Even though Uchiha Fuyue restrained himself, various complaints from Konoha civilians continued to pour in.
"I will assign someone to investigate this matter. We must continue to trust Lord Hokage. At the same time, team leaders must guide their subordinates properly to reduce the frequency of civilian complaints."
It was an old problem—chronic and unresolved. Fuyue could only continue playing the political game, deflecting conflict where possible.
Hearing his statement, the Sixth Elder nodded in satisfaction, but those working in the Police Force remained far from pleased.
Shisui was the only exception. He had long been advocating for a more humane and gentle approach when dealing with villagers, believing that changing the villagers' perception of the Uchiha was critical to bridging the ever-widening gap.
Many within the meeting hall wore sullen expressions, their frustration buried beneath silence. Though they wanted to voice their discontent, they could only endure and concede, suppressing their anger.
Of course, post-meeting arrangements would still be made.
They couldn't let the Uchiha clan suppress their true selves simply to appease a few civilian complaints, could they?
If such appeasement had worked, the problem wouldn't have persisted for so long.
"So—"
Fuyue, having deftly sidestepped the immediate tension, was preparing to move on to the next item on the agenda.
"Why?"
"Eh...?"
The sudden outburst silenced the hall. Even Shikoku, sitting beside Hiko Yan with a tense face, widened his eyes in disbelief.
That one word from Hiko—timed with surgical precision—stopped the clan patriarch in his tracks. It was inconceivable to most that one of their own would openly question the elders and the patriarch during a formal clan meeting.
Fuyue, who had been about to speak, froze mid-sentence.
The elders looked over in shock, and within moments, the eyes of every clan member were focused on one man.
"Hiko... Are you questioning my judgment?"
Fuyue's voice was calm but firm, his gaze sharp and scrutinizing.
Yan did not flinch. Meeting every gaze in the room, he responded without hesitation:
"Yes. I just want to ask—why!"
Gasps rippled through the room.
Yan, normally reserved and silent during these meetings, had not only spoken out but challenged the leadership head-on. It left many shocked.
---
CHAPTER 4
"May I ask the elders—what did the Uchiha do wrong to deserve punishment?"
Hiko's voice, calm but commanding, began to rise with righteous indignation.
"Everyone here knows that the Konoha Military Police Force is run by our clan. Our kinsmen who serve in the force are all law enforcement officers. As such, our focus should be on handling crimes and protecting the village—not reducing complaints through appeasement."
"Ridiculous!" the Sixth Elder snapped, glaring with fury. "Then tell us, Hiko—how do you propose we solve the problem of civilian complaints?"
"Why should we solve it?" Hiko shot back with a cold smile. "Shouldn't that be the responsibility of the Hokage and his administration? Why push the burden onto our Police Force?
Are we the scapegoats for every flaw in the village system?"
The room fell silent. Yan's voice carried a raw honesty that resonated with many.
"The Sixth Elder still insists that as law enforcement, our first concern upon arriving at a crime scene should be whether we're being 'gentle' enough—not how to handle the actual criminals."
"Should we smile and bow to offenders when we arrive? Offer them tea and snacks?"
"Pfft—" Someone couldn't help but chuckle.
That was all it took. Laughter broke out across the room, albeit subdued and nervous.
The Sixth Elder's face flushed crimson with rage. He pointed a trembling finger at Yan, but words failed him. He was too angry to speak.
Unbothered, Hiko continued:
"As captain, I believe that my subordinates and I have done our duties with diligence and restraint. Civilian complaints are not our problem to fix—they are a symptom of the larger systemic bias."
"Crimes, disorder, and dangerous missions fall on us. Yet we are always the ones receiving reprimands. Tell me—why?"
He slammed his hand down on the wooden floor, his voice booming:
"This is supposed to be handled by the Hokage's office—not our department!"
"Well said! I agree with the captain!" shouted a voice from the back—Histitis, one of the younger officers.
