Chapter 19: Fugaku's Interference; Even Hiruzen is Helpless!
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.
Looking at Uchiha Jin, he felt like a dog trying to bite a turtle—there was nowhere to sink his teeth in.
After a long silence, he finally spoke. "Let's stop playing games. What will it take for you to restore the Police Force to working order?"
"You'd have to ask our Clan Head about that," Jin said, instantly shifting the blame.
Fugaku's eyes narrowed in annoyance. He opened his mouth several times, wanting to reprimand Jin.
I fucking want to manage it, but no one listens to me!
However, remembering that he was a Clan Head in name only and held no deterrent power over Jin, Fugaku eventually sighed and chose to lie flat. "I can't do anything. No one listens to me anymore."
Hiruzen's face turned ugly.
They were back to square one!
Fugaku wanted to solve the problem but lacked the ability because the clan ignored him.
Jin had the ability to solve it but didn't want to, and crucially, he held no official rank, meaning Hiruzen couldn't punish him for dereliction of duty.
The situation was stuck. It was a mess.
But the village's security issues had to be resolved. After thinking for a moment, Hiruzen forced a slight smile. "Jin-kun, perhaps it is time for a promotion. A powerhouse like you shouldn't remain a Chunin forever."
"I am hereby granting you a special promotion to Jonin. Furthermore, I will have Fugaku transfer the position of Police Force Chief to you."
"How does that sound?"
Hiruzen's thoughts were clear.
The reason he couldn't handle Jin right now was that Jin's rank was too low. He couldn't punish the whole clan for fear of triggering a rebellion, but if he promoted Jin to a position of responsibility, then the next time Jin slacked off, Hiruzen would have the legal authority to punish him directly.
But unfortunately...
Jin wasn't stupid. He saw through the trap instantly.
Without a second of hesitation, he shook his head. "Hokage-sama, you must be joking. My abilities are quite lacking; I don't believe I could pass the Jonin exams."
"As for a special promotion? Forget it. That would be unfair to the other ninja."
"Konoha is built on the Will of Fire. Everything we do must be fair and just. Hokage-sama, you must lead by example!"
Jin's tone was mocking.
Hearing this, Hiruzen almost exploded with rage.
The Will of Fire?
Does an Uchiha like you have the right to lecture me on that?
He wanted to curse, maybe even smash Jin with his staff.
But he couldn't.
Jin's last sentence had completely checkmated him.
As the Hokage, he had to uphold the Will of Fire. It was the foundation of his rule. With Jin framing his refusal as a matter of fairness and village ideology, Hiruzen lost any possibility of forcing the promotion on him.
According to Konoha's rules, becoming a Jonin required the candidate to apply. Jin wouldn't apply.
He could force a battlefield promotion, but that required major meritorious service—which Jin "didn't have."
Promoting one of his own loyalists was easy to manipulate. Promoting Jin? Impossible.
Hiruzen was genuinely afraid that if he forced the promotion, Jin would run into the streets shouting that the Hokage was violating the Will of Fire by handing out unearned ranks.
Sigh.
With a helpless sigh, Hiruzen realized the truth. If he wanted to deal with Uchiha Jin, he would have to rely on brute force to kill him. Trying to trap him with rules and regulations was a dead end.
He couldn't understand it. This guy is clearly an Uchiha... why is he more politically savvy than I am?
Finally, Hiruzen shook his head in defeat and set down his pipe. "State your conditions."
"Konoha's public order must be restored immediately. This is non-negotiable. If the village rots from the inside, the other clans and the civilians won't let the Uchiha off the hook."
"Of course, if you are prepared to tear off the mask and start a civil war right now, I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, will accompany you to the end!"
Hiruzen's words were domineering, radiating the aura of the "Professor" he once was.
Looking at him, Jin's eyes flickered. He could almost see the shadow of the legendary "Shinobi no Kami" of the past.
However...
Just as Jin was about to speak, Fugaku anxiously cut in. "Jin-kun, stop this nonsense!"
"The security of Konoha is not a bargaining chip! It is the duty of the Uchiha Clan! You must shoulder this responsibility!"
The corner of Jin's mouth twitched.
Looking at Fugaku, he genuinely wanted to slap him to death.
Can't you see I'm negotiating with the Hokage?
Taking a deep breath, Jin shrugged helplessly. "Fine. You do it."
"You're the Clan Head. What you say goes. I'll wash my hands of it, alright?"
Fugaku froze, dumbfounded.
If I had the power to do it myself, do you think I'd let you stand here and cause trouble?
On the other side, Hiruzen looked at Fugaku with equal frustration. While he agreed with Fugaku's "duty" sentiment, he knew Fugaku's words carried zero weight in the clan.
Bang!
Hiruzen slammed the table again. "Fugaku, shut up!"
Fugaku: "..."
He looked at the furious Hokage, feeling incredibly wronged.
I'm on your side! Why are you yelling at me?
Hiruzen ignored him completely and turned back to Jin. "Jin, continue."
"Ask for whatever you want. As long as it is within my power, and for the sake of the village's security, I can agree to it."
Jin nodded.
Now that is how a negotiation should start!
That idiot Fugaku knows nothing but how to cause trouble.
Jin's mind raced. After a moment, his eyes lit up. He cleared his throat and spoke slowly.
"Hokage-sama."
"Originally, it would be inappropriate for a mere Chunin like me to involve myself in such major affairs."
"But since the Hokage-sama holds me in such high regard... for the sake of the Will of Fire, I am willing to try and resolve this."
"However, the resentment within the Uchiha Clan right now is enormous."
"If I can't offer them something tangible, I truly won't have the power to move them. I need the Hokage's help."
Hiruzen's eyes were dark.
He had to hand it to Jin—even when demanding benefits for himself, he wrapped it in the skin of "The Will of Fire."
His methods are not bad.
Just then, he saw Fugaku opening his mouth again. Hiruzen felt a headache coming on instantly.
How is this man so stupid?
He quickly stopped Fugaku. "Fugaku, silence! From this moment on, you are forbidden to speak!"
Fugaku, who had been ready to reprimand Jin again, stood there with his mouth open, completely stunned.
Hiruzen ignored him and looked at Jin seriously. "What do you want?"
"It's not what I want; it's what the clansmen need!" Jin retorted.
Hiruzen rubbed his temples. "Fine. What do the Uchiha clansmen need?"
"Our original land," Jin said without preamble. "The district to the left of the Hokage Building."
"The land the Uchiha occupied before the Nine-Tails' Attack. If the Hokage-sama is willing to return our ancestral land, I am confident I can resolve this entire situation."