Uchiha territory, the Radical Faction's headquarters.
Compared to half a month ago, the headquarters had already doubled in size.
There was no other way.
Too many people had recently joined the Radical Faction, so naturally, the base had to expand. With expansion came a redesigned barrier system and restructured patrols both overt and covert.
As for the Security Force?
Ha!
Ever since Jinn truly took control, all members of the Radical Faction had been withdrawn from the Security Force. And now, with more moderate and middle-faction members joining, Jinn had immediately ordered that this group exit entirely.
The Security Force had become an empty shell.
Technically, it still existed. Fughaku was still its commander, and a few people remained on duty in the building. But in reality, no one was actually doing anything.
What could they do?
Could they really let Fughaku, the commander, along with a few elders and elite shinobi, go out on the streets to enforce order themselves? That would be humiliating.
…
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was stormy as he stared down at Fughaku. He slammed his hand hard against the desk.
"Fughaku, this is too much!"
"Are you even capable of leading the Security Force? Look at the chaos in the village! Where are your personnel? Why is no one enforcing the law?"
He was livid.
Hiruzen understood the Uchiha were unstable, their internal factions feuding fiercely. He knew Danzo had been secretly assassinating members, treating the Uchiha lands almost like a field of crops to harvest.
But still, this was no excuse for the Security Force doing nothing.
In Hiruzen's mind, as long as the Uchiha still lived, the Security Force's duties could never be abandoned. If the Uchiha didn't keep provoking the villagers, how could there be any justification for continued targeting?
But unfortunately…
Fughaku remained unnervingly calm.
He gave Hiruzen a faint glance and then, with an air of helpless resignation, spoke.
"Most of the Uchiha have joined the Radical Faction. Right now, I can only command Shisui, and two or three moderate and neutral elders, along with six or seven elite jōnin from these factions."
"Shisui is part of the Anbu. Those six or seven elites must also attend to the elders of their factions while keeping watch for 'enemy village spies' that appear at night."
"Do you really expect me, as clan head, to take a handful of elders and patrol the streets?"
Fughaku shrugged and surrendered to inaction.
Yes.
He felt helpless and frustrated.
On the other side, Hiruzen was dumbfounded, unable to respond for a long moment.
Damn it.
Thinking carefully, Fughaku's words were hard to refute. The so-called head of the Uchiha had clearly become a lone figure with almost no power.
Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe and finally asked, hesitantly,
"Have you prepared any countermeasures?"
"No. I haven't thought of any." Fughaku didn't even lift an eyelid. "Jinn is playing a transparent, open strategy. I admit defeat, sincerely."
He truly had no solution, so he chose to accept it calmly.
This was his nature. Even in the original story, when faced with Itachi's actions, he had passively accepted it.
Hiruzen's mouth twitched in disbelief. He wanted to slap Fughaku himself.
Damn it.
He had never seen someone so utterly useless. Even if Fughaku could not match Jinn, he still could have at least attempted something. Yet here he was, surrendering without a single move.
This was a serious problem.
If Jinn took control without opposition, the moment he consolidated power over the Uchiha, he would turn his attention elsewhere, and chaos would erupt again.
No. Absolutely not.
It was clear that Fughaku was done for. Hiruzen had to step in even if reluctantly to rally some support for him and ensure that Uchiha internal conflict continued.
Hiruzen sighed.
He had never imagined a day when he would willingly support Fughaku, but the man's incompetence was staggering. He would need Shisui's help and some additional reinforcements to compensate.
Knock, knock, knock.
Hiruzen rapped on the desk. An Anbu operative knelt with respect.
"Hokage-sama," the Anbu said.
"Go summon Jinn. He must come to the Hokage's office immediately."
The operative bowed and departed.
With him gone, the office fell silent. Hiruzen lit his pipe and thought hard. He needed to carefully consider how to convince Jinn to make concessions.
…
Meanwhile, at the Radical Faction headquarters, in the central courtyard, Jinn faced a young Uchiha jōnin. But what really drew his attention was the man's identity.
Uchiha Inaho, Fughaku's most trusted confidant.
One of Fughaku's strongest supporters, and among the most capable Uchiha.
"You… are joining me?"
"I have to admit, I don't understand it either. You are Fughaku's absolute confidant. Why would you consider joining me?"
"As someone who holds his trust, it should have been easy for him to protect you, right?"
Jinn's eyes flickered.
He hesitated to fully trust Inaho. Being Fughaku's closest aide, why would he now pledge allegiance to a Radical Faction elder? Something didn't feel right.
Inaho's expression remained calm, voice steady.
"I have a younger sister, and the clan grounds aren't safe for her."
"I spend all my time protecting the clan head. I don't have time for her. That's the surface reason."
"The real reason is that I've lost all hope in Fughaku. The day you became a Radical Faction elder and established the headquarters, I realized Fughaku should have acted decisively. Even if it meant the clan had to fight, he should have organized your operations."
"But he hesitated. That lost opportunity marked everything that came after."
"Now, whether it's the village spreading lies about the Uchiha or Uchiha members disappearing every day, Fughaku is unable to do anything to stop it."
"Even when your methods have proven effective, he cannot summon the will to follow them."
"This showed me clearly: Fughaku has no backbone. No matter peace or war, he can't even make a decision."
"Following Fughaku would only lead to ruin. So my pledge to the Radical Faction is genuine."
"Fughaku is unfit to lead. I want to support you, Jinn, as clan head!"
"I don't know how things will change once you become clan head, but from my perspective, it will at least be better than under Fughaku."
"This that is enough!"