At the Police Force headquarters.
Uchiha Fugaku stood beneath the emblem, looking up at the Police Force logo painted with the "Gunbai" fan, not speaking for a long time.
"Fugaku-sama…"
"Ah, it's Shisui."
Fugaku lowered his head.
Uchiha Shisui stood to the side, following his line of sight up to the emblem.
"Did you not go to class today?"
Shisui answered.
"No, I took a leave of absence today."
The matter of the Uchiha had a relatively large impact, and he was worried that there would be problems within the clan. On the other hand, the "White Zetsu cells" in his body had stabilized before, but there was no guarantee that an accident wouldn't occur. Of course, there was also a more important reason… the current material in the academy was indeed not very difficult. The ability of the Sharingan, coupled with Shisui's strong learning ability and theoretical foundation, allowed him to master most of the ninjutsu in the school in a very short time. In swordsmanship and taijutsu, the Uchiha were also not weak.
Currently, he was already considering further studies in sealing jutsu—the Uchiha clan's knowledge accumulation in this area was not as strong as Uzumaki Kushina's.
Shisui withdrew his gaze and thoughts.
"Fugaku-sama, has the village's punishment been decided?"
"Punishment?"
Fugaku was taken aback, then smiled. "You could say that."
He pointed in the direction of the lake.
"Let's take a walk over there."
By now, Fugaku no longer treated Shisui as a child. This child had the opportunity to become the "Ryoho Kyohiko" of their Uchiha clan, with the same top-tier talent and thinking, and he had already become Kyohiko's disciple. Besides, Shisui's performance last night could be said to have saved his wife and son.
Fugaku walked a few steps, and only after moving away from the Police Force did he speak.
"The clansmen who participated in the rebellion are not allowed to participate in the work of the Police Force in the future."
This was within Shisui's expectations. But soon, he realized… that's not right! If all who participated are barred, then what about the manpower for the Police Force?
He looked at Fugaku. Fugaku nodded lightly.
"Yes, it's going to be reorganized. But the captain is still one of us, and the remaining number of teams can also belong to the Uchiha. But the rest will be elected and divided up by the village's ninjas together."
Shisui muttered to himself.
"So that's how it is…"
The reorganization of the Police Force. It was shocking, but upon careful thought, not too surprising news. The Uchiha clan's internal strife had surely caused heavy losses; such a result was not yet a crippling blow.
A slight smile touched Fugaku's lips.
"However, in the future, the captain of our Police Force can also participate in meeting decisions."
Although it was only being allowed to "participate," in the past, the Uchiha basically couldn't get such authority.
After hearing this, Shisui's brain worked rapidly, and a brilliant smile suddenly appeared on his face.
"That's great!"
"Oh? You think it's a good thing?"
"Of course! Those idiots in the clan don't usually do a good job in the Police Force and are always offending people. For us Uchiha, it's a chicken rib…"
Uchiha Shisui spoke eloquently and滔滔不绝 (tāotāo bùjué - torrentially/without end).
The Police Force. According to his teacher's words, it seemed sweet, but in fact, it was a trap for the Uchiha. Because… the Uchiha's personality was destined to be unable to handle the contradictions with the villagers well, and the stubborn and proud family personality did not allow them to give up such power, forming a vicious cycle. Giving up the Police Force was actually a good thing.
What's more, now, Konoha had still reserved power and an overt status for them, as well as—an opportunity to enter the decision-making level. The remaining teams were allowed to continue to be controlled, which was also a reward for the faction close to Konoha. At least for now, Shisui couldn't find any fault with it. This result… for the Uchiha, seemed to be the most perfect!
Uchiha Fugaku was noncommittal. His personal opinion was the same as Shisui's, but the rest of the clan might not think so. After all, the benefits given by Kyohiko were invisible in the short term, while what was taken away was a tangible and visible benefit. Fortunately, the remaining people were him and the clansmen who had supported Uchiha Kagami back then. These people had the same ideals as Fugaku and Shisui.
His mood became firm.
"I understand."
***
The next day, Fugaku went to a meeting in Konoha again. This time, there were no other clan heads, only Tsunade and him. The discussion was more about the reorganization of the Police Force and the future arrangements for the rebels remaining in the Uchiha clan.
