Inside the Hokage's office, the air was thick with the scent of Sarutobi's pipe tobacco. Fugaku stood tall, but his voice carried the practiced humility of a man who had spent years navigating the narrow straits between clan pride and village survival.
"Lord Hokage," Fugaku began, his tone respectful. "I understand the village faces difficulties. However, Uchiha has tightened its law enforcement protocols. Complaints are dropping, yet our