Chapter 252. I've Locked Onto You!
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The Uchiha Clan.
Due to various reasons, during the Second Hokage's era, the Uchiha were prohibited from undertaking missions outside the village under his direct orders. Instead, they were assigned to the Konoha Police Force, tasked with maintaining order within the village.
Of course.
Later on.
For various other reasons, this policy was completely dismantled by Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo.
From time to time, they would still send an Uchiha out on missions.
Yuto yawned as he listened to Fugaku speak. Most of those attending the clan meeting today were adult ninjas—there were no children present.
It seemed that Fugaku was taking tonight's meeting quite seriously.
However—
Had Minato already discussed the Konoha Police Force issue with Fugaku?
Yuto was slightly surprised. He remembered bringing it up with Minato once before.
Back then, Minato wasn't Hokage yet, but later… the Third Hokage was caught embezzling funds, and Danzo went bankrupt and ran away. So, Yuto had stopped caring about the issue.
After all—
The Konoha Police Force was a trap.
There was no way around it.
On the surface, the Konoha Police Force was responsible for protecting the village. However, when Anbu or Root engaged in activities that couldn't be exposed, they would often operate under the guise of the police force.
As a result—
The pay was terrible, and on top of that, they had to take the blame for everything.
Sometimes, they were treated like temporary workers.
Who would've thought—
Minato still remembered it even now!
As soon as Fugaku finished speaking, the Uchiha clan members immediately erupted into a heated discussion.
"This is unacceptable! The police force belongs to us Uchiha!"
No matter what—
The Konoha Police Force was an official position within the village, a form of power, and a considerable one at that.
It had authority over law enforcement and the security of Konoha.
They could arrest people based on suspicion alone, and in some cases, even act first and report later—with the Hokage's special permission.
Just thinking about it made it clear how much power they had.
However, over time, both Anbu and Root had stripped away parts of that authority, leaving the police force reduced to little more than city patrol officers, often arresting civilians instead of real criminals.
Yuto still remembered watching the anime, seeing Uchiha police officers surrounding a few men in kimonos, grinning menacingly before arresting them without hesitation—no wonder their reputation was so bad.
One elder righteously declared that the police force was the Uchiha's rightful position and that even the Fourth Hokage had no right to take it away. The other Uchihas immediately echoed the sentiment.
"That's right! No one can take the Konoha Police Force away from us!"
"I can't believe the Fourth Hokage would treat the Uchiha like this!"
"This is absolutely unacceptable!"
As soon as they heard that the Fourth Hokage intended to interfere with the police force, most of the Uchiha instantly united in opposition.
There was no helping it.
The Uchiha were already confined to the village, and if they lost the police force too, a large number of them would be left unemployed.
Yuto had initially considered breaking the Uchiha free from the police force, allowing them to train outside and grow stronger.
Then, they could use that strength to intimidate Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo into compromise.
But later—
He gave up on being a ninja!
He got rich!
He was no longer that same boy from back then.
And to be honest, the Second Hokage and Black Zetsu weren't wrong—the Uchiha clan really did have some serious mental issues.
If too many of them were let loose, who knew how many would awaken their Mangekyo Sharingan through sadness and start reshaping the Ninja World?!
So, in the end, he dropped the idea.
With him around, it wasn't really a problem anyway.
Of course, if they really wanted to go out… well, he still recommended giving them the same "Obito-style setback education."
That way, they wouldn't lose their parents over a dead girlfriend!
Most of the Uchiha were now yelling furiously, their faces red with anger, ready to oppose the Fourth Hokage.
Leading the charge was the Second Elder, the current figurehead of the hawkish faction, slamming the table in rage.
(Originally, the Chief Elder had been the head of the hawks, but he was now semi-retired and busy with his love life. He didn't have time for this nonsense, so he had been gradually relinquishing power.)
Meanwhile, Uchiha Fugaku stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves, expressionless, watching silently without saying a word.
Yuto yawned, looking helplessly at the hawks and moderates, who, for once, were inexplicably united. He shook his head and remained silent.
After all—
He was already an outsider, expelled from Uchiha affairs.
However.
"What do you think, kid?" The Chief Elder leaned in with a serious expression. "Is the Konoha Police Force that the Second Hokage promised to the Uchiha really going to be handed over to the Fourth Hokage?"
"…I'm just an ordinary businessman."
"When I die, my Mangekyo Sharingan will…"
"Stop! Enough." Yuto interrupted directly, sighed, and lowered his voice. "If you really want to integrate into Konoha, you have to let go of exclusive control over the Police Force."
"What do you mean?"
"Think about the conflict between the Hyuga main and branch families. The Uchiha blocked the Hyuga clan's gates. Sure, it was justified, but after everything was settled, who did the Hyuga clan and all the other clans forced to detour hate the most?"
At these words—
Uchiha Setsuna frowned slightly, fell into deep thought, and his cloudy eyes opened just a little wider. He muttered, "Uchiha."
Indeed.
It had always been this way.
The Uchiha were always the ones hated.
"But if members from other clans were also part of the Konoha Police Force…" Yuto nodded. "If every clan had people in the Police Force, then who would be the target of resentment?"
"But if we lose the Konoha Police Force… the Uchiha would be stuck in an awkward position, neither high nor low… How would we survive?"
The Chief Elder's eyes revealed a trace of worry.
After all—
The Uchiha's position in the village was already awkward. Things had gotten better in recent years, largely thanks to Yuto taking a different path, which had changed many people's perceptions of the Uchiha.
However—
Uchiha Yuto sighed helplessly and shook his head.
If they weren't in the Police Force, they could just do something else!
For example, the Uchiha were so handsome they could form an idol group. Imagine the daughters of other clans becoming their lickers—wouldn't that be even better?
"Chief Elder, times have changed!"
With that, Yuto stopped talking.
That was enough.
If he said any more, he might be labeled a traitor to the Uchiha and never make it out of the room.
After all—
He was advocating for abandoning the Konoha Police Force.
Yuto stood up, looked at Fugaku, who was seated at the head of the room, and grinned. "Brother, I'm heading home first."
With that—
Fugaku nodded indifferently without saying much.
However, a slight hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Yuto was only here because of his good relationship with the Fourth Hokage, hoping to gather additional information.
Unexpectedly—
Yuto had his own opinions now.
No wonder his business kept expanding.
Fugaku nodded approvingly as he watched Yuto leave.
He had grown up!
However—
Just as he stepped out the door,
Yuto suddenly turned back to Fugaku. "Oh right, you've been really busy lately. How about I help teach the kids for you? Let Sister Mikoto have a break."
At that moment—
The corner of Fugaku's mouth twitched, his eyelid twitched, and he pointed at the door. "Get out!"
This guy…
His brain was still as messed up as ever.
If he liked kids so much, why not just get married and have his own?!
…
When the rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked. When the birds are gone, the bow is put away.
Walking through the forest, Yuto sighed inwardly.
He had just provided such an insightful analysis, yet they still kicked him out without hesitation.
He couldn't even check on his nephew!
They didn't even keep him for dinner.
Yuto shook his head, then started heading home, planning to eat dinner there instead.
However—
Not long after—
Suddenly.
He stopped in his tracks.
[Someone is following me?!]
He sensed it.
Who?
Sarutobi Hiruzen? Or Shimura Danzo?
Those two…
No, that's impossible!
Just as he was about to turn around and yell for help—
Then.
"I've locked onto you!"
Hearing the voice, Yuto's mouth twitched slightly, momentarily stunned.
What the hell was this guy doing?
Then—
As he saw a figure forming a hand seal and rushing toward him, Yuto silently pulled out a stack of explosive tags…
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