31-35

*Chapter 31: The Police Department (!’)*

While exchanging small talk, they passed through the dark, dense forest. Soon, flickering lights came into view, and the Police Department finally appeared in the distance.

In the blink of an eye, they crossed the remaining hundred steps. At the entrance of the Police Department, Sougen paused and looked up at the moonlit sky. Hanging high on the building's facade was the symbol of a flaming fan embedded in a shuriken — the emblem of the Konoha Police Department. It symbolized the Uchiha clan’s ownership of the department, representing both their pride and their burden.

The chunin guards at the entrance were startled by the unexpected arrival.

Seeing the sudden appearance of Clan Leader Fugaku and Captain Hachiyo, along with renowned figures like Sougen, Shisui, and other prominent jonin of the clan, the guards felt an overwhelming pressure that made their breaths quicken.

Their minds began to race with wild speculations, wondering if something serious had happened.

Could it be that the clan was truly about to break with the village and go to war?

The rumors of a coup were still only circulating among some of the higher-ranking jonin. There was no way they would be foolish enough to share such things with chunin or genin. Still, as the saying goes, “A bird leaves a trail, and water leaves a trace.” Some had picked up on subtle clues from the behavior of their parents or close friends...

“Chief!”

“Captain Hachiyo.”

The guard on duty hurriedly stepped forward to greet them, suppressing his chaotic thoughts.

“Gather all clan members on duty. Have them meet on the rooftop. I don’t care what they’re doing, tell them to drop everything and get to the roof. There’s an important announcement,” Uchiha Fugaku ordered, his words concise and direct, carrying out Sougen’s will with precision.

Despite his previously indecisive nature and tendency to be easily swayed, Fugaku was still a capable leader. The well-organized Police Department was proof that Fugaku wasn’t entirely incompetent.

In truth, Fugaku was better suited to be an executor than a decision-maker.

Still, no matter how capable Fugaku was, Sougen had no intention of relying on him for long. He planned to give him a modest role, letting him return home to his refined wife and focus on expanding the Uchiha family. After all, “New kings bring new Chiefs,” and it’s best not to have the old ruler around to confuse the people. But for now, Sougen still needed Fugaku’s help to take full control of the Police Department.

“Yes, Chief!”

The guard sprinted inside the building to carry out his orders.

Sougen and his group didn’t enter through the doors but instead leaped directly up to the rooftop.

The rooftop was an ideal place for group discussions.

It was open, elevated, and less prone to eavesdropping. Plus, its spaciousness made it better suited for gatherings than the hall or meeting rooms. In fact, ninjas often preferred the rooftop for important conversations. It was on this very rooftop that Sougen had revealed his ambitions to Shisui and won his support.

The Police Department wasn’t immune to such practices either. Unlike the Naka Shrine, which had secret rooms for meetings, the rooftop was the best choice here. Whenever something important needed to be announced, everyone gathered on the roof. If the group was too large to fit, they would move to the nearby tactical training grounds.

About twelve or thirteen minutes later, the last patrol team hurried back. They had been contacted via radio. Although the current radios couldn’t be used for long-range communication, they worked perfectly within the Police Department’s boundaries, as patrols rarely ventured beyond the range.

“Raiden, is everyone here?” Fugaku asked the man standing at the front.

“Chief, all 153 duty officers from the Police Department are present. No one is absent,” Uchiha Raiden, a man in his early thirties, replied solemnly.

One hundred and fifty-three members — less than a third of the department’s total.

But with the bright, round moon overhead, it wasn’t surprising. If it weren’t for the need for night patrols, there wouldn’t even be this many here. Normally, only about twenty or thirty people would be left to work the night shift.

That’s how it was in other departments like the Administrative Department and the Education Department.

Only the Medical Department shared a similar situation with the Police Department, as both operated around the clock, with staff working day and night.

“Everyone, listen up.”

Fugaku’s fierce expression was indeed intimidating, and the gathered clan members didn’t dare breathe too loudly under his gaze. They waited silently for their clan leader to speak.

“I am no longer the head of the Uchiha clan, nor am I the Chief of the Police Department.”

