"Regarding the Fourth's death, I've been investigating secretly—no results."
Fugaku's complexion shifted through several phases, ultimately returning to its usual calm depths, but his next words were finally comprehensible.
So whether Shuji truly had no results or suspected something he wouldn't say, he simply nodded. He knew the truth anyway, likewise unable to speak it.
What could be addressed: Konoha Police Force matters.
"Relinquishing the Police—clansmen won't accept."
This wasn't arrogance but tangible vested interests. Police wasn't merely a hollow prestigious hot potato inviting hostility.
Its authority ran deep in Konoha's daily operations.
Drafting village regulations, especially detailed civil and commercial rules—though high-level direction set by leadership, in practice, Police's single prohibition could halt most village and external merchants cold.
Maintaining stability went without saying; arresting those with "criminal tendencies" was highly subjective—Police deemed you guilty, you were; appeals meant Hokage, advisors, or Police captain.
Beyond managing Anbu and Root special departments, other departments were more or less constrained.
"Even as clan head, forcibly ordering cannot make Uchiha withdraw from Police."
"That would only make clansmen earlier... incite chaos."
"Your 'cannot' means unable to make Uchiha completely abandon Police?" Shuji pressed, pace steady.
"Precisely."
Truly Uchiha—doing, thinking, everything extreme.
"Then, just letting others join Police?" he reminded.
Fugaku's tense shoulders imperceptibly relaxed a fraction, facial hardness easing slightly: "If village provides expansion funding, can attempt adding one squad."
Won't concede an inch!
Shuji nearly laughed bitterly again. Now Uchiha needed bloodletting for survival, trading for breathing room! Not village funding expansion, consolidating your power!
Never mind Shuji being special jōnin—even if he could organize, such foolishness absolutely wouldn't happen.
Additional funding, personnel?
He could predict with his toes: either new personnel totally isolated, bullied, excluded; or Uchiha finding "reasonable" excuses kicking them out, replacing with own people.
Even if Fugaku resisted bottom pressure, ultimate result would backfire, utterly failing to introduce outsiders improving relations.
"If you negotiate with village under these terms, meaningless." Shuji's voice cooled.
"Since we've reached this point," he met Fugaku's eyes directly, no longer circling, "I'll ask plainly: Fugaku, Clan Head, can you vacate positions within Police's current roster?"
Uchiha Fugaku fell silent again.
Dismiss unqualified clansmen? Fine. But vacated positions always replaced with new qualified Uchiha ninja. Uchiha population growing, Police slots already insufficient for all clansmen—such internal rotation not first time.
But dismiss clan members, admit outsiders? Fugaku could imagine clan uproar.
Yet... the path this youth pointed seemed currently feasible? Perhaps truly should attempt...
"I can try, need time... but..." Fugaku's gaze sharpened. "Can you guarantee this action truly works?"
If not, this act would become fuse, instantly detonating accumulated clan grievances, making radicals abandon him—this weak clan head—directly plotting rebellion! Then, irretrievable!
This was precisely why Fugaku, knowing communication difficult, always endured standing at radical stance's edge.
He couldn't abandon clansmen, thus couldn't show unsupportive attitude.
Deep breaths, deep breaths...
Shuji closed his eyes, deeply inhaling, slowly exhaling. Chest turmoil forcibly suppressed.
He changed his mind.
"If Fugaku, Clan Head, in your current state pushes this," Shuji's voice regained usual calm, "high probability: impossible. Forcing it, meaningless."
Fugaku's eyes flashed offended anger.
"Please compile all Konoha Police Force members' detailed files—history, capability assessment, positions—give to Itachi, transfer to me."
This request equaled betraying clan.
"If unable to do even this, then henceforth, consider me enemy."
Shuji seemed blind to the Uchiha clan head's explosive shock and resistance.
He missed Wasabi Jirōchō a bit—though strength lacking, at least capability and decisiveness sound. This one before him... as ninja, combatant perhaps skilled, but as clan head, especially Uchiha's complex circumstances—small talent, big use.
This time, Shuji didn't glance at Fugaku again, awaiting no reply, turning away. Steps unhesitant, directly vanishing into forest shadows, leaving Uchiha Fugaku alone.
Time remained early; forbidden techniques room still doable.
Village procedures already complete. Forbidden room manager—a stiff middle-aged ninja—verified Shuji's credentials and Third's order, saying little, producing forbidden techniques catalog for selection.
What to choose, Shuji knew.
Recent Uchiha contact excessive, inevitably considering handling Uchiha Obito's Kamui. Ability-wise, Kamui nearly unsolvable, but with clear intel, opportunity existed trapping him once.
Problem: Obito had more than one Sharingan.
So targeting space-time ninjutsu required countermeasures—needn't master, but must have.
Simplest method: counter space-time with space-time. Konoha had exactly that—Flying Thunder God.
Flying Thunder God strong, combat demands high.
Shuji knew well—probably unsuited for Flying Thunder God.
Not lacking space-time talent; anyone using Summoning Jutsu had some. Gritting teeth practicing hard, even lesser aptitude could enter basics.
True bottleneck beyond spatial talent: core requirement—exceptional sensory power. Must naturally as breathing instantly lock self-placed chakra marks. Whether Second Hokage Senju Tobirama creating it, or Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato perfecting it—both sensory realm monsters.
Plus reaction speed, dynamic vision—won't elaborate.
Overall, Flying Thunder God unsuited Shuji's combat style.
But Shuji didn't expect Flying Thunder God as regular combat means—merely needing chakra mark placement, sensing transmission sufficed.
Forbidden scrolls couldn't leave—only study here.
He pushed open adjacent door: long table, chair, reinforced sealing barrier walls.
Shuji entered, sat, unrolled scroll.
For future peaceful life, today's portion: study begins.
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild