With the reorganization of the Root division completed, a concrete plan for restructuring the police force had also been finalized.
Sakumo personally handed over the detailed proposal to Fugaku, who read through it and nodded in approval.
Soon after, Aburame Shikuro, personally appointed by Sakumo as the deputy captain of the police force, entered the police headquarters wearing the Aburame clan's iconic high-collared coat.
Most members of the Uchiha clan accepted the reforms being implemented in the village.
After all, while outsiders had joined the police force, the other departments in Konoha had opened their doors to the Uchiha.
Many clansmen who had been unwilling to join the police force during the Third Hokage's era—and had been rejected by other departments—received responses from various divisions after nervously applying and passing the assessments.
Even for a few whose overall capabilities didn't meet the standard, Sakumo had them all accepted by special exception.
As a result, the only ones still dissatisfied were a small faction of radicals who viewed the clan's honor as paramount and considered the police force sacred and inviolable property of the Uchiha.
In the face of their dissatisfaction, Fugaku, as always, patiently listened to their opinions during clan meetings, promised to consider their demands, and then sent them away.
"Captain Fugaku."
Once the last Uchiha had left, Aburame Shikuro stepped out from the shadows where he'd been listening in silence. Behind his sunglasses, he stared at the clan leader before him, waiting for him to make his final decision.
Fugaku clenched his fists, visibly struggling.
"If we get rid of them... what will the rest of the clan think...?"
Even at such a critical juncture, Fugaku remained hesitant.
Shikuro's expression didn't change, but in his heart, he formed a new opinion about this clan leader.
No wonder Konoha's leadership during the Third Hokage's reign could never fully trust this man. His indecisiveness made it impossible for anyone to truly see where he stood, much less place full confidence in him.
"The reforms are already in motion. If we let the dissenters run wild, they'll eventually cause a disaster and spill the blood of innocent Uchiha. On the other hand, if we act now, I believe the higher-ups won't go so far as to exterminate them all."
Recalling Sakumo's instructions, Shikuro calmly laid out the pros and cons for Fugaku.
Since when were the Aburame clan so eloquent?
Fugaku was a little surprised by his words.
But he understood the message. If he continued to hesitate, the ones who would ultimately be hurt would still be the Uchiha. For the greater good, these people had to be sacrificed.
Let's hope Sakumo really is trustworthy.
After all these years of wavering, Fugaku was tired. It was time to bring all of this to an end.
Very soon, Yakume, the leader of the radical faction, received a secret message from Fugaku.
"Captain Fugaku invited us to a meeting tonight in the forest beyond the Naka River."
Holding the message, Uchiha Yakume shook it as he read the contents aloud to the other radicals.
"The forest beyond the Naka River? Why not the Naka Shrine?"
An older Uchiha frowned, confused as to why Fugaku had arranged the meeting outside the traditional location.
"Maybe he's worried Sakumo will have the shrine under surveillance. I heard the Fourth Hokage spent a long time working in the Anbu—he likely knows all the places we gather."
Another Uchiha chimed in, signaling not to overthink it.
Even if it was outside the Naka River, it was still considered Uchiha territory. There was no need to worry about safety.
"Since it's not the shrine, we should bring weapons, just in case anything unexpected happens."
Some voiced concerns and urged caution.
But those views were quickly countered by others.
"Even if it's outside the shrine, it's still a sacred place. Besides, Fugaku-sama invited us for a meeting—why would we need weapons?"
In the end, under the insistence of the majority, none of them brought any weapons. That night, dressed in plain clothes, they went to the location specified in Fugaku's secret message.
That evening, the weather wasn't great. A light drizzle fell steadily.
"Should've brought an umbrella."
Exhaling warm breath, one Uchiha looked up at the sky, regretting not taking one before heading out.
"What's the point of saying that now? We're already out—we can't go back just for an umbrella. Let's go."
Another companion comforted him and took the lead into the woods.
When the group arrived at the designated location on time, the first thing they saw was Fugaku dressed in full gear—and Aburame Shikuro standing beside him.
Something was off. Wasn't this supposed to be an internal discussion? Why was Shikuro here too?
More importantly, why were both of them dressed for combat, with ninja blades strapped to their waists?
At that moment, anyone—no matter how slow—could see that Fugaku and Shikuro had not come in peace.
"Is everyone here?"
Shikuro glanced at Fugaku. Seeing that he didn't want to speak first, he took the initiative to do a headcount himself.
"Seems like it."
A chillingly familiar voice echoed from the shadows. As soon as Yakume heard the tone, his heart skipped a beat.
Accompanied by the rhythmic tapping of a cane against the ground, Danzō stepped out from the darkness.
Behind him, numerous Anbu—who had been lying in wait—emerged and surrounded the area.
"Uchiha Fugaku!"
Seeing this scene, Yakume instantly understood what had happened—their own clan leader had sided with Konoha and raised a blade against his own people.
No matter how loudly they shouted, the fact of their defeat could not be overturned.
"I'm truly sorry. This is all for the future of the Uchiha."
Turning his head away from Yakume's furious gaze, Uchiha Fugaku spoke as though he was trying to comfort the others—or perhaps himself.
"Don't worry, Fugaku. The Fourth Hokage won't harm them. They'll just be isolated to prevent them from disrupting what comes next."
Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared seemingly out of nowhere and stepped up beside Fugaku.
"Third-sama..."
Fugaku was surprised. He hadn't expected Sakumo to dispatch even a former Hokage just to arrest a few radicals.
"I was too hesitant before, and that's why things dragged out until now. Looking back, all of this is my fault. I'm sorry."
Hiruzen took out his pipe and took all the blame onto himself.
Hearing this, Fugaku said nothing. He closed his eyes and, for the first time, felt assured that he'd made the right decision.
...
With this batch of radicals sent to the "Tobirama Happy Little Black Room," a facility built during the Second Hokage's era, the Uchiha crest—once at the center of the shuriken emblem outside the police force headquarters—was taken down. The fan symbol was erased and replaced with the symbol of Konoha.
However, under the new emblem, an unadorned Uchiha fan was hung up at Sakumo's instruction. According to him, it served as a reminder that Konoha should never forget the Uchiha clan's outstanding contributions during the early days of the police force.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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