This was Personnel records of the Police Force.
When Shuji opened it in front of Uchiha Itachi, Itachi could see the contents as well since there was no barrier. The corner of his eye twitched.
Father had already negotiated with senpai?
Wanting personnel records... Itachi's eyelids lowered. Was this for purging? How had senpai convinced father to agree? But if it was senpai, he must have given father a plan he couldn't refuse.
Dealing with the Police Force naturally meant purging some people. Those most stubborn would never agree to yielding the Police, even if it concerned the clan's situation.
Would the village act, or the Senju...
No matter what, since senpai was willing to participate, the Uchiha clan had not reached a dead end.
"Senpai."
"Mm?"
"If cooperation is needed, I'm willing to take responsibility."
"It is needed, but not now. I need to study the specific plan." Shuji nodded. Compared to the rambling Uchiha Fugaku who took forever to get to the point, Itachi, who had worked with him on two missions, was a better choice. That's why he had Itachi deliver this.
Getting his answer, Itachi closed his eyes. This was something that had to be done.
To preserve the clan, part of it had to be sacrificed.
Senpai, this is what you told me on the first mission.
If those villagers had immediately cleared themselves when they discovered the clues, would the losses have been smaller?
Abandoning the Police Force in exchange for the clan's survival would be worth it. Better than complete annihilation.
Looking at the personnel records before him, Shuji divided them into three parts.
Extreme radicals: About 30% of the total on the list.
They were fanatic supporters of the "everything for Uchiha" slogan, acting extremist, viewing the village and other clans as enemies, using any means to achieve their goals.
Conservatives: About 20%. They also upheld Uchiha glory but preferred rational and steady strategies, believing their situation should be improved through communication and proving their strength. They were a force that might be won over.
This group could be divided and persuaded. Individual communication, explaining pros and cons, emphasizing that bringing in outsiders was to "win allies" and "pave the way for Uchiha's future." Promise them a future in the new arrangement.
The last part was ordinary people among the Uchiha. They depended on the Uchiha tree, following mainstream lifestyle, without strong political demands.
These were easiest to handle. As long as their basic life wasn't greatly impacted, they usually wouldn't strongly oppose.
Therefore, the real trouble was those radical elements. They couldn't tolerate any compromising behavior, especially compromises involving actual interests like the Police Force.
They were mostly the ones stirring up trouble and setting the pace over time. But Shuji already had some contingency plans for how to handle them.
However, these records showed Uchiha Fugaku's judgment of members. Considering his level, there would probably be significant errors. Maybe those 20% conservatives were actually very extreme? Maybe there weren't nearly 50% ordinary people?
After organizing his thoughts, Shuji put away these records and returned them to Itachi.
"I already have leads, but the plan cannot be executed with just paper intelligence and current conditions."
The captain's words didn't discourage Uchiha Itachi. He just accepted the materials and looked at Shuji.
"Itachi."
"Yes."
"I think Fugaku-san, your father, probably cannot fully accept my plan."
"I understand, senpai. Please tell me what I should do."
"I hope you can use these records to find opportunities to verify and confirm the most extreme group in the Police Force who absolutely cannot compromise."
"Second, identify those who are relatively rational and can be talked to."
Itachi nodded and said, "If there's a chance, should I eliminate some..."
Hm? What are you saying?
Seeing this child's expressionless face, Shuji roughly understood his meaning.
"No, Itachi. In this plan, you don't need to kill your own clansmen. They haven't done anything yet."
"This is also a good time to relay a brief plan to give your father something to report."
"Tell Fugaku-san that I need time to prepare and convince the Third to agree to let Uchiha elite personnel transfer into Anbu. This way, the Police Force can naturally have some vacant positions."
"As for when Fugaku-san asks how to convince those people, relay this—"
Shuji smiled.
"Everything is for Uchiha's glory. The clan needs the most elite and loyal people to infiltrate Anbu."
"To achieve this goal, we have no choice but to allow outsiders into the Police Force, but this is only temporary dormancy. For Uchiha, please endure..."
As the captain spoke, Uchiha Itachi's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
So that's it. To deal with those people, just use this method.
As expected of captain!
"But as I'm having you relay, I need time. You confirming their situation also needs time. This is a long-term mission."
The plan targeting the Police Force was actually still in a very rough state.
Speaking now was more to appease Uchiha Fugaku. Since he had already shown sincerity, Shuji had to give him a seemingly feasible strategy.
To actually implement it, this bit of material definitely wouldn't work. The intelligence's authenticity needed Itachi to verify. There would certainly be greater difficulties in actual operation.
Like what if some of those radicals weren't stupid? What if the village's extreme anti-Uchiha faction interfered?
Most importantly, Shuji's current strength was insufficient. Directly stepping up as a middleman between Uchiha and village leadership could very likely end in death.
Fortunately, this wasn't Konoha year 56. If it were that time point, there would be no delay.
Now, there was still time.
He needed this time to integrate his resources and improve his strength.
The plan's launch also needed a more mature opportunity—like when Uchiha's conflicts with other villagers further intensified due to Police Force conduct in a peaceful environment.
When that time came and he proposed this plan to Sarutobi Hiruzen, the chances of acceptance would be much higher.
If the Third really couldn't be handled, there were other choices. But to implement it, he had to improve his own side first.
The Uchiha chess game could be left at this level for now.
It was just that Uchiha Fugaku could make such a quick decision this time and send the list, which was indeed somewhat unexpected.
It seemed his Senju identity had played a key role.
Without this background, with Uchiha pride, they probably wouldn't even spare a glance at a fourteen-year-old special jōnin, let alone actively seek cooperation.
After all, in the original timeline, the Uchiha clan never thought to lower themselves to contact other ninja clans in the village for support or alliance, right up until the eve of revolution.
Their revolutionary plan was full of desperate gambling—surprise attacks on leadership, decapitation operations, fantasizing about instantly seizing power while completely ignoring the strength and positions of other ninja clans, as if those massive families were just background props.
But now solving the Uchiha matter could be considered a good start. He should reward himself.
"Itachi, want to eat something together later?"
"My apologies, senpai. I need to take these records back first, and..." Shisui was still waiting outside. It wouldn't be good to run off and eat with senpai.
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild