The three women stepped into the Chief's office, their eyes roaming curiously over the space. For most shinobi, the Hokage's office was easier to picture; the Police Force Chief's office was wrapped in far more mystery.
"Stop staring and sit. Have some tea," said Uchiha Gen, lounging casually on the sofa.
Like his residence, the Chief's office had been reshaped to his tastes. It was not the same formal and slightly cold hall it had once been.
The three nodded and sat, their identical uniforms marking them as new members of the Force; black bodysuits beneath Konoha's green flak vests, the Police emblem stitched proudly on the right shoulder which was a fan emblazoned inside a shuriken.
Yet, for all their matching attire, they carried themselves differently.
Kurenai Yuhi and Anko Mitarashi wore their curves confidently, their vests unable to hide their striking figures, the former alluring, the latter bold and fiery.
Uzuki Yugao, by contrast, was slender and modest, her vest muting her shape, her bearing quiet and demure.
"Gen… why has this happened so suddenly?" Kurenai asked, her voice soft, worry etched on her face.
Gen lifted his cup, eyes amused. "At work, you call me 'Chief.' Otherwise people will talk."
Kurenai flushed. "Ah! sorry, I slipped."
"It's fine here in private," Gen said gently. "Just remember when others are watching. As for your question, this is no mystery. Someone stirred the waters."
"Who?" Yugao asked.
"Not many in Konoha would dare oppose the Police. At the low level, the other department heads. At the high level, those four old men and women at the top."
Anko frowned. "Why would they do that?"
"Because my recruitment broke an unspoken rule. To them, it looked like I wasn't content with the balance of power, that I wanted more. And they were right. I do want more. I want the Uchiha to produce a Hokage."
He sipped his tea. "But it's not only that. I also want the Uchiha woven more deeply into the fabric of Konoha, correcting the old mistake of turning public duty into private clan business. These struggles are complicated. Just focus on your work, don't entangle yourselves."
"And if you fail?" Yugao asked quietly.
"The consequences depend on who you are. For me? Failure just means returning to what we were before. My life isn't in danger. Don't trouble yourselves about that."
The three exchanged glances. Then Kurenai said firmly, "We won't interfere, but if you ever need us then you must ask."
Gen's smile warmed. Even carefree Anko was serious when it mattered.
That pleased him more than he let show.
"Now," he asked, "where do you want to serve? Internal Affairs? Prison? One of the squads?"
The three glanced at each other before answering as one: "We've already decided. A regular squad. And we want to stay together."
Gen froze. He had intended to separate them... convenient for certain private schemes involving Kurenai and Yugao. But their unity, combined with his own earlier words, made it difficult to refuse.
"…Fine. I'll place you in the squad closest to your homes. Less trouble commuting."
The women brightened immediately, Anko even showering him with clumsy praise. Gen endured it with a straight face.
A knock interrupted them.
"Chief, the investigation results are ready. Shall I report?"
Gen gave the three women a meaningful glance. They rose and followed as he moved to the door.
"Assign them to the Second Squad," he instructed. "And convene a captain-level meeting."
"Yes, Chief!"
Fifteen minutes later, the small Police conference room was packed, eleven captains, the three deputies, and Gen himself at the head.
"Let's begin," Gen said.
"Yes, Chief."
Uchiha Sanji, his assistant, stood, bowed, and began reading the findings.
The investigation hadn't been difficult. Recruitment announcements were public, threats could be traced back to the names on Gen's list, and Root operatives were never as invisible as they thought. Secrets were cheap when people were offered the right incentives.
"This is outrageous!" Shisui Uchiha burst out, his voice tight with anger. "Danzo and those two elders have gone too far!"
A colder voice answered, dripping with scorn. "Do you think it's only them? Without Hokage-sama's tacit approval, would Danzo dare unleash Root on our recruits?"
Shisui hesitated. "…But can four departments really recruit at once? Hokage-sama surely wouldn't, Anbu isn't recruiting, is it?"
"Shisui," the elder Uchiha Setsuna snapped, "you're too naïve. Without the Hokage's nod, do you think Koharu and Homura could so quickly pull in the Medical, Education, and Interrogation departments? This is coordinated."
Shisui fell silent.
Gen raised his hand, ending the debate. "Enough. The issue isn't who's guilty. The issue is how we respond."
"Then we recruit again," one elder suggested. "They can't snatch everyone every time."
"Yes," another agreed. "It's a stopgap, but if we keep going, we'll get some of them."
Gen shook his head. "That's a last resort. Make no mistake; every shinobi on my list was chosen with care. Each one belongs here. Are you content to take scraps when the feast was prepared for us?"
The room stirred uneasily.
His words fired their blood, but reality weighed heavy. The rival departments offered greater prestige, Medicine, Education, Interrogation, all shinobi would be tempted.
The difficulty was almost impossible.
Gen drummed his fingers against the table, the sound sharp in the tense silence.
