Days passed. Night Namikaze didn't rush into action. Instead, like a crouching leopard, he quietly observed the winds of Konoha.
He didn't pour much energy into basic experiments. Rather, he occasionally guided Nawaki in training, patiently waiting for a certain future event to unfold.
However, plans rarely keep up with changes. Before the anticipated moment arrived, news came from the Hokage Building.
An ANBU wearing an animal mask appeared silently outside his house, delivering an official transfer order from the Hokage Building.
"Promoting Night Namikaze to Konoha Tokubetsu Jonin (Special Jonin)."
The ANBU's voice was steady, but he paused strangely before the next sentence: "Simultaneously, Night Namikaze is specially appointed as Special Advisor to the Uchiha Police Force, concurrently serving as Captain of the Fourth Division, effective immediately."
After handing over the transfer scroll, the ANBU flickered away.
Night held the specially textured scroll, looking at the Hokage Building's seal on it, and scratched his head helplessly.
"Tokubetsu Jonin... Police Force Division Captain... What a grand gesture." He muttered to himself, his eyes devoid of joy, filled only with the calm of seeing through everything.
On the surface, it was an exceptional promotion, granting him access to a department with real power in Konoha.
But this department was Konoha's hottest potato. In reality, it pushed him to the front line of the power struggle between the Uchiha and the village.
If he favored Konoha, he would find it impossible to move an inch within the Uchiha Police Force.
If he favored the Uchiha, he would undoubtedly stand against Konoha's high command.
Whichever side he leaned toward, it wouldn't be good for him.
Only the Darkness of Konoha would be "mischievous" enough to execute such an insidious open conspiracy. Night didn't even need to think twice about it.
But Night didn't really care. He had long planned how to deal with Danzo Shimura; he'd just let the old man hop around a bit longer.
He didn't report to the Police Force immediately. Instead, he turned and walked toward the Uchiha clan grounds.
Since he was officially entering the meat grinder between the high command and the Uchiha, he naturally had to meet the legendary "Old Tortoise" first.
---
The Uchiha clan grounds were heavily guarded. Along the way, he felt numerous scrutinizing gazes, both overt and covert.
Night remained composed, his steps steady, until he arrived in front of the Clan Head's residence.
After announcing his name, he was quickly ushered into a traditional Japanese-style room.
Fugaku Uchiha sat formally at the head of the tea room. His face was solemn, his eyes deep and emotionless, yet he exuded an aura of authority without anger.
He raised a hand, gesturing for Night to sit, and spoke flatly, "Night Namikaze... I've heard your name. Regarding the matter in Hell Valley, Yashiro Uchiha owes you his thanks."
"It was my duty."
Night sat down calmly, his posture relaxed. "I had a pleasant cooperation with Senior Yashiro and witnessed the power of the Uchiha Sharingan."
Fugaku remained noncommittal, his gaze sharp. "Then, coming to my Uchiha clan grounds with your current status, what is your purpose?"
He had clearly caught wind of the transfer order; his tone carried scrutiny.
Night met his gaze without evasion. "Clan Head Fugaku must already know about the transfer order. I came today to have a frank talk with you before officially taking office."
"The intention of Konoha's high command is clear to both of us."
Night said straightforwardly, "Forcing an outsider like me—especially one who has cooperated with Uchiha clansmen—into the Police Force.
They just want to see what kind of sparks will fly from the friction between us."
Fugaku's eyes shifted slightly. He clearly hadn't expected someone of Night's age to see through it so thoroughly.
He didn't stay silent for long and said slowly, "You are very clear-headed. So, what is your choice?"
"My choice?"
Night chuckled lightly. Leaning forward slightly and lowering his voice, his words pierced straight to the core like a blade. "Clan Head Fugaku, are the Uchiha willing to be trapped forever in this Police Force, which looks glorious but is actually a quagmire?"
Fugaku's pupils constricted slightly. The air in the room seemed to freeze abruptly.
Night didn't wait for his response and continued, his speech steady yet powerful. "They want to see how I choose, but I want to ask you, Clan Head: Would the Uchiha be willing to see...
A 'one of their own' who has the potential to become Hokage?"
"Hokage?"
Fugaku was finally moved, though it was just a minuscule raise of his brow.
"Correct."
Night's gaze burned. "I am Orochimaru's disciple, have a close relationship with Lady Tsunade, and am a recognized best friend of Nawaki. The resources of the Senju line are within my reach.
And my civilian background ensures I won't treat anyone with arrogance or prejudice."
Observing Fugaku's expression, he raised the stakes. "A civilian Hokage supported by the Uchiha, versus a Police Force forever excluded from the core of power...
Clan Head Fugaku should know better than I which carries more weight."
"The high command's conduct... you must have experienced it deeply. They may have never truly trusted the Uchiha."
Night's voice carried just the right amount of resonance and indignation. "As for me, also of civilian origin, I know deeply the unfairness regarding resources and opportunities. If I can go further, I will reshape the order of Konoha.
And the goodwill and support of the Uchiha, to me, are absolutely not a burden, but indispensable assistance."
Fugaku fell silent. His deep gaze fixed on Night, as if weighing the truth and weight of these words.
After a long time, as if figuring something out, he chuckled lightly and spoke slowly, "Not a small ambition. But empty promises like this... perhaps they would carry more weight if Orochimaru said them. As for you... are you worth the Uchiha betting on your hollow promises?"
Night naturally saw that he had struck a chord with Fugaku Uchiha, causing his mind to waver.
But as the head of a prestigious clan, he naturally wasn't so easily fooled.
Mentioning Orochimaru wasn't because he trusted Orochimaru more, but purely out of consideration for strength.
"Naturally, I don't need the Clan Head to place a bet immediately. We can start with cooperation. In the Police Force, I will do my best to mediate and alleviate the friction between the Uchiha and the village."
To bolster Fugaku's confidence, he added, "I once fought A (Ei). I believe that with the Uchiha's means, obtaining that intelligence won't be difficult."
With that, he picked up the tea in front of him, took a sip, put it down, and stood up to end the meeting.
With Night's departure, silence returned to the tea room.
After a long while, the Uchiha Clan Head tapped his knuckles lightly on the table. A dark shadow knelt silently behind him.
"Go." Fugaku's voice betrayed no emotion. "Use the dark channels. Find all records of the fight between Night Namikaze and A."
The shadow behind him nodded faintly in acknowledgment, then vanished like a phantom.
"Perhaps this kid can really break the Uchiha's predicament, even if only..."
Fugaku's gaze turned to the window, where the Uchiha clan crest shone somewhat brilliantly under the setting sun.