The workload of the police force had reached its peak in Konoha's fifty-seventh year.
Back then, they weren't just patrolling inside the village. They were also responsible for security at every large-scale event Konoha hosted.
During that period, Fugaku was constantly working overtime—not only to keep up with the flood of duties but also to mediate between the newly added ninja clans in the Police Force and the Uchiha and to occasionally deal with punishing his own clansmen.
Now, two years later, Fugaku was spending more and more time sitting beneath the veranda in his courtyard, silently watching the koi glide through the pond.
The reason was simple:
The Venue District.
What had originally been built just to host the Joint Combat Exercise had grown into a village within the Village.
Open to the entire ninja world and run by a streamlined, efficient system—entry inspections, cargo declarations, temporary registrations for outsiders—almost all the major tasks that used to fall under the Police Force had been shifted to the Police Force branch stationed in the Venue District.
Most outsiders now preferred to finish everything there. The lines were shorter, the rules were looser, and when they were done with their paperwork, they could stroll around the tourist area.
The number of people who actually needed to enter Konoha proper had dropped to less than thirty percent.
As for the village interior?
It was mostly villagers who had lived there for generations, long-term merchant partners, and the occasional visiting relative or friend. Security incidents were rare, and any larger disturbance was quickly taken over by the Anbu.
The only times the headquarters really got busy anymore were when the branch sent requests for support.
"We've practically become the branch's logistics support team."
Complaints like that were already spreading quietly through the Force.
For those who longed for a peaceful life, lighter work was a blessing. But for the more ambitious ninja in headquarters, watching their presence fade bit by bit was anything but satisfying.
So when Fugaku was summoned to the Hokage Building today, he arrived with a faint sense of anticipation.
There was no formal directive, but he had seen the looks in his subordinates' eyes: Chief, it's time for headquarters to do something that matters.
—
In the meeting room, Tsunade and Roshi were already seated. Nara Shikaku stood by the map spread across the conference table, and by the time Fugaku entered, Hyūga Hiashi was in place as well.
"Everyone is here," Tsunade said. "Shikaku, let's begin."
"Understood."
Shikaku stepped forward to the map—a detailed topographical layout of Konoha and its surrounding area, with the Venue District and the Joint Bureau building clearly marked.
"Next month, the Bureau will hold a Ninja Village Joint Conference in this building," Shikaku said, getting straight to the point.
"The conference itself is being organized and coordinated by the Bureau. The security for the meeting will also be mainly handled by the Bureau's joint squads."
"However, because the venue is outside Konoha—though still within the Land of Fire—we're obligated to provide additional security for the surrounding areas."
His finger circled a section on the map.
"On top of that, the arrival of so many leaders from various ninja villages, along with their personal guards, could affect the overall security of the Land of Fire. The Fire Capital won't interfere with the conference itself, but they insist we prevent any incidents from spilling over into civilian areas."
Tsunade said, "So we need to thoroughly sweep the surrounding areas before the conference starts, and during the conference, we must ensure that no suspicious individuals are allowed to gather."
She turned her gaze to the two police force chiefs at the table.
"That's why we called you here. The police force headquarters and the branch will jointly be responsible for preparing and securing the perimeter."
"This time, the situation is more complicated than during the Five Kage Summit."
"For the Five Kage Summit, at least the Five Great Ninja Villages were involved. They knew each other well and shared a basic understanding of the rules."
"But this time, the visiting ninja villages differ greatly in size and in their positions—and some of them still hold grudges against each other. With such a mixed group, the potential for trouble is higher, so we need to be extremely cautious."
Fugaku listened silently. After a brief moment of thought, he spoke:
"The overall sweep of the outer perimeter, clearing suspicious strongholds, and identifying and monitoring people on the main routes in and out can be handled by headquarters."
"Headquarters personnel are relatively familiar with the terrain outside the village and with standard infiltration methods. They've been engaged in this kind of work for a long time and are very experienced."
He looked toward Hiashi. "As for the immediate perimeter of the Venue District, as well as daily patrols and emergency response along the route from the Venue District to the Bureau building, that can be handled by the branch."
To Fugaku, this division of labor fit the current roles and strengths of both sides.
Headquarters taking on the more proactive, outward-facing tasks—perimeter sweeps and interception—would not only make their presence felt but also play to the Uchiha's traditional strengths in combat reconnaissance and rapid response.
The branch, using its advantage in the local terrain, would focus on the relatively static but high-alert defense of the core area; the Hyuga clan's Byakugan had an irreplaceable edge in fixed-area patrol and surveillance.
