The Security Team is a bold and heavily emphasized presence in Konoha.
It was established during the rule of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, with all its members being Uchiha Clan ninja, responsible for maintaining order in the village.
This was not only a recognition of the Uchiha's strength but, in a way, also a measure of caution and surveillance.
Because Uchiha ninja who awakened the Sharingan tended to be emotionally unstable, they had to be strictly watched.
But regardless, since the Security Team held immense power—and the Uchiha were Konoha's top-tier Kekkeigenkai Ninja Clan—even the Hokage would, more often than not, give them some respect for the sake of appearances.
The Security Team building is where its members work; those who come and go are mostly Uchiha ninja. Occasionally, other ninja or civilians who have broken the law are brought in for reprimand. These people likely violated some village rules, but nothing too serious—mostly civil disputes. At worst, they're detained for a few days or a couple of weeks.
If the situation is more severe, they're sent to Konoha Prison for reformation.
The workflow basically doesn't need to be reported to the Hokage; as long as nothing too big happens, the Hokage won't bother with these matters.
Though complaints about the Security Team's arrogance and arbitrary detentions have already filled several baskets.
Some are genuine grievances due to oversight; some are just people stirring up trouble, trying to slander the Uchiha Clan.
Since joining the Security Team, Ruri saw trivial matters like these almost every day.
After all, it was rare to actually uncover spies in the village or face enemy attacks on Konoha.
Most of the time, the Security Team had to deal with civil disputes like these.
Even if handled well, they rarely received any praise. If handled badly, complaints immediately followed.
What's more, Uchiha ninja tended to be straightforward; if they lost their temper, they might rough up someone with a loose mouth, which only brought about even more criticism.
"It's so boring…"
Ruri stood inside the Security Team building, on the third-floor corridor, looking through the glass at the throngs of people outside. She could clearly see, in the plaza before the building, two Security Team Uchiha escorting several people in, and as soon as they reached the plaza, both sides started arguing fiercely.
"It really is boring, but this is the Security Team's daily life. Especially after stepping down from the frontlines—it's hard to get used to this kind of peaceful routine, isn't it?"
Walking up beside Ruri was Jonin Uchiha, Uchiha Fugaku.
He knew Ruri had just transferred over from Sakumo's squad and was having a hard time switching to her current role.
Unlike the excitement with Sakumo's team, the Security Team's work was indeed much more monotonous.
Seeing the dispute outside the Security Team building, Fugaku did not comment; this sort of thing was already routine for him.
"With such a thankless job, we really ought to involve the other clans. Our clan alone can't handle all this gossip and slander."
Unlike Fugaku, Ruri was not afraid of these pointless rumors, but hearing and seeing them over and over really wore her out.
It was like a swarm of endlessly buzzing flies.
There were too few ninja or civilians in Konoha who could remain truly rational about things.
Someone like Sakumo was a rarity among rarities.
The Uchiha were not without friends in Konoha, but those who could be called friends were extremely few.
Some were neutral, but most just complained about the Security Team's arrogance.
This was what frustrated Ruri the most. If there was blame to go around, all ninja clans should share it—it would help take the pressure off the Uchiha.
Besides, involving other clans' ninja would make it easier to handle these civil disputes.
For example, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, or the Hyuga, who were also a Kekkeigenkai Ninja Clan. If their secret techniques and abilities were also represented on the Security Team, things would go more smoothly.
"But only we, the Uchiha Clan, can shoulder such a big responsibility. And if we split the Security Team's power with other clans, a lot of people in the clan will object."
As one of the only two founding clans of Konoha, the Uchiha Clan deserved this status—they shouldn't be placed on equal footing with the other clans.
"As long as one clan holds absolute power, even if some is given away, the family's position in Konoha—and how others see us—won't be affected. No one with a discerning eye will look down on us. As for those idiots, the Uchiha's strength isn't for them to admire."
That's how Ruri saw things.
Fugaku said nothing, knowing Ruri's strategy would never pass the clan council—too many people would veto it.
"By the way, weren't you on an outside mission?"
Ruri knew Fugaku currently served under the Hokage Faction, partnered with other ninja in a new squad for missions.
"I'm still on the Security Team roster, but after finishing the mission, I came back to take a look. It's still the same as before—nothing's really changed."
Fugaku sighed.
"Kind of want to get back out there on missions."
Ruri said this.
"Hang in there. Every Uchiha ninja goes through this. By the way, how much do you know about the Mangekyo Sharingan?"