The next day, Night Namikaze didn't wear the standard Konoha flak jacket. Still in his plain clothes, he stepped into the Uchiha Police Force Building.
The building had a stern, austere style, with the Uchiha crest and the Konoha symbol hanging at the entrance.
Most people coming and going wore dark uniforms with the distinct fan crest on their backs, their sharp eyes carrying the innate pride of the Uchiha.
His arrival instantly attracted everyone's attention. Curiosity, scrutiny, disdain, indifference... various emotions intermingled.
Night ignored these gazes and walked straight toward the office of the Fourth Division.
The Uchiha ninja responsible for reception had clearly been notified. Although his expression was unnatural, he led Night to meet the Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division.
She was a young female Jonin with an upright posture. Her features were beautiful but distant, her long black hair tied back, revealing a pale, slender neck.
Most striking were her eyes—sharp as knives yet carrying the calmness unique to Uchiha women.
"I am Night Namikaze, assuming the position of Fourth Division Captain from today." Night calmly presented his transfer order.
Weaver-Moon (Otsuki) Uchiha carefully examined the order, then looked up, her tone businesslike and slightly distant. "I am Weaver-Moon Uchiha, Vice-Captain of the Fourth Division. Since Lord Hokage has appointed you, we will naturally cooperate.
These are the division member roster and the recent duty schedule."
She handed over two scrolls and added, "The division is mainly responsible for daily patrols, dispute mediation, and initial handling of emergencies in the South and West Districts. I hope Captain Namikaze can familiarize yourself with the affairs as soon as possible."
Her tone was faultless, but the sense of alienation stemming from her bones was palpable.
It wasn't really her fault. The previous Fourth Division Captain happened to be Yashiro Uchiha, who had deep ties with Night.
After Yashiro was transferred to Hell Valley, Weaver-Moon had been acting captain due to her junior status.
Night took the scrolls, his expression unchanged. "Thank you, Vice-Captain Weaver-Moon. Please assemble all division members for a meeting in thirty minutes."
About twenty minutes later, in the Police Force conference room, nearly thirty uniformed Uchiha clansmen gathered, casting varying gazes at the new division captain.
Night stood at the front, calmly scanning the crowd. He could feel the distrust permeating the air. "I am Night Namikaze. Starting today, I serve as the Fourth Division Captain. Let's get familiar with each other."
He got straight to the point, his voice not loud but clearly reaching everyone's ears. "I have only three requirements for you: fulfill your duties diligently, act according to regulations, and remain calm."
He paused, and his gaze suddenly became sharp. A pressure mixed with bloodlust and sharpness swept over the crowd, causing several Uchiha clansmen in the front row, who initially looked contemptuous, to tense up.
"I know some of you may be unconvinced, thinking that I, an outsider, am unworthy of leading the Uchiha elites."
His voice remained steady but carried a chilly texture. "It doesn't matter. Today I set a new rule: those who are unconvinced can challenge me.
But as long as I am captain, my orders must be executed unconditionally. If anyone feigns compliance or neglects official duties due to personal emotions, don't blame me for being ruthless."
His pressure was released for only an instant, but it made the entire conference room fall silent enough to hear a pin drop.
Even the previously indifferent Weaver-Moon Uchiha looked a few degrees more solemn.
After dismissing the crowd, Night sat in his private office, carefully reviewing member information and patrol routes.
He didn't need to do everything himself like Yashiro Uchiha; he wasn't running for Uchiha Clan Head. Maintaining superficial harmony was enough.
However, the tree craves calm, but the wind will not subside. His peace was broken by an incident.
Several days later, a conflict suddenly erupted in the South District commercial street, which was under the Fourth Division's jurisdiction.
Several merchants from outside the village were agitated over lost goods.
The caravan guards, seemingly to shirk responsibility, actually got into a fierce verbal altercation on the street with the Uchiha members who came to investigate.
One of the merchant guards overestimated his strength and attempted to use genjutsu to interfere with an Uchiha member, only to be reflexively countered by the Sharingan, resulting in mental trauma to himself.
The situation escalated rapidly. Numerous caravan guards surrounded them, and a large crowd of villagers gathered to watch.
The injured merchant guard loudly accused the Uchiha of using their Sharingan to oppress outsiders.
The young Uchiha members responsible looked grim. Strictly speaking, they hadn't violated regulations, but the blood-red pupils revealed during the counter became a breakthrough point for the other side to make a fuss.
Weaver-Moon Uchiha, who hurried to the scene, tried to control the situation but was somewhat constrained by the emotional caravan guards and the finger-pointing of the onlookers.
"Is this how you Konoha people bully others? You must give us an explanation!"
"Can the Uchiha Police Force hurt people at will?"
Just then, a calm voice laced with helplessness rang out. "What happened here?"
The crowd parted, and Night, dressed in casual clothes, walked over slowly.
After handling the initial affairs of the Police Force, he hadn't shown his face for several days.
He even excluded himself from the patrol roster, claiming "patrolling alone provides better insight into public sentiment," while in reality, he was just wandering around slacking off.
Just passing by, it would indeed be unjustifiable if he didn't step in to handle this.
His gaze swept over the scene, finally landing on the merchant guard clutching his head in pain.
"Captain!" The Uchiha members seemed to find their backbone.
Weaver-Moon Uchiha also looked over, her expression complex.
Night ignored the surrounding accusations and walked straight to the merchant, squatting down.
A faint green chakra glow appeared on his fingertips—the most basic medical ninjutsu probe.
"Mental backlash from his own genjutsu, mild concussion."
He made a quick judgment, his tone calm. "Vice-Captain Weaver-Moon, record: The involved merchant first attempted to use genjutsu to interfere with Police Force members executing official duties, suffering self-inflicted injury due to instinctive Sharingan reflection. Confirmed no active attack behavior from our members."
His voice wasn't loud, but it silenced the scene instantly. He precisely stated the key facts.
The apparent leader of the caravan stepped forward, forcing composure. "Who are you? On what basis do you say that?"
Night stood up, flashing his Police Force Division Captain badge, his voice clearly reaching the surroundings. "Uchiha Police Force, Fourth Division Captain, Night Namikaze. The nature of the incident is determined based on residual chakra traces and injury assessment.
If you disagree, you are free to go to the Medical Department or Interrogation Department for review."
He turned his gaze to the caravan leader, his tone still steady but carrying undeniable pressure. "The loss of goods is originally a dereliction of duty by your guards. But since it happened in Konoha, the Police Force will naturally open a case to investigate.
However, attacking law enforcement officers is a serious crime anywhere. Whether you choose to continue making trouble unreasonably or cooperate with the investigation to recover your losses is up to you."
His powerful aura and precise professional judgment instantly turned the tide. The caravan members looked at each other, their arrogance fading.
Night didn't look at them again, turning to the Uchiha members. "Take the relevant personnel back to the branch for detailed statements. Maintain order, disperse the crowd."
"Yes! Captain!"
Several Uchiha members immediately straightened their backs and responded, their movements much swifter than before.