Chapter 87: The Uchiha's Alms

"Hey, Kakashi." Dan greeted Kakashi, his casual greeting sounding like a devil's whisper in Kakashi's ears.

He stiffly nodded at Dan, bracing himself to relay the Third Hokage's decision to Fugaku.

Upon learning that the Hyuga clan was to take over the Police Force and that the handover ceremony was moved up to tomorrow, Fugaku responded, "Fine, the handover documents are all prepared." He agreed readily, but then his tone shifted, "As long as the village pays the overdue salaries of the Police Force employees."

Overdue salaries? Kakashi was taken aback, unaware of this issue.

Fugaku and Dan exchanged glances. Fugaku picked up a document from the table and handed it to Kakashi, saying seriously: "Over the past few years, the higher-ups have repeatedly cut the Police Force's budget, causing the promised benefits for the employees to be unfulfilled. To date, the Uchiha are owed over 65 million ryo in wages. Please pass this on to the Third Hokage."

"That much?" Kakashi was shocked, blurting out his surprise.

"Is it a lot?"

Fugaku frowned at Kakashi's reaction, "There are over two hundred people in the Police Force, averaging less than three hundred thousand ryo per person. We Uchiha have contributed so much to the village, and in the end, we can't even get our wages?"

Kakashi's expression changed. After collecting the document, he said, "I will relay the Uchiha's demands to the Third Hokage."

With that, he hurried back to report.

"Dan, do you think the Third Hokage will agree?" Fugaku asked his brother-in-law after Kakashi left.

"If he doesn't, we'll make a fuss." Dan replied with a smile.

The idea of demanding money from Konoha under the guise of claiming wages was his spur-of-the-moment bad idea. As for why Dan was there. Fugaku had personally gone to the gym to invite his nephew over, insisting on bringing Dan to visit the Police Force building, which would soon be the Muscle Modification Department.

In order to get Dan to move back to the clan's land, Fugaku, as his brother-in-law and clan leader, had put in a lot of effort.

Alright. Dan was free anyway, so he came to take a look. At the Hokage building. Kakashi relayed Fugaku's words verbatim to the Third Hokage and handed over the wage arrears document.

Upon seeing it, the Third Hokage knew the wage issue was nonsense. The Uchiha were demanding severance pay, trying to make a quick buck before leaving.

Too shameless. Knowing that Dan Uchiha was also involved, it made sense. It was very much in line with his character and style.

The Third Hokage frowned, pondered for a long time, and finally sighed, telling Kakashi:

"Give this wage arrears document to Advisor Koharu. Tell her it's my order to have the Finance Department come up with this money and send it to the Uchiha today."

He had just promised to hand over the Police Force to the Hyuga clan.

If the Uchiha were to renege and make a fuss over the wage arrears, it would look bad.

So, the Third Hokage decided to shut the Uchiha up.

As long as this money was paid, the Uchiha clan would presumably have no more excuses to renege.

In fact, the Third Hokage would be more than happy to settle the Uchiha with money.

For the peace and stability of the village, as long as there was no violence, everything else was negotiable.

Thus.

Under the operation of Konoha's Finance Department, the money was gathered on the same day and handed over to the Police Force.

That night.

Fugaku called all the employees of the Police Force, distributing the money individually. Everyone received two to three hundred thousand ryo, all beaming with joy.

After distributing the money.

Fugaku's expression turned serious, and he addressed his clan members:"I heard that the Hyuga clan is to replace us. Everyone who should be present at the handover ceremony tomorrow morning must attend. No one is allowed to be absent. You guys can't let me handle the handover alone, can you?"

That would be too embarrassing.

"Yes!"

"Clan leader, don't worry!"

Everyone responded loudly.

The Police Force was the Uchiha's territory after all. If the Hyuga came to show off, the Uchiha would definitely stand tall.

Fugaku then softened his tone, saying to Dan, "Dan, you should come and see tomorrow too. It should be quite lively."

"Alright."

Dan nodded. He liked watching the fun, and his brother-in-law seemed to understand him better and better.

The news that the Hyuga clan was about to take over the Police Force spread throughout the village overnight, and almost every villager knew about it.

Early the next morning, thousands of villagers, without even having breakfast, rushed out to watch the excitement.

Outside the Uchiha clan's gate reporters from Konoha News Department arrived early with their cameras, ready to document this historic event.

They're here! Over a hundred Konoha ninjas appeared from the end of the street, marching forward in a grand procession.

Leading them was Hiashi Hyuga, by his side were over fifty Hyuga clan members, all dressed in white kimonos, looking aloof and indifferent, appearing very imposing.

In addition, clan leaders and elite ninjas from various clans, including Inoichi Yamanaka, Shikaku Nara, Chōza Akimichi, and Asuma Sarutobi, the son of the Hokage, were all present.

These people were about to become the new members of the Police Force.

As the hundred-plus people passed, the villagers on both sides of the street erupted in cheers. They all felt that these people were much more pleasing to the eye than the Uchiha, who looked down on others.

As Hiashi and the others entered the Uchiha clan's territory through the gate, the reporters and some curious villagers hurriedly followed.

From a distance, they saw the Police Force building.

The building, with its round arch front and round windows on both sides, looked like a cat's head.

The Uchiha really liked cats, many clan members' summoning beasts were ninja cats, and they even built their building in the shape of a cat.

Too ugly.

Hiashi evaluated in his heart, showing disdain.

Fortunately, the Third Hokage had said that the Police Force would move to the Hyuga clan's land for reconstruction, and today was just a procedural handover.

As for this rundown building.

Let it remain with the Uchiha clan, becoming an unforgettable disgrace for them.

Thinking of this.

Hiashi's mouth curled up in a contemptuous smile.

At this moment.

The Uchiha emerged from the Police Force building in a single file.

Fugaku, along with Tetsuhihi, Inohi, Hachidai, and elder Shana, and nearly eighty Uchiha, all dressed in dark blue high-collar robes, stood quietly in front of the building.

Eighty people, silent and solemn, just standing there, exerted a great pressure.

In comparison, Hiashi's group of over a hundred mixed troops seemed to lose their momentum when the Uchiha appeared.

"Let's go."

Hiashi frowned and was the first to walk over.

With a series of loud but chaotic footsteps, the distance between the two groups quickly closed, stopping a few meters apart.

Next, Fugaku and Hiashi each stepped forward from their respective groups, moving a few steps forward to conduct a simple handover ceremony.

First, they signed the documents, then, Fugaku personally handed over the Police Force captain's seal to the new captain, Hiashi.

The simple ceremony held significant symbolic meaning."From today, the burden of the Police Force is yours," Fugaku said to Hiashi.

Hiashi responded immediately, "Rest assured, the Hyuga and the other clans of Konoha will rejuvenate the Police Force and regain the support and love of the villagers."

As his words fell...