~ Every 100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter! Your votes keep this climbing. Thanks!
Qianyu laid out the plan for Danzō. All they had to do was stir up tension between the villagers and the Uchiha. The proud clansmen would inevitably slip up. The moment they showed the slightest sign of crossing a line—bam. Arrested for "propensity for criminal activity."
Danzō's interest was instantly piqued. He gestured for Qianyu to continue.
"The Konoha Military Police patrol the village every day," Qianyu explained. "That's their job. So, we plant some villagers with old grudges in their path. Have them spew a few choice insults about the Uchiha, just loud enough to be heard. The second an Uchiha reacts—anything—we swoop in and arrest them."
He leaned forward. "After it happens once, twice… the villagers will catch on. They'll know the new Leaf Village Defense Force has their back. No more fear. They'll start talking freely. Letting loose all that pent-up resentment."
A cold smile touched his lips. "And then, it's just a matter of time. The Uchiha won't be able to take the constant noise. They'll snap. A shouted insult back, maybe a shove. Doesn't matter. We arrest them. Lock them up for a few days."
Danzō's brow furrowed. "A few days? That's it?"
"Exactly. It's not a real crime," Qianyu conceded with a shrug. "The 'propensity' charge is flimsy at best. Two days in a cell, max. So, why not maximize the profit?"
"Profit?"
"Bail money." Qianyu's eyes glinted. "The Uchiha aren't short on cash. Want out early? Pay up. First offense: one hundred thousand ryō. Walk right out. Second time? Two hundred thousand. Third? Three hundred thousand. It escalates. If they actually throw a punch? Bail jumps straight to five hundred thousand. Easy."
He spread his hands. "The Defense Force gets to set village regulations. Let this be the first new rule. A nice, profitable one."
This was Qianyu's fundraising scheme. Target the richest clan in Konoha. Drain the Uchiha's coffers to feed his own organization. And those prideful Uchiha? They'd pay. He was sure of it. The shame of a public arrest would be worse than the financial hit.
Danzō listened, and a thin, predatory smile spread across his face. "An excellent method. If this works, the Uchiha's prestige in Konoha will evaporate. No one will fear them anymore. Crushing them later becomes… trivial." His voice dropped to a low rasp. "We'll house the detainees in the ROOT facilities. Let them experience the atmosphere."
Perfect, Qianyu thought, his own satisfaction growing. An overnight stay in ROOT's dungeons would make anyone desperate to pay their way out.
Danzō looked at him with open appreciation. Such a devious, underhanded plan. It fit his own tastes perfectly.
One old fox. One young fox. They shared a silent, understanding smirk.
Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Shisui had arrived at the Uchiha compound.
They sat across from Uchiha Fugaku on tatami mats. Fugaku poured tea, his expression polite. "Lord Fourth. To what do I owe the honor of this visit?"
Minato took a careful sip before speaking. "Fugaku-sama. I'm here to inform you of an adjustment to the Konoha Military Police's authority."
Fugaku's hand, holding his own teacup, stilled for a fraction of a second. Inform. Not discuss. The decision was already made.
His face remained a calm mask. "An adjustment? May I ask what aspects are being reconsidered?"
"The authority to establish village regulations and to arrest individuals based on criminal propensity," Minato stated evenly. "These two functions will be reassigned to a new department being established in the village."
Fugaku's composure finally cracked. A slight frown creased his brow. Those were the two core pillars of the Military Police's power. The very heart of their influence.
"Lord Fourth," Fugaku began, his voice measured but tight. "Have we… performed inadequately? And the establishment of a new department, the restructuring of our authority… as the captain, I was not consulted."
Minato sighed, the sound heavy in the quiet room. "The decision was made by the Hokage's Advisor, the Third Hokage, and myself."
Fugaku's eyes widened slightly. The Advisor… Danzō. And Hiruzen Sarutobi had agreed?
So. The higher-ups were moving against the Uchiha after all.
A bitter, helpless anger coiled in his gut. He had bent over backwards. Lowered his head. Tried to rein in his clan's worst impulses. And still, it wasn't enough? They wouldn't relent?
"Fugaku-sama," Minato said, leaning forward. "I understand your concern. Please believe me when I say I trust you. I want to trust the Uchiha. And Shisui here," he gestured to the young man sitting quietly beside him, "will serve as the Deputy Commander of this new department."
The knot of anger in Fugaku's chest loosened, just a little. Shisui? As Deputy Commander? That changed the equation. A foothold within the new power structure…
"But," Fugaku pressed, "who will be the Commander of this department?"
Minato's gaze faltered. He looked slightly to the side, unable to meet Fugaku's intense stare. "…It will be Qianyu."
Fugaku sucked in a sharp, hissed breath.
This is a fucking joke.
Everyone in Konoha knew Qianyu would happily see every last Uchiha six feet under. Having Shisui as deputy was a meaningless gesture. That blood-eyed fiend would eat the boy alive.
This wasn't just a reorganization. It was a targeted declaration of war.
"Lord Fourth," Fugaku said, his voice dropping low and hard. "I am aware of the… troubles my clan has caused Konoha in the past. But that is the past. I have dedicated myself to changing our ways. To restraining my clansmen. If you, or the other elders, have further grievances, state them. I will do everything in my power to address them."
He set his cup down with a firm click. "The Konoha Military Police was founded by the Second Hokage himself. While we may have overstepped in earlier years, the Uchiha have always strived to fulfill its duties. I must ask you to reconsider this decree. Please, withdraw it."
"Clan Head, I—" Shisui started, but Fugaku cut him off with a sharp look.
"Shisui. The Hokage and I are speaking. You may voice your thoughts later."
This concerned the entire clan. Fugaku had to stand his ground. He had to make Minato see reason. His people were not a docile bunch. This would light a fuse.
Shisui opened his mouth, then closed it, bowing his head in silent acquiescence.
Minato looked genuinely pained. "Fugaku-sama, I share your worries. That is precisely why I insisted Shisui take the deputy position."
"With all due respect, Lord Fourth," Fugaku said, his tone grave. "Shisui is an exceptional shinobi. But facing Qianyu? He is still a child playing a man's game."
In Fugaku's mind, the only person who could possibly restrain Qianyu was Uchiha Madara himself, risen from the grave. It was an impossible task.
For the sake of the Uchiha clan's survival, he would fight this. To the last.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (100+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/GoldenLong
Happy reading, everyone!