Uchiha Fugaku could not help but sigh in admiration.
"Akihito truly is a genius."
"How does he even come up with such imaginative ideas?"
Akihito, of course, had his own silent answer:
I grew up under the red flag and completed nine years of compulsory education, thank you very much.
That very afternoon, the Konoha Police Force officially implemented the newly introduced jury system.
By coincidence, a bleeding altercation between two chūnin had occurred that day.
Akihito personally presided over the trial, while numerous Police Force members observed from the sidelines to learn.
For the jury, Akihito randomly selected twelve witnesses from among the bystanders.
Fights between ninja were among the most common—and most difficult—cases to judge.
Who was truly at fault in a heated quarrel?
Each side always had its own justification.
Throughout the proceedings, Akihito barely spoke.
The civilians participating in law enforcement for the first time were brimming with curiosity and enthusiasm.
They questioned the parties involved, gathered evidence, distinguished responsibility, and ultimately voted on the verdict.
The process concluded swiftly.
Both offenders received a disciplinary strike and were fined.
Naturally, neither side was fully satisfied.
But this time, their resentment was no longer directed at the Uchiha.
After all—the verdict had been decided by the jury.
What did it have to do with the Uchiha?
As the two troublemakers left the Police Force building, they glared angrily at the jurors.
Meanwhile, those very jurors walked away flushed with pride, as though they had rendered some great service to the village.
I helped enforce Konoha's law today!
My life has peaked!
Sold the rope and happily counting the money—that was the situation in a nutshell.
Without shedding a drop of blood, Akihito had already begun reshaping public perception.
Those involved in the incident felt that the Uchiha were actually quite approachable.
Not arrogant monsters, as the rumors claimed.
Under Akihito's guidance, the jurors left highly satisfied with the Uchiha-managed Police Force.
After all—
Not everyone received the honor of being treated as esteemed guests by the prestigious Uchiha clan.
Inside the Police Force headquarters, the Uchiha buzzed with discussion.
"They didn't spit at us after being sentenced?"
"That's a first in recent years!"
"So we can just observe while others handle the questioning?"
"We've learned something new today!"
"As expected of Clan Head Akihito—what a genius!"
Watching the jury members depart, some Uchiha were so moved they nearly wept.
Soon, flattery poured in like a rising tide.
"Clan Head, your method is brilliant!"
"The difference between people really lies in their brains."
"You're not only powerful, but unfathomably wise!"
Their admiration was one breath away from becoming as endless as a surging river.
Hokage's Office.
For the second day in a row, the "Konoha F4" convened.
Hiruzen sighed and broke the silence.
"You've all heard the news. Thoughts?"
They had long maintained strict surveillance over the Uchiha.
The Police Force reform was impossible to miss.
A cold gleam flashed in Danzō's eyes.
"Fugaku is useless."
He had not only lost the clan head position—
He had also allowed Akihito to assume full authority over the Police Force.
To Danzō, this was the height of incompetence.
Homura and Koharu exchanged glances.
"Akihito's intentions are far from simple. Hiruzen, you must be cautious."
Within a single day, the clan headship and the Police Force's real power had both consolidated under Akihito.
At this rate—
What would stop him?
Even Hiruzen felt a twinge of bitterness.
Losing the clan head seat was one matter.
But handing over Police Force authority so willingly?
Had Fugaku been placed under a genjutsu?
The jury reform might appear harmless to ordinary villagers.
But Hiruzen understood its deeper implications.
With one simple reform—
The Uchiha's political isolation had been shattered.
Danzō seized the moment to press his blade once more.
"A wise man may err."
"If you truly wish to prevent future disaster, the Uchiha must be eradicated."
Hiruzen shot him an annoyed look.
Always scheming for my seat, aren't you?
Silence fell over the room.
The Uchiha issue had troubled them for years.
No perfect solution had ever emerged.
Without Tobirama's strength, they lacked the confidence to truly control the Uchiha.
Even if the clan behaved obediently, unease lingered.
Under Fugaku, things had at least been predictable.
Under Akihito—
Change was coming.
The strategy of suppressing the Uchiha through public opinion had collapsed.
And it had only taken a single day.
What would come next?
Even the battle-hardened Hiruzen could not foresee it.
Homura and Koharu began arguing in low voices.
"Ahem."
Hiruzen cleared his throat sharply.
"I did not summon you to quarrel."
He drew deeply from his pipe.
They were irritated—
But was he not more so?
If he handled the Uchiha well, it was merely his duty.
If he failed, Danzō would certainly use it to pressure him into stepping down.
And Akihito had proven far more troublesome than expected.
Hiruzen had assumed him to be merely a powerful combatant.
Instead, the young man possessed remarkable political acumen.
The jury reform could not be blocked.
Its slogan was fairness, transparency, justice.
As Hokage, how could he publicly oppose such a virtuous initiative?
Hiruzen treasured his reputation too much.
That was precisely why so many failed to see his true nature.
If nothing unexpected occurred—
He would not only refrain from opposing the reform,
He would praise it.
Even if inwardly seething,
His compliments would be plentiful.
Without such composure,
How could he have remained the longest-serving Hokage in Konoha's history?
After firmly rejecting Danzō's extermination proposal, Hiruzen turned his silver tongue toward the two advisors.
When it came to rhetoric—
Even combined, the three of them were no match for Sarutobi Hiruzen.
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