This announcement struck the crowd like a bolt of lightning.

The clan members stared at Fugaku in shock, their faces filled with confusion and disbelief. But Fugaku gave them little time to digest the news, continuing, “Not long ago, in the presence of the elders and 47 jonin from the clan, a new clan leader was selected…”

“I’ll take it from here, Fugaku-senpai.”

Sougen stepped forward, interrupting Fugaku’s speech.

Fugaku silently stepped back, allowing Sougen to take the spotlight. This simple act made it clear to everyone who the new clan leader was: the 15-year-old Uchiha Sougen.

“Everyone!” Sougen’s Sharingan flared to life, the red eyes sweeping over the 153 gathered clan members. “I know you all have a lot of questions, but I don’t have time to ease your concerns. All you need to know is that, from this moment on, I am the Chief of the Police Department — Uchiha Sougen. From now on, you will follow my orders. If I tell you to go east, don’t go west. If I tell you to catch a chicken, you better go to the red-light district and do just that. In short, I’m in charge here. Got it?”

After a brief pause, scattered voices replied, “Got it.”

The weak response didn’t surprise Sougen. Many of the clan members present were looking at him with doubt, confusion, and defiance.

The Police Department was different from the clan’s territory. This was the clan leader’s personal domain, where the elders held no sway. To avoid tipping Fugaku off too early, Sougen hadn’t developed many connections within the department. Plus, the news of the leadership change hadn’t had time to spread.

So, their reactions were understandable.

But understanding didn’t mean Sougen would tolerate it.

Now that he had seized the title of clan leader, it was time to assert full control over the Police Department as well.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 32: The Uninvited White-Haired Guest

“What's wrong? Is there a problem?”

Uchiha Sougen directed his gaze at Uchiha Meirei, who stood at the front.

“Captain Meirei, if you have something to say, speak plainly. If you don't say it now, I'll assume you all understand everything. Later, if there are any complaints... don't blame me for not showing mercy.”

The police force wasn't overly complex in structure. Aside from administrative departments like the office, finance, personnel, and equipment, the core of the force was its three patrol squads. Each squad had a full complement of one hundred members, making up the three hundred elite of the police force.

Uchiha Meirei was one of the three captains of these patrol squads.

Along with him, Uchiha Yashiro, a trusted ally of Uchiha Fugaku, led another squad.

As for the third captain, he had returned to the clan's homeland tonight, responsible for guarding it and was not present.

Facing Sougen's direct questioning, Uchiha Meirei remained silent. Even Lord Fugaku himself had said he was no longer the clan leader... what could Meirei do? Besides, while Sougen was young, he was also a renowned genius, known as "The Flame Demon," a powerful figure within the clan.

Looking at the silent Lord Fugaku, Yashiro, and the young elites like Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Ranzan standing behind Sougen, Meirei felt an overwhelming pressure crashing down on him!

Well, on second thought, being led by such a genius... might not be so bad.

“Chief, I apologize. I was just too shocked and didn't react immediately... please forgive me.”

Uchiha Meirei chose to submit. As one of the three captains of the police force, he not only had the strength to command respect but also knew how to adapt to situations, a skill that had brought him this far.

The Uchiha clan had no shortage of elite Jonin.

There were more Jonin who could match Uchiha Meirei than you could count on two hands, but few had his keen sense of flexibility.

“No harm done.”

Sougen raised an eyebrow slightly. He had hoped that Meirei would put up more resistance so he could use the opportunity to assert dominance. However, since Meirei wasn't keen on making trouble, it didn't mean Sougen couldn't push further. If he simply gave in, it could lead to future problems, so it was better to establish his authority once and for all.

Once he subdued the Jonin,

the Chunin and Genin would naturally fall in line.

“I like smart people. You say the right things, handle matters well, and make everything easier. But sometimes, smart people can be a bit too clever, don't you think, Captain Meirei?”

Sougen locked eyes with Uchiha Meirei.

*Magical Technique: Shackles of Illusion*

In an instant, Uchiha Meirei was overwhelmed within the mental space that Sougen had constructed. He experienced firsthand just how terrifying the clan's famous genius truly was. The crushing power of Sougen's ocular abilities left him completely defenseless in the mental realm.

