217

Haruto leaned back in his chair, a small, satisfied grin tugging at his lips as he glanced at the neatly stacked pile of essays on his desk. Over 200 copies, painstakingly duplicated by his lone shadow clone. It had taken time, but the effort would pay off. This wasn't about changing Konoha or reforming the system. No, this was about one thing—offending Danzo.

Haruto didn't care if the essay brought about real change. His goal was simple: provoke Danzo. If this essay stirred up enough conversation, if it reached the right people, it would do just that.

He summoned his single clone to help distribute the essays, giving it half of the copies. Haruto himself would deliver the others to key figures. His targets: the Hokage, Tsunade, Sakumo, Minato, Kushina. If enough influential people read the essay, it would reach Danzo sooner or later. And that's when the fun would start, plus he would hand out a couple hundred copies rocra

Haruto's first stop was the Hokage's Tower. Hiruzen Sarutobi was the heart of Konoha's leadership. It didn't matter whether the Hokage agreed with the essay or not—he just needed to read it. That alone would ensure the right people knew about it, and Danzo would hear the whispers soon enough.

Haruto stepped into the Hokage's office, bowing slightly as Sarutobi looked up from his papers.

"Haruto," the Third Hokage greeted, his calm, watchful eyes locking onto him. "What brings you here today?"

Haruto offered the essay, keeping his voice even. "Hokage-sama, I've written something I think you should read. It's about the Uchiha Police Force and the future of Konoha."

Sarutobi raised an eyebrow but took the parchment, unfolding it with a thoughtful nod. "I see. I'll give it a look." Inwardly thinking another essay.

Haruto bowed once more, leaving the office as quickly as he entered. The Hokage was smart. He'd see the potential friction this essay could cause, and word would travel fast. That was all Haruto needed.

Meanwhile, Haruto's clone arrived at the hospital, slipping past the usual crowds of patients and medical staff to reach Tsunade's office. Tsunade wasn't someone who involved herself deeply in politics, but her voice carried weight when she did speak up. If she talked about the essay to the right people, it would ripple through the village.

The clone knocked lightly and entered. Tsunade was leaning back in her chair, a steaming cup of tea in one hand and a medical chart in the other. Her sharp eyes flicked up, narrowing at the sight of the clone.

"What are you up to now, Haruto?" she asked, already suspicious.

The clone grinned, holding out the essay. "Just something I thought you'd want to read."

Tsunade took the parchment, glancing at the title. "The Uchiha Police Force?" she muttered. "I'll take a look. But I better not get caught up in whatever game you're playing."

The clone smirked before disappearing with a puff of smoke. As Tsunade set her tea down and started reading, Haruto knew the essay would leave its mark.

Haruto's next target was Sakumo Hatake. The White Fang wasn't deeply entrenched in Konoha's political web, but his respect and influence in the village were undeniable. If Sakumo read the essay and even hinted at it in conversation, the right people would listen.

He found Sakumo where he always was—training, calm and focused. Haruto approached as Sakumo finished a round of practice.

"Haruto," Sakumo greeted, wiping the sweat from his brow. "What brings you here?"

Haruto handed him the essay, keeping it simple. "Something I've been working on. Thought you might want to read it. It's about the Uchiha Police Force."

Sakumo accepted the paper with a slight frown, giving it a quick glance. "I'll take a look."

Haruto didn't stick around. It wasn't about what Sakumo said—it was about making sure the essay found its way into influential hands. That was the key.

Haruto's clone tracked down Minato and Kushina next, finding them walking together through the village. Minato's reputation was already rising, and Kushina was known for her fierce loyalty and strong opinions. Together, they had enough influence to spark real conversation.

The clone handed them each a copy of the essay with a grin. "Just something I thought you two might want to read."

Kushina raised an eyebrow as she scanned the title. "The Uchiha Police Force? What's this about?"

"Just some thoughts on the village's future," the clone replied casually before disappearing.

Minato glanced at the essay with interest. "We'll take a look."

As they walked away, Haruto knew that once Minato and Kushina had read it, word would spread even faster. It was only a matter of time now.

Meanwhile, in the Uchiha District…

Fugaku Uchiha sat quietly in his study, the essay from Shisui resting on his desk. The essay had already started making its way through the village, and Fugaku had heard whispers about it. As the head of the Uchiha Police Force and a rising political figure, it was only natural that he would take an interest in what was being said about the clan's role in Konoha.

His sharp eyes scanned the title again: "Reconsidering the Role of the Uchiha Police Force: A Path Toward a Stronger Konoha."

He read the essay slowly, carefully, absorbing every word. At first glance, the essay seemed like a reasonable reflection on the Uchiha's position in the village, offering a vision for greater collaboration and strength. But as he delved deeper, Fugaku realized the subtle critique hidden within. Haruto had raised the question of whether the Uchiha were being used—praised for their strength, but confined to a role that limited their true potential.

Fugaku leaned back, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk. Haruto's points weren't wrong. The Uchiha Police Force was powerful, yes, but it also isolated the Uchiha from the rest of Konoha's leadership. The clan had influence, but only within a narrow scope.

The essay wasn't just a reflection—it was a challenge. A challenge to the way things had been structured. It made Fugaku think more clearly about their position. But then another thought crept in, a question that dug deeper.

Who, outside the Uchiha, had been the biggest supporter of this structure? Who had always framed it as a sign of respect, of trust in the Uchiha's abilities, yet kept the clan from integrating into Konoha's broader leadership?

His mind landed on the answer almost immediately. Danzo.

Danzo, who had always positioned himself as an ally, a "friend" of the Uchiha, advocating for their strength to be put to use in protecting Konoha. But Fugaku could see it clearly now. Danzo wasn't a friend of the Uchiha—he had been using them, ensuring they remained powerful yet isolated, manageable, confined to their role as enforcers while he played in the shadows.

Fugaku's expression darkened slightly. Haruto had exposed a hidden truth, whether he'd intended to or not. The essay had pulled back the curtain, revealing Danzo's manipulations for what they truly were.

Fugaku sat for a long moment, contemplating the implications. Haruto's essay had stirred the pot.

"Danzo…" Fugaku muttered, his eyes narrowing.