All eyes turned to him.
"They used threats and cheap lures. We'll answer with reassurance and better rewards. We'll offer a joining bonus to everyone on the list. For those like Kurenai who held firm, double it."
He turned to his aide. "How are our finances?"
Sanji straightened. "Chief, thanks to your reputation, clan businesses thrive. The department's coffers are more than ample."
Flattery, yes, but true.
Prestige brought wealth, and wealth was power.
The elders murmured agreement. But one still pressed, "Bonuses we can manage. But how do we reassure them?"
Gen's eyes hardened. "The one who tied the knot must untie it. If Danzo dares this, then only the Hokage can leash him. I will take this complaint directly to Hokage-sama."
Confusion rippled across the table. A complaint? What use was that?
Gen smirked. "Don't underestimate me. Hokage-sama will listen."
He rose. "Set the numbers, make them high enough to tempt, but not ruinous. I'm leaving now."
And he strode from the room, heading straight for the Hokage Building. Threatening his recruits? Root intimidating village shinobi? If this was Konoha's law, then he would show them a different one.
At the Hokage's office, he knocked firmly.
"Wait, I'm in a meeting," came Hiruzen's voice.
"Hokage-sama," Gen called back, "I am Uchiha Gen. This cannot wait."
Inside, Hiruzen glanced at his advisors, Koharu and Homura. What was Gen doing here instead of dealing with his crisis?
"…Come in," the Hokage finally said.
He drew a breath on his pipe, Fire Release chakra sparking the tobacco. Smoke wreathed his face in a ghostly veil as Gen entered, shutting the door behind him.
Gen's smile was faint, mocking. "Ah, the two elders are here as well. That saves me the trouble of finding you."
Homura and Koharu stiffened, their brows furrowing.
"Sit," Hiruzen said curtly.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Gen dropped into the chair opposite, leaning back with one leg crossed, hands on the armrests. It was an arrogant pose, deliberately so. The two elders' frowns deepened.
Hiruzen, though outwardly calm, burned with irritation.
"Well? What is so urgent?"
Gen's eyes sharpened. "I want Danzo to explain why Root threatened my recruits. I want you two elders to explain why four departments suddenly launched recruitment raids on my candidates. And I want to know, Hokage-sama, were you aware of all this?"
"Presumptuous!" Homura snapped, his face red. "What right do you have to demand answers from us?"
Koharu's tone was colder. "You are a department head, nothing more. There are five like you. Know your place."
Hiruzen's pipe flared as he prepared to cut Gen down with words. The Mangekyō was strong, but far from enough to excuse this insolence.
Gen chuckled. "Ah, a fine question. What right do I have? Let me answer."
He clapped slowly, eyes hard.
"I have the right because of my Mangekyō Sharingan. Because of the Flying Thunder God. Because of Sage Mode, taught by Orochimaru-sensei. Because the Police Force stands behind me. Because I still have his remaining loyalists. That is my right."
The three elders froze.
Flying Thunder God? Sage Mode?
They knew what those words meant.
Gen rose slightly, his body vanishing in an instant, only to reappear in the exact same posture, as though he'd never moved.
A flicker only space-time jutsu could produce.
Then his hands flashed through seals.
Chakra surged, his body cloaked in the guise of Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode; a red horn sprouting from his brow, fiery chakra serpents curling around him.
A false mask, but convincing enough. His true Sage Mode was far too overwhelming to reveal here.
The three stiffened. The power rolling off him was undeniable.
"Hokage-sama. Elders. I never wanted this. I've hidden these abilities. But your disdain, your disrespect for the Police Force... you force my hand. If you give me no respect, I'll give none in return."
His voice was ice. "Four departments competing openly? Fine. But Root threatening shinobi? Threatening my recruits? That is lawless. If rules mean nothing, then I will stop following them too. And if this strife destroys Konoha, you will be the sinners remembered forever."
The words hit like hammer blows.
Koharu flushed, her pride lanced by being scolded by someone younger, lower in rank. She tried to sneer. "You claim Flying Thunder God and Sage Mode. Words are cheap."
Gen didn't bother replying. He simply blurred and returned, the impossible speed proof enough. The chakra of his 'Sage Mode' filled the room like fire.
The three sat in heavy silence.
Finally, Hiruzen exhaled, his face drawn. "Truth be told… I knew the departments were expanding. But I did not know they were poaching Police candidates. That is… distasteful." He removed his pipe, rubbing his forehead. "As for Danzo's tricks, I learn of them only after the fact. He has crossed me before."
Koharu and Homura quickly spoke, admitting fault in part but distancing themselves.
The Administrative Department, yes, that was on them. But the others? They claimed it was their own initiative. And as for Hiruzen, of course, they swore he had no knowledge, placing all blame squarely on Danzo's shoulders.
Gen nodded slowly, his expression cool. "So that's how it is. But this matter doesn't end here. You still owe me an explanation, don't you?"