This power...

commanded respect and fear!

It became clear why even Yashiro, loyal to Fugaku, had remained silent—because Uchiha Sougen was undeniably strong!

The Uchiha clan, known for its pride and arrogance due to their power, always revered those with great strength.

“Chief, your will is my command.”

Uchiha Meirei knelt on one knee, pledging his loyalty.

This sudden turn of events stirred murmurs among the crowd, though most of the chatter came from the Chunin. The Jonin and a few perceptive Chunin had sensed the brief but intense clash of ocular powers between Sougen and Meirei.

Seeing Meirei’s current submission,

many who had harbored rebellious thoughts felt as though they had been doused in cold water, instantly quelling any foolish notions.

Sougen gestured for Uchiha Meirei to rise.

He looked at his clan members and continued, “I know many of you are confused, but the reality is what it is. Lord Fugaku, the six elders, and most of the Jonin in our clan have accepted this outcome. Everything has been done according to our rules. All you need to do is follow my orders as per those same rules. As for your doubts...”

He stopped mid-sentence.

Sougen furrowed his brow.

He turned his head toward the rooftop of a nearby residence. In the moonlight, a white-haired figure wearing an animal mask and the uniform of the ANBU was swiftly leaping across the rooftops, heading directly toward the police force headquarters along the shortest possible route.

Sougen wasn't the only one who noticed the uninvited guest.

Shisui turned his head at the same moment as Sougen. The Jonin, only slightly slower, also detected the presence of the ANBU operative who hadn't bothered to hide his movements.

*“He sure got here quickly!”*

Sougen narrowed his eyes as he watched the ANBU operative draw closer.

The surrounding Uchiha members glared at the ANBU agent with hostility. Under the moonlight, their scarlet Sharingan eyes lit up, and the near-tangible waves of animosity surged toward the white-haired ANBU, making his concealed left eye flicker with activity.

Shisui felt a chill run through him.

He observed the cold gazes and indifferent expressions of the clan members. Many didn’t even bother to hide their malice toward the ANBU—or more accurately, toward the village. The tension shocked Shisui deeply.

Already isolated from his clan after joining the ANBU, he had rarely spoken with them. Even though he had heard from Sougen or Elder Jun about the growing divide between the clan and the village, he had always held onto the naive hope of mending that rift, unable to grasp the full extent of the animosity.

“It’s just one ANBU...”

Shisui whispered to himself.

“This isn't about just one ANBU. This is the anger and resentment our clan has built up since the reign of the Second Hokage,” Sougen said quietly, moving to stand beside Shisui. His words were low but clear enough for Shisui to hear.

Shisui fell silent.

The fractures between the village and the Uchiha seemed to have grown beyond repair.

“Uchiha Chief.”

As he spoke,

the white-haired ANBU had arrived in front of Fugaku. “Lord Hokage has a message...”

“I'm sorry, but I am no longer the clan head, nor the police Chief. If you have orders, please direct them to the new Chief.” Fugaku interrupted the ANBU, pointing to Uchiha Sougen, who stood beside Shisui. “This is our new clan head and police Chief, Uchiha Sougen.”

(End of chapter)

Chapter 33: Resignation Letter (!)

Upon hearing these words, the white-haired member of the Anbu froze.

What kind of joke is this?

The clan leader has been replaced?

When did this happen? If memory serves correctly, today—or rather, since it's past midnight, we should say yesterday—Uchiha Fugaku had just delivered an official document to the Hokage in his capacity as Uchiha Clan Leader and Head of the Police Force.

Does the Uchiha Clan act so... impulsively? A clan leader can be replaced just like that? And as for the Head of the Police Force, is that a position that can be casually passed on like a family heirloom?

The most surprising part is that Uchiha Sougen has now inherited the clan leadership. The white-haired Anbu thought back to the Hokage's personal orders, feeling a bit troubled and hesitant. This situation was completely unexpected.

However, orders from the Hokage must be carried out.