Surveillance, reform through labor. This part was essential. The so-called reform through labor was naturally not to make them work sewing machines. Those who participated in the rebellion but surrendered to Fugaku and the others were definitely of elite level. For such a group of talents, to make them work sewing machines and do manual labor was too much of a waste.
Fugaku couldn't help but plead for mercy.
"Hokage-sama, this… please be lenient."
Tsunade smiled.
"Don't worry, it's not too serious a punishment. There are mainly two directions. One is to help train the Guardian Shinobi, and the other is to participate in Konoha's future ninja mercenary program, but it will be without pay and your people will be under supervision."
"That's no problem."
Fugaku let out a long sigh of relief after hearing this.
If it's just this… then that's really the best result.
Leaving the Hokage's office, he knew he had to announce the matter of the Police Force to his clansmen. The reorganization was imperative. And the Uchiha clan was indeed not suitable for this kind of coordination work.
He returned all the way to the Police Force—these two days, the clansmen who had committed offenses had been held in the Police Force's prison. Fugaku had Yashiro release them. Below, about a hundred people gathered.
"Due to our clan's internal strife, the Police Force is severely short of manpower, so we will face a personnel reallocation. But the captain of the Police Force is still ours, and those who did not participate in the rebellion will still retain their spots…"
Uchiha Fugaku returned to the Police Force and announced Konoha's result to his clansmen.
Below, the participants from last night were all silent. Fugaku looked at them.
"For a period of time in the future, you will be under surveillance and jurisdiction, and you will have two choices to atone for your crimes. One is…"
He repeated Tsunade's two tasks. The offending ninjas looked at each other, feeling aggrieved, but also helpless. They didn't feel they had done anything wrong.
Fugaku's eyes gradually became fierce.
"You have implicated the clan, and you still don't think you're wrong? Do you want to be like Uchiha Inabi and Tekka?"
"…"
These people lowered their heads.
Yashiro sighed inwardly. These people are really too foolish! It's one thing not to understand before, but even now, you still think you can do things without being punished? No wonder Konoha wants to put them under surveillance.
Yashiro looked at these people, his gaze icy.
"If you still hold on to your past views, then even if you are clansmen, we will not hesitate to send you to the Anbu!"
"To prevent you from harming our own people again!"
Yashiro's tone was cold, with an unconcealable anger. His words… were also the heartfelt voice of many. As Fugaku said, the clan would have such losses, it was inseparable from them. Even last night, Mikoto and Itachi were almost captured and killed by them.
"Fugaku-sama, Yashiro-sama, we know we were wrong."
"Then do as I say. From now on, be honest, help the other people of Konoha more, and don't think you're so great!"
A cold glint flashed in Fugaku's eyes.
"Rebel, do you have that strength?"
Someone said in a low voice.
"But, Fugaku-sama, you and Shisui both have great strength and talent, why…"
Fugaku smiled and asked back.
"Did Madara treat you as his own people?"
The other person opened his mouth, unable to refute.
"He never truly appeared from beginning to end, and Uchiha Obito even aimed the Nine-Tails at our clan in the end!"
"Idiots!"
"Only you would believe that Madara has really let go of the past."
Fugaku sneered. He never believed that Madara, after leaving, would truly help the Uchiha. It was like that in the past, and it was the same now. After all, it was the clan that had betrayed the other party back then. Not coming back to stab them was already generous. These bad elements must not be kept, otherwise the rest would be slowly infected. The diehards…
"Now—"
As Fugaku spoke, he closed his eyes, then instantly opened them.
A peculiar pattern appeared in his pupils. As his eyes spun, everyone fell into a daze. Genjutsu! A wide-range genjutsu! In the genjutsu, time was greatly slowed down. Various experiences were lived through, but the Uchiha Madara they were expecting did not arrive. Instead, it was… the clan's annihilation!
The genjutsu was Fugaku's deduction, not a prediction of the future. But through the power of his dōjutsu, he could display his own thoughts as he pleased, letting them immerse themselves in it. Even—after a moment, one person struggled violently, wailing in pain, and then his voice abruptly stopped, and he slowly fell down. He was dead. Died in the illusion. Then the second, the third…
A line of bloody tears flowed from Fugaku's eyes. These were all his clansmen! But. Kill!
Fugaku covered his left eye, blood trickling down.
"Fugaku!"
Yashiro quickly rushed over.
Fugaku waved his hand.
"I'm fine!"
