The Uchiha's demands

Having discussed matters in detail with Uchiha Douyang, Fugaku presented the Uchiha's demands under the dissatisfied gazes of Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

"Lord Hokage, the traitor Danzo has received his rightful punishment. This demonstrates the village's fairness and impartiality."

"But as the greatest victims, if our Uchiha Clan receives no corresponding compensation, that would be unfair and unjust."

It was perfectly reasonable for victims to seek compensation.

But the two elder advisors were extremely displeased inwardly. The inherently evil Uchiha Clan!

As they considered how to reduce the compensation given to the Uchiha, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke earnestly.

"The village should indeed find a way to compensate the Uchiha."

"Chief Fugaku, please speak freely."

Fugaku took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

"First, the Konoha Military Police Force needs to cut its staff. The resulting vacancies will be filled by recruits from the village's various ninja clans."

At these words, Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow rose slightly.

Fugaku's demand seemed modest, but it shook the foundations of the Second Hokage's overarching policy toward the Uchiha.

To isolate the Uchiha, the Second Hokage had given them sole control of the Konoha Military Police Force and barred everyone else from interfering.

The Konoha Military Police Force was responsible for public order in the village, much like urban enforcement officers, and actually had little power.

Why did the Uchiha have such a terrible reputation?

Their arrogance and harsh enforcement were factors, but those were not the main reasons.

The nature of police work dictated that the Uchiha had to stand in opposition to the villagers at large.

Urban enforcement officers and villagers had conflicting interests.

Even if a saint became an urban enforcement officer, the villagers would demonize them within a few years.

No one could change that.

If Fugaku brought outsiders into the Konoha Military Police Force, the Uchiha would no longer be the only ones the villagers cursed.

The village would then no longer be able to use the villagers to attack the Uchiha.

It was a clever move.

Mitokado Homura also recognized the problem and hurriedly said, "The Second Hokage assigned the Konoha Military Police Force to the Uchiha. Letting other ninja clans interfere would go against the rules."

Angered, Fugaku shot back without hesitation, "If the Second Hokage were still alive, he would not refuse the Uchiha under these circumstances."

Utatane Koharu said, "Chief Fugaku, that is inappropriate. We were the Second Hokage's students and inherited his will. We understand what he would do better than you."

Fugaku slammed his hand on the table and barked, "It seems the two elder advisors have no sincere intention of compensating the Uchiha. Very well, this jonin meeting is over."

With that, Fugaku rose and headed outside, with Douyang following close behind.

"Wait."

Hiruzen Sarutobi panicked and hurriedly called out to stop Fugaku.

Uchiha Fugaku stopped and said without turning around, "Lord Hokage, I am waiting for your decision."

Forgive me, Teacher.

Hiruzen Sarutobi silently said those words to himself, then spoke. "The Konoha Military Police Force belongs to Konoha, and it also belongs to the Uchiha. Since Clan Head Fugaku is setting aside clan boundaries to recruit from other ninja clans, the village is happy to help."

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned toward the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans and continued, "Inoichi, Shikaku, Choza, when you return, each of you is to select twenty outstanding clan members to report to the Konoha Military Police Force."

"Understood."

Shikaku Nara hesitated for a moment before answering on behalf of the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans.

Everyone in the meeting room's gaze sharpened.

The Ino-Shika-Cho Clans formed a community of shared interests, advancing and retreating together. Their combined strength was second only to the two great clans, the Uchiha and the Hyuga.

More importantly, the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans were the Sarutobi Clan's most reliable allies.

With those three clans joining, using the villagers to attack the Uchiha would be tantamount to attacking the Hokage.

Fugaku's expression softened considerably. He returned to his seat and looked at Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura. "The Utatane Clan and the Mitokado Clan have many members. The Konoha Military Police Force needs both clans' full support."

"You..."

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were furious.

They had been suppressing the Uchiha Clan, yet now they were being asked to assign their clan members to work in the Konoha Military Police Force.

This was blatant humiliation.

Moreover, it was not hard to guess what kind of treatment their clan members would receive once they joined the Konoha Military Police Force.

Before either could erupt, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked calmly, "Do either of you advisors have any objections to Chief Fugaku's demand?"

Utatane Koharu stood up in fury, wanting to say something, but Mitokado Homura grabbed her and held her back. Suppressing his anger, he said, "No. We will follow Lord Hokage's instructions."

Their clan members would undoubtedly face all manner of obstruction once they joined the Konoha Military Police Force.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi was determined to appease the Uchiha. Arguing further would only bring trouble upon themselves.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and looked at Uchiha Fugaku. "Clan Head Fugaku, what other requests do you have?"

Uchiha Fugaku's gaze focused. "Lord Hokage, I hear that the Anbu, the Education Department, the Jonin Commander, the Intelligence Division, the Medical Team, and the Barrier Team are short of personnel. The Uchiha are willing to share the village's burdens."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment, then nodded. "I will make the arrangements."

Around seventy percent of these departments were controlled by the Hokage's faction. Even if some positions were handed over to the Uchiha, it would be difficult for them to affect the village's foundations.

If doing so could completely resolve the conflict between the village and the Uchiha and allow the Uchiha to truly integrate into the village, it would bring the village every benefit and no harm.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's ready agreement made Fugaku's breathing quicken slightly with excitement.

"Lord Hokage, the Uchiha have one final request. I, Uchiha Fugaku, wish to become the Hokage Assistant."

At these words, Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his fingers against the tabletop and sank into thought.

After Danzo had been removed from his position as the Hokage Assistant, he had already found a capable subordinate to fill the vacancy.

But now Uchiha Fugaku had his sights set on the position of Hokage Assistant.

The Uchiha Clan carried far too much weight.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and smiled. "Chief Fugaku, we will be working together from now on. Are you ready?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Mitokado Homura snorted coldly and swept out.

Utatane Koharu stood up and said angrily, "Hiruzen, you will regret this."

Just as everyone thought the matter was settled, a smile appeared at the corner of Uchiha Douyang's mouth, and he gave Hyuga Hiashi a meaningful look.

The latter immediately stood up, drawing everyone's attention.

"I have something to say. Please hear me out."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu gave Hyuga Hiashi puzzled looks.

If he had objections, why had he not spoken earlier? Now that everything was settled, what was he stepping forward for?

After considering for a moment, the two sat back down.

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly and said, "Clan Head Hyuga, please speak freely."

Hyuga Hiashi recalled the disaster two years ago.

He recalled how, if Uchiha Douyang had not helped, his younger brother would already have died in his place.

He recalled his younger brother, who had been hiding in a secret room without daylight for more than two years.

His pure white eyes grew increasingly resolute.

He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and said bluntly:

"The traitor Danzo has received his rightful punishment. Setting Danzo aside, I would like to ask whether Lord Hokage should bear responsibility for this matter."