But in this particular mission, he hadn’t been given the authority to adapt to changing circumstances.

Perhaps even the Hokage hadn’t anticipated such drastic upheaval within the Uchiha Clan—suddenly, it’s like a regime change!

“Chief Uchiha.”

The same title, but now directed at a different person.

“Hokage-sama’s orders: the application you submitted has been approved. Given the shortage of personnel on the Eastern Coastal Border Defense Force, the Hokage hopes that you can quickly dispatch those listed to take up their positions.”

The white-haired Anbu tried to obscure some troublesome terms, handing the document to Sougen.

“...Ha! Interesting!”

Sougen opened the document, seeing his own name listed at the very top, with a bright red stamp placed over it.

He was sure that the Third Hokage had agreed to Uchiha Fugaku’s request, sending troublemakers like him far away. Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been such a hasty power grab. Originally, he had planned to temporarily handle the Police Force tonight and deal with the Hokage and other elders in the morning.

Who would’ve thought that the elders would be so impatient, unable to even wait a single night?

Is this what they call “time waits for no man”?

With a few quick thoughts, Sougen chuckled softly and flicked the thin document.

“Please inform the Hokage that, unfortunately, there’s been a small disturbance within the clan. This document... I'm afraid it can't be carried out. I will personally visit the Hokage tomorrow to explain the details.”

With that, Sougen handed the document back to the white-haired Anbu.

Or rather, back to Kakashi.

Despite being in the Anbu, Kakashi’s conspicuous white hair and his covered left eye made it obvious. No wonder the Third Hokage had sent him as a messenger—he didn’t exactly blend in for secretive tasks.

“I understand. I’ll relay the situation truthfully to the Hokage,” Kakashi responded without any objections.

He wasn’t stupid—this was the Police Force’s turf, and under the watchful eyes of so many Uchiha, voicing any opinions now would be foolish. He dutifully tucked away the document and prepared to leave.

“Wait!”

Sougen called out to Kakashi, just as he was about to step away.

“There’s something else I need you to deliver to the Hokage.” He glanced at the gathered Uchiha clan members on the rooftop and shouted, “Who’s good with paperwork? Step forward, quickly. I need someone to help me write something.”

Hearing this, a bespectacled clan member immediately stepped forward.

“Write me a resignation letter.”

“Huh?”

The clan member was stunned, unsure who the letter was for or which department it was addressed to. Left without a clue, he cautiously asked, “Uh, Chief... who is this for?”

“For Uchiha Shisui. He’s resigning from the Anbu.”

Sougen replied without hesitation.

Then—

“What... Sougen, what are you doing?”

This time it was Shisui’s turn to be dumbfounded. He hadn’t said anything about leaving the Anbu! Though he hadn’t exactly enjoyed his time there—the cold and ruthless atmosphere didn’t mesh well with his gentle and cheerful nature—this didn’t mean he wanted to leave.

After all, joining the Anbu had been his way of easing tensions between the village and the Uchiha Clan. If he left without achieving any results, would that make any sense?

In his fluster, he even forgot to address Sougen properly as clan leader or Chief.

“What am I doing? I’m helping you get out of this mess. Shisui, staying in the Anbu won’t resolve the conflict between the clan and the village. In fact, the Anbu has become a prison that’s limiting you. Besides... this is an order from your clan leader. Are you planning to disobey?”

Sougen spoke calmly.

“You...”

“Just do it. Hurry up and write it. Don’t keep our Anbu friend waiting,” Sougen decided, leaving no room for argument.

The bespectacled clan member, efficient as ever, quickly pulled out paper and pen, crouched on the rooftop floor, and began scribbling furiously under the moonlight. In less than a minute, a perfectly formatted resignation letter was ready, only lacking Shisui’s signature at the bottom.

“Do I really have to leave the Anbu?” Shisui asked, still hesitating with the pen in hand.

“Why stay? To get caught in someone’s crosshairs and lose an arm?” Sougen wasn’t shy about speaking openly, even with Kakashi still standing nearby. “The Anbu isn’t a place for the Uchiha. Do you really think staying there will change those old men’s prejudices against the clan?”

