Soon after, the Uchiha clan finalized their new strategy during the clan meeting. Although Andrew, being a time traveler, had a deeper understanding of the consequences, not everyone could grasp the full picture.
But one thing was clear to all: Uchiha had been silent for too long, and Konoha had taken their tolerance for granted.
"But... if we suddenly change our stance and abandon our responsibilities in the police department, won't the villagers and higher-ups react negatively? What will they think of us?"
The Fifth Elder expressed his concerns hesitantly.
"Let them think whatever they want! Our foundation in the ninja world is strength, not others' opinions! Never forget: we are Uchiha first, then Konoha shinobi. Without Uchiha, what meaning does the village hold for us?"
"For too long, we've bent over backward trying to gain their approval—by aligning with the village or aiming for the Hokage seat. But with power, we don't need approval!"
As the meeting ended, Andrew stood tall. His gaze swept the room, pausing on Itachi in the shadows, then the hardliners and doves, before returning to his place.
His words left the room in deep thought.
Yes! What future is there to speak of if the Uchiha are erased? What glory can exist without the clan?
Itachi, still shaken by the events of the day, now found himself the focus of Andrew's attention. Though mature and analytical for his age, he couldn't deny reality: Shisui had lost his eyes, and Andrew had stood up to the village leadership in their defense.
His worldview was crumbling.
He thought leaving the clan's ideology behind would allow him to understand the bigger picture. But now it seemed abandoning the clan only distanced him from both family and village. He was caught in an impossible dilemma.
Meanwhile, throughout Konoha, many were sleepless.
The Hyuga clan held an emergency meeting overnight, reinforcing defenses against a potential move from Danzo.
Other clans followed suit. After all, the village leadership had just attempted to steal the bloodline of the Uchiha, the most powerful clan in Konoha. If even they could be targeted, no one was safe.
At the ROOT headquarters, Danzo was livid. His crutch nearly snapped in half from how tightly he gripped it.
"Damn it! Damn it! What a disgrace! That damn Uchiha..."
Since becoming Hokage's advisor, Danzo had never suffered such a loss. He had not only failed to acquire Shisui's Sharingan but lost one of his own.
He could no longer pretend everything was under control. With only three Sharingan left in his possession, and being forced to return one, Danzo was furious.
"No! I won't accept this humiliation. One way or another, the Uchiha must pay!"
As he watched ROOT members carry the stolen Sharingan away to be returned, Danzo's face twisted in rage.
As dawn broke, the Fifth Elder arrived at the police department. Staring at the thick stack of complaint letters on the desk, he clenched his jaw, picked up his seal, and began his work.
In the past, he would agonize over how to handle these letters—offering verbal warnings, issuing transfers, yet still drawing criticism from every side.
But today, everything was different. Now, he had a clear policy: suspension and recall. The officers in question would no longer be in the department. Simple, clean, effective.
And to his surprise, he felt a sense of peace.
"Seems Andrew was right. Our clansmen really have been suppressed for far too long..."
He murmured to himself, feeling a quiet release of tension. Even for an old man like him, this shift was cathartic.
Not long after, Captain Fugaku entered the police department. He glanced at the long suspension list and chuckled to himself.
Nearly 80% of the department had been recalled. Andrew claimed he wasn't trying to pressure the village, but with so few left, they couldn't operate even if they wanted to.
The affected officers, apart from those who had attended the clan meeting, were shocked when they received notice.
"Captain, is this a mistake? We're suspended?"
The Fifth Elder silenced the chatter with a stern glare.
"Have you all forgotten what happened last night? This decision was made during the clan meeting. Is there a problem?"
Fugaku added calmly, maintaining control of the room. Though some officers didn't fully grasp the decision, they recognized it came from the top and didn't argue.
"Those who are suspended will return to the clan grounds immediately. The remaining staff will only patrol areas near our family compound. Any other areas are off-limits. Understood?"
Most remaining officers were doves who naturally followed the elder's instructions.
Furthermore, Fugaku's reasoning struck a chord. If even someone like Shisui could be ambushed and mutilated by Danzo, what hope did ordinary Uchiha officers have?
Pulling back from village-wide duties wasn't surrender—it was survival.
Soon, the police department felt empty, echoing with silence. Villagers arriving with complaints were confused.
Suddenly, a loud voice rang out:
"What the hell is this?! I lost something, and you people aren't helping? What kind of police department is this?! Everyone, tell me I'm right!"
The villager shouted arrogantly, and others began to join in, murmuring complaints. They were used to the Uchiha officers tolerating their abuse, pacifying them politely.
In the past, such scenes were handled by the Dove Faction, who believed in cooperation with the village and endured the public's entitlement.
Yuta Shoda felt smug. He lost a belonging and came to the Uchiha-run police to get it resolved. That was how things had always been.
But now, the officer at the desk coldly told him to file a request with the mission department and hire a ninja.
"What?! You want me to pay for this? That costs real money! I'm not made of ryo! You people always did this for free before!"
But then, he noticed something odd.
No one from the police department responded. No one argued. No one even acknowledged him. It was like he didn't exist.
The villagers stood there, puzzled and increasingly uncomfortable.
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