The Konoha Military Police Force an organization established by the Second Hokage.
Because every member of the Police Force hailed from the Uchiha Clan, the department's emblem was a shuriken embedded with the Uchiha clan symbol: the Flame Fan.
"Truly a masterful move."
Uchiha Fugaku glanced at the emblem before stepping into the headquarters of the Police Force.
But standing in this building, so deeply tied to the Uchiha Clan, stirred no pride in his heart only cold, bitter resentment.
The Second Hokage's motives for creating the Military Police Force had been nothing short of insidious.
First, by grouping all Uchiha into a single department, he had effectively isolated them from the rest of the village and its clans.
Second, by assigning them the task of law enforcement, the Uchiha were destined to offend others by duty alone making them easy targets for resentment and exclusion.
It was not unlike the urban management officers in his previous life.
Their infamy didn't stem from their inherent malice, but from their role standing in direct opposition to the general public. Even minor faults would be magnified, until their reputation became irredeemable.
Finally, concentrating all Uchiha in one place made it easy to monitor them confining their activities strictly within the village.
Of the four Hokage Konoha had known, the First Hokage was unquestionably the strongest in raw power but when it came to manipulation and schemes, no one rivaled the Second.
Compared to him, even the Third Hokage who inherited much of his ideology seemed immature.
If not for his unexpected death during peace talks with the Hidden Cloud, the Uchiha Clan might have long been wiped out.
Upon arriving at his office, Uchiha Fugaku began dealing with the backlog of routine security reports from the previous day.
There were cases of brawling, lost wallets, and drunkards damaging property — trivial matters, all handled with impartial fairness by the Police Force members assigned.
After reviewing them, Fugaku quickly signed off in approval of their judgments.
Knock, knock, knock!
A series of firm knocks echoed through the office.
"Come in," Fugaku said.
A man entered. He wore a green ninja uniform, a black armband bearing the Police Force emblem on his left arm, and had dark hair tinged with brown. His presence rivaled that of Shimura Ryoma from before.
This was Uchiha Yakumi — a loyal supporter of Fugaku's predecessor, once considered a trusted right-hand man.
Like Shimura Ryoma, he was an elite jonin — but even stronger, having awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
"Captain, we have a special case that requires your immediate judgment," Yakumi said respectfully.
"What kind of case?" Fugaku asked, mimicking his predecessor's usual tone.
"Last night, two groups broke into a fight at a tavern. Both parties have been detained and brought in, but we need your ruling on how to handle it."
"Two groups? Their identities are unusual?" Fugaku raised an eyebrow.
A simple bar brawl could be handled by standard procedures the only reason to escalate it to his level would be if the individuals involved had special status.
"Yes. One group belongs to the Hatake Clan, the other to the Sarutobi Clan."
Fugaku nodded in understanding. No wonder Yakumi had hesitated.
The Sarutobi Clan, home to the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, was one of the most powerful and politically influential families in the village.
The Hatake Clan, though it had never produced a Hokage, had raised a shinobi of Kage-level strength — the legendary White Fang of the Leaf. Any clan capable of nurturing such a powerhouse was not to be underestimated.
A dispute between these two clans, if mishandled, could further jeopardize the already fragile standing of the Uchiha Clan.
"Have we determined who was at fault?" Fugaku asked.
"According to the investigation, it was the Sarutobi who struck first. The Hatake retaliated, but mostly in self-defense."
"Then it's simple. Follow the law. Handle it by the book."
"According to regulations, the Sarutobi involved should be sentenced to ten days of confinement. But… considering who they are"
Yakumi hesitated.
The Uchiha's relationship with the village leadership was already strained. Further offending the Third Hokage might push them into even more dangerous territory.
"Don't worry. As long as we provide a sound justification, that just and noble Hokage won't target us over this," Fugaku said with a cold smirk in his heart.
The Third had built his reputation on being a fair and righteous leader. He wouldn't easily act against that image.
That reputation was now a chain of his own making. If he violated it, the backlash would be severe.
Of course, the Third didn't need to dirty his own hands.
Whenever something underhanded was necessary, he simply let Shimura Danzo carry out the deed. That way, he could maintain his spotless image while letting Danzo take the blame a tactic the Third had used time and time again.
"Go. Handle this according to protocol," Fugaku ordered. Then, after a pause, added:
"From now on, any clan involving the Sarutobi, Shimura, Uzumaki, or Akimichi clans is to be brought directly to me for judgment."
"…Understood," Yakumi replied with some surprise, then left the office.
"Since they've pushed the Uchiha into this thankless role, they shouldn't be surprised when I turn it to our advantage."
Alone in his office, Fugaku snorted coldly.
Law enforcement may make enemies but if used wisely, it could bring more benefits than harm.
He could leverage the Police Force's authority to subtly suppress the Sarutobi, Shimura, Uzumaki, and Akimichi clans all of whom were beyond reconciliation while showing favor to the other clans.
This would send a clear signal that the Uchiha were allies to the rest slowly driving a wedge between those four clans and the rest of the village.
With careful maneuvering, he might even secure new allies for the Uchiha.