There wasn't much to discuss in the morning; aside from announcing the identity of the Clan Leader, we talked about future plans. And with the Uchiha's businesses increasing, more manpower would definitely be needed to help.
The Reanimation Jutsu serves as protection, but many business matters definitely can't be handled by Reanimation Bodies.
"Clan Leader, do you need to change your residence now?"
Uchiha Masato suddenly asked, "Your residence is on the edge of the clan grounds; would you like to move to the center of the clan grounds? That way, it would be more convenient to commute to the Security Team."
It was almost outside the clan grounds already.
"No need, I'm quite comfortable living there. Just arrange for an office space for me in the Security Team building."
Uchiha Yoichi shook his head, saying that his current residence was quite nice—spacious, with few people around, almost undisturbed. Someday he would learn the Inorganic Reincarnation Jutsu in Ryuchi Cave and create a passage under his house connecting to Madam Mikota's current residence.
This way, Mikota wouldn't have to sneak over every day.
After the clan meeting, Uchiha Yoichi also went to the Hokage Building to inform Sarutobi Hiruzen that because of health reasons, Uchiha Fugaku could no longer serve as Captain, and he himself was the new Security Team Captain.
Sarutobi Hiruzen just smiled and nodded, indicating he already knew about this matter. He then mentioned that some civilians wanted to inquire about their husbands' affairs, but said nothing more.
Uchiha Yoichi knew whom Sarutobi Hiruzen was referring to, nothing more than those foul-mouthed civilians, and he indicated he understood before leaving the Hokage Building.
Dealing with foul-mouthed civilians was simple. After returning, Uchiha Yoichi built a bulletin board in the busiest part of the village center.
On it, he posted some future plans of the Security Team, warnings, and punishment notices with specified reasons.
If Uchiha Yoichi chose to be ruthless, he could even post those two civilians' photos, stating the reason for punishment as slandering the heroes fighting on the front lines.
This would surely lead their families to social death, and in a situation where public opinion was strong, the best choice would be for the whole family to move out of Konoha; if it was severe, they might hang themselves under the villagers' incessant pointing.
Though the Security Team was under the Hokage's jurisdiction, it had high autonomy, able to manage almost everything except the Hokage and Anbu.
The Security Team even had the authority to establish village regulations, and after setting the rules, could also arrest people, effectively playing the role of both referee and player.
Back at the Security Team, Uchiha Yoichi started trying to handle the Security Team's matters; although there were many things to do, none were that difficult.
Assignments for patrol, deciding on penalties, and sentencing—numerous small affairs were ultimately entrusted to the Security Team Captain.
After sitting for a while in the Security Team office, Uchiha Yoichi felt that the Security Team must undergo reform. How could they still be using the old methods from twenty or thirty years ago when the team was first established?
Back then, the village's population was small, and the Security Team didn't have much to handle; there, human governance wasn't an issue. But now the number of people in Konoha was increasing, placing everything on him, the Security Team Captain, was unwise.
A complete set of punishment regulations must be established, detailing the fine amount and imprisonment duration for each offense. With sentencing standards, the subordinates could make decisions independently in the future.
Moreover, with punishment regulations in place, law enforcement would be more explicit, preventing uneducated civilians in the village from accusing the Uchiha of arbitrary enforcement.
Uchiha Yoichi planned to call over the four Squad Leaders and then have them establish a reasonable set of punishment standards.
However, even before Uchiha Yoichi could summon them, Uchiha Masato came to see him first.
"Clan Leader, something bad has happened, Uchiha Fugaku is missing."
"What do you mean?"
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Yoichi frowned slightly and immediately asked, "What's going on, Senior Masato? For Uchiha Fugaku to recover, it should take at least two or three days... do you think someone took him away?"
"...The two clansmen I dispatched to watch over Uchiha Fugaku showed signs of being caught in Sharingan Genjutsu. When I went to check just now, I discovered Uchiha Fugaku was missing, and those two clansmen were still unconscious."
Uchiha Masato explained, and regarding the perpetrator, he actually already had an idea.
Only a few within the clan could hypnotize two clansmen with the Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
"Senior Masato, I'll leave these matters to you. I need to go out for a bit."
After saying this, Uchiha Yoichi prepared to head outside, but just as he reached the door, Uchiha Masato called out, "Clan Leader..."
"What is it?"
"... Nothing, I'll handle matters here."
"Alright then, thank you, Senior Masato."
Afterwards, Uchiha Masato sighed, recalling his father's decision to relinquish power last night, and realized that Uchiha Yoichi was no longer the junior he used to be; he was now the Clan Leader of the Uchiha Race.
Now, it was best not to offer advice casually, as Uchiha Yoichi was a very decisive individual, something his father had warned him about yesterday.
After leaving the Security Team, Uchiha Yoichi promptly arrived at Uchiha Yashiro's house.
Moments after knocking, Uchiha Yashiro opened the door, showing no surprise upon seeing him: "Clan Leader!"
"You should know why I'm here to see you, Mr. Yashiro."
Uchiha Yoichi spoke expressionlessly, his eyes already turning into the Three-Tomoe, slowly revolving.
"Should we speak inside? Or here?"
Uchiha Yashiro stepped aside and said, "Clan Leader, please come in."
After glancing at him, Uchiha Yoichi walked straight inside, only to see two people emerge from within; one of them, Uchiha Shisui, he had met before, and the other was Uchiha Fugaku's son, Uchiha Itachi.
"Clan Leader."
Upon seeing Uchiha Yoichi, Uchiha Shisui promptly greeted him, urging Uchiha Itachi to do the same by patting him.
"Clan Leader."
Thus, Uchiha Itachi also greeted, though with some confusion—just a few days ago he was the son of the Clan Leader, so why was he not today?
"Shisui, would you mind helping me buy some yokan? Thank you very much."
Uchiha Yashiro walked over and said to Uchiha Shisui, who nodded and replied, "I understand, Senior Yashiro."
While it was evident he was sending the two away, Uchiha Yoichi wasn't worried at all about Uchiha Itachi leaving; being a traitorous ninja wasn't so easy these days.
After Uchiha Shisui left with Itachi, Uchiha Yoichi didn't bother beating around the bush and directly asked, "Where is he?"
"Fugaku... has already left Konoha."
Uchiha Yashiro bowed his head, saying, "After waking up, I asked a Medical Ninja to use Medical Ninjutsu to accelerate Fugaku's recovery. Once he was able to move, he left Konoha...."
"Am I letting you misunderstand me, Mr. Yashiro, by being ruthless to enemies and biased toward the clan members?"
Uchiha Yoichi slowly tapped his finger on the table, his eyes having already transformed into the Mangekyo pattern; concurrently, Uchiha Yashiro began to feel the pressure radiating from Uchiha Yoichi's presence, making the atmosphere inside increasingly heavy.
"Where is he? I will only ask this once!"
A swirl of chaotic thoughts filled Uchiha Yashiro's mind, rendering his prior prepared explanations entirely useless in the face of such pressure.
'I'm sorry, Fugaku, I fear I must betray your entrustment, but this is also for Itachi....'
This thought flashed through his mind, and Uchiha Yashiro quickly made a decision. He took out a saline bottle from his bosom, feeling a sudden relief, and spoke to Uchiha Yoichi.
"Clan Leader, I don't know where Fugaku went, but he is no longer a threat to you, and before leaving, he entrusted Itachi to me... I am willing to atone for this with my life, so please do not blame Itachi."
Uchiha Yashiro apologized to Uchiha Yoichi, kneeling.
On the table, in the saline bottle, was a pair of eyes—Uchiha Fugaku's Mangekyo Sharingan.