Chapter 18: The Ruthless Generosity of the Hokage: Giving the Uchiha a Raise
The Konoha Military Police Force Headquarters.
Sakumo Hatake took a small sip of tea, casually scanning the interior of the Uchiha-run facility.
Not bad, he thought.
The Police Force was an institution designed by the Second Hokage specifically for the Uchiha. It managed internal order and village security, holding the power to arrest law-breaking shinobi. The Konoha Prison was located right next door. For the average Genin or Chunin, this was a place they hoped to never visit in their entire lives.
Fugaku Uchiha sat across from Sakumo. He was holding a document, his brow furrowed as he read every line with painstaking detail.
It was the proposal for the Konoha Patrol Net, written by Sakumo but dictated by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"So, what do you think? Interested?"
As Sakumo spoke, he reached over and snagged a small snack from the plate on Fugaku's side of the table. "You mind? My kid, Kakashi, didn't make enough salted saury for breakfast this morning. I'm still a bit peckish."
Fugaku rolled his eyes internally. This is the Police Force headquarters, not a cafeteria, you damn moocher. And you're a Jonin Commander—why are you making your five-year-old son cook for you?
"Please, help yourself," Fugaku said, maintaining a mask of polite hospitality. "Try my wife's handiwork. Mikoto made those herself."
Sakumo's casual behavior was a calculated show of goodwill. Fugaku, however, found the "White Fang" impossible to read.
A few days ago, Fugaku had shared a few drinks with some clan members, and the conversation had turned to Sakumo. One of the officers, Yashiro, had grumbled that Sakumo was a "dangerous prankster."
"The White Fang is the smartest guy in the room," Yashiro had slurred. "He tells everyone he's a master of the blade, but I heard he once used a Lightning-Style enhanced 'Thousand Years of Death' on a target!"
Fugaku had sobered up instantly at the thought. Who the hell researches a jutsu like that? And adds Lightning-Style for extra... impact?
"These tri-color dango are delicious," Sakumo said, oblivious to Fugaku's internal horror. "You have a wonderful wife, Fugaku."
"I'm glad you enjoy them." Fugaku forced a smile. He had joked with Mikoto that if they had a son, he'd probably inherit her love for dango.
"Now, about the plan," Fugaku said, clearing his throat to get back to business. "Is this truly Lord Hiruzen's idea?"
"Of course. Who else has the authority to restructure village security?" Sakumo looked at him with feigned surprise. "It's written right there in the preamble. Did you skip the first page?"
Fugaku felt a sudden pressure in his chest. Of course I saw it! I'm just trying to start the damn conversation! He was starting to realize that the "White Fang" was either incredibly dense or a master-level troll.
"The plan is... generous. Especially for the Uchiha," Fugaku said, choosing his words carefully.
He couldn't find a single "trap" in the text. The proposal invited Uchiha veterans—specifically those with old war injuries or those currently holding "desk jobs" in the Police Force—to join this new, multi-clan patrol unit. They would be paid well, and it wouldn't interfere with their current duties.
More importantly:
It didn't strip the Police Force of any of its current powers.
It didn't reduce the clan's annual budget.
This isn't the usual style of the village elders, Fugaku thought. Is this a trick?
He had spoken with Elder Isshin in private earlier. They had predicted that Hiruzen would use the "security audit" as an excuse to crack down on the Uchiha. They were prepared to fight, to point out the failures of the Anbu and Root to deflect the blame.
But instead of a slap, Hiruzen was handing them a bouquet.
"So, is that a 'yes'?" Sakumo asked with a grin. "Vice-Chief Fugaku, feel free to discuss it with your people. It's not a mandatory draft. We want volunteers."
"The Uchiha are a pillar of this village. Lord Hiruzen explicitly mentioned how much he values your clan's experience. He's personally funding the startup costs for these patrols out of his own pocket—he wants to make sure the Uchiha who 'give back' to the village are taken care of."
