Summer, Year Nine of Konoha.
Third floor, branch chief's office. Not all the lights were on; only the lamp on Yinglang's desk burned, its dim yellow halo enclosing him and casting a huge, faintly swaying shadow on the wall behind him. Outside the window, Konoha's countless lights flickered like a silent sea of stars.
Several dossiers lay spread across the desk. They were not official documents from the Konoha Military Police Force, but assessment summaries Yutian regularly sent back concerning the other Uchiha clan members within Konoha. Yinglang leaned back in his chair, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the smooth wooden armrest. His gaze rested on the words, yet seemed to pass through them toward somewhere farther away, somewhere more aggravating.
"...Uchiha Huoshi, a former subordinate of Yuanguang, has recently been in frequent contact with a steward of the Sarutobi Clan. Suspected of seeking a storefront location for an unpromising son or nephew..."
"...Aoki Uchiha, formerly a member of the Elite Class, prides himself on his talent and has expressed considerable dissatisfaction with the East District branch's 'harsh' enforcement. Often complains at gatherings of the clan's younger generation that 'too many rules have disheartened our clansmen'..."
"...Uchiha Tomohisa, whose father is a veteran chunin of the clan, is ineffectual and cowardly. He knows only how to paper over disputes, meekly complies with every directive from the Hokage Building, yet privately envies the Konoha Military Police Force's 'extra income.' Has repeatedly hinted that he wants his second son transferred to the East District..."
Entry after entry, incident after incident. Petty scheming and shortsightedness. Some wanted to trade on the Uchiha name for paltry profits. Some clung to their pitiful scraps of talent and pride, wallowing in self-pity. Others wanted to have it both ways, spineless yet envious when others enjoyed the spoils.