The daylight gradually dimmed, and the sun slipped unnoticed beneath the western skyline until it vanished completely.
The moon rose, casting its pale silver light over the stage in front of the Uchiha Police Department.
The stage measured over 20 meters long, about 10 meters wide, and stood one meter above the ground. It had been constructed using Earth Style ninjutsu, but for visual appeal, a layer of polished, light brown wooden planks was laid across its surface.
The entire structure was veiled behind a red curtain. Although the villagers gathered below couldn't see what was happening behind it, the memory of the last "parade" organized by the police department was still fresh in their minds. It had left a strong impression.
That past display was precisely why the crowd buzzed with anticipation tonight, eager to witness what new spectacle the Uchiha Police Department had prepared.
Behind the curtain, about a dozen members of the force were rushing to place the final decorations.
These helpers came from various clans—Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho—as well as civilian families. Of course, a few Uchiha were included.
Uchiha #1 was supervising the final touches.
Satisfied with the progress, Uchiha #1 approached Uchiha Hikaru.
"Deputy Chief, the stage and lighting have been arranged exactly as per your diagram. We're ready to begin whenever you give the word."
The excitement on Uchiha #1's face was hard to conceal. His heart swelled with pride—this was the first-ever celebration hosted by the Uchiha Police Department, and he hadn't expected to be the one organizing it. Knowing that this event could boost the clan's image across Konoha gave him all the motivation he needed.
Uchiha Hikaru, adjusting a red tie around his neck with clumsy fingers, was dressed in a black suit. He shifted uncomfortably in the formal attire, then turned to Uchiha #1.
"Got it. Good work. From here on, Fugaku and I will take over. You can go."
Fugaku appeared just then, wearing a striking red suit. His hair was slicked back stylishly.
"Hikaru, I have to admit, you younger folks have a much better sense of fashion."
The two of them stood together in stark contrast to the rest of the officers backstage, as if they had stepped out of an entirely different world.
"Well then, Clan Head—it's your time to shine. Go."
Uchiha Hikaru turned and walked off the stage, leading the others with him.
Fugaku was left alone behind the curtain.
"I wonder what Mikoto will think of this…"
He sighed, slightly amused at how Hikaru had clearly "thrown him to the wolves."
Reaching into his sleeve, Fugaku pulled out a kunai and cut the rope holding the curtain in place.
The red curtain split dramatically down the middle, sliding to both sides.
From the far end of the stage, Uchiha #2 hurled several shuriken upward with precision, bursting balloons suspended above Fugaku's head.
Pop!
The balloons exploded all at once, and the villagers below looked up in awe.
Colorful confetti began to drift down like snowflakes under the moonlight.
Fugaku stepped forward into the center of the stage, his posture unconsciously straightening with pride.
His bright red suit and the bursts of fireworks created a dazzling scene, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
For the average villager in Konoha, this was something they had never experienced. Even during a Hokage inauguration, all that happened was the donning of a hat and a short speech.
Fugaku's entrance tonight shattered every expectation of what a shinobi event should look like.
He was cool, confident—and dressed in a way no one had ever seen before.
At first, the crowd didn't even know how to react. Then came the cheers. Thunderous applause. Glow sticks waved above heads.
Among the front row, Uchiha Mikoto stood holding little Sasuke's hand.
The boy pointed at the stage, his eyes wide with innocent surprise.
"Look, Mom! Dad's wearing weird clothes and his hair's all different—but he looks way better than when he's always frowning."
Mikoto looked at her husband, her cheeks coloring slightly.
"Yeah... your father is a bit more handsome tonight than usual."
Fugaku, catching a glimpse of Mikoto's expression in the crowd, felt a flash of satisfaction.
He silently thanked Uchiha Hikaru.
That guy sure knows how to stage a show…
"Everyone! Welcome to tonight's Police Department celebration!"
Fugaku raised a hand and waved to the sea of villagers.
"OOOOOH!"
The response was deafening. Fugaku couldn't make out the individual shouts, but he saw arms raised, glowing sticks waving, people smiling.
"Teacher! You're so cool!!"
A youthful, enthusiastic voice rang out above the rest.
Fugaku blinked.
Beside the stage, one of the instructors, Captain inahiko, heard it too.
Smack!
He slapped his forehead.
"That girl, Hana... She has no sense of timing. What an embarrassment. And look, even Jiro and Sakamoto are joining in…"
Sure enough, the ones causing the fuss were Inuzuka Hana, Aburame Sakamoto, and Gekkō Jiro.
As students of Captain Inahiko, they had guessed their instructor would participate in the celebration—he was one of the few Uchiha elite Jonin, after all.
Hana had dragged the others along with her glowing enthusiasm. All three now stood there, waving glow sticks with all their might.
"Hana," muttered Jiro, "the star tonight is Uchiha Fugaku. You're the only one yelling for our teacher."
"Okay, okay," Hana replied, puffing her cheeks. "I just wanted Inahiko Sensei to know we're here!"
Under the glow of stage lights and moonlight, her cheeks—painted red for the celebration—seemed to glow even more brightly.
Whether it was excitement, embarrassment, or something else, no one could tell.
But her outburst was only a brief aside.
Fugaku had finished his greetings. Now it was time to present the reforms of the Police Department.
"Everyone, the department's restructuring is complete. The Police Force is now divided into five branches, each with six squads. Each squad has ten shinobi."
"And now, the question I know you're all wondering—how many civilian ninjas are included in this new structure?"
He paused for emphasis.
"Currently, fifty civilian shinobi have officially joined the police force."
A moment of silence followed—then a sharp voice rose from the crowd.
"What kind of reform is that?! There are three hundred slots, and only fifty were filled by civilian ninjas? What kind of joke is this?!"
Others quickly jumped in.
"Yeah, you Uchiha think we're stupid? One-fifth of the force doesn't count as inclusion!"
"See? This is what the Uchiha always do. All talk about change, but they just want more power for themselves!"
The shouts picked up. A few instigators stirred the tension. Soon, murmurs turned into full-blown grumbling.
But then—
"Quiet."
The voice was deep, hoarse, and carried an undeniable weight.
The crowd turned instinctively.
"That's... the Hokage's assistant!"
"You're just in time! You have to stand up for us civilians!"