The aftermath of the Uchiha incident was not Kageyama Kogetsu's concern; it was handled by Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others.
The next morning, Kageyama Kogetsu went directly to the yet-to-be-repaired Police Force headquarters and had all the surviving Police Force ninja summoned.
After everyone had gathered, Kageyama Kogetsu stood with his hands behind his back, his expression serious. "I'm sure you all know what happened last night, so I won't say much more."
"I am now announcing a personnel change in Konoha. Given the current situation of the Police Force and the Uchiha clan, Konoha has appointed me as the acting head of the Police Force."
"Does anyone have any objections to this?"
The thirty-odd survivors looked at each other, but no one spoke first...
The Police Force had nine squads, each with a structure similar to the Anbu.
These ninja were not all the remaining ninja of the Uchiha clan. There were over a hundred Uchiha ninja who had been lucky enough to escape.
The entire Uchiha clan had over two thousand members. More than three hundred ninja were killed, which was about one ninja for every family of four.
Among all the ninja, the majority had not awakened the Sharingan. After last night's events, many of the survivors had awakened or evolved their Sharingan.
However, the proportion of three-tomoe Sharingan had plummeted, leaving only a few.
"Lord Kogetsu has shown great kindness to the Uchiha clan. I have no objection," Uchiha Izumi stepped forward and bowed.
With someone taking the lead, the others successively stated that they had no objections.
"I would like to ask Lord Kogetsu a question," Uchiha Inabi, who had been lucky enough to survive, bowed respectfully, his tone deferential.
"Speak," Kageyama Kogetsu said calmly.
"May I ask how long Lord Kogetsu will be acting in this capacity?"
"What, do you want to be the head of the Police Force?" Kageyama Kogetsu said with a half-smile.
"No, no. I want to know if the Police Force still belongs to the Uchiha clan," Uchiha Inabi shook his head, his expression grave.
"You all want to know too, right?"
Except for Uchiha Izumi, everyone nodded.
"Hmph, you don't think that just because the coup didn't start, your actions in planning it will be forgiven, do you?" Kageyama Kogetsu sneered.
"Lord Kogetsu, we have already paid the price," Uchiha Inabi said, his eyes downcast.
"That was Itachi acting on his own, not a punishment from Konoha."
"If the Uchiha clan had truly launched a coup, not a single ninja would have survived, and the civilians would have been in a tough spot too," Kageyama Kogetsu said coldly.
"Lord Kogetsu, it was the Second Hokage's decision for the Uchiha clan to be in charge of the Police Force," Uchiha Inabi said, looking up with an unwilling expression.
Kageyama Kogetsu said irritably, "Hmph, with the Second Hokage's temper, what kind of punishment do you think he would have given you?"
"Konoha has not publicly announced your planned coup and has protected the Uchiha clan's name. That's more than enough."
"And you still have the delusion of holding onto the Police Force?"
"You're not children anymore. Do you think you're playing a ninja game?"
"Let me tell you, Konoha is giving you two choices."
"Either let go of the Police Force, and from now on, any Konoha ninja who meets the requirements can join."
"Or the Uchiha clan leaves Konoha, no longer enjoys its protection, and lives as traitors."
In the era of ninja villages, it was not easy for a single ninja clan to survive in the ninja world, even a clan as skilled in combat as the Uchiha.
If they left Konoha's protection, smaller forces would naturally not dare to provoke them, but any decent small ninja village would have ideas.
Not to mention the great ninja villages. A decent small ninja village would have far more ninja than the entire Uchiha clan. They would still have to live at the mercy of others.
If they had a capable and powerful leader, the exiled Uchiha clan might do well, but unfortunately, they did not.
Everyone was silent, and the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.
Uchiha Inabi's voice was hoarse. "Lord Kogetsu, can Uchiha clan ninja join the current Police Force?"
"Yes, as long as they meet the requirements and are more outstanding than others."
"Will Uchiha clan ninja have the opportunity to compete for the position of head of the Police Force?"
Kageyama Kogetsu said with ironclad determination, "Yes, as long as they have sufficient strength and merit."
