Sakumo quickly arrived at the Uchiha clan's territory.
Seeing his arrival, the two Uchiha shinobi guarding the gate immediately stood straight and saluted him respectfully.
"Where is Captain Fugaku now?"
Wearing a gentle smile, Sakumo nodded in response and asked about Fugaku's whereabouts.
"Captain is currently patrolling inside the clan grounds. Shall we go get him for you?"
Hearing this, the two Uchiha immediately prepared to search for Fugaku.
"No need. I'll go myself. It's a good chance to walk around and get a feel for the Uchiha's customs and way of life."
Sakumo waved his hand with a smile, then stepped into the Uchiha territory.
He randomly chose a dango shop and ordered a small set meal for one. Sitting in the innermost booth, he quietly observed the Uchiha at the moment.
Because Fugaku had previously demonstrated the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan in front of the clan, the spirits of the Uchiha people had been visibly lifted. The police force especially seemed to walk with a wind at their backs.
However, the number of members in the police force remained limited.
Among the Uchiha, there were many who had lived for decades without ever awakening the Sharingan.
Most of them made a living through small businesses within the clan grounds.
The dango shop Sakumo sat in was one such business.
There were also a few Uchiha shinobi who, though they had a solid foundation, had not awakened their Sharingan and were nonetheless employed in the police force.
In any case, with the clan's autonomous rights, every member of the Uchiha could live steadily in Konohagakure.
That was why, when Uchiha Madara once tried to lead them away, no one had been willing to follow him.
The Uchiha, who had lived through too many wars, had been thoroughly blinded by a peaceful life. They no longer wished to return to the hardship of the past alongside Madara.
Drinking the tea in his cup and looking at the happily smiling Uchiha around him, Sakumo also revealed a faint smile.
...
"I apologize, Fourth Hokage. I was patrolling and failed to greet you properly."
Not long after, Fugaku rushed to the dango shop upon receiving the message.
"No need for apologies. The dango is delicious—there's no question of being neglected."
Sakumo shook his head with a smile and gestured for Fugaku to sit.
The shop owner brought out another small set meal and placed it in front of Fugaku. Then, understanding the situation, he quietly closed the booth's sliding door and hung a "Temporarily Closed" sign outside.
"Fourth Hokage-sama, I assume you didn't come here just for tea and dango?"
Drinking the tea in large gulps, Fugaku wore a serious expression as he probed for Sakumo's purpose.
"You're right, Captain Fugaku. In the recent battle against the unidentified Uchiha, it was thanks to the police force and your intervention that greater losses were prevented. I came to express my sincere thanks."
Sakumo bowed his head, earnestly thanking Fugaku.
"Not at all. The Uchiha are part of Konohagakure. The police force fights for Konoha. When invaders come, of course we'll stand up to them."
Fugaku waved his hand, signaling that Sakumo didn't need to be so formal.
"Still, Captain Fugaku, you're right—the police force belongs to Konoha. So shouldn't we allow other shinobi who wish to contribute to Konoha the opportunity to join and fight to protect it as well?"
Sakumo's next words didn't surprise Fugaku too much.
He himself was aware of some of the issues within the police force. However, as clan head, he had to align with the clan's will. Combined with the previously tense relations with the village, he had never considered applying for a restructuring of the police force.
Now that Sakumo brought it up, Fugaku actually felt relieved.
He knew Sakumo's character. If he planned to reform the police force, he would surely give the Uchiha an acceptable arrangement.
"I've taken a look. Aside from those in the police force, most Uchiha make a living within the clan grounds. Only a few, or rather, very few, choose to join Konoha's shinobi squads."
"My idea is to double the size of the police force, recruit some other shinobi, and appoint a deputy captain. You will remain captain and also take charge of Konoha's counter-espionage efforts."
Sakumo quickly laid out his plan, though Fugaku didn't seem entirely satisfied.
If it was simply about expanding the roster and adding other shinobi, the clan's radicals would surely object.
In that case, as clan head, whose side should he take?
"Of course, that's not all I plan to do. I want the Uchiha to participate in other departments of the village—such as the Research Bureau, Medical Corps, or even the Anbu."
Seeing Fugaku's hesitation, Sakumo immediately revealed more of his cards.
Having the Uchiha join other departments—now that was good news.
Until now, the village's higher-ups had forbidden Uchiha shinobi from joining any department outside of the police force. Sakumo's willingness to lift those restrictions showed real sincerity.
Though... the Research Bureau might be better avoided. No one was sure whether they'd be staff—or test subjects.
"You've thought this through, Fourth Hokage-sama. I support your plan. But what about Advisor Danzo..."
Fugaku hadn't forgotten the moment Danzo and his men blocked his way during the Susanoo invasion.
Hearing Danzo's name, Sakumo looked a bit troubled.
That advisor had indeed overstepped his bounds, but since Sakumo took office, Danzo hadn't pulled any more tricks. Even Root had stopped its covert activities.
Aside from showing up during this recent incident, Root had remained extremely quiet.
"The former Hokage and Advisors Koharu and Homura all support this decision. Advisor Danzo won't raise any objections."
After all, Danzo was just an advisor now. Even if he opposed it, he'd only resort to minor tricks.
"Besides, Obito gets along well with Takeshi, doesn't he?"
Sakumo's thoughts turned to Takeshi again.
"Obito, huh... I understand."
Fugaku instantly understood Sakumo's implication and decided to call a clan meeting tonight to announce the matter to the members.
"Captain Fugaku, when it comes to those hardheaded radicals, it's best to punish them appropriately."
Seeing Fugaku agree to his plan, Sakumo didn't forget to advise him on dealing with the hardliners.
"If it's too inconvenient for you, I can always ask Jiraiya..."
"Fourth Hokage-sama, I still want to try persuading them. But rest assured—if they're truly beyond reason, I will invoke the clan rules and punish them myself."
At this moment, Fugaku was no longer timid.
His earlier reluctance to trust the Third Hokage stemmed from the fact that the man indulged Danzo far too much.
Even if he had compromised back then, the Danzo-controlled Konoha leadership wouldn't have offered him any real benefit.
Now that Sakumo was willing to step up and bear the pressure from Danzo, Fugaku would not let this opportunity slip away.