Chapter 194: Uchiha Clan, Year 63 of Konohagakure

As the sun rose above the horizon, its first light didn't fall on the Hokage Tower, but instead on a large building situated in the eastern part of the village, beneath the Hokage Rock.

The building looked somewhat "plain," lacking any modern design elements. It resembled a fortress in the middle of a bustling street. The pale yellow walls bore only one central symbol: a shuriken with a fan emblem embedded within it.

— This was the headquarters of the Konohagakure Police Force!

Although it was the village's law enforcement agency, it prominently displayed the Uchiha clan's fan crest, demonstrating their significant influence over the police force.

In theory, any shinobi from the village could apply to join the Konohagakure Police Force. However, theory and reality often diverge. The force was overwhelmingly composed of Uchiha members. Outsiders who joined the police force might feel uncomfortable even without direct hostility, and with successive heads of the police force being Uchiha clan leaders, over time, the presence of non-Uchiha members dwindled to nearly zero.

At some point, the Konohagakure Police Force became synonymous with the Uchiha clan.

To be fair, the Uchiha clan had its flaws and was prone to extremes, but they had undeniably contributed much to Konohagakure. This contribution could not be erased.

Since the creation of the Konohagakure Police Force by the Second Hokage, the Uchiha clan had been dedicated, not only maintaining internal order and stability but also responding to the Hokage's orders during times of war. Every time the shinobi world entered conflict, they stood firmly on Konohagakure's side.

To the majority of Konohagakure's shinobi, the Uchiha were "proud, irritating, but dependable comrades."

When the first light of dawn touched the fan emblem on the Konohagakure Police Force headquarters, Fugaku Uchiha arrived for work.

The police force operated around the clock, even at night, with Uchiha shinobi stationed at all times. After nodding to a few clan members, Fugaku made himself a strong cup of tea and resumed the work he hadn't finished the day before, facing the morning sun.

He looked at the document he had already memorized and stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"Konohagakure Police Force Expansion Announcement"

Just a few words, yet they made it difficult for Fugaku Uchiha to make a decision. He had hesitated for several days.

Several names were already signed on the document:

"Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hokage," "Orochimaru, Head of ANBU," "Shimura Danzo, Konoha Advisor and Elder"… From top to bottom, the most powerful individuals in Konohagakure had signed it. The only signature missing was that of Fugaku, the head of the police force.

Once the "Konohagakure Police Force Expansion Announcement" took effect, the police force would be flooded with non-Uchiha shinobi. Nara Shikaku would become the deputy captain, and this authoritative department would no longer be an Uchiha monopoly!

This was what troubled Fugaku Uchiha — anyone would feel uneasy if their power was stripped away.

However, the Uchiha clan leader, who was not yet forty, knew he had to sign his name.

On a public level, the Second Hokage had stipulated from the outset that any Konohagakure shinobi could join the police force, so there was no reason to refuse. Moreover, a monopolistic law enforcement agency was widely resented; holding onto it too tightly would harm the clan.

On a personal level, the Uchiha also owed a debt to the Hokage.

Four years ago, chaos erupted in Konohagakure. In a single night, the Nine-Tails rampaged, followed by the Crimson Night, resulting in over a thousand deaths and countless injuries.

That night, many saw the three tomoe in the Nine-Tails' eyes.

For the Uchiha, this was an existential threat.

Unlike the Byakugan, which was controlled by the Caged Bird Seal, the Sharingan could be activated by anyone with the Uchiha's body and chakra, making it a potent weapon.

"The mastermind behind the Nine-Tails incident is definitely an Uchiha." This wasn't a hard conclusion to draw.

The Hokage knew it, the villagers knew it, Konohagakure's shinobi knew it, and the Uchiha clan knew it too.

During that time, the Uchiha clan was under immense pressure. During clan meetings, members would look at Fugaku with questioning eyes — "Clan Leader, this disaster wasn't caused by one of our own, was it?"

Even Fugaku's wife, Mikoto Uchiha, would sometimes ask him late at night, "Fugaku, are you hiding something from me?"

Every time, Fugaku would pretend to be asleep, ignoring the question.

In truth, even Fugaku himself sometimes wondered if he had let the Nine-Tails out in his sleep.

