Koki Goes to the Military Police Force
"One last thing: when we give up our authority over the Military Police Force and the other clans take over, we should have some people we trust disguise themselves and mingle with the villagers, then use the opportunity to shape public opinion!"
Public opinion was the most important ground to hold, and the Uchiha had to secure it! They would use the opportunity to turn their reputation among the villagers around!
"All right, that's everything I've thought through." Under the gazes of his clansmen, Koki led Shisui, who had been listening intently, to one side. He had finally finished speaking, and his mouth and throat were dry.
Everyone held their breath and focused, as if the air crackled with electricity. Their hearts surged, but they worked to maintain their composure, afraid of betraying even the slightest hint of excitement.
The spacious shrine was silent. Every heartbeat seemed unusually clear, as though it might leap from its owner's chest, and ardent sparks flickered in their eyes.
"Koki, your insight is sharp! I never thought we could do something like that." Shisui was the first to come to his senses. He patted Koki on the shoulder, full of praise.
Koki grinned proudly. "Haha, I read about it in a library book. You should read more too."
Shisui nodded thoughtfully. "I see. I never noticed before. I was always focused on training. Looks like I'll have to pay more attention and learn from books."
As the two were talking, Fugaku's voice suddenly rang out behind them. "I agree with Koki. What do the rest of you think?"
The First Elder, Uchiha Kazuma, spoke next. "Hahaha, I agree! Let's do as Koki says!"
Koki's words today had made him see the boy in a new light! Besides, he had long disliked the old geezers in the Konoha High Command, so why pass up a chance to give them trouble?
"Why not give it a try?"
"Agreed!"
"Agreed!"
"Agreed!"
As soon as Uchiha Kazuma finished speaking, others voiced their agreement. Some of the more excited clansmen even stood up, waving their arms and shouting their support.
Amid the chorus of agreement, the Second and Fourth Elders exchanged a glance. The Second Elder closed his eyes and nodded slightly. The Fourth Elder seemed about to speak, but ultimately said nothing.
"Good! Since no one objects, it's settled! Yashiro, Inabi, Masato, Shu, come with me to the Military Police Force! Everyone else, meeting dismissed!" With that, Fugaku rose and left.
"Yes!" The four Fugaku had named were all his loyal confidants in the Military Police Force. They exchanged glances, each seeing excitement in the others' eyes.
The clansmen filed out.
Just as the Second Elder was about to step through the doorway, he looked back at Koki, who was still talking with Shisui, a meaningful expression on his face.
"Great! Shisui, let's hurry home and find Itachi. I need to catch up on sleep."
Koki couldn't wait to take Shisui home. He had gotten up far too early that morning.
Just then, Fugaku stopped halfway and abruptly turned back. "Koki, Shisui, you're coming to the Military Police Force with me too!"
"Yes!" Shisui answered in a voice like thunder.
"..." Koki was speechless.
Seeing Koki standing there in a daze, Uchiha Yashiro strolled over and patted him on the head. "Silly child, your father only wants you to come along so you can learn something!" he said with a smile. "You haven't been to the Military Police Force yet, have you? This is a perfect chance to come along and see what it's like. Besides, your suggestions were incredibly useful!"
Yashiro gave Koki a thumbs-up, and Koki's face flushed with embarrassment.
The scenery along the way was picturesque: blue skies, white clouds, brilliant sunshine, and lush green trees on both sides, as if offering them their finest blessings.
When they reached the Konoha Military Police Force, Koki came to a quiet halt before the solemn, imposing building.
He looked up through the sunlight at the gleaming emblem hanging high above: a Shuriken bearing the design of a Gunbai. It was not only the symbol of the Konoha Military Police Force, but also the Uchiha Clan's steadfast commitment and promise to uphold justice and order.
The emblem seemed to tell of the Uchiha Clan's glory and responsibility. Every time people gazed at it, they felt a deep sense of pride in the clan and a sense of mission.
As Koki was lost in thought, the clansmen standing guard at the entrance that noon noticed their group arriving.
The clansmen on duty were evidently startled by the sudden appearance of such an impressive lineup: the clan head and chief, Uchiha Fugaku, along with Uchiha Yashiro, Uchiha Shu, Uchiha Masato, Uchiha Inabi, and the rest of the Military Police Force's leadership.
Huh? Why were there two children with them?
Could something big be about to happen in the clan? Or were they staging a coup?
The First Elder certainly wouldn't go around shouting about a coup through a loudspeaker, but someone observant might still notice, and word would spread from one person to ten, then ten to a hundred... So it was an unspoken secret among the clansmen in the Military Police Force.
They warily surveyed their surroundings, gripping their ninja tools tightly, ready to respond to any sudden trouble.
"Lord Clan Head!"
"Chief!"
"Captain Yashiro!"
"Captain Inabi!"
Seeing Clan Head Fugaku, Captain Yashiro, and the others approaching, the Uchiha clansmen on guard hurried forward to greet them.
"All right, no need for that. Quickly gather everyone on duty at the Military Police Force today in the main conference room, and call back those out on patrol! Remember, everyone! I have something important to tell them! Can you do it in half an hour?" Uchiha Fugaku issued his orders briskly.
The main conference room was spacious enough to hold several hundred people at once. Whenever there was something important to announce, Fugaku would summon everyone to this room.
"Yes, Lord Clan Head!" The order had come from the clan head himself, so the Chunin clansmen on duty didn't dare slack off. They immediately scattered.
Soon, the sudden news had stirred the entire Konoha Military Police Force. Many Jonin rose from their seats and left their offices, looking both uneasy and expectant. They knew that something important enough to draw the attention of both Clan Head Fugaku and Captain Yashiro could hardly be anything other than a major matter within the Uchiha Clan.
Amid the tense atmosphere, members of the Military Police Force filed into the conference room. The air was thick with tension and anticipation, as though an important decision was about to be made there.
About half an hour later, as the last teams patrolling the streets hurried back, Fugaku looked at the packed crowd before him and asked, "Naoya, is everyone here?"
Uchiha Naoya, a captain, stood at the front and answered loudly, "Reporting, Chief! The Uchiha Military Police Force has a total of 339 members! All 339 are present! Everyone is accounted for!"