Chapter 317: White and Red (Part 3)
Fugaku Uchiha's eyes hardened.
"The power of a village's public security cannot be monopolized by a single clan. You have reached the position of Clan Head, so you should know that the so-called Police Force establishment was actually a shackle given to the Uchiha by the Second Hokage. You have held this position for decades, yet it has not made the Uchiha clan more prosperous. Instead, things are getting worse year by year. So it's better to let go sooner rather than later."
Regarding the Police Force, Dana had forgotten about it during the previous negotiations. He hadn't remembered Konoha had such a deformed organization. It was only later, when sorting out the power structure of Konoha, that he discovered this anomaly.
Nominally a department directly under the village, but from top to bottom, even the trash cans had to be Uchiha-branded to get in the door. The village actually had no direct power of appointment or dismissal; historically, the captain had to be the Uchiha Clan Head.
Yet, holding such a department with real power and immediate jurisdiction only worsened the Uchiha's reputation and pushed them further away from Konoha's center of power.
Fugaku forced himself to remain calm, but his hand holding the teacup was trembling.
This cut came without any mental preparation...
"Of course, I'm not dismissing all Uchiha personnel completely. After all, they are experienced veterans. In the future, the Police Force will be a subordinate department under the Inspector. The appointment and dismissal of members and captains will be decided by the Inspector. This way, the manpower freed up can participate more enthusiastically in the joint squads. What do you think, Fugaku-dono?"
Fugaku felt like he had eaten bitter melon.
What do I think? Does what I think matter?
I'm panicking like hell!!
Dana wasn't in a rush, giving Fugaku time to digest. The Police Force was the core interest of the Uchiha clan; it was normal for Fugaku to feel pain. But no matter how painful, this power had to be vomited out.
Public power used privately is the path to chaos.
Only after Dana had finished his third cup of tea did Fugaku finally recover. Unknown what internal struggle and weighing he did, but he finally answered:
"I will try my best to facilitate this. But as I have just become Clan Head, I may need some time to persuade the clan."
"Then I will await your good news."
Fugaku sighed. "Yotsuki-dono mentioned there were three things earlier. I wonder what the third thing is, so I can be mentally prepared."
Just say it all at once; let me see if I can handle it.
Dana glanced at Fugaku's ugly expression, guessed his thoughts, and smiled. "The third thing is much simpler. I just want to ask if Fugaku-dono is interested in serving as an Elder of Konoha."
Fugaku's hand holding the teacup trembled even more violently.
"Cough, cough, cough! What... Elder? Is my lord joking?"
"Of course not."
In just a few sentences, Fugaku had experienced massive ups and downs, his heart riding a roller coaster.
"The power to appoint and dismiss Konoha Elders lies with the Inspector. I believe Fugaku-dono's talent is sufficient for the job, and the Uchiha clan deserves a high-level position. If there are no problems, the appointment will be announced in about ten days. Fugaku-dono, what do you think?"
What do I think? I think I've been played like a fiddle!
Whether hesitant or anxious, Fugaku couldn't possibly refuse the position of Elder.
It was hard to say whether the Police Force or the Elder position was superior, but Yotsuki Dana's combo punch had already dazed Fugaku Uchiha.
Dana discussed some details with Fugaku.
Before leaving, Dana seemed to suddenly remember something and said to Fugaku, "By the way, the Cloud attaches great importance to the formation of these joint squads. So our village's famous ninja, 'Crimson Fortress,' will also participate. I feel such an outstanding ninja should naturally team up with an Uchiha elite; the title will be even more resounding."
Fugaku nodded. Crimson Fortress had impressive military achievements in the previous war. Since this joint squad was created by the Cloud for integration, they would naturally promote it well. Teaming up with Crimson Fortress would also help the Uchiha clan's prestige significantly. He thought this was another sweet date given by Dana.
"I will look for outstanding clan members to form a joint squad with Hiroto-dono."
Dana added, "Oh right, the guideline for teaming up this time is 'men and women working together is less tiring.' Fugaku-dono, you can keep an eye out for outstanding kunoichi of similar age within your noble clan. Pick one or two to team up with our Crimson Fortress."
Fugaku: "Uh-huh... Hmm?"
Hiroto: "...."
Dana winked and left laughing.
"Don't worry. Uchiha girls are all good-looking. Just get in touch first."
"Dana, are you serious? Just because you stepped into the hell of early marriage, you want to drag me down too...?"
"Of course I'm serious. But don't feel pressured. Even without this stunt of mine, this batch of joint squads between the two villages leans toward mixed-gender teams anyway. It facilitates integration. Haha, good integration."
"...Speaking of which, the Akimichi Clan's barbecue restaurant in Konoha seems famous. Want to try it?"
"Barbecue? Sure. I was going to suggest dango since Konoha's dango is quite famous too..."
Without outsiders, the two relaxed a lot, as if returning to the days when they chatted nonsense after school in the Cloud Village.
Turning a few corners, an uninvited guest appeared in the shadows, seemingly waiting for him.
"Although I've adjusted my judgment of you several times, I still want to say... you have quite the methods."
Tobirama Senju stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall.
Dana's smile widened. "Oh? What matter are you referring to, Tobirama-senpai?"
"Holding the power of the Elder position, you first intervened to reorganize the Hyuga Clan, then swapped the power of the Police Force from the Uchiha Clan, and finally placed the Police Force under the Inspector, making it another lock on Konoha..."
"And that's not all. Three high-level spots, all young people. For the Elders, two clans that were originally outside the core of power but had deep foundations... The younger generation will check the older generation; the new powerful clans will check the old powerful clans; the Hokage representing the civilian class will check the various ninja clans... And hanging above them all is an Inspector and the Police Force... You... are truly dirty..."
"You even suggested letting Brother be Hokage before. Did you want to sell him out too?"
Dana's smile remained unchanged. Tobirama had been acting almost as his deputy during this time; these arrangements hadn't been hidden from him.
"I still think Hashirama-senpai is the most suitable candidate. If he is willing, he is still welcome to return to the position of Hokage."
Tobirama said gravely, "Yotsuki Dana, I came here to warn you. The Uchiha is an ominous clan, an evil clan. I'm not joking... Not for you, but for the future of Konoha, I advise you not to use the Uchiha."
Dana's smile gradually faded. "To use or not to use is ultimately the Cloud's business. I didn't hide some things from you, Tobirama-senpai, out of trust, wanting you to witness it. But now it seems... someone thinks they can teach me how to do things?"
The atmosphere in the alley became stiff.
A man carrying a log turned the corner.
"Eh? You two are here? And a junior from the Uzumaki Clan! Want to go for a drink together? I discovered that Edo Tensei bodies can still taste flavor, as long as you ask the chef to add extra salt and spice! Let's go, let's go! Work is over; we should rest properly!"
The tension was broken by someone. Whether someone appeared here intentionally or not was unknown...
"Hashirama-senpai... how do you manage to carry a log everywhere you go...?"
Hashirama proudly patted the square timber on his shoulder, making a thwack-thwack sound.
"Good question! This is my newly developed ninjutsu, 'Infinite Timber Technique'! It looks like one log, but as long as it's on my shoulder, no matter how much you cut off, it grows back immediately! Amazing, right?! I've been carrying it around the village these past few days. Whoever needs wood, I just chop off a piece! How about it!"