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In front of the Leaf Village Defense Force headquarters.
Qianyu, now its captain, was delivering his inaugural address.
His tone was forceful, domineering. It sat poorly with Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi, a prickling discomfort they couldn't shake.
Qianyu knew. He didn't care.
He was the captain now. To put it bluntly, even the Hokage, Minato himself, would need his agreement to meddle in Defense Force affairs.
Qianyu began outlining the department's duties to the gathered villagers.
"First duty," his voice cut through the square. "Setting village regulations. Meaning, everyone follows the rules we set. All previous regulations set by the Konoha Military Police are hereby void."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. He raised a hand, silencing it.
"Don't worry. Most rules stay the same. They just transfer to us. Your daily lives won't change much."
The tension eased. People shrugged. As long as their routines were safe, the rest was background noise.
"Second duty," Qianyu continued, his gaze sweeping over the ninja in the crowd. "Apprehending ninja with criminal intent. Simple. With the sole exception of the Hokage's personal guard, the Defense Force has jurisdiction over all Konoha shinobi. If we find a ninja about to commit—or who has committed—a crime, we have the authority to arrest them."
Some of the listening shinobi stiffened. This wasn't background noise. This was a power shift.
Two duties. Seemingly simple. But combined? It placed the Defense Force's authority leagues above the old Military Police. The Uchiha's police force was effectively stripped of real power right then and there.
How did the Uchiha clan agree to this? The thought flashed through many minds.
Qianyu wasn't finished. "Since everyone is here today," he announced, "on my first day as captain, I will add a new regulation."
Minato's eyes narrowed. Hiruzen's jaw tightened. Shisui Uchiha, standing to the side as Vice-Captain, went very still.
This wasn't procedure. The Defense Force could set rules, yes. But it required discussion. There was a Vice-Captain. Qianyu was ignoring him entirely, treating the department as his personal fiefdom.
"Qianyu," Minato said, his voice low, meant for Qianyu's ears alone. "New regulations are decided after discussion."
Qianyu turned a faint, mocking smile on the Hokage. "Fourth Hokage, this regulation is for Konoha's great benefit. For the village's prosperity, I must act. Didn't the Military Police Captain, Fugaku Uchiha, set rules by himself? Shouldn't I be able to do the same?"
Minato's brow furrowed. "The Police Force had one captain. The Defense Force has a captain and a vice-captain. You draft rules together. Then you submit them to me. I approve them. You don't make unilateral declarations."
"Ah," Qianyu said, feigning sudden understanding. "Is that how it works? My mistake. But, Fourth Hokage…" He gestured to the waiting crowd. "I've already promised them an announcement. It would be poor form to stop now. How about this? Let me state the regulation. Then you can decide. Everyone is here to witness it."
Minato's expression darkened. He was trapped. Today was the inaugural day. He had to grant some face. After a heavy silence, he gave a stiff nod.
A light chuckle escaped Qianyu. "The new regulation is this: Starting today, any ninja apprehended by the Defense Force, for crimes not deemed severe, may post bail according to the severity of their offense. Upon payment, they may be released from custody."
He paused, letting it sink in. "This applies only to minor infractions. Major crimes are exempt. The bail money will be split. One portion maintains our department. The other goes to the Hokage," he nodded to Minato, "for village development."
His voice rose, persuasive, logical. "This saves village resources. It reduces prison strain. It generates income. It funds construction. There is no downside. The decision, of course, rests with our Fourth Hokage." He locked eyes with Minato. "So. What do you think? Do you agree?"
Minato's face was stone. Bail. On the surface, it seemed practical. But the flaws were glaring—lack of checks, vague conditions, potential for abuse.
He glanced at Hiruzen. The old Hokage was deep in thought, weighing the scales.
Then a new voice cut in, smooth and cold.
"I find Captain Qianyu's proposal quite sound."
All eyes turned. Orochimaru.
"The Military Police simply threw people in cells," the Sannin continued, his analysis clinical. "Konoha spends a considerable sum yearly to maintain those who need not be imprisoned. Wasting resources on them is inefficient. Using them to benefit the village is superior logic. This regulation would indeed aid Konoha's development."
Orochimaru had spoken. In support.
The crowd of villagers, who only understood that this might mean lower taxes or better streets, began to murmur approval.
"Captain Qianyu's idea is good! Using criminals' money to build the village? Why not?" "Yeah! Keeping them locked up costs our ryo!" "This way we save money and make money! It's better!"
The murmurs grew into a wave of consensus. Minato was cornered. Public opinion had been deftly maneuvered against him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi met his gaze and gave a slow, almost imperceptible nod. Agree.
Minato sighed internally. With this move, Qianyu had thoroughly overshadowed Shisui. The vice-captain was already a figurehead.
He turned, the gesture purely symbolic. "Shisui. I believe the regulation has merit. What is your opinion?"
Shisui understood the situation perfectly. His jaw was tight, but he inclined his head. "I agree."
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