Chapter 69: My Proposal, Abandon the Police Force

At this point, Itachi turned to look at Shisui, who had said he would speak up at this meeting. As expected, Shisui slowly rose from his seat, leaning on the table for support. Fugaku, noticing this, called for quiet and allowed Shisui to speak.

"Thank you, Clan Leader," Shisui began, thanking Fugaku for the opportunity to speak. After a moment of consideration, he said, "I partially agree with Elder Shana's view. The Police Force is the foundation of the Uchiha's standing in Konoha. The power we should have, we must firmly hold in our hands, but..."

Here came the crux of the matter.

Shisui paused, pointing out the biggest problem facing the Police Force: "Due to its role in suppressing criminals, the Police Force naturally becomes a target of resentment. Over the years, it has become increasingly unpopular, which is a fact. If this continues, it will only incite greater public resentment, exacerbating the conflict between the Uchiha and the villagers. By then, even if the Uchiha regain all the power of the Police Force, I'm afraid it won't be of much use. Instead, it will face resistance from all villagers, and no one will be willing to submit to the management of the Police Force."

After hearing Shisui's heartfelt words, Fugaku asked on behalf of the clan, "What do you think we should do?"

"I suggest that the Uchiha take the initiative to propose a reform of the Police Force to the village," Shisui said seriously, revealing an idea he had been pondering for a long time.

"How to reform?" Fugaku asked, a glint in his eye. In fact, as the clan leader, he had also considered reforming the Police Force.

Next, Shisui presented his reform plan. The most important point was to open up some positions in the Police Force, not limiting them to the Uchiha, but to all ninja in the village. Anyone could freely apply, and as long as they could pass the Police Force's assessment, they could take up the post.

In Shisui's vision, if the Uchiha willingly shared and allowed all clans and civilian ninja in the village the opportunity to join the Police Force, then not only could it alleviate the shortage of manpower in the Police Force, but it could also greatly improve the Uchiha's reputation, thereby reducing the villagers' hostility towards the Police Force.

"No way!" Before Shisui could finish, Uchiha Hachidai, the second-in-command of the Police Force who had just recovered from his injuries, jumped out in opposition. His reason was that according to Shisui's proposal, outsiders would definitely swarm into the Police Force, pushing many Uchiha off their current positions.

Indeed, Hachidai's words resonated with many clan members. No one wanted their job to be taken away, to lose their work. Moreover, for the proud Uchiha clan, who took pride in their status in the Police Force, they couldn't immediately lower their status to work with other ninja of Konoha.

Facing the opposition, Shisui didn't explain much, but simply countered, "All the positions that are opened up are fair competition, based on ability. Do our Uchiha ninja really have so little confidence in themselves?"

This statement left Hachidai and others speechless.

"Furthermore, in my plan, even after the reform of the Police Force, the Uchiha will still hold the leadership, financial income and expenditure, and personnel appointments. Non-Uchiha ninja can at most rise to the position of squad leader and will not pose a direct threat to the Uchiha's power," Shisui added after silencing Hachidai and others.

Fugaku pondered for a moment, slowly nodded, and spoke in support of Shisui, "Indeed. If I propose Shisui's Police Force reform plan at the Clan Leader's meeting tomorrow, I believe I can win the support of the other clan leaders in Konoha, and thus there is a great chance of resolving this crisis."

It had to be said that Shisui's proposal was thoughtful and bold. Compared to Elder Shana's aggressive ideology, it had more feasibility. It was a method that could truly help the Uchiha and the Police Force to smoothly get out of the current predicament.

Hearing the Clan Leader's words, some clan members also calmed down and seriously discussed whether the reform plan was feasible. However, some Uchiha still firmly opposed Shisui's proposal. They believed that if this continued, the Police Force would eventually fall into the hands of others.

For a time, the two sides argued without reaching a consensus, even starting to quarrel. Seeing the noisy clan members, Fugaku sighed and shook his head helplessly.

"Quiet!" He once again called for silence, ordering the clan members to stop the pointless arguing, then turned to his brother-in-law on his right. "Dan, if you have any ideas, let everyone hear them."

Dan, as the current strongest Uchiha, whose prestige even faintly surpassed the Clan Leader, would play a decisive role once he made a statement, whether he supported Shana or Shisui.

Why is he asking me? Dan raised an eyebrow. He had promised his nephew to stay out of it, but now being asked by his brother-in-law, he could only turn to look at Itachi, remaining silent.

Feeling his uncle's meaningful gaze, Itachi felt uncomfortable. And within a few seconds, the entire meeting room, except for the blind Shisui, turned their eyes to Itachi. Everyone was curious why Dan didn't answer the Clan Leader's question and was suddenly staring at Itachi.

Under the gaze of over seventy pairs of eyes, Itachi felt immense pressure and finally gave in, compromising with Dan, "Uncle, whatever you want to say... just say it."

"This is what you asked me to say," Dan chuckled, habitually ruffling his nephew's hair, then turned back. His gaze started from Fugaku at the main seat, moving right, sweeping over all the clan members.

Under the tense and expectant gazes of everyone, Dan was silent for a moment, then finally said calmly, "I suggest that the Uchiha completely abandon the Police Force."

As soon as these words came out, the room fell silent. The expressions on everyone's faces froze, filled with shock.

After a while, Elder Shana asked in a trembling voice, "Dan, did I hear wrong? You said the Uchiha... should abandon the Police Force?" Shisui, with bandages covering his face, couldn't see his "eyes", but from his open mouth, it was clear how surprised he was.

"Dan, are you serious?" Even Fugaku frowned, asking seriously. This was not a situation to joke around.

Facing everyone's astonishment, Dan leaned back in his chair, offering no explanation. He realized that the radicals, moderates, and neutrals in the clan all liked to interpret his words, often inferring several different meanings.

You all like to guess, so go ahead and guess.

Seeing Dan's attitude, the clan members exchanged glances, but soon whispers filled the meeting room. Dan was the strongest Uchiha, the revered head of the Body Modification Department, his words couldn't be without purpose.

So, everyone was trying hard to understand the true meaning behind Dan's shocking statement. Unexpectedly, the first person to understand Dan's profound meaning wasn't Fugaku, Shisui, or Shana, but a young clan member.

"I agree with the Director's view!" A twenty-something Uchiha with a ponytail raised his hand. His name was Uchiha Kensan, who had been working in the Police Force for ten years and was currently a squad leader.

In an instant, all eyes were on Kensan.