That afternoon, the atmosphere in the Uchiha clan's formal reception hall was unusually heavy.
Present were the heads of five of Konoha's major clans, invited personally by the Uchiha Patriarch: Hyuga Hiashi of the Hyuga clan, Nara Shikaku of the Nara clan, Akimichi Choza of the Akimichi clan, Yamanaka Inoichi of the Yamanaka clan, and Inuzuka Tsume of the Inuzuka clan.
Each of them had arrived with a degree of caution, but also curiosity.
When the Ino-Shika-Cho trio noticed that they weren't the only ones invited, their hearts eased slightly. If the Uchiha had wanted to make a move, they wouldn't have called them all together like this. Not in broad daylight, and not with so many witnesses. But even so, a faint sense of unease lingered. They weren't quite sure what this meeting was really about.
It was unlikely that the Uchiha would ever harm the Hyuga—after all, both clans had once fought shoulder to shoulder in the war against Kumogakure. The Hyuga had even spoken in the Uchiha's defense during the last council of clan heads.
Still, the sudden summons from Fugaku had left many unsettled.
Was it a trap? A power play? Or something far more delicate?
As they sat in tense silence, the fragrant aroma of freshly brewed tea wafted through the hall. Yet no one reached for their cup. Tea wasn't the point of this gathering.
Fugaku sat at the head of the table, calm and composed, with Ryosuke seated by his side. The presence of the younger Uchiha was notable — not just because of his rising influence within the clan, but because his aura now commanded as much attention as any veteran shinobi in the room.
Fugaku finally spoke.
"Thank you, all of you, for responding to our invitation. There's a matter of great importance that I wish to discuss with you."
Nara Shikaku's expression immediately turned guarded. "A matter of great importance," he repeated silently. The phrasing alone sent a ripple of anxiety down his spine.
If the Uchiha weren't planning to challenge them directly, then perhaps they were trying to draw them into some kind of alliance. Or worse — submission.
Hyuga Hiashi leaned forward slightly, his voice composed but probing. "What sort of matter, Fugaku-dono?"
From the looks exchanged around the table, it was clear the others were wondering the same.
Could it be… a proposal to overthrow the Third Hokage?
Fugaku smiled politely, masking the sharp edge beneath. "The Uchiha clan intends to restructure the Konoha Military Police Force," he said evenly. "And we'd like to invite your clans to be a part of this reformation."
The silence that followed was loud and immediate.
Restructure?
Invite?
The very idea sent discomfort rippling across the gathered clan heads.
So that was it.
It wasn't a trap.
It was a recruitment — or rather, an attempt to bind the other clans to the Uchiha through shared responsibility.
Shikaku's mind was already racing. "They want to tether us to their future," he thought grimly. "Make us complicit in whatever they're planning."
Even Hiashi, normally diplomatic, frowned slightly. "The Uchiha clan has always held sole authority over the Police Force," he said slowly. "I don't see why our clans are needed now."
No one missed the quiet pride in his voice. The Hyuga weren't followers — and neither were the others.
To serve under the Uchiha? That wasn't going to sit well.
Shikaku, ever the tactician, chose diplomacy over outright rejection.
"The Ino-Shika-Cho alliance has always trusted in the Uchiha's ability to manage the Police Force," he said carefully. "We've never felt the need to intervene."
Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi both nodded in agreement. Their presence here didn't mean allegiance. And none of them wanted their clans to be subordinates to another.
Facing the Third Hokage had been one thing — he was the village leader. But submitting to a clan, no matter how powerful, was another matter entirely.
They weren't ready to trade freedom for influence. Not without knowing the cost.
Still, Fugaku didn't lose his composure. He had anticipated this response.
"I believe I may not have explained clearly," he said, his tone still courteous. "We're not asking for submission. We're offering genuine collaboration."
He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing.
"Our plan is to restructure the Police Force under a new model. There will be six divisions — one for each sector of the village. Each sector will be overseen by a Deputy Commander."
"And five of those positions," he added meaningfully, "will be offered to your clans."
A murmur ran through the room.
Even Hiashi's expression shifted, eyes narrowing. Shikaku's brow lifted in surprise.
Deputy Commander?
That was more than symbolic.
That was real power.
And more importantly, it meant sharing the power the Uchiha had kept to themselves for decades.
Fugaku went on.
"These deputies will oversee their assigned sectors with full operational authority. Naturally, we'll provide the overarching guidelines — our clan's regulations for the Police Force will still be in place. But I'm open to discussions if any of those rules require amendment."
"Essentially," he concluded, "we're inviting your clans to become equal stakeholders in the village's security."
The implications were staggering.
For years, the Uchiha had jealously guarded control over the Military Police. Not even the Hokage could wrest that power away. And now — they were offering it up?
Something had changed.
Ryosuke, still silent beside Fugaku, observed the others closely. This move — this offering — was his idea. He knew the clan needed allies, not subordinates.
Danzo had stolen too much from them in the shadows.
It was time to build public alliances in the light.
And the best way to ensure peace was to distribute responsibility.
Still, the others hesitated.
Could they trust this?
Was it a ploy to draw them in before the Uchiha made a decisive move?
Shikaku tapped a finger thoughtfully on the table.
It wasn't ideal.
But it was power.
And unlike the Hokage's vague reassurances, this was a formal structure — with territory and command built in.
"Sharing power also means sharing accountability," he muttered to himself.
Hiashi met Fugaku's eyes directly. "You're giving away too much. That alone makes it suspicious."
Fugaku chuckled lightly. "You've known me for years, Hiashi. Have I ever been reckless?"
No one answered.
Because Fugaku Uchiha wasn't reckless. He was patient, calculating, and precise.
If he was doing this… then the village was already changing.
Maybe this wasn't just an offer.
Maybe it was the only way forward.
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