Konoha Military Police Force Headquarters.
Sakumo Hatake sipped his tea in small mouthfuls, quietly observing the interior.
Not bad.
This institution, personally established by Tobirama Senju and entrusted to the Uchiha Clan, oversaw internal order and public security within the village. It held the authority to arrest criminal shinobi.
Right next door stood Konoha Prison.
Most Genin and Chunin would likely never set foot here in their entire lives unless something went terribly wrong.
Fugaku Uchiha sat across from Sakumo, a document in his hands, brows furrowed as he read carefully.
It was the proposal Sakumo had drafted based on Hiruzen Sarutobi's instructions: the plan for Konoha's new Patrol Unit.
"So? Interested?"
Sakumo took another sip of tea, then reached toward the plate of snacks near Fugaku.
"Can I? Kakashi didn't cook enough saury this morning. I'm still a little hungry."
Fugaku rolled his eyes internally.
This is the Police Force, not your personal cafeteria. You're eating and drinking like you own the place.
And what kind of father makes his son cook?
Outwardly, however, he smiled warmly.
"Please, make yourself at home. Think of it as your own place."
"Try my wife's cooking."
Sakumo's casual behavior was, in its own way, a gesture of goodwill.
Still, Fugaku could not quite figure out the White Fang.
Just days ago, after a few drinks with friends, he had complained that Sakumo looked solemn but actually had a twisted sense of humor.
Yashiro had chimed in at the time.
"The White Fang is sharper than he looks. Says he fights with a blade, then wraps Lightning Style around One Thousand Years of Death."
Once Fugaku understood exactly what that taijutsu entailed, half his drunken haze vanished.
Who in their right mind develops a technique like that?
And enhances it with Lightning Style?
"These tricolor dango are excellent. You have a wonderful wife, Fugaku."
Sakumo ate with sincere appreciation.
"I'm glad you like them." Fugaku smiled. He had once joked with Mikoto that when their child was born, he would love these dango too.
He cleared his throat and shifted to the main topic.
"This plan… it's the Third's intention?"
"Of course." Sakumo looked mildly surprised. "Who else could adjust the village's security structure?"
He blinked. "Didn't the opening page clearly state that? You didn't read it carefully?"
Fugaku felt a faint tightness in his chest.
Of course he knew it was Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision. He had seen it.
That question had simply been a polite way to end the pleasantries and move to the real discussion.
The White Fang took everything literally.
And that remark about only the Hokage being able to adjust security…
Fugaku could not shake the feeling Sakumo was implying something. He just had no proof.
"All in all, it's beneficial for the Police Force and for the Uchiha Clan," Fugaku said carefully.
He could not find any obvious trap within the proposal.
It simply allowed certain Uchiha members, those with battle injuries but rich experience, or those holding idle posts within the Police Force who wanted additional income, to enter the new security system.
The strange part was this.
The Police Force's existing duties remained untouched.
Their funding was not reduced.
That was… correct?
The proposal mentioned Konoha's insufficient security forces and referenced the Kushina Uzumaki incident, but it did not place all the blame on the Police Force.
Was this really the style of Konoha's leadership?
Could such a windfall truly fall from the sky?
In private, Fugaku had discussed it with Clan Head Isshin Uchiha.
They had concluded that Hiruzen's public emphasis on security was likely a prelude to pressure.
They needed to be cautious. If something happened, they would argue logically and point to other departments' shortcomings.
"Good. So that's agreement?"
Sakumo smiled.
"Vice Captain Fugaku, discuss it with your clansmen. There's no compulsion."
"The Uchiha are an important part of the village and possess extensive experience. Personally, I hope you'll participate. The Third specifically mentioned your clan's importance."
"The Patrol Unit's funding comes from the Third's personal donation. He hopes it can benefit the Uchiha as well."
Fugaku straightened.
"Please convey our gratitude to the Third."
"Give me an answer soon. I'll reserve one position per squad for the Uchiha."
Sakumo rose and extended his hand.
"I look forward to the Police Force's support."
They shook.
After Sakumo left, Fugaku hurried to find Isshin Uchiha.
The elderly man was the pillar of the clan, an Uchiha living fossil in every sense.
After hearing Fugaku's account, Isshin fell into a long silence. He slowly took out his pipe and lit it.
Smoke drifted into the air.
"Clan Head Isshin, don't just smoke. Say something," Fugaku urged.
"I never expected Hiruzen Sarutobi's methods to be this vicious," Isshin said hoarsely. "Almost rivaling that bastard."
Fugaku frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Isshin exhaled heavily.
"He's giving our clansmen money. Jobs. I didn't see that coming."
Fugaku stared at him, confused.
What are you talking about?
Seeing his expression, Isshin's voice grew heavier.
"Have I not told you never to forget our clan's history?"
"When the Police Force was first established, everyone thought it was wonderful. And now?"
"You only see the benefits. You don't see the scheme beneath."
Isshin drew deeply on his pipe.
"This so-called Patrol Unit doesn't encroach on the Police Force now. But what about later?"
"These Uchiha who gain new jobs and income, who interact with the Hokage's supporters… over time, will they still remember that the Uchiha deserve the Hokage position?"
Fugaku's brows knitted.
It sounded extreme. Yet there was logic to it.
"Those who join the Patrol Unit will mostly be the weaker voices within the clan. Easier to win over."
"They may lack influence inside the clan, but they have relatives and friends. One person can sway ten."
Isshin's sigh was heavy.
"And the money comes from Hiruzen's personal donation."
Fugaku's voice turned low.
"Then we refuse. Say the Police Force is too busy."
"Refuse?"
Isshin gave a bitter smile.
"How do you refuse? Our own people won't understand. When someone extends an olive branch, do we burn it with Fire Style?"
"If we reject this, and the village restructures power again in the future, we may not even be allowed to speak."
If they refused welfare initiatives meant to strengthen the village, what right would they have to demand higher authority?
Fugaku felt at a loss.
"Then what do we do?"
"You're asking me? Who should I ask?"
For a moment, Isshin seemed to age before Fugaku's eyes. The wrinkles in his skin deepened.
"I am an incompetent clan head, Fugaku."
"When I think of our predecessors… the great clan heads possessed strength. The younger heads possessed wisdom. Even my brother Setsuna had reckless courage."
"What do I have? Nothing."
"So I cling to the final words left by Izuna."
"Do not trust Tobirama Senju."
His voice was weary.
Many times, I have wondered whether Madara and Izuna, if their spirits watch from above, might reincarnate within our clan and guide us.
Even appearing in my dreams once would be enough.
Sometimes, a man breaks in a single instant.
Fugaku understood that deeply.
"Clan Head Isshin, please stay strong. We need you," Fugaku said gently. "So… the decision?"
"We join. We follow Hiruzen Sarutobi's proposal."
Isshin waved his hand, exhaustion evident.
"We must hold clan meetings frequently. Remind our people that we are one of Konoha's founders. We must not be blinded by petty gains."
"And we must carefully dissect what Tobirama Senju did in the past. I will consider the scale. In the current climate, stirring hatred does us no good."
"This is all we can do."
"We wait for the right time."
He shook his head.
"Fugaku, your child is about to be born, yes? Raise him well."
"Perhaps he will be a genius like Izuna."
"I hope so," Fugaku replied respectfully.
Looking at Isshin, Fugaku felt a flicker of fear toward the position of clan head.
It was not an easy seat to occupy.
Meanwhile.
The Hokage whom Isshin condemned as ruthlessly cunning, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood with his hands behind his back.
He was preparing to inspect the first phase of Konoha's pharmaceutical project.