The Konoha Military Police Force

The Uchiha Clan Compound sat in a western corner of Konoha. The entire area was open and spacious, its neatly aligned houses all built of dark timber, bearing the clan's distinctive solemnity and severity.

Unlike the bustling commercial streets of the village, Uchiha territory remained quiet and solemn year-round. Its streets were clean and empty, with few idle villagers wandering through.

As they proceeded, Uchiha clansmen in standard clan attire could be seen everywhere along the way, either standing watch on patrol or training together.

Tall defensive fences belonging to Konoha stood on either side of the road, complementing the Clan Grounds' dedicated barrier and firmly marking out the Uchiha Clan's exclusive territory. The Clan Grounds belonged to Konoha, yet faintly stood apart.

At the very heart of the Clan Grounds, a two-story wooden building came into view. A black wooden plaque carved with the Uchiha Gunbai motif hung on its outer wall, the words "Military Police Force" standing out in bold, powerful strokes.

This was the central headquarters that oversaw security within the Uchiha Clan and handled patrols and guard duty in Konoha's western district.

Security around the building was tight. Four Uchiha shinobi wearing standard police uniforms and clan crests stood at its four corners, their postures straight and their gazes sharp, constantly alert to their surroundings.

As Konoha's only armed force exclusive to a single clan, it was the sole organization Konoha currently wanted to infiltrate but could not.

As the Uchiha Clan Head, Fugaku was also the police force's supreme commander. As he walked, every officer on duty along the way stopped what they were doing and bowed, their manner respectful and solemn.

Zongyan followed closely at Fugaku's side, silently surveying the place where he would soon be working.

On the way, Fugaku spoke at an even pace, explaining the police force's formal structure and staffing to Zongyan in detail, in accordance with the standard organization in the original Konoha story.

"The Konoha Military Police Force is the village's legally established regular law enforcement force. Under the regulations laid down by the Second Hokage, its registered strength is fixed at one hundred and fifty shinobi, with full responsibility for law enforcement within Konoha, street management, dispute arbitration, and security within the Clan Grounds."

"The force's hierarchy strictly follows Konoha's official organizational structure. Its senior command includes three police captains and one commissioner. Among its personnel are six Special Jōnin, twelve veteran Jōnin with combat experience, and seventy-eight Chunin who form its backbone. The rest are Genin on duty, responsible for basic patrols and support duties."

Fugaku explained as he walked.

"The entire force is organized into four duty divisions, each with its own responsibilities and rotating shifts. The four divisions each cover one of Konoha's eastern, western, southern, and northern districts, rotating patrols twenty-four hours a day to prevent any gaps in security."

"Routine administration, personnel deployment, record filing, and supply coordination are jointly overseen by the four division captains, then consolidated and submitted to the commissioner."

At this point, Fugaku turned to glance at Zongyan beside him, his tone growing more solemn.

"The names I gave you are absolutely loyal clansmen I secretly screened over the past two years. They have been distributed evenly among the four divisions, and quite a few hold key squad positions with sufficient influence within the force. All of them answer to me. Going forward, they will be your core base as you establish yourself in the police force and steadily gain authority."

"The other clansmen in the force are divided into clear factions as well. You need only win them over slowly and steadily."

"As for the few clansmen who lean toward the village, just pay closer attention to them in the future."

Zongyan listened quietly, instantly sorting out the structure of the police force from the original story.

A force of one hundred and fifty was quite a rare combat asset.

It was precisely because the Konoha Military Police Force held such extensive powers and responsibilities, wielding law enforcement authority within the village while remaining entirely under the Uchiha Clan's independent command.

Konoha High Command could not directly interfere in appointments, dismissals, or deployments, which now made them increasingly wary.

Fugaku led Zongyan straight into his private commissioner's office on the top floor. After sitting down, he took out the standard personnel files, appointment papers, and a clan access token with practiced efficiency.

In mere moments, he completed every step of Zongyan's onboarding, formally adding him to the Konoha Military Police Force's registered personnel.

Once the paperwork was settled, Fugaku began assigning Zongyan a position.

As the Uchiha Clan Head's own son, and with talent and strength far beyond ordinary people, Zongyan naturally had no need to work his way up from a bottom-rung Genin duty post.

After a moment's thought, Fugaku settled on an arrangement and said in a low voice, "Starting today, you will serve as an Action Squad captain in the police force, leading a four-person arrest squad responsible for arrests, house searches, and handling conflicts."

The position was not high-ranking, but it suited Zongyan well.

After all, any higher, and the other Uchiha clansmen would start to object.

Among the Uchiha, strength mattered most!

Once the position was settled, Fugaku immediately summoned someone.

Before long, a shinobi in Uchiha attire with a police armband on his shoulder pushed open the door and entered.

"Clan Head."

"This is Uchiha Zongyan. He officially joins the police force today as an Action Squad captain, under your division's jurisdiction."

Fugaku gave the introduction calmly, then looked at Zongyan.

"This is Uchiha Yashiro, Squad Leader of the South District's duty squad and a veteran elite Jonin of the clan."

At those words, Uchiha Yashiro's gaze fell on Zongyan. A trace of solemnity flashed in his eyes, and he hurriedly bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Young Master Zongyan."

He was a veteran Squad Leader in the Military Police Force who had followed Fugaku for years, one of the clan head's closest loyalists.

"Going forward, cooperate with him on internal affairs and help him become familiar with the procedures," Fugaku continued.

"Yes! Understood!" Uchiha Yashiro nodded firmly and accepted the order.

Then, following Fugaku's instructions, Uchiha Yashiro quickly selected three officers on duty and summoned them all to the office door.

The newcomers were all twelve or thirteen years old, in the bright years of youth.

"Starting today, the three of you will be assigned to Captain Zongyan. Follow his deployments and arrangements, and assist with daily duties and missions," Uchiha Yashiro instructed seriously.

The three bowed together and answered in unison, "Yes, Squad Leader!"

Then they turned to Zongyan and bowed again. "Hello, Captain!"

Fugaku nodded in satisfaction at the sight of the three.

"You may go. This is a good opportunity to head out together, learn the district's routes, and familiarize yourselves with the work."

"Yes, Father." Zongyan gave a slight nod and led the way out of the office.

Once they stepped out of the building, leaving behind the restrained atmosphere of the clan head's presence entirely, the boys instantly seemed to loosen up, their eyes full of the liveliness and mischief particular to youth.

The three hurried over to surround Zongyan and began introducing themselves.

"Captain, Captain! My name's Uchiha Takuma, and I'm thirteen! I'm great at Fire Release, and I'm really good at close combat too!"

"Captain! I'm thirteen too, Uchiha Naoki! Sensing and scouting are what I do best!"

"Captain, Captain! My name's Uchiha Yūta, and I'm twelve! I'm best at remembering routes!"

Zongyan quietly listened to their chattering introductions, nodding gently in acknowledgment and greeting them warmly.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Uchiha Zongyan. Let's all get along from now on."

They were all quite lively, without the slickness particular to old hands, which instead made Zongyan feel at ease.

After memorizing their names, he began matching them against the list his father had given him. Sure enough, every one of them had been selected by his father.