Fugaku stiffened. "Lord Hiruzen's generosity is... noted."
"Give me an answer soon. I'm reserving one 'Lead Scout' slot for an Uchiha in every patrol squad," Sakumo said, standing up and offering his hand. "I look forward to working with the Police Force."
Fugaku shook his hand.
As soon as Sakumo was out of the building, Fugaku sprinted to the back of the compound to find Elder Isshin.
The old man, the "Living Fossil" of the Uchiha, sat in a room thick with tobacco smoke. After hearing Fugaku's report, he stayed silent for a long time, puffing on his pipe.
"Elder Isshin? Say something! The clan is waiting!"
"I never thought Hiruzen Sarutobi could be this... vicious," Isshin finally rasped. "He's becoming more like that silver-haired bastard (Tobirama) every day."
Fugaku blinked, confused. "Vicious? Elder, he's offering us jobs and money. He's funding it himself."
Isshin looked at him with a look of profound sorrow. "Did I not tell you to study our history? What happened when the Police Force was first created? Everyone cheered. They thought it was an honor. And look at us now—isolated and hated."
"You only see the 'benefit.' You don't see the Scheme behind it." Isshin took a deep, shaky drag of his pipe.
"This 'Patrol Force'... right now, it doesn't touch the Police Force's jurisdiction. But what about in five years? Ten?"
"Our clan members will take these jobs. They'll take the money. They'll spend every day working alongside shinobi who worship the Hokage. They'll start to see themselves as 'Leaf Shinobi' first and 'Uchiha' second. How long before they forget that we were meant to lead this village? How long before they stop caring about our seat at the top?"
Fugaku frowned. He thought Isshin was being a bit paranoid, but the logic was chilling.
"These 'vulnerable' clan members—the ones with injuries, the ones struggling for money—they are the easiest to buy," Isshin sighed. "They have no voice in the clan, but they have friends. They have family. One 'happy' volunteer can spread the Hokage's propaganda to ten other people."
"And the fact that Hiruzen is paying for it himself?" Isshin shook his head. "He's making himself their personal benefactor. He's buying their hearts with a smile."
Fugaku's voice turned low. "Then we refuse. We tell them the Police Force is too busy."
"Refuse?" Isshin let out a bitter laugh. "How? The clansmen won't understand. If we burn the olive branch the Hokage just handed us, the common members will think we are the ones holding them back from a better life."
"If we refuse to participate in village security, how can we ever claim we deserve to lead it? We're trapped."
In that moment, Isshin Uchiha looked ancient. His wrinkles seemed to deepen before Fugaku's eyes.
"I am a failure of a leader, Fugaku."
"I look at our ancestors... Madara had his power. Izuna had his wisdom. Even my brother, Setsuna, had his raw courage. But what do I have? Nothing. All I can do is repeat the last words Izuna left us: 'Never trust a student of Tobirama Senju.'"
Isshin's voice was hollow. "Sometimes, I pray to the spirits of our ancestors. I beg them to be reborn into our clan, to show us the way. I beg them to just give me a dream, a single hint of what to do."
"But the ancestors are silent."
Fugaku felt a pang of sympathy—and a flicker of fear—for the man sitting in front of him. Being the head of the Uchiha was a heavy, soul-crushing burden.
"Elder, please... stay strong. We need you."
"We will join," Isshin said, waving a tired hand. "Do as Hiruzen asks. But Fugaku... we must hold more clan meetings. We have to remind the youth that we are the founders of this village! We cannot be bought by 'pocket change' and 'benefits'!"
"We have to subtly remind them of what Tobirama did to us. I'll think of a way to frame it. But for now... we endure."
"We wait for the heavens to shift."
While Isshin Uchiha was mourning the "viciousness" of the Hokage, the man himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was walking toward a different part of the village.
He had finished the political groundwork. Now, it was time for the "Real Money" to start flowing.
"Let's check on the first phase of Konoha Pharmaceuticals."