Chapter 41

As the internal defense force of Konohagakure, the Police Guards maintained a bright and vigilant presence even during the nighttime. Since the Elder's demise last year, Uchiha Tenjō had intensified the inspection of the Police Guards.

Upon entering the gates of the Police Guards, Fugaku noticed a scarcity of shinobi inside. Most of the shinobi had already begun patrolling the village. Those remaining within the Police Guards were primarily prepared to provide support during emergencies.

As a young prodigy of the Uchiha Clan, Fugaku was almost immediately recognized by the chūnin of the clan upon stepping through the gates. A familiar voice called out his name.

"Fugaku," the voice said. "What brings you to the Police Guards?"

Looking around, Fugaku saw an old acquaintance. Uchiha Noboku, a childhood friend two years his senior, was a chūnin of Konoha, adept in Fire Release and possessed the 2-Tomoe Sharingan.

"Noboku, it's been a while," Fugaku greeted him. "I happened to have some free time recently, so I thought of spending a few days at the Police Guards. Is Senior Saki here?"

"Haha, I heard about your impressive performance in the Land of Rain, and everyone in the clan has been talking about it," Noboku replied. "It's rare for you to have time to visit the Police Guards. Senior Saki is in the office on the second floor. Let me take you there."

Fugaku nodded and said, "Thank you. We can catch up later."

"I thought you'd look down on us, your old friends, now that you've been promoted to jōnin," Uchiha Noboku remarked. "But it seems like you're still the same as when we were kids."

Fugaku inwardly shook his head, recognizing how much he had changed. The previous Fugaku had been hesitant and indecisive, only fully awakening after the Uchiha massacre. He vowed not to let history repeat itself and resolved to change himself.

The office areas within the Police Guards were divided based on the areas under their jurisdiction. At night, a senior Uchiha would remain in the Police Guards to handle any emergencies.

On the second floor of the Conference Hall, the door to the office was open, revealing a familiar silhouette. Uchiha Saki stood by the window, gazing out towards the endless streets of Konoha.

Noboku knocked on the door and called out, "Senior Saki."

Saki turned around, and Fugaku's eyes met the serious gaze of a middle-aged man. His sharp eyes and imposing demeanor reminded Fugaku of another meeting he had attended back home.

There was a smile that resembled that of a middle-aged uncle, but at the same time, he emanated the aura of an elite Uchiha shinobi who had experienced countless battles.

In the past six months, Fugaku had encountered Uchiha individuals who were not lacking in excellence. From his good friend Uchiha Kon to Yan, and now Uchiha Saki, doubts began to form in Fugaku's mind.

At the time of the Uchiha Clan's massacre, it seemed implausible that a recently awakened Mangekyō user alone could swiftly eliminate the entire clan. Prior to unlocking the Eternal Mangekyō, each use of the Mangekyō Sharingan placed a tremendous burden on the user.

Perhaps these Clan executives lacked foresight and caution, but each one had their own experiences and commanding presence. Even if Danzō's Root organization was taken into account, unless the ANBU, directly under the Hokage's control, were also part of the elite, such an operation would not have been feasible.

These thoughts flickered through Fugaku's mind as he laid eyes on Saki, only to vanish as quickly as they had appeared.

Saki's gaze swept over them, and the seriousness faded from his face, replaced by a smile. "Fugaku, it's good to see you here too."

"Saki Senior," Fugaku greeted him. "Recently, I've been thinking about studying at the Police Guards during my vacation. As a Uchiha clan member, it's crucial to understand the situation at the Police Guards."

Saki nodded and said, "I'm glad you've considered this. It warms my heart. The Police Guards are the foundation of Uchiha's safety and livelihood. Every Uchiha must familiarize themselves with it, even if they don't serve directly."

Seeing Fugaku's understanding, he continued, "By coming here, I assume your father, the Patriarch, is aware of your intentions."

Fugaku sighed inwardly. As a member of the Uchiha clan, he took pride in his position and safety within Konoha's upper echelons. He now realized that the establishment of the Police Guards by the Second Hokage not only curbed the Uchiha's strength but also brought stability to their emotional well-being.

Without the Police Guards, accidents would occur far too easily. However, even with its establishment, incidents like Uchiha Obito's still happened.

Fugaku couldn't help but sigh. He realized that he must not underestimate any Uchiha teenager, regardless of their aptitude. Due to their relatively simple and pure thinking, they could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan at any moment due to one or several accidents, becoming formidable ninja overnight.

"Yes, Senior," Fugaku replied. "I discussed it with my father before coming here. He allowed me to work the night shift for seven days to familiarize myself with the Police Guards' operations."

"Very well, Noboku, since you're Fugaku's friend, I trust you'll make his next seven days challenging," Saki said. "Accompany Fugaku and help him become acquainted with the patrol routines and divisions of the Police Guards."

"Yes, Senior," Noboku said, a sincere smile on his face. "I'll take Fugaku to tour the Police Guards building first. Please come with us."

The primary duty of the Police Guards was to ensure the internal security of Konoha. Their jurisdiction extended from guarding against village invasions to resolving conflicts among villagers. In theory, the Police Guards had authority over various matters.

However, the extent of their power was directly linked to their own strength. With the Uchiha Clan having not awakened the Mangekyō for many years, the Police Guards' influence had diminished.

Noboku took out a map and handed it to Fugaku, saying, "This is a map of Konoha. The village is divided into four large areas, each containing four smaller areas, with Central Avenue serving as the central axis. The entire Konoha is comprised of six such areas, numbered accordingly."

Fugaku nodded as he unfolded the map, revealing a bird's-eye view of Konoha with the numbered areas clearly marked.

Fugaku had observed that the person he was targeting belonged to Area 3, while the Police Guards were located in Area 6, not far from the bustling heart of Konoha.

"Take me to the first four blocks," Fugaku instructed. "By patrolling four small blocks each day, we can cover the entire village within four days. This will leave three days to understand the internal workings of the Police Guards."

A clan couldn't exist without conflict. Even in an era without the Mangekyō Sharingan, it was impossible for all Uchiha clan members to rally behind Uchiha Tenjō as Patriarch.

Fugaku knew he had to determine who the enemies were, who could be allies, who could be influenced, and who needed to be removed.

"Very well, we have an early start," Noboku said. "I'll take you to the first four areas so you can gather information."

Leaving the Police Guards building, the two of them headed straight to the first block. To reach the first block, they had to pass through the third block, which was also one of Fugaku's objectives.

He didn't want the patrol members in the area to recognize him, as it would complicate matters if they had to tail him during his investigation.