Morning
Uchiha Military Police Department Headquarters
"Hey, Kasume, why do you think Acting Captain Itachi called everyone in the department?"
"I think something major happened in the village. Last night, the ninja hawks even signaled an emergency.
Maybe another war is starting."
"Shut up, both of you. Stand in discipline.
No talking."
"Yes, sir."
After a few moments, Itachi finally arrived at the gathering area. The night before, after the Uchiha clan received punishment from Hiruzen, Fugaku promoted Itachi to the position of Acting Captain of the entire Military Police Department.
After joining the police force, Itachi had risen from nothing to the second-highest position in just four months, breaking all records in the clan's history.
Itachi first glanced at the group of a little over three hundred members. Seeing that he had everyone's attention, he smiled faintly.
"Everyone, this is my first time leading such a large organization. If I make any mistakes, I hope you will forgive me."
Hearing this, none of the ninjas reacted. They had heard such words countless times and had said them themselves. It was nothing more than a polite opening.
"Last night, both Elder Homura and former Elder Danzo died. Even though that sector does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Uchiha clan, the Hokage of Konoha blamed us, accusing us of wasting the village's hard-earned money and misusing our authority.
Since the unfortunate Nine-Tails tragedy, the Hokage faction has used every possible means to suppress the Uchiha clan, repeatedly cutting the funds of the Police Department.
We believed that times would change, and that the people of Konoha would change as well.
Instead, Hokage-sama mistook our love for the village as weakness and has now canceled all funding to the Police Department for the next three years.
Our annual budget is six billion ryō. Over three years, that amounts to 18 billion ryō. Now, Konoha expects the Uchiha clan to shoulder this cost and continue working for nothing."
Hearing this, all the clan members who had not been present the previous night were burning with anger. What did the Hokage faction take the Uchiha clan for?
As for the leading jonin, they already knew that everything unfolding was in accordance with the wishes of their young clan leader. They trusted him—or rather, they trusted the combined strength of Itachi, Shisui, and Fugaku.
Over the past few months, Itachi had sparred with every jonin present and had even given them guidance, teaching several A- and B-rank jutsu.
Although the Uchiha clan possessed countless techniques, the jutsu Itachi taught came from ANBU and proved extremely useful.
Because of this, they no longer cared about Konoha's treatment. They knew they could leave the board at any time—and once they did, they could take revenge for everything.
"Since they want us to work for free and take us for granted, then we will show Konoha why the Police Department is essential to the village's stability.
From now on, until the Hokage faction provides ten billion ryō in funding to the Police Department, we will not work. All of you will be placed on paid leave by the clan.
Of course, there must still be someone present in the department, so they cannot accuse us of abandoning our duties.
Chiriko, what is your rank and strength?"
Chiriko stiffened upon being called, but still gathered her courage in front of everyone.
"Itachi-sama, I am a senior official in the Administration & Liaison Department, with a two-magatama Sharingan and special jonin-level strength."
Hearing this, Itachi nodded in satisfaction.
"From now on, you will be the sole active staff member of the Police Department. If anyone comes to complain, tell them we are short on manpower.
Do you understand?"
"Yes, Itachi-sama.
I will follow your orders until death."
"Hehehe."
Seeing this, everyone present smiled sinisterly.
---
Konoha Streets
"Hey, do you know what happened last night? Two high-ranking members of Konoha were assassinated. Hokage-sama was furious, and when he asked the Uchiha to take responsibility, they refused."
"Yes, those bastard Uchiha. Their entire clan survives on our money, yet they have the audacity to defy Hokage-sama and even accuse a high-ranking member of Konoha."
"Look, it's already eleven o'clock, and they still haven't arrived for patrol. Even after such a huge mistake, they show no repentance."
Just as the two villagers were talking, a commotion erupted from a well-known jewelry shop nearby.
"NOOO! Some damn thief robbed my jewelry shop! Where are the Uchiha responsible for patrolling this area?
What was his name—Uchiha Mitsuki?
Ahhh! I'll make sure Konoha compensates my losses, or no reputable business will remain open in Konoha from tomorrow onward!"
Hearing the noise, the surrounding villagers gathered around the shop to watch the scene unfold. Among them was also a member of the Sarutobi clan.
Sarutobi Kamikaze—despite his grand-sounding name—was a weakling. Even after thirteen years as a ninja, he was still a genin. Now twenty-one years old, he was considered a disgrace to the Sarutobi clan.
Seeing the situation, a conspiracy formed in his mind.
' Maybe this is my chance to avenge the disrespect shown to the clan leader and become a hero of the Sarutobi clan. Maybe I'll even get promoted to chunin and receive rewards. '
As Sarutobi Kamikaze dreamed of a glorious future, the shop owner stepped out, followed by more than a dozen staff members.
Seeing the direction they were heading, Kamikaze knew they were going toward the Hokage Building to lodge a complaint or ask Konoha to pay for the losses.
"Takahashi-dono, please wait."
Hearing someone call him, Takahashi turned around impatiently. He saw a ninja wearing the Sarutobi clan insignia and finally decided to give face to the Hokage's clan.
"Takahashi-dono, I understand your predicament. However, as a ninja and citizen of Konoha, I find your actions inappropriate.
Your gold and jewelry were stolen by a thief, and the Uchiha clan—who were responsible for guarding this area—failed in their duty. This matter is between you, the thief, and the Uchiha clan.
It is inappropriate to drag Konoha into this issue. The Uchiha clan should pay for the losses they caused.
Why should Konoha bear the damage?
Everyone, don't you think so?"
Hearing this, the surrounding villagers—already furious at the Uchiha for disrespecting the Hokage and failing to prevent unrest in the village—nodded fiercely.
"Yes, Brother Takahashi, you should go to the Uchiha clan."
"We'll go with you to make sure you aren't bullied."
"Konoha shouldn't bear the losses caused by the Uchiha."
"The Uchiha clan will pay for this."
Takahashi was the son of Mikahashi Kuro, head of the massive Kuro Jewelry enterprise and a major noble of the Land of Fire.
He had come to Konoha to inspect the Kuro Jewelry branches, but barely a month after his arrival, the shop was robbed clean.
He could not accept this and had intended to go to the Hokage's office to either recover his jewelry or receive compensation.
However, with everyone urging him to confront the Uchiha clan, he found himself cornered.
To him, the Uchiha clan was part of Konoha, and thus the responsibility ultimately lay with Konoha itself. { Vicarious Liability }
But going against the crowd now was impossible.
"Let's go to the Konoha Military Police Department Headquarters."
With that decision, Takahashi took the lead. Dozens of villagers and idle ninjas followed behind, eager to show support and watch the coming spectacle.
Seeing this, Kamikaze smiled sinisterly and quickly followed the group.
What the group of people and even the ninjas didn't notice, on a huge tree filled with leaves a person having strange blood red eyes and a four-point pinwheel pattern in his eyes also smiled sinisterly.
---