At that moment, Roshi's voice cut in.
"I basically agree with using headquarters as the main force for this security operation."
Fugaku felt a subtle sense of relief—at least the general direction had been set.
"However, during the perimeter sweep and monitoring phases, we still need to deploy a Special Reconnaissance Squad from the branch to cooperate."
The squad was a mixed unit, made up of shinobi from the Hyuga, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans.
After a stretch of silence, Fugaku finally nodded his agreement.
The rest of the meeting turned to specifics: defining the security perimeter, assigning personnel, establishing communication routes, and drafting emergency responses.
By the time they had gone over everything in outline, night had fully fallen.
Fugaku didn't return to the police force office. Instead, he headed straight home.
When he slid open the door to his house, the entryway light was still on. He removed his coat, changed into his indoor clothes, and walked down the quiet corridor. As he stepped into the living room, he saw his eldest son, Itachi, seated there.
"Father." Itachi looked up and rose to greet him.
"Mm." Fugaku sat across from his son, studying him for a moment.
"Itachi, you've been in the Anbu for several years now."
"Yes."
"You've done well in your role as a bridge between the clan and the village."
"So, have you thought about your future path? Do you… have any plans to transfer?"
Itachi looked at Fugaku, a bit taken aback. Until now, his position in Anbu had always been something Fugaku valued highly.
"Kakashi Hatake left the Anbu and has been in the Bureau for quite some time," Fugaku said.
"You should understand what kind of position he holds in the village."
"At today's meeting, the village extended its alliance to those minor villages it barely noticed in the past." Fugaku's gaze settled on him. "This sort of thing has happened before."
"First, it was the alliance between the Senju and the Uchiha that ended the age of chaos and laid Konoha's foundations. After that, one clan after another—Sarutobi, Shimura, Hyuga, Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka—joined us."
"At that time, our clan was given the Military Police Force as the honor due to a founding clan of the village."
"Now, that honor hasn't vanished, but the responsibilities we bear are no longer the same."
"Itachi, if the Uchiha truly want to reach that level again, we need to secure a more crucial position—one that can steadily exert influence, build up merit, and earn prestige in this new era."
"The Joint Affairs Bureau."
"The police force is the glory of the past. But the Bureau… may be the power of the future."
Fugaku rose and walked to the window, looking out at the pond in the courtyard, where fish glided through the water lit by moonlight.
"I spoke with Hiashi and told him plainly that the Uchiha don't see the Hyuga as enemies, but he didn't seem to care."
"He likely already understands the situation."
"Itachi, you're the one Roshi trusts most. If you request a transfer to the Bureau, he won't refuse."
"As for the Anbu, there are others in the clan."
Itachi had no objection to changing positions for the sake of the clan—as long as the transfer itself didn't interfere with the village's plans for the Uchiha.
Naturally, that wasn't something he could say outright.
So his answer to Fugaku had simply been that he would try to apply, though whether it would be approved was uncertain.
With that, the late-night conversation was set aside by Itachi.
By morning, after the family finished breakfast—
Sasuke put down his chopsticks, eyes bright with excitement. "Father, Mother, Brother, Iruka-sensei announced yesterday that the academy will select students with outstanding strength to organize additional special training."
Mikoto smiled gently. "Is that so? Sasuke will definitely be chosen."
Fugaku lifted his gaze from his teacup, giving a calm assessment. "In that case, your decision not to take a leave of absence and to remain in school was correct. It won't affect you receiving higher-level guidance."
"Yes!" Sasuke straightened his back and answered earnestly. "And there will be students from higher grades included."
"Very good." Fugaku gave a slight nod. "Seize the opportunity."
A grin spread across Sasuke's face. He wanted to keep talking—about how well he would do in the special training, how he would stand out.
But Fugaku's eyes had already moved on.
"Itachi." The clan head turned to his eldest son, his tone growing heavier. "Regarding the matter of the Bureau, I thought about it for a long time last night."
Sasuke's mouth froze half open, the words he'd been about to say lodged in his throat.
Mikoto rose silently and began clearing the table.
"From the Venue District, to the branch, and now to the upcoming Ninja Village Joint Conference," Fugaku continued. "Judging by Roshi's way of doing things, once he starts pushing something, he won't stop halfway."
Itachi listened in silence.
"With his ability to get things done, this newborn institution—the Joint Affairs Bureau—will probably expand to a scale beyond our imagination before long."
