The Konoha Military Police Force had been established by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
On paper, it sounded glorious.
The Uchiha clan was granted full authority over village security—maintaining order, enforcing law, arresting criminals and shinobi with suspicious intent.
In simpler terms?
They were Konoha's police… and its urban enforcement bureau rolled into one.
But here was the problem—
The Police Force wasn't the only authority in the village.
Konoha also had ANBU.
The Interrogation Department.
The Torture & Intelligence Division.
Many of the Police Force's "powers" were quietly split among these branches.
And when shinobi committed serious crimes—espionage, treason, defection—those cases rarely stayed in the hands of the Police at all.
In reality, the Police Force mostly dealt with ordinary civilians.
Petty disputes.
Minor thefts.
Neighborhood conflicts.
And because the Uchiha enforced rules strictly—and because they were, by nature, proud—the result wasn't admiration.
It was resentment.
They were enforcing regulations in a village that barely had serious crime.
Rigid enforcement in a soft society breeds friction.
Over time, the Police Force became less of a badge of honor—
…and more of a cage.
Yet most Uchiha never realized it.
Power—especially inherited power—was intoxicating.
Jin exhaled softly.
"Tell me," he said, "why do you think the Uchiha's reputation in the village is so poor?"
Fugaku frowned.
"Because of our pride. Because our clan members lack tact when handling disputes."
As Chief of Police, he knew exactly how many people his officers had angered over the years.
They enforced the rules fairly.
But law without flexibility can feel cold.
And cold law breeds distance.
Jin's gaze sharpened.
"Since you understand the cause, why didn't you change it?"
Fugaku gave a bitter smile.
"It's not that simple. I've advised them many times. But they're enforcing regulations as written. I can't punish them for doing their job."
Jin's voice dropped.
"So you admit it."
"The Uchiha… aren't suited for this role."
Silence.
Fugaku knew.
But what choice had he had?
Because of the Police Force, the village limited how many Uchiha could form teams and leave the village for missions.
And within the clan, joining the Police was considered an honor.
In that atmosphere—even a clan head had limits.
Jin's eyes turned cold.
"That 'born-evil' Senju Tobirama…"
"…gave the Uchiha a handful of crumbs and locked them inside a cage."
"And you're still proud of it."
Fugaku stiffened.
"You're saying this was all the Second Hokage's design?"
Jin nodded.
"Tobirama viewed the Uchiha as dangerous. To minimize variables, he restricted their external deployment."
"Whether he intended to alienate us from the village or not doesn't matter."
"The effect was the same."
Isolation.
Containment.
Subtle distrust institutionalized as structure.
Fugaku's expression darkened.
So that was how they had been seen all along?
As a threat to be managed?
Jin continued:
"Falling into water won't kill you."
"Staying in water will."
"The Uchiha must change."
"And the Police Force must change."
"Yes, its authority is tempting."
"But for us—it's a shackle."
He met Fugaku's eyes.
"If you hesitate now, it will only bring chaos later."
"It's time to let it go."
Fugaku shook his head slowly.
"It won't be easy."
"Elder Setsuna and the hawks already criticize my leadership. If we abandon the Police Force, the clan may fracture."
Jin leaned back calmly.
"And what if… after Minato becomes Hokage, I assume command of ANBU?"
"And recruit Uchiha into it?"
Fugaku's head snapped up.
"You're serious?"
"Completely."
"When Minato takes office, he'll need loyal manpower to consolidate power."
"And the Uchiha—currently confined to the Police—are his strongest potential allies."
Hope flared in Fugaku's eyes.
Jin added:
"But only if we free ourselves first."
"The Police must be restructured."
"Our internal discord must be resolved."
"We unify the clan."
"This is an opportunity."
"I will move forward with or without you."
"Decide."
Fugaku fell silent.
Then—
His three tomoe Sharingan spun.
The pattern shifted.
Three swirling, interlocking shapes emerged—
Mangekyō Sharingan.
He activated its power.
Jin and Shisui didn't react.
They already knew.
Moments later, a line of blood slid from Fugaku's right eye.
He closed it slowly.
But when he opened his left—
His gaze was resolute.
"When do we act?" he asked.
Jin smiled faintly.
"Seems you saw a promising future."
Fugaku didn't deny it.
"Sometimes pruning dead branches strengthens the tree."
"I've been too hesitant."
Jin nodded.
"Good."
"The sooner, the better."
"But before we move internally…"
His eyes sharpened again.
"We deal with Hiruzen first."
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