"But—"
"Drag the people away. It's better to die at the hands of our own people than…"
Fugaku sighed softly and dispelled the genjutsu.
After a moment of silence, he finally said slowly.
"This jutsu doesn't really kill people. It only lets you see… the future in your own eyes!"
The name of this jutsu was Bishamonten. A symbol of immeasurable wisdom. Fugaku really wanted these foolish clansmen to understand that Madara was not a good person, and the power of Konoha also made it so they could not bear the price of a failed betrayal. The other eye… represented destruction, Amaterasu.
So, last night, after he discovered that Yoshinori had attacked his home, he had awakened these two jutsu… a pity. In the end, neither was used, but instead were used today.
Fugaku covered his eyes, enduring the pain.
"Do you still believe that betraying the Uchiha and following Uchiha Madara has a future?"
The true diehards had already fallen into madness in the genjutsu. Endless madness and extreme emotions made them kill each other wildly in the illusion world, and finally, their spirits were exhausted and they met a real death. And now, among the remaining people, they were already terrified of such a result and future, their hearts wavering.
They shook their heads. Rebel? Fugaku's dōjutsu had completely woken them up. Fugaku and Shisui awakening such eyes was already this powerful. One could imagine the strength of Uchiha Madara, yet the other party had not appeared. And Obito had even used the power of the Tailed Beast against them. All signs indicated that Madara was not sincerely accepting them. They had been deceived by Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Shinji!
"Fugaku-sama, we are willing to accept punishment!"
"Clan Head…"
One voice after another sounded.
They were indeed afraid of such a future.
Fugaku quietly let out a breath. This is also good! By weeding out a group of people, he could at least preserve the family. He covered his eyes and couldn't help but gasp. This power was very strong, but the consumption was also very huge. Fugaku vaguely felt that he couldn't use it frequently, otherwise there might be unimaginable consequences.
Thinking back to the night Shisui was taken away…
"Could it be that Kyohiko has a solution?" Fugaku thought to himself.
But the next moment, he couldn't help but hesitate. There's already Shisui with this Mangekyo. For me, another Mangekyo Sharingan user, to appear, would it be untimely? After a brief hesitation, Fugaku discarded the distracting thoughts in his heart. It's useless to think too much!
The current Uchiha, besides the two Mangekyo users, was actually extremely weak. But at the same time, this was also an important turning point. As long as they could seize the current opportunity, the Uchiha clan might be able to hit rock bottom and rebound, truly standing in the position of Konoha's number one prominent clan, letting the shinobi world see the power of the Uchiha!
He wiped the blood from his face with a cloth.
"Yashiro, I'll leave this to you. Let the clansmen return to the clan territory to meditate and train. Arrange things as well as possible here at the Police Force. People from the village might be coming over soon."
"Please rest assured, I will handle it well."
Yashiro Uchiha bowed respectfully.
Fugaku thought for a moment and added.
"Today, I'll have to trouble you to stay here to avoid any accidents. I'll switch with you tomorrow."
"Understood."
Yashiro knew very well. He and Fugaku, among the remaining members of the family, were relatively strong, authoritative, and easy to get along with. If it were someone else, they might have conflicts with people from other clans, which would not look good.
***
In the dark cave, Uchiha Madara sat on his chair, quietly listening to the course of this incident. Black Zetsu had taken White Zetsu and left. But Obito was still there.
After listening to Obito's account, Madara rarely scolded him. He was silent for a long time, then said.
"The eyes of the Uchiha clan require extreme emotions to awaken. This process is inherently painful."
"Then you…"
Obito wiped his tears.
"Back then, the era I and Senju Hashirama were in was even crueler. Our great clans killed and fought each other. Even children were forced to go to the battlefield to fight…"
Madara recalled the past, a look of wistfulness and pain on his face. Awakening the eyes. This was a past he was unwilling to recall. However, Obito's pain had stirred up the old events in his heart. Madara slowly spoke of his past experiences. Obito blinked, but did not dare to interrupt Madara's memories.
After the other had finished speaking, he finally understood that the ninja village system was precisely an attempt by Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara to explore the path to peace. However, from the results, this ninja village system was not true peace either. It only delayed the war, but the scale also became larger and more terrifying.
"So…"
"As long as there is desire, there will be conflict. Where there is conflict, there will be war."
"War will never end. Peace will never arrive."
"But the illusory world of Tsukuyomi can!"