— That kind of irrational behavior seemed like something only the Uchiha could pull off…

During those days, every Uchiha lived under a cloud, they were feeling both wronged and guilty, being afraid that one day the Third Hokage would lead an army to wipe out the clan. Fugaku, as the clan leader, kept silent, leaving everyone feeling frustrated and directionless.

This impossible situation was resolved after Orochimaru returned to the village.

With Hiruzen Sarutobi back in power, he made the wise decision to summon Orochimaru, putting all the blame on the most notorious S-class rogue shinobi.

Orochimaru returned to the village, took charge of ANBU, and became one of Konohagakure's advisors.

The process was seamless.

Although Orochimaru had been away for two years, he had left on good terms, staging a performance with Hiruzen Sarutobi that resulted in heavy losses for Kirigakure and Kumogakure. Even Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, perished on the battlefield, earning Orochimaru much admiration.

In the end, he was indeed the most suitable candidate among the Sannin to become Hokage.

Orochimaru's first act upon returning was to suppress all rumors against the Uchiha with brutal efficiency.

The "Three Tomoe in the Nine-Tails' Eyes" became a taboo subject. Anyone who mentioned it faced severe consequences, ranging from re-education to being treated as an enemy spy.

These strong measures not only earned the Uchiha clan's gratitude but also prevented Konohagakure from falling apart. Although this method drew complaints from villagers and shinobi, at that critical juncture, harsh measures were necessary.

After the Crimson Night, the Hyuga clan was left with only a few survivors, and the once-proud Byakugan was in decline, making the Uchiha more important than ever. With enemy villages sending spies to test the Land of Fire's strength, if the Uchiha had been pushed to rebellion, Konohagakure would have been doomed.

During the suppression of rumors, the Hokage's faction also provided the Uchiha with tangible benefits. Three months after the Crimson Night, Fugaku became an advisor, and many Uchiha clan members joined ANBU.

Although Fugaku understood that Hiruzen and Orochimaru were acting in the village's best interest, he still felt indebted.

Deep down, Fugaku actually liked "Konohagakure."

As he thought about this, Fugaku couldn't help but smile.

However, just as he picked up the pen to sign his name, a knock suddenly echoed through the room.

"Who could it be at this time? Come in," Fugaku said, looking up.

A young boy holding a fox mask appeared in the office.

He looked about seven or eight years old, with black hair and dark eyes. His striking features were accentuated by two shallow tear marks on his cheeks, making him unforgettable.

"Father."

"Ah, Itachi." Fugaku glanced at the fox mask in his son's hand and said softly, "You're heading to ANBU this early?"

"Yes, Father. I just joined ANBU and need to quickly familiarize myself with the job."

"That's how a shinobi should be — diligent in fulfilling their duties." Fugaku paused before continuing, "Well done, as expected of my son."

"Thank you, Father." Itachi's eyes subtly shifted to the document on his father's desk. "Are you working, Father? I think I've seen that document before."

Fugaku Uchiha hesitated slightly. The man in his thirties felt a twinge of bitterness in his heart. He had thought Itachi had come to see him, but it turned out he was just here to check if the document had been signed…

Feeling a bit dejected, Fugaku maintained his composure, hiding his feelings as he signed his name on the document. "I was planning to deliver this to the Hokage myself, but since you're heading that way, could you take it for me?"

"Of course, Father!" Itachi's voice carried a barely concealed excitement, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

'So, in your eyes, the village's interests outweigh those of the clan…' Fugaku sighed inwardly, gently patting Itachi's head.

As expected of my son.

...

As Itachi went to ANBU for his internship and Fugaku handled police force matters, other Uchiha clan members were busy with their tasks, and the day quickly passed, giving way to night.

As Itachi interned in the Anbu, Fugaku was occupied with police department duties, while other Uchiha clan members were busy with their own tasks. The day passed quickly, and night soon fell.

It was unusual for Fugaku not to work overtime, but today, he returned to the clan grounds before sunset.

In a spacious room, many clan members had already gathered.

Tonight was the regular Uchiha clan meeting.

Fugaku sat in the main seat, casually chatting with the clan members nearby. Although both clans were powerful, compared to the Hyuga clan, who had been wiped out, the atmosphere within the Uchiha clan was noticeably more harmonious.