"What, do you want to challenge me?"
Uchiha Inabi quickly shook his head. "I know my own limits. I'm asking for the future strong members of the Uchiha."
Kageyama Kogetsu chuckled. "You just mentioned a phrase, 'know your own limits.'"
"I hope that not only you, Inabi, but all Uchiha ninja will know their own limits."
"Some of you seem very obedient now, but I know you are unwilling in your hearts, holding back your anger, only forced to submit by reality."
"It's fine to have fire in your hearts. You can even vent it on me. But don't ever do anything to betray Konoha. Otherwise, don't blame me for not showing any mercy."
Boom!
A powerful surge of chakra erupted from Kageyama Kogetsu. A strong current of air swept out, turning into a fierce wind that enveloped everyone in the formation. The ground crackled, and the floorboards cracked inch by inch.
All the Police Force ninja's expressions changed drastically. Cold sweat beaded on their foreheads, and many of them subconsciously drew their weapons and assumed a combat stance.
They felt like a small boat in the vast sea, in danger of being overturned by the stormy waves at any moment, leading to their demise!
Hokage's Office. Sarutobi Hiruzen was watching the crystal ball on his desk with great interest...
"Kogetsu's strength is improving so quickly. Even through the screen, the chakra he's unleashing is outrageous."
"With such strength, coupled with his character and achievements, if Jiraiya and Tsunade are still unwilling, he is more than qualified to succeed me."
"Although Kogetsu was not my disciple or a disciple of the Sannin, he is still a true-blue Hokage-lineage ninja."
Despite Hiruzen's thoughts of succession, in reality, he intended to serve until his death.
He was not at ease handing it over to others prematurely. This was a common problem for many in power as they aged.
But some things were not up to Hiruzen to decide...
In the small square in front of the Police Force headquarters, Kageyama Kogetsu retracted his chakra.
"Everyone, I know you feel wronged, for example, the position of Hokage has never been yours. However, the Uchiha clan already has three major stains."
"Uchiha Madara once, Uchiha Setsuna once, and this time."
"You're always rebelling, always trying to stir up trouble. Who would dare to trust you?"
"Also, the Uchiha clan's reputation in the village is not good. This is partly due to the work of the Police Force."
"But the main reason is that you, who come from a great clan, are too arrogant, too cold, too condescending. Having come this far, can't you reflect on yourselves?"
"Can't you learn how to be a person and do things from the other ninja clans?"
"Except for the Hyuga clan. The branch family is fine, but the main family is just as bad as you."
"With the reputation and popularity of the Uchiha clan ninja in the village, even if an Uchiha were to be nominated at the Land of Fire conference, they would not pass the Jonin confidence vote later on!"
"If you don't want to learn from the other ninja clans, then learn from me."
"Besides my birth, I am stronger than you in every aspect. Am I arrogant?"
Hokage's Office. Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in deep agreement. No lies detected!
The crowd was scolded into silence by Kageyama Kogetsu, their heads bowed in shame.
"Perhaps it's in your nature, but you should restrain it a little. People are not animals. The strong are capable of controlling their emotions."
Kageyama Kogetsu's tone softened...
"Everyone, stains need to be washed away with honor and blood."
"If one day I can become Hokage, I will definitely give the Uchiha a fair chance to compete."
"In a situation where the candidates are more or less equal, I will give priority to recommending someone from the Uchiha, so that the friendship we've built over the years will not be in vain."
"If the gap is too large, then there's nothing more to be said."
"The opportunity is given. If the Uchiha can't seize it, who is to blame?"
"One last thing. If any of you or your clansmen are wronged, solve it yourselves if you can. If you can't, come to me."
"Be open and frank, don't be embarrassed, because I am your head, and I will definitely support you."
"Understand?"
"Understood," the crowd replied, their heads bowed.
"Heads up, louder!" Kageyama Kogetsu shouted.
"Understood, Lord Head!" the crowd shouted in unison, their chests puffed out and heads held high, their voices neat and tidy.
"Yoshi! Get to work. Dismissed."
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