elder even created several Shadow Clones to help with the work.

That was why the Shadow Clone was considered such a godly technique. Before long, every complaint form had been dealt with.

Yohei examined them carefully. At this rate, nearly eighty percent of the Police Force members had been suspended.

They were all Uchiha Clan members of the Hawk Faction. After all, their personalities were more forceful, so offending people was perfectly normal.

Some members of the Dove Faction had also been removed from their positions.

Once everyone had gathered, Yohei held a list and read aloud, "Yuta, Yoto, Naoto, Akira, Akira..."

"Everyone whose name I just called, due to the complaints against you, you are all suspended for reflection..."

Before Yohei could finish, an uproar had already broken out below.

"Fourth Elder! Is this some kind of mistake!? We've been suspended?"

Yohei glared, and everyone immediately shut their mouths.

"Idiots! What are you shouting for!? You have other arrangements! Go report to the Vice Clan Head at once!"

Then he gave those below a meaningful look.

These people were all Hawk Faction clansmen who usually followed the Third Elder's lead.

After Natsuki had forcefully reclaimed Shisui's Sharingan last night,

they had all seen Natsuki's obvious Hawk Faction style and understood what it meant.

So, with a single look from the Fourth Elder, their imaginations ran wild.

They assumed the Vice Clan Head had some plan in motion, so they left without another word.

Once the Hawk Faction members had all gone, the Konoha Military Police Force hall instantly became spacious and empty.

Those who remained were either Dove Faction members close to Yohei or members who sided with neither faction.

Yohei arranged, "All of you who remain, change today's patrol areas to the properties owned by our Uchiha Clan."

"No matter what happens elsewhere, you are not to go there."

"Protecting Uchiha Clan property is the first priority. Understood?"

Although those below were all Dove Faction members and relatively rational Uchiha, they had still endured plenty of reproach from the villagers.

When they heard that they would not need to patrol elsewhere and only had to guard Uchiha Clan properties, they all happily voiced their agreement.

Full of enthusiasm, they assigned patrol routes and headed out.

Just as the Third Hokage had expected, Uchiha Fugaku proposed convening a high-level meeting that morning.

Those attending were the Third Hokage, Hyuga Hiashi, Uchiha Fugaku, and Uchiha Natsuki.

Having lost so much face, Danzo remained holed up in Root and did not come.

Seeing that Fugaku had brought Natsuki along again today, several people quietly speculated. Was Fugaku really grooming this fellow?

Fugaku had returned to his usual self today and respectfully said to the Third Hokage, "Lord Hokage, please forgive me. I was beside myself with anxiety last night, which was why I resorted to such measures."

The Third Hokage appeared amiable on the surface, but inwardly, he was puzzled.

Shouldn't Fugaku have come to demand an explanation today?

"Fugaku, you are too polite. No ninja clan could remain calm after something like this happened."

Fugaku nodded and stepped aside, allowing Natsuki to speak.

Natsuki's tone was calm today. "My clan head understands that there have been many conflicts between our Police Force and the villagers. If this continues, it will be detrimental to Konoha's public security."

"Our clan head has already begun reforming the Police Force. Those who were accused by villagers of violent law enforcement have already been suspended by the clan head."

"Hmm..." The Third Hokage responded vaguely. What medicine was the Uchiha Clan selling in their gourd this time?

There had to be quite a lot of Uchiha accused by villagers of violent law enforcement. Which Uchiha had never been complained about?

The proportion was probably around eighty percent. They had all been suspended?

Natsuki continued, "With most Uchiha Clan members suspended, many positions in our Police Force have been left vacant."

"We invited the Hyuga Clan Head here today because we wish to ask the Hyuga Clan for assistance, to arrange for some personnel to join the Police Force and maintain its normal operations."

"W-What!?"

The Third Hokage and Hiashi were completely unable to control their expressions. Both were stunned.

The Police Force had always been the Uchiha Clan's territory.

Ninety-nine percent of its members were from the Uchiha Clan itself. Outsiders had no way to get involved.

This had also allowed the Uchiha Clan's influence to extend through this area.

By inviting outsiders into the Police Force, Fugaku would undoubtedly greatly weaken the Uchiha Clan's control over it.

With their influence over the entire village diminished, they would undoubtedly grow ever farther from the Hokage's position.

Could it be!?...

Was Fugaku trying to show that he did not care much about power, hoping to trade this for preferential treatment from the village?

Or had the Uchiha Clan formed an alliance with the Hyuga Clan?

The Third Hokage considered this, but he was still uncertain.

He spoke in an official tone. "Vice Clan Head Natsuki, I am gratified that you can take the initiative to consider the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the village. I have no objections. You may discuss this properly with Hiashi."

Hiashi had not been dizzied by this pie falling from the sky. His first thought was what scheme Fugaku was plotting.

But with the meat already at his mouth, whether it was bait or not, the Hyuga Clan wanted to give it a try.

After all, the Hyuga Clan had been steadily declining in recent years, and its standing among Konoha's ruling class had likewise been slipping.

If they could gradually gain control over the Police Force...

Hiashi offered Fugaku and Natsuki a friendly smile.

Natsuki smiled as well.

The Uchiha Clan has shouldered enough blame. It's time for you Hyuga to have a taste of it.