"Enough is enough! Every day it's more restrictions. What next? Shall we sit on our hands while criminals roam free just to avoid being accused of being 'too harsh'?"
Yan's words had ignited something. Years of unspoken frustration and helplessness boiled to the surface. The hall buzzed with tension and approval.
Officers began to nod, clap, and even cheer.
The Sixth Elder sat seething, his face darker than storm clouds. Meanwhile, Fuyue's expression grew unreadable. Yan's words had, indirectly, been a criticism of his leadership.
"Enough."
It was the Third Elder who finally raised his voice, trying to calm the chaos.
"What's the point of this shouting? Do you think we're any more comfortable with this situation?
Hiko, have you considered the consequences of your words? The Hokage's office might punish the entire clan!"
Typical dove talk.
Yan's eyes gleamed with disdain. He didn't hide his contempt.
"Then let me ask you, Elder—what exactly did Uchiha do to deserve punishment?"
"Exactly! What did we do wrong?"
"Why must we be punished?"
"Why?"
Even those among the doves were beginning to stir, their long-endured grievances boiling over. They had been misunderstood, slandered, and now punished for doing their jobs.
"Indeed!"
A rare fire blazed in the eyes of the hardline elder. He looked to Yan with admiration and passion.
"Uchiha has done no wrong! Complaints from villagers must be handled by the Hokage's administration, not us. What say you, Patriarch?"
"…"
Fuyue's lips twitched involuntarily.
Even the hardliners, usually so stoic, had now risen in defense of Hiko Yan. What could he say as clan head? Could he oppose them?
No. Not in this climate.
With a subtle nod, Fuyue finally responded:
"I will personally go to the Hokage's office tomorrow and bring this matter before Lord Hokage."
"Any other questions?"
Thanks to Hiko's outburst, the rest of the agenda was hastily set aside. The monthly clan meeting concluded earlier than expected.
As the crowd dispersed, murmurs of approval and newfound admiration followed Yan.
"Well done, Captain! That was amazing!" Zhiyan grinned like a child, clapping Yan on the back.
Most members of the Police Force were from the younger generation—and they were tired of being scapegoated. Yan had given their frustrations a voice.
For many, the clan meeting had changed everything.
"Alright, get some rest," Yan said, waving Zhiyan off.
He lingered by the ancestral hall's entrance. Not long after, Fuyue emerged, flanked by two guards. He gave Yan a glance and motioned for him to follow.
Once they were a distance away, Fuyue signaled the guards to leave, and the two were alone on the quiet road.
"What happened at the clan meeting left me in a difficult position," Fuyue said slowly.
"But I understand. This is the burden of leadership."
"I'll go to the Hokage tomorrow. The clan has suffered long enough."
Fuyue took responsibility without shifting blame. Even though he would face the Hokage Council's cold reception, he knew this was his duty.
Then he turned to Yan, eyes stern:
"Have you considered that your actions today might put you under greater scrutiny from the village's higher-ups?"
"Does it matter?"
Yan laughed lightly.
The higher-ups had always distrusted the Uchiha. Every concession made had only invited more oppression. The hardliners weren't madmen—they were cornered animals.
Step by step, the village elders had forced them into desperation.
"You may come to regret this," Fuyue warned, his tone neutral.
He didn't blame Yan for confronting him. He didn't berate him or get angry. But Fuyue knew the consequences.
Yan's outburst had painted a target on his back.
He was no longer the silent captain. He had become a symbol—an agitator, a potential threat.
Fuyue turned and walked away, leaving Yan in silence.
Watching his retreating figure, Yan sighed.
Not every Uchiha wanted revolution. Many simply wanted peace.
But peace wasn't an option anymore.
If I don't stand up now, it'll be too late.
"Come out. I know you've been following me."
Back home, Yan turned toward a dark alley behind his house.
From the shadows, Shisui stepped forward.
His eyes were solemn, tinged with worry. "Yan… your actions tonight were reckless. Dangerous. Have you joined the hardliners…?"