At the entrance to Konohagakure, Hagane Kotetsu leaned lazily against the wall with a blade of grass between his teeth, while Kamizuki Izumo questioned a few travelers seeking entry.
Then—
Kotetsu felt a sudden chill.
The buzzing of insects and chirping of birds had vanished.
He looked up sharply—
A squad of Uchiha stood atop the gate walls, silent and imposing. Sharp gazes swept the area.
When did they appear?
Before he could react, one figure leapt down and landed before the gate.
It was Uchiha Yuan.
Kotetsu forced a polite tone.
"Is the Police Force heading out on a mission?"
Yuan's eyes swept the surroundings.
"From today onward, the Police Force will assume guard duty at the main gate."
"What?!"
Kotetsu's expression changed drastically.
"We've received no such order from the village!"
Yuan's gaze shifted toward the waiting civilians. His voice carried an unyielding will.
"This is my decision. Do you object?"
Izumo stiffened.
"Guarding the gate is our assigned duty. We cannot violate village orders."
Seven chūnin appeared in formation behind them, tense and alert.
Then—
Whoosh.
Uchiha Tonghu and his squad landed behind Yuan.
The oppressive aura they emitted made the chūnin instinctively retreat.
Kotetsu swallowed and said carefully,
"I need to report this to the Hokage."
Yuan did not stop him.
Relieved, Kotetsu vanished in a Body Flicker.
A Strategic Decision
Tonghu stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Squad Leader… is our assignment truly gate duty?"
Yuan nodded.
Tonghu hesitated.
Guarding the gate felt trivial—almost humiliating.
Was this punishment?
Yuan glanced at him calmly.
"You believe this is beneath us?"
Tonghu stiffened.
"Guarding the gate is tedious and dull. It doesn't require the Police Force."
Yuan's expression sharpened.
"What I see on your face… is stupidity."
Tonghu clenched his jaw but remained respectful.
"Please enlighten me."
Yuan looked beyond Izumo and the others.
"The village is surrounded by the Barrier Team's detection field. The main gate is the only legitimate entry and exit.
Every shinobi mission. Every clan's private matter. All must pass through here.
This is an intelligence hub."
Understanding dawned on Tonghu.
"So that's it…"
Yuan continued calmly:
"The Police Force does not possess ANBU methods for bypassing the barrier undetected.
If we control the gate, Uchiha movement in and out becomes… convenient."
Tonghu's eyes widened slightly.
"And if the village refuses?"
Yuan's lips curved into a cold smile.
"For too long, the clan has compromised.
It's time the village learned how strong Uchiha Yuan can be."
Tonghu felt a surge of admiration.
This is how an Uchiha should stand.
The Hokage's Office
Inside the Hokage Tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a slow stream of smoke from his pipe.
Kotetsu had already delivered his report.
"What should we do, Lord Third?" he asked carefully.
Hiruzen tapped his pipe against the desk.
An ANBU wearing a fox mask appeared instantly.
"Tell Uchiha Yuan the Police Force is not required at the gate."
"Yes, Lord Third."
The ANBU vanished.
After Kotetsu left, Hiruzen spoke again.
"Bring me Shikaku."
Moments later, Shikaku Nara entered.
"Lord Third."
Hiruzen summarized the situation.
"Go to the Police Force headquarters. Ask Fugaku what this is about. Tell him to restrain Yuan's recklessness."
"I understand."
Shikaku departed.
Silence lingered briefly—
Then a voice spoke from the side of the room.
"You've been too tolerant of the Uchiha, Hiruzen."
Seated nearby were the two elder advisors:
Homura Mitokado
Koharu Utatane
Koharu's gaze was sharp.
And the tension in Konoha quietly deepened.
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