Kakashi played the role of a silent observer, standing there like a scarecrow, not moving a muscle.

Shisui fell silent too.

With Sougen and so many clan members watching, he couldn’t say anything against his better judgment.

“Besides, if you stay with the clan, you’ll have a chance to change things from within. Together, we can reshape the clan’s image in the village. The Leaf Village doesn’t belong to any one person—it belongs to all its villagers. Winning the favor of a few people isn’t as important as earning the respect of the majority. That’s the only way for the clan to truly integrate into the village.”

Sougen rambled on, though not entirely nonsense. His plan did include reforming the clan and the Police Force.

But truth be told, he was more worried about Shisui being manipulated. Whether it was by Danzo or the Third Hokage, Shisui wasn’t equipped to handle their schemes.

Even Sougen himself couldn’t guarantee he could outmaneuver those old foxes.

With a conflict between the village and the Uchiha Clan looming, it wouldn’t necessarily end in all-out war, but if Shisui stayed in the Anbu, he’d likely become a target. A wrong step could cost him his life.

In the original timeline, Shisui had been manipulated by Danzo, lost an eye, and ultimately drowned himself in despair...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 34: Peace is Won Through Strength (!)

Shisui signed his name on the resignation letter with a complex mix of emotions, then handed it to Kakashi, who was wearing a mask.

Of course, leaving the Anbu wasn't something one could just decide on their own.

The full name of the Anbu was the "Assassination Tactics Special Force."

During the Second Hokage's reign, it was a notorious assassination unit in the ninja world. Back then, there was no leaving the Anbu; the only way out was to die in battle, and even in death, members would remain nameless, without recognition on any memorial.

However, that fearsome assassination unit is now part of history.

Today, under the Third Hokage’s leadership, the Anbu has grown more than tenfold compared to the past, yet it has lost much of its original purity. The rules have loosened, and what was once impossible—leaving the Anbu—has now become feasible. In pursuit of support from various clans, the Third Hokage had, on several occasions, allowed clan members who regretted joining or couldn’t adapt to leave.

"My resignation probably won't be approved so easily."

Shisui, watching Kakashi's figure fade into the distance, expressed his concerns.

"You don’t need to worry about that. As clan leader, that’s my problem to handle. As for you, Shisui… I’ve got a task for you. I need your help in establishing a new department within the police force," Uchiha Sougen replied, shifting the conversation.

When it came to political scheming, Sougen knew his limits—it wasn’t his strong suit.

Fortunately, he understood one principle:

A good strategist doesn’t use their weakness to attack strength; instead, they leverage their own strengths to overcome others' weaknesses.

Sougen wasn’t skilled in playing mind games. His strength lay in his sword, in his ability to kill, not in outsmarting others. In fact, the Uchiha clan as a whole was notoriously bad at political maneuvering. Very few among them were skilled in it, and their so-called geniuses had been misled by the foolish "Will of Fire," ultimately leading to their own downfall at the hands of their own people.

Force—this was the Uchiha clan's true strength.

Rather than wasting time in scheming against the old guard, it would be better to openly display their readiness for battle and their ability to be a real threat. Peace is achieved through strength, not by begging for it on your knees.

"A new department?"

Shisui was utterly confused by the sudden shift in the conversation.

By this time, the clan members on the rooftop had already dispersed. After dismissing Kakashi, Sougen continued the unfinished speech, briefly announcing a few things. He officially placed his own allies into key positions within the police force.

For example, Uchiha Lanshan and Uchiha Qiutailang were both inserted into the patrol squads led by Uchiha Minei and Uchiha Hachidai, serving as their deputies.

Uchiha Chun, who was even prettier than most girls his age, was assigned to the finance department. He had the most meticulous mind among the group, surpassing even the girls, Uchiha Chisao and Uchiha Shuangye.

As for Uchiha Chisao, Uchiha Shuangye, and Uchiha Beidou... they were all shoved into the secretariat to serve as Sougen’s personal assistants.

These three were known for causing trouble whenever they weren't in combat.

To avoid spending every day cleaning up after them, Sougen decided it was best to keep them close and supervise them directly.

