Ishiki hadn't expected the Third Hokage to possess such resolve.
Clearly, Hiruzen had spent these past few days seriously contemplating how to address the Uchiha issue.
With Shisui's achievements serving as a new foundation, the Uchiha hadn't yet fully won over the village's trust, but the tides of public opinion had begun to shift.
Everything was progressing in a positive direction. In this environment, Fugaku showing the resolve to give up part of the Police Force's authority would undoubtedly reassure those who still harbored suspicions toward the clan.
Now with the Third's full support, it had become a shared effort between the village and the Uchiha. Ishiki honestly couldn't think of any excuse the clan had left not to walk this path.
Anyone—whether from outside or within—who dared oppose this opportunity, Ishiki and Orochimaru would be the first to crush them. And as for internal dissent, Fugaku and Shisui certainly wouldn't show mercy either.
Because everyone understood—this was the best chance the Uchiha Clan would ever have to fully integrate with Konoha.
If they let this moment slip by, the rift between the village and the Uchiha would only deepen until reconciliation became impossible. When that happened, only one side would survive.
And Fugaku knew—if it came down to that, it would be the village. He was, after all, a shinobi of Konoha at heart.
Though the word "coup" had been whispered by the more radical clan members, Fugaku himself had never entertained such thoughts, not even when the clan had been forcibly relocated.
No one wanted to stand against the entire world unless they were truly desperate.
With the Third Hokage's backing, Ishiki quickly stepped into his new role.
Everything unfolded smoothly. Ishiki's overwhelming power served as the perfect deterrent against dissenters within the Uchiha ranks of the Police Force.
The Inuzuka Clan—with their ninken—struck Ishiki as a perfect fit for patrol duties.
The Hyūga Clan, another dōjutsu lineage, wasn't ideal for policing, largely because most of the branch family members were too quiet and reserved for the work.
Plus, Ishiki hadn't forgotten that unlike the Inuzuka and Aburame clans, the Hyūga had not participated in investigating Danzō. When Tokuma Hyūga had returned with critical intelligence, the clan had chosen silence.
So Ishiki saw no reason to reward them.
Tokuma himself was an exception. Even if he wouldn't be part of the Police Force, he would remain on a field team with Inuzuka Zensuke and the others.
Most Police Force members would be drawn from among regular chūnin within the clans—giving them experience and building their records.
The Aburame, Sarutobi, Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans were all on Ishiki's list. Even some families he didn't recognize from the manga were under consideration.
The reorganization of the two new units came swiftly, with experienced Uchiha jōnin assigned as provisional squad leaders.
Once those jōnin had helped the squads become familiar with Police Force operations, they'd return to their regular duties, and Uchiha chūnin would take their place as squad members.
At the same time, non-Uchiha would be added into two other squads predominantly led by Uchiha shinobi.
The goal was simple: create a framework for cooperation and interdependence—forge bonds between the Uchiha and the rest of Konoha.
This was the most critical step in helping the Uchiha integrate into the village.
The Police Force would have four divisions, each stationed in one of the cardinal directions of the village. Each division would consist of three four-man squads.
The three squads would rotate in two shifts: two squads handling daytime operations, and one assigned to night patrols.
Even during the dead of night, there would be a team somewhere in the village on active patrol.
Once Ishiki began truly engaging with the day-to-day, he found that Police Force work was a whirlwind of constant, often tedious, demands.
Konoha's internal matters were endless—and all of it fell under the Police Force's jurisdiction.
Inside the main headquarters, there were also Uchiha administrative staff who handled written complaints.
These ranged from illegal businesses, to petty theft, to accusations of Police Force brutality.
The clerical staff knew exactly how to handle each one. Tips and reports went straight into the formal chain of command; complaints about excessive force went straight into the trash bin.
When Ishiki pulled some of those complaints out of the trash, his face darkened. But after reading through them, he concluded they belonged there.
So he returned to his office and resumed his art of doing nothing.
His Shadow Clone, however, sat gloomily at the desk, processing the mountain of paperwork with silent resentment.
But while things inside the Police Force headquarters remained calm, the Uchiha clan compound was much less tranquil.
Three days had passed, and yet many Uchiha were still gathered outside Fugaku's home, demanding answers.
The Police Force had been under Uchiha control since the founding of the village—how could it slip away now?
Fugaku had only one answer: "I know you're all anxious, but please, stay calm. Things are not as dire as you think. In fact, everything is developing in a way that will ultimately benefit the Uchiha Clan."
Seated before him were the clan elders.
"The Hokage has agreed to allow us to relocate our clan compound. He's also granted us three ANBU positions. And Shisui has been appointed acting commander of Root," Fugaku continued, Shisui seated calmly at his side.
The moment this news was announced, the entire room fell into stunned silence.
Root—the elite covert wing of ANBU.
With direct command over sixteen elite operatives, Root's authority wasn't necessarily greater than the Police Force's, but it certainly wasn't less.
And given Root's direct connection to the Hokage, its stature arguably exceeded that of the Police Force—it was the heart of Konoha's black ops.
"Shisui… Shisui will become Hokage's advisor?" the head elder asked, his voice quivering.
The news hit like a light breaking through the clouds.
"Yes. Not immediately," Fugaku clarified. "According to the Hokage, when the next Hokage takes office, Shisui will become his advisor."
And as for who that next Hokage would be—only a fool didn't know. It would come down to either Orochimaru or Ishiki Kujo.
And those two were master and apprentice.
Some elders had once entertained the idea of nominating Shisui as the Fifth Hokage, but now they saw how impossible that was.
Orochimaru was one of the Legendary Sannin, renowned throughout the ninja world.
Ishiki Kujo was the Rainbow Devil of Iwagakure—the man who single-handedly brought the Land of Earth to its knees.
How could Shisui compete with that?
The Uchiha respected strength above all. If it came down to Orochimaru or Ishiki, none of the elders present had any reason to object.
And beyond that, the village had shown genuine goodwill.
Root Commander. Hokage's advisor. These were far more meaningful and respectable positions than the honorary—yet often thankless—role of Police Force leadership.