Because of the "Crimson Night," Hiruzen and others feared another incident involving the Uchiha. As a result, many benefits were granted to them, and the Uchiha had been doing quite well in recent years, without the oppressive atmosphere of the original story.

After a while, the clan meeting officially began.

Fugaku started by saying a few things of little importance. When he felt the time was right, he finally spoke:

"In the future, many non-clan members will join the police department. Nara Shikaku will become the deputy captain. Remember, Nara is a respectable and excellent shinobi, and you should show him respect."

As soon as these words were spoken, the room was filled with murmurs.

Fugaku surveyed the room, his gaze passing over the faces of the clan members. He saw many confused expressions, but he also saw Itachi standing calmly and Sasuke looking curious.

"This is an order from the Hokage… and I fully support it."

The Uchiha clan members gradually quieted down, waiting for the clan leader's next words.

"The Konoha Police Force has been established for forty years. During this long period, our clan has devoted much to this cause."

"In times of war, it was fine, but now the shinobi world has returned to peace. Most of the police force's energy is spent on maintaining order and apprehending criminal shinobi… Although we can proudly say that everything we do is for the village, the villagers may not see it that way."

"Perhaps it is not a good thing to hold such power tightly in our hands."

The clan members whispered among themselves, but no one stood up to oppose him.

After all, the world was no longer on the predetermined path. If the Uchiha were currently under suspicion, looked down upon by villagers and comrades alike, and struggling to maintain their status, they would undoubtedly cling to power and not let go easily. But now, with all rumors suppressed by Orochimaru and the Hokage appeasing the Uchiha, the atmosphere between the clan and the village's higher-ups was harmonious, and many things could be discussed.

Fugaku secretly breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Of course, the village will compensate us."

"The Hokage Tower will allocate special funds to renovate our clan grounds, and our allowances will also see some adjustments."

"One of the five captains of the Anbu will always be an Uchiha."

"Orochimaru-sama will take on another student, bringing a genius from our clan into his fold."

"Hm, starting this year, the Shinobi Academy will establish a small class specifically for Uchiha children interested in medical ninjutsu. These children may eventually work at the Konoha Hospital."

Most of the Uchiha clan members no longer had any objections.

Handing over power was difficult to accept, but if it was an exchange of benefits, it became an "internal circulation." The village, after all, was a place of mutual compromise, and shinobi understood this well.

Moreover, as long as the Uchiha weren't pushed to the brink, they were actually quite reasonable.

"Brother," Sasuke whispered from behind Itachi, "you seem really happy, don't you?"

"You're so perceptive, Sasuke. You noticed." Itachi smiled and gently tapped his brother's forehead. "You have a pair of eyes even keener than mine."

"Hehe…"

At this moment, Fugaku, sitting in the main seat, also relaxed. He knew that although the village and the clan seemed harmonious on the surface, the thorn of the Nine-Tails incident still lingered in the Hokage Tower—there were definitely those within the Uchiha clan who harbored intentions of ruling Konoha. This was something everyone knew.

Letting go of the police force's monopoly and spreading the Uchiha's influence throughout the village was a solution both Fugaku and the Hokage could accept.

Fugaku opened his mouth, wanting to add a few more points, but suddenly noticed that the room had fallen silent.

Tap, tap, tap.

Steady footsteps echoed as a young man carrying a short sword walked in. Even the proud Uchiha naturally made way for him.

"Shisui, you're back. Thank you for your hard work," Fugaku said softly. It was hard to imagine the clan leader, speaking to a twelve-year-old boy with the tone one would use with an equal.

However, none of the Uchiha in the room found this tone strange.

Shisui of the Body Flicker, twelve years old, captain of the first Anbu squad, who had set the record for the fastest Jonin promotion in peacetime, and a core member of the Hokage's circle… There were even faint rumors that this boy possessed the most powerful dōjutsu in the Uchiha clan today!

In the shinobi world, the strong deserve respect.

"Clan leader-sama," Shisui responded modestly, "I'm sorry I'm late." He paused before continuing, "I'm here to bid you farewell. The Hokage has given me a mission, and I don't know when I'll return… or if I'll return at all."

Fugaku was momentarily stunned. He wasn't angry but instead realized something. He stood up and, speaking each word carefully, asked, "Is it about… him?"

"Yes," Shisui replied with a complex tone, "I've found traces of sensei."

(End of Chapter)

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