Once his friends were temporarily settled, Sougen announced the end of the impromptu meeting. The remaining clan members returned to their duties, and Uchiha Lanshan and the others immediately began to adapt to their new roles.

Even former clan leader Uchiha Fugaku quietly left the police department.

This place no longer belonged to him.

In the end, only Sougen, Shisui, and Sougen's three new secretaries remained on the rooftop. The reason for staying was to resolve Shisui's employment issue. Now that Shisui had submitted his resignation, he needed a new job.

A job that would make Shisui feel more valuable than staying in the Anbu.

To be honest, there weren’t many roles in the police department that could meet Shisui’s needs. The department didn’t have many open positions to offer. Even the placements of Uchiha Lanshan and the others had been forced by Sougen, causing the patrol squads to exceed their capacity.

But Sougen had other plans.

And that was—

To establish a new department.

"A new department? Sougen, what are you planning?" Shisui asked, frowning in confusion. He couldn’t keep up with his friend's imaginative thinking.

Sougen walked to the edge of the rooftop, resting his elbows on the railing, and gazed out at the village bathed in moonlight. "Shisui, do you know? Since the Second Hokage established the police department and entrusted it to the Uchiha clan, in the past few decades, the village's administrative and education departments have undergone several reforms. Even the youngest department, the medical division, has continually evolved. But the police department… has remained the same."

"So, I plan to reform this clunky, chaotic police department, and create a modernized force that can keep up with the times."

"In simple terms, I want to expand the police department’s authority."

Hearing this, Shisui frowned deeply. He thought Sougen’s idea was completely unrealistic. Even he knew that the village would never allow the police department to grow stronger. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have stayed unchanged for decades.

"I know this sounds like a pipe dream," Sougen continued before Shisui could object. "But… it's not entirely hopeless. Shisui, have you ever learned about the original authority granted to the police department by the Second Hokage?"

Shisui shook his head in confusion.

So did Uchiha Chisao and the other two, who were also listening intently.

"The original document is complicated, so I’ll summarize it. The police department is responsible for maintaining internal security and stability in the village. It has the authority to draft village laws, arrest criminals, guard those in custody, and mobilize forces during times of war… That’s the gist of it."

The official document signed by the Second Hokage was still stored in the police department's archives. Sougen was the first person in twenty years to review it, and fortunately, the archives had been well-maintained, preserving these old documents.

Shisui was still confused, unsure of what Sougen was getting at.

It wasn’t just him; Uchiha Chisao and the others were equally perplexed, looking completely bewildered.

(End of chapter)

Chapter 35: The Department of Legal Affairs (Asking for Votes! Asking for Support!)

"Don't you get it? The Police Department has the power to create laws."

"But what can we do with that?"

"What can we do? Ha! With that power, we can reform the Police Department by drafting laws, even without the Hokage’s permission. This could not only reshape the Police Department but also curb the rough and arrogant behavior of our clan's enforcement. If it works, it might help improve our clan’s terrible reputation among the villagers."

Since Shisui wasn’t fully grasping his point, Sougen had to break it down as simply as possible, using straightforward language to explain his intention.

Of course, the Second Hokage had always been extremely cautious of the Uchiha clan, a mistrust he carried to his grave. He gave the Police Department the authority to create laws but clearly limited the scope of that power. It could only be applied to managing village security, with no authority to interfere in matters involving the Anbu, greatly reducing its impact. Yet, even with those restrictions, Sougen saw great potential in it.

"Do you really think it’ll work?"

Shisui was tempted.

If this could change the clan’s terrible reputation in the village, it would undoubtedly be a positive outcome for him.

"I can't guarantee success, but it’s worth trying. Regardless of the outcome, we need to start moving forward. If we remain stuck like before, nothing will change even in a hundred years," Sougen said.

He knew deep down that this wouldn’t go smoothly.

But, as he mentioned, no matter the result, the Uchiha clan needed to attempt change. While the village's suppression was a major reason for the decline in Uchiha's reputation, the clan's own unpleasant attitude couldn't be ignored. Unless someone enjoyed being mistreated, most people wouldn’t want to deal with such arrogant individuals.

