Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into silence.
Looking at Uchiha Jin before him, he felt like a dog biting a turtle—unable to find a place to start.
After a long silence, he finally spoke, "Let's be direct. What will it take for you to agree to restore the Police Force?"
"For matters like this, you'll have to ask our Clan Head," Uchiha Jin said, immediately shifting the responsibility.
Fugaku's expression was displeased, and he wanted to speak up and reprimand him several times.
Damn it, I want to manage it, but no one listens to me!
However.
Considering that he was a Clan Head in name only, having no deterrent effect on Uchiha Jin, he ultimately sighed and chose to give up: "I can't do anything; the others won't listen to me."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was grim.
The matter had come full circle!
Fugaku wanted to solve the problem but lacked the ability, as the Uchiha below him wouldn't listen.
Uchiha Jin certainly had the ability to solve it, but he didn't want to. Crucially, he held no official position, meaning even the Hokage couldn't punish him.
The issue was stuck right here—it was difficult!
However, the Village's security had to be resolved, so after a moment of thought, Hiruzen offered a faint smile: "Lord Jin, your position really should be raised. After all, a powerhouse like you can't remain a Chunin forever."
"I will now specially promote you to Village Jonin, and have Fugaku hand over the position of head of the police force to you."
"How about that?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts were clear.
The current inability to deal with Uchiha Jin was precisely because his rank was too low.
Furthermore, fearing a Uchiha rebellion, he couldn't punish the entire Uchiha Clan.
Conversely.
If Uchiha Jin's rank could be raised, then in the future, if he caused trouble, the Hokage would have the right to deal with him.
Unfortunately.
Uchiha Jin wasn't stupid; he could anticipate this move!
Without any hesitation, he immediately shook his head: "Hokage-sama must be joking. My abilities are lacking; I doubt I could pass the Jonin examination."
"Let's forget about a special promotion. It would be too unfair to the other Ninja."
"In Konoha, we value the Will of Fire, and everything should be fair and just. Hokage-sama, you must lead by example!"
Uchiha Jin's tone was faint.
But upon hearing these words, Hiruzen Sarutobi nearly exploded with rage.
The Will of Fire?
Is that something an Uchiha like you is qualified to say?
He desperately wanted to curse him out, or even knock Uchiha Jin dead with his staff.
But he couldn't!
He couldn't even retaliate; Uchiha Jin's last sentence had completely cornered him.
As the Hokage, he had to uphold the Will of Fire.
This was the foundation of his lifelong tenure as Hokage, and Uchiha Jin's words had completely eliminated all possibility of forcing Uchiha Jin into a higher position!
According to Konoha's rules, the first step in becoming a Jonin is for the individual to apply voluntarily.
This was the roadblock.
Of course, there could also be mandated promotions!
But this required the individual to perform a great service, which Uchiha Jin also hadn't done.
If he were promoting his own people, such a matter would be easy to handle.
Uchiha Jin? He was definitely not one of them!
Hiruzen Sarutobi was truly afraid that if he forcibly promoted Uchiha Jin to Jonin now, Uchiha Jin would immediately run into the street and declare that the Hokage lacked the Will of Fire.
So, alas!
After a helpless sigh, Hiruzen Sarutobi understood clearly.
If he wanted to eliminate Uchiha Jin, he would have to rely on sheer power to kill him directly. Trying to trap him using the rules was too difficult.
He didn't understand!
This guy was clearly an Uchiha, yet why was he more cunning than himself when it came to political maneuvering?
Finally.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head helplessly, then set down his pipe: "Just state your conditions directly."
"Konoha's security must be restored immediately. There is no room for negotiation on this point. Otherwise, if Konoha is completely ruined, I believe the other Ninja Clanss and civilians won't let the Uchiha off the hook."
"Of course, if you are prepared to tear off all pretenses and start a civil war right now, then I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, will gladly comply!"
His words were incredibly forceful.
Watching Hiruzen Sarutobi before him, Uchiha Jin's eyes flickered. He seemed to genuinely see the Ninja Hero of yesteryear.
However.
Just as he was about to speak, Fugaku urgently interjected, "Lord Jin, stop fooling around!"
"Konoha's security issue is not a bargaining chip. This is the Uchiha's responsibility, and you must shoulder it."
Uchiha Jin's mouth twitched.
Looking at Fugaku before him, he really wanted to slap him to death.
Couldn't he see that he and Hiruzen Sarutobi were negotiating?
But he took a deep breath and shrugged helplessly: "Fine, you take over!"
"You're the Clan Head, you call the shots. Can't I just quit?"
Hearing this, Fugaku was stunned.
Damn it, if I had the authority, would I let you cause trouble and talk nonsense here?
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Fugaku, who had suddenly jumped in. Although he secretly agreed with his foolish statement, he knew that Fugaku currently held no sway within the clan.
Therefore.
Bang!
Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed the table: "Fugaku, shut up!"
Fugaku: "..."
He looked at the furious Hiruzen Sarutobi and immediately felt extremely wronged.
I'm on your side!
In response to this.
Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored him and spoke directly to Uchiha Jin: "Jin, please continue."
"Feel free to state any demands. As long as I can fulfill them, then for the sake of Konoha's security, I can agree to all of them."
Uchiha Jin nodded.
Now this was the correct way to negotiate!
That idiot Fugaku truly understood nothing and only knew how to cause trouble.
His brain began to churn rapidly, and a moment later, his eyes lit up.
After a cough, he slowly spoke.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Originally, as a Chunin, it truly wasn't appropriate for me to participate in such major affairs."
"But since Hokage-sama holds me in high regard, then for the sake of Konoha's Will of Fire, I am still willing to resolve this matter to the best of my ability."
"However, the resentment within the Uchiha Clan right now is extremely high!"
"If I can't give them some benefit, I genuinely feel willing but unable to act, so I truly need Hokage-sama's support."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were obscure.
He gave Uchiha Jin another look of high regard. This man wanted something for himself, yet insisted on cloaking his demands in the guise of upholding the 'Will of Fire.'
This maneuver was certainly not bad!
But just then, he saw Fugaku trying to speak again, and he instantly got a headache.
Why was this Fugaku so stupid?
He quickly stopped Fugaku: "Fugaku, shut up! You are not allowed to speak from now on!"
Fugaku, who was just about to open his mouth to reprimand Uchiha Jin, was completely stunned by Hiruzen Sarutobi's scolding.
At this moment.
Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored him and said with utmost seriousness, "What do you want?"
"It's not what I want, it's what the clan members need!" Uchiha Jin retorted.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had a headache: "Fine, what do the Uchiha clan members need?"
"The original Clan Compound!" Uchiha Jin stated without preamble: "The area to the left of the Hokage Building."
"It's the Uchiha Clan Compound from before the Nine-Tails Attack. If Hokage-sama is willing to return the compound, then I am confident I can completely resolve this matter."