Once the plan was settled, Chiya immediately sent runners to spread the word.
The announcement declared the event would begin at once.
News swept through the village like wildfire.
"Get to experience a day in the life of a Konoha guard? That sounds fun!"
"If I sign up, I actually get to go out on patrol?"
"Not only can I boss people around for a day, but I'll also get paid—what a deal!"
"And the prize… one million ryō? That's insane!"
Everyone wanted a taste of authority, and the chance to win a fortune made the offer irresistible.
Crowds rushed to the Police Force office to register nobody wanted to miss out.
The notice had been clear: only three hundred temporary recruits would be accepted.
So the guardhouse was soon besieged by hopefuls clamoring to enlist.
...
At the Hokage's office, word reached Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly.
As the village's leader, he was naturally kept informed of unusual public affairs.
"What on earth does that brat think he's doing?" Hiruzen muttered, bewildered.
He couldn't fathom Chiya's approach. The village leadership had long restricted the Uchiha's economic and political power: profitable trades were discouraged for them, and recently orders had limited Uchiha travel and outside missions.
With those restrictions, the Konoha Police Force had become the clan's principal source of income.
If Chiya's stunt drew too much attention to the Police Force, it could upset the fragile balance Hiruzen and the elders had worked to maintain.
Moreover, Hiruzen worried such a public spectacle might stir the villagers' sympathies for the Uchiha or expose weaknesses in the village's control measures.
He frowned. If the new patriarch really intended to rally popular support around the Police Force, the council would have to think fast.
But instead of tightening his control over the Police Force, that little upstart went and organized such a bizarre public event?
And to make it worse, he even offered a massive cash prize?
Didn't the Uchiha constantly complain about having no funds?
Were they all planning to drink rainwater now?
Hiruzen Sarutobi truly couldn't make sense of it.
Still, out of caution, he wasn't about to let the matter continue unchecked. He immediately dispatched ANBU to summon Chiya Uchiha for questioning.
Before long, Chiya arrived at the Hokage's office, escorted by masked operatives of the ANBU.
He wasn't surprised in the least to be summoned he had already anticipated it.
After all, the old man had always kept a close eye on every Uchiha movement.
A sudden, unexplained event like this would never escape his attention.
"Chiya," Hiruzen said, putting on his most kindly tone, "being a clan head is a great responsibility, especially for someone as young as you."
"If you ever encounter difficulties or doubts, you can always come to me. I'll listen."
He spoke with practiced warmth, as though he had forgotten the stern reprimands he had given just the night before.
Chiya sneered inwardly.
Talk to you? What, so you can twist my thinking and plant your will in my head?
Outwardly, though, he bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe before moving to the real issue.
"I heard you've recently launched some sort of… event. I've been briefed on its details," he said. "But the Police Force's role is to maintain public order in Konoha, it's a vital duty. Allowing untrained villagers to take over that responsibility, even temporarily, is far too risky."
Chiya replied smoothly, "Under the wise leadership of Lord Hokage, the village has been remarkably peaceful. So much so that our Police Force rarely even needs to take action anymore."
Hiruzen's frown eased slightly at the flattery.
The village being secure was, after all, a reflection of his leadership.
Chiya went on, tone unhurried.
"In that case, even if we entrust some of the patrol work to villagers for a short while, it won't cause any harm."
Hiruzen blinked.
Wait how did this conversation turn against me?
"And besides," Chiya continued, "the Police Force, being composed entirely of Uchiha, has worked tirelessly year-round without rest. With my succession as the new patriarch, it's a time of renewal for our clan. I simply thought it appropriate to grant our officers a brief holiday to celebrate."
"I'm sure the compassionate and wise Hokage can understand our intentions."
In a few deft sentences, Chiya had boxed the Hokage in.
First, he'd made Hiruzen publicly acknowledge that the village was at peace meaning the guards weren't urgently needed.
Second, he'd framed the holiday as both a reasonable reward for overworked officers and a celebration of the new leadership.
There was no logical ground left to object.
"This…"
Hiruzen's lips tightened around his pipe. He was a man who valued diplomacy and reputation above all else; losing composure in front of a subordinate, especially a young Uchiha, would make him appear weak.
So, after a pause, he forced a genial smile.
"You're right. Perhaps I didn't consider it thoroughly enough. Very well carry on with your plan."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Chiya bowed again and turned to leave.
Once the door closed behind him, the warmth vanished from Hiruzen's face, replaced by cold calculation.
"What a sharp-tongued brat…" he muttered, exhaling a thin stream of smoke.
"But let's see just how far you can go before that clever mouth of yours gets you burned."
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