"I’m calling this new department the Department of Legal Affairs. Its purpose will be to create, amend, and perfect the laws... Shisui, how about you serve as the department’s first head?" Sougen extended the invitation.

"I don't know the first thing about drafting laws!"

Shisui hesitated, suddenly feeling overwhelmed.

He worried that he might mess up this task, which could have a profound impact on the clan’s future. If his mistakes led to the clan’s failure to integrate into the village, he wouldn't be able to rest in peace, even in death.

"Don't worry, you won’t be doing it alone. If you don’t understand, you can seek advice from those who do. If the village doesn’t have such experts, look outside the village. If you can’t find them in the Land of Fire, search other nations... You’ll find someone eventually."

"This is a long-term job. I don’t expect immediate results, and I’ll oversee everything in the end. So, go ahead and give it your best shot."

"I understand, Clan Leader. I will do my best to build the Department of Legal Affairs," Shisui replied, biting his lip and nodding with determination.

"That's more like it! That hesitant guy from before wasn’t the Shisui I know." Sougen chuckled, patting Shisui on the arm. "Also, when we’re alone, just call me by my name. Being called ‘Clan Leader’ by someone close feels a bit strange, to be honest."

Shisui shook his head with a bitter smile.

Such a big responsibility—it was impossible to remain indifferent.

However, Sougen really did have a strange ability to put people at ease. Even though he hadn't yet dealt with his resignation from the Anbu, he was already planning for the future of this yet-to-be-formed Department of Legal Affairs.

Thinking of this, Shisui couldn't help but bring it up, "Sougen, if it doesn't work out with my resignation from the Anbu, I could personally speak to the Hokage. Given my past contributions, I don’t think it’ll be too hard for him to let me go."

Sougen stayed silent.

Shisui still held an unrealistic hope in the Third Hokage and his advisors.

By now, Sougen had grown used to it. As long as Shisui didn’t foolishly reveal his “Kotoamatsukami” trump card, Sougen didn’t expect him to actively confront the Third Hokage. If Shisui could just stay out of the way, that would be enough.

"This isn’t just about you anymore," Sougen finally said after a moment of silence.

"If things go as I expect, this will turn into a conflict between the village and the clan... Don't worry, I’m not planning to start a full-scale war with the village. But I do believe the Third Hokage and his people won’t sit back and let the Uchiha and the Police Department change without taking action. They’ll definitely come after me."

Sougen squinted and turned his gaze toward the village center.

"Whether or not you leave the Anbu, the result won’t change. The sharp conflict between the clan and the village will eventually erupt. This time, it just happens to coincide with me becoming the Clan Leader. In the grand scheme of things, your resignation is a small matter. It won’t affect the bigger picture."

That’s right.

Although he had smoothly become the Clan Leader and gained control of the Police Department, this was only the beginning.

Rescuing the Uchiha from the impending disaster was still a long and difficult journey. The Third Hokage’s suppression and hostility were just the visible problems. Uchiha Obito, lurking in the shadows, was the more unpredictable and dangerous enemy.

"I need to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan as soon as possible!"

Sougen closed his eyes, feeling the power welling up in his pupils. He had a sense that, with the right trigger, his eyes would evolve according to his will. When that moment would come, however, was uncertain.

But he felt it wouldn’t be too far off.

And even if that opportunity didn’t come soon, with the help of Samehada, his eyes would eventually undergo that transformation, just a bit later.

"Shisui, if you’re really unsure, you can stick with me for the next few days. The Department of Legal Affairs is still just a vague idea. After I’ve fully restructured the Police Department, I’ll help you set up the department."

Sougen opened his eyes and looked at the anxious Shisui beside him. Shaking his head, he added, "Get some rest for now! In the morning, we’ll meet with the Hokage. We’ll handle the transition of leadership in the Police Department, and at the same time, we’ll finalize your resignation from the Anbu."

"This morning?"

Shisui suddenly felt a strange sense of unease, as if the upcoming morning would bring something troubling.

(End of Chapter)