Konoha Village, Police Force Headquarters, Chief's Office.
Knock, knock, knock.
Three firm raps on the door, followed by a respectful voice.
"Chief, Hokage-sama has sent someone to invite you to an immediate meeting in the small conference room of the Hokage Building."
"Understood. You may go," Uchiha Gen replied, glancing up from his work.
"Yes, sir."
After straightening the documents on his desk, Gen rose, took his trench coat from the rack, shrugged it on, and left the office for the Hokage Building.
When he arrived, he strode up to the third floor with his usual calm expression, ignoring the mixed gazes that followed him.
He had expected this the moment he put the Ninjutsu Point Exchange System into motion.
The reform touched too many nerves, mid-sized clans, large clans, and even the village's senior officials. Not everyone would be willing to give up the freedom of controlling resources at will.
That freedom meant power, the power to bind subordinates to them.
Once transparency became the norm, those subordinates would gradually see access to ninjutsu as their right, not as a favor.
Gratitude would vanish and Influence would erode.
The small conference room was already filling when Gen stepped in.
Departments Heads, clan leaders, and elders turned toward him. Some of the Ino–Shika–Chō heads were still away fighting Kumogakure in the Land of Rice Fields, so their elders had come in their place.
Most of the gazes were cold, wary, or openly dissatisfied.
Gen ignored them, walking directly to his seat and sitting down without hesitation.
To many, his calm indifference came off as arrogance. But to him, there was no point in offering false warmth where it wasn't wanted. He simply wasn't that sort of man.
Those with prejudice saw insolence. Others simply saw an Uchiha acting in character, arrogance was expected, after all.
Time ticked by and seats filled.
Finally, right on schedule, Sarutobi Hiruzen and his three advisors, the Konoha 'F4', entered. After the customary greetings to the Hokage, the meeting began.
Danzo wasted no time.
"Head of the Konoha Military Police Force, Gen," he snapped coldly. "Explain this so-called Ninjutsu Point Exchange System you've implemented."
Gen looked at him with wide-eyed innocence, spread his hands, and said, "Elder Danzo, are you illiterate? The plan is posted clearly for anyone to read."
Stifled laughter rippled through the room. They were unwilling to offend Danzo, their faces twisted as they held back.
Danzo's face darkened. Was this brat mocking him?
"You insolent fool! I'm asking you why you put this system in place!"
Gen's expression hardened. "A Hokage's Assistant, cursing in a solemn meeting… Elder Danzo, do you have no manners?"
"I am not one of your Root operatives to be insulted at will. I am the Chief of the Police Force. And therefore, I refuse to answer."
A ripple went through the room. Those who disliked Danzo were inwardly delighted, though none dared show it. Others grew solemn because they sensed the steel in Gen's stance.
This was nothing like Fugaku's cautious deference. Gen spoke with the authority of someone who would not yield an inch.
Was it confidence born from his Mangekyō Sharingan?
Danzo's eyes blazed like ice, but Gen met his glare without flinching. The two locked eyes in a silent clash that filled the air with tension.
Hiruzen gave Danzo a helpless look, signaling him to rein it in.
Homura Mitokado cut in heavily. "Head of the Police Force, stop playing games. Elder Danzo is asking why you implemented this policy. Do you not realize it has already created unrest in Konoha?"
Gen turned toward him with an indifferent stare. "The Police Force has the full authority to determine its policies. Beyond Hokage-sama, no one has the right to interfere."
"And as for 'causing unrest'? Don't slander me. If Konoha were truly unstable, would we all be sitting here so peacefully?"
He then ignored Homura's displeasure and turned directly to Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama, the Police Force created this policy because it is far too difficult for ordinary ninja to obtain suitable ninjutsu. Our aim is to give them a brighter future, to strengthen cohesion within the Force, to increase our collective power and in turn, to better maintain the peace and order of Konoha."
"And beyond that, any growth in the Police Force's strength is a direct increase in Konoha's strength. Though we are tasked with internal security, we stand ready to die on the battlefield if enemies invade the Land of Fire just as we did during the Third Shinobi War."
A sharp intake of breath passed through the room. The leaders, and elders alike were startled by the clarity and boldness of his words.
Hyūga Hiashi, seated nearby, gave Gen a long, thoughtful look, reconsidering his own intention to speak.
Danzo, Homura, and Koharu all looked sour, their faces ugly.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, then eased. A faint smile touched his lips.
"It's good that you think in such terms. I approve. However, Konoha is one whole. Your policy has already disturbed the clans. The village is not unstable yet, but if unrest continues, it might become so. You must give the families an explanation and calm their dissatisfaction. I cannot permit even the possibility of instability."
Gen nodded slightly, smiling. "Hokage-sama speaks well. Since Konoha is one body, then mutual help is natural. Therefore, I have decided the Police Force will dispatch experienced shinobi to assist the other clans, help them shorten the time it takes to design their own systems. That way, their ordinary members can benefit sooner."
"Clan heads, elders... what do you think?"
His gaze swept across the room, pausing briefly on Hiashi with a courteous smile.
Hiruzen's smile faltered. That was not at all what he had intended. But Gen's words were so lofty and righteous, there was no easy way to object.
Hiashi thought the idea sound but he could never accept it. The Hyūga elders, especially the Main House conservatives, would never agree. If he gave way, it would spark immediate strife between main and branch.
So he answered smoothly, with a polite smile: "Thank you for your kindness, Chief Gen. But the Police Force already bears heavy responsibilities. It would be improper to trouble you further. Our Hyūga Clan will take our time. A slower pace is fine."
The other clan heads and elders quickly echoed him with variations of the same response. None could oppose Gen openly, but none dared accept either. Delay was the safest shield.
Most problems, given time, simply faded away.
When all had spoken, Gen inclined his head. "In that case, I won't insist. I respect your decisions. But if any of you encounter difficulties, please remember, the Police Force will not hoard knowledge. We will guide without reservation."
Faces stiffened. Awkward chuckles followed.
From there, the meeting dissolved into minor matters and polite formalities.
Eventually, the session adjourned, and everyone filed out.