"Zǐgòng Redeems a Man? What's that?"
Fugaku and Shisui both looked puzzled. Clearly, neither had heard the story before.
Jin snorted lightly. "This is what happens when you don't read."
Then he leaned back and began explaining.
"It's an old story—so old it became a proverb."
"During the Warring States era, one small nation passed a decree: if citizens traveling abroad encountered compatriots imprisoned or enslaved, they could rescue or ransom them. Upon returning home, the state would reimburse and reward them."
"At first, it worked beautifully. People helped one another."
"Then Zǐgòng appeared."
"He rescued someone from abroad… but refused reimbursement, claiming moral purity."
"And after that?"
"Almost no one redeemed anyone again."
He looked at them calmly.
"Do you know why?"
Fugaku frowned, already sensing the direction but unable to fully grasp it.
Shisui thought for a moment.
"…Did Zǐgòng do something wrong?"
"Of course he did," Jin replied without hesitation.
"His mistake was elevating the act to an unreasonable moral standard."
"He refused compensation, proving his virtue."
"But what about the next person?"
"If they accept reimbursement—are they morally inferior?"
"But if they refuse—then they lose money."
"Not everyone can afford virtue."
He continued evenly:
"If someone barely makes enough to survive, but rescuing someone comes with reimbursement, they'll gladly help."
"But if rescuing someone means losing money—or reputation—who would bother?"
"Zǐgòng's virtue raised the bar so high that it destroyed the system."
Shisui's eyes widened.
Understanding dawned.
Fugaku, too, grasped it—and felt a chill run down his spine.
Jin's voice turned colder.
"And that is exactly where the Uchiha stand."
"Yes, our compensation isn't large."
"Yes, we could forgo it to show magnanimity."
"But what about the Hyūga?"
"What about the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi?"
"What about minor clans?"
"What about civilian shinobi families who lost their only sons?"
"Large clans can afford symbolic sacrifice."
"But small ones?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"If we refuse compensation, the village's elite clans become the example."
"So what do the others do?"
"Refuse and starve?"
"Or accept and admit they're 'less noble' than the Uchiha?"
Fugaku's fingers dug into his palm.
Jin's eyes sharpened.
"I guarantee you."
"If you agree to Hiruzen's proposal—"
"If you publicly volunteer to relinquish compensation—"
"The Uchiha will become the village's silent enemy."
"Resented by all."
"And Hiruzen?"
"He saves a massive sum of money."
"And transfers all resentment onto us."
"That move…"
"…is vicious."
Shisui frowned deeply.
Fugaku's eyes turned red with fury.
He had nearly agreed.
Nearly.
"That old dog Hiruzen—he's gone too far!"
The curse burst from Fugaku's mouth before he could stop it.
One step.
Just one step.
And he would have dragged the entire clan into political quicksand.
Jin continued calmly:
"And the staged praise at the village gate this morning now makes sense."
"They exaggerated Uchiha achievements."
"Downplayed everyone else."
"Praise us publicly."
"Isolate us quietly."
"Two blades, one cut."
"As for ANBU…"
He let out a humorless chuckle.
"ANBU currently answers to Hiruzen."
"If Shisui and I enter now, we're birds in a cage."
"Every movement monitored."
"No independent influence."
Fugaku's face darkened further.
A simple post-war debrief had contained this many traps?
Without Jin—
He truly would've been sold and thanked the buyer.
Jin waved dismissively.
"Don't rush on ANBU."
"When Minato becomes Fourth Hokage, I'll join then."
"As for Shisui—he won't."
Shisui had already reached an understanding with the Fire Daimyō and quietly entered the Twelve Guardian Ninja. The news simply hadn't gone public yet.
Fugaku exhaled heavily.
"…Perhaps I'm no longer suited to be clan head."
He looked at Jin seriously.
"How are discussions with Minato progressing?"
"What must I do?"
Jin answered without concealment.
"When Minato ascends, Konoha will undergo reform."
"And the Uchiha cannot remain stagnant."
"In fact—"
"We must unify our internal stance before Minato takes office."
"We must become pioneers of reform."
"And the sharpest blade within it."
Fugaku nodded slowly.
"…And the first issue?"
Jin's eyes narrowed.
"The Military Police Force."
Fugaku stiffened.
"You mean—?"
"Yes."
"We must relinquish part of its authority."
The room fell silent.
For the Uchiha, the Police Force was not merely a department.
It was identity.
It was leverage.
It was dignity.
To give up power willingly?
That was no small decision.
Fugaku's voice lowered.
"…Is this Minato's demand?"
Jin shook his head.
"No."
"It's mine."
Fugaku stared at him.
"…Why?"
Jin sighed.
"You still don't see it?"
Then he asked quietly:
"What do you think the Military Police Force actually is?"
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/warewolvesTL