"Joining while it's still not finalized, while its structure is still taking shape, is completely different from trying to enter after its power is consolidated and factions have formed." Fugaku met his eldest son's eyes. "Once the Bureau's authority reaches a certain level, its personnel structure hardens, and factional lines are drawn… even for Roshi, it won't be easy to get you in smoothly and place you in a key position."
Sasuke's gaze drifted between his father and brother. He remembered how, not long ago—only a few weeks back—the family's focus had been entirely on him.
His brother had deliberately taken leave to train with him and, after his defeat at Gaara's hands, had taken him to see Roshi in the middle of the night.
His father had listened seriously when he brought up taking a leave of absence. When he awakened his Sharingan, that rare smile had appeared on Fugaku's face as he said, "As expected of my son."
It had been like a great wave surging in, briefly pushing everyone's attention toward him.
And now, that wave had receded.
"I'll submit an application to my superior," Itachi repeated, his tone exactly the same as the night before.
Fugaku studied his eldest son in silence, as if trying to pierce through that unshakable calm. In the end, he only gave the slightest of nods and stopped pressing the issue.
For now, the matter was set aside.
Itachi turned to his younger brother, a gentle smile softening his features. "About the special training selection—do you need me to help you prepare anything?"
"I can do it."
The words slipped out before Sasuke could stop them, and he froze for an instant.
Itachi also blinked, faintly surprised.
The dining room fell silent for a few seconds.
"I mean..." Sasuke drew in a deep breath. "I can handle it myself. You must have your own missions to be busy with, Brother."
He stood up abruptly and grabbed his schoolbag from beside his chair.
"I'm going to school."
Without glancing back at his father or brother, Sasuke turned and left the dining room, his pace just short of a hurried walk.
—
When the soft knock sounded on the Hokage's office door, Roshi was staring blankly out the window.
"Come in."
Itachi pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Roshi turned his head, regarded him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.
"Seeing you like this, I feel like I've gone back a few years." Leaning back in his chair, he folded his hands over his stomach. "You look like you're fine, but your mood seems very heavy."
Itachi was quiet for two seconds, then lowered his gaze. "...I've caused you some concern, Captain."
"Let's go." Roshi stood and walked around the desk. "It's too stuffy in here. We'll talk on the rooftop."
They didn't use the body flicker technique; they just climbed the stairs one after the other. Their footsteps echoed in the empty stairwell, and now and then clerks hurrying past with stacks of documents moved aside and bowed respectfully.
When the rooftop door swung open, the wind rushed in all at once.
The view opened wide before them.
The sun was already high, its light comfortably warm.
Roshi walked over to the railing and leaned back against the metal bar, his whole body almost bathed in sunlight.
"So, what is it this time?"
"Father asked if I would consider giving up my position in the Anbu for a transfer," Itachi reported honestly, standing a half-step behind him.
"Oh, that." Roshi's tone was light. "It's not out of the question. The people you've left in Anbu are reliable, and the system is solid now. Even if you leave for a while, there won't be any chaos."
"His target is the Joint Affairs Bureau, isn't it?"
Itachi nodded. "Yes."
"Well, it's the only department with real potential for power that still doesn't have any Uchiha in it." Roshi turned his gaze toward the Venue District outside the village. "Kakashi's side just happens to be short-handed—he's probably about to be buried in work."
He ticked them off on his fingers.
"Preparations for the Ninja Village Joint Conference… the follow-up investigation and crackdown on the illegal gladiator arena network… and the ninja dispatch for that upcoming transnational engineering project…"
Roshi's lips curled, a trace of schadenfreude in his smile.
"Just listing them out is enough to give you a headache. Kakashi's dark circles are almost catching up to Gaara's these days."
He turned to look at Itachi.
"So, just go over there on a temporary transfer. On paper it'll be a secondment, so your Anbu status will be retained. Think of it as backing Kakashi up."
"If that's the case," Itachi asked quietly, "won't that place too high an expectation on the clan?"
"Expectation?" Roshi let out a soft chuckle, the sound quickly carried off by the wind. "Itachi, the Bureau isn't a traditional department of the village."
"Clan names and bloodline limits don't mean anything there."
"What they need is a brain sharp enough to handle the squabbling between the Five Great Ninja Villages and the ability to find a balance point between conflicting interests."
"In that place, your foremost identity is 'Konoha shinobi,'" Roshi said, enunciating each word, "and only after that do people add labels like 'Uchiha,' 'Hyuga,' and so on."
"If you can really perform in that kind of environment, where you come from and what your background is stop mattering."
"Don't overthink it."
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