Inside the Naka Shrine, the ninja of the Uchiha clan were gathered here.
Since the Clan Head, Fugaku, had not yet taken his seat, the Uchihas naturally conversed with acquaintances they knew well.
The clan had not held this kind of gathering, one that truly possessed the nature of a council, for a long time.
The last time one was convened, it was because the clansmen could not endure the village's discrimination and wanted to incite Fugaku to seek the position of Hokage.
When did things change?
Was it after Fugaku's repeated refusals, or when Uchiha Setsuna attacked the village, or was it the Fourth's reorganization of the Police Force...
In short, with the changes in policy, under Fugaku's compromise and Sakumo's efforts, the Uchiha clan was gradually accepted by everyone in the village.
Those ninja from various clans who once bitterly denounced the Uchiha's ruthless law enforcement, after joining the Police Force and becoming part of maintaining the village's order, one after another realized their previous immaturity. Many ninja clans petitioned the higher-ups, hoping that the Uchiha clan would go back to solely controlling the Police Force.
After all, following the "Evil Uchiha," the Sarutobi, Utatane, Gekko, and Hyūga were also crowned with the name of evil by the villagers of Konoha.
Coupled with the fact that the Police Force could be complained against, many ninja who joined the Police Force discovered that most of the money earned here was deducted for various reasons due to all sorts of unruly citizens.
In response to this, those Uchiha who were dissatisfied with their authority being divided changed their previous attitude. They declared that the Police Force was Konoha's Police Force, and that sharing blessings and hardships together was the obligation of every Konoha ninja.
"How is your son doing in the Finance Department?"
"It's okay, I guess. I heard your son is working in the Internal Affairs Department? That's the direct unit of the Fifth Hokage. I really envy your son for being able to enter that kind of department."
"Haha, what are you saying? Isn't the Finance Department much better than the Internal Affairs Department where they fight and kill?"
"If we're talking about a bright future, it has to be Captain Fugaku's son, Itachi. He is the Fifth Hokage's only disciple. If you ask me, our Uchiha clan is probably going to produce a Hokage."
While the two were talking, another Uchiha joined the conversation.
"Absolutely. I heard that in this meeting, Captain Fugaku is going to step down from the position of Clan Head, and it's estimated that he will hand it over to Uchiha Itachi."
As soon as this sentence came out, many Uchiha who were busy with other things pricked up their ears, and some who also knew about this matter voiced their agreement.
"But, Itachi is still very young, right?"
"So what? Wasn't Fugaku also very young when he took office back then?"
"If you ask me, Hachidai is also very suitable, right?"
"Don't, I'm old. I've already submitted my retirement application."
Uchiha Hachidai, who was named, hurriedly shook his head.
"Is that so? It's truly a pity for you, who are hailed as the aid to the Police Force, to retire just like that."
Several of Uchiha Hachidai's supporters shook their heads in regret.
"Shh, keep it down, Captain Fugaku is here."
Just as a few people were preparing to continue discussing candidates for the Clan Head, a sharp-eyed Uchiha spotted Fugaku's figure and hurriedly reminded everyone.
This news spread quickly in the small area of Naka Shrine. A few minutes later, the whispering inside the shrine disappeared completely, returning to silence.
Fugaku, with a cold face, scanned the crowd and slowly knelt down in his designated seat.
A small number of people lowered their heads and muttered in their hearts.
Didn't they say Fugaku's eyesight had declined to the point where he couldn't see people clearly? Why was that look still sharp and ferocious? Could the intelligence be fake?
"Everyone, I convened this clan meeting today. The purpose is very simple. Many compatriots already know that my body can no longer support me in handling the affairs of the Police Force and the clan, so..."
As Fugaku spoke, he once again looked at the people in the shrine.
Just as he said, the current him could not even clearly see faces within two meters of himself. Unable to complete the matching with Hashirama cells, he had to admit that he could no longer fight for Konoha and the Uchiha clan as a ninja.
If it weren't for Sakumo repeatedly asking him to stay and promising not to assign him missions, he would have wanted to resign from the position of advisor as well.
"Therefore, I will resign from the positions of Clan Head and Captain of the Police Force, and pass them on to a person of virtue..."
Fugaku's gaze finally rested on a figure.
"Uchiha Obito, from today onwards, you are the Clan Head of the Uchiha clan."
"Huh?"
Obito, who was named, was a bit flustered.
What's the situation? I've never heard of this before!
Compared to Obito's surprise, the Uchiha ninja were much calmer.
It wasn't that they hadn't considered Obito. In terms of strength, he was the disciple of Jiraiya, one of the Sannin. In terms of status, it went without saying; he was the close friend of the Fifth Hokage. The two of them, along with Kakashi, could be described as inseparable during their childhood.
The reason they hadn't thought of him was that Obito was constantly running around for the village's affairs all year round and generally didn't have time to participate in the clan's various festivals and activities. Over time, everyone had forgotten about this guy.
...
"Fugaku has resigned from the position of Police Force Captain and recommended Uchiha Obito to take over."
Long before the meeting at Naka Shrine began, Sakumo had received Fugaku's application.
"Taking over is fine, but does Takeshi-sensei have any other arrangements for Obito?"
Uchiha Itachi's words made Sakumo, who was just about to sign and seal the document, pause.
He had only thought about Obito's strength being qualified, but he forgot that Takeshi also needed Obito very much.
"It doesn't matter. Anyway, when Fugaku was in office, most of the Police Force matters were handled by the Vice-Captain. He himself acted as... er, a middleman to coordinate relationships."
Shikaku almost blurted out the word "loafer."
After all, Fugaku's actions over these years fit this adjective very well.
After waking up in the morning and signing in at the Police Force, this Captain would begin his day of strolling the streets.
He would either wander to the dango shop to drink tea and eat dango, or run to the barbecue restaurant to order a few plates of roast meat to gorge himself.
Sometimes he would also run to the Ninja Academy to supervise the studies of the Uchiha juniors.
"Then, have Jiraiya-sama think of a way to contact the Fifth?"
Sakumo's positioning of himself was very clear, which was that for all matters concerning the village, Takeshi's ideas were the standard.
As a retired Fourth Hokage, he was just managing the village on Takeshi's behalf.
"That's the only way."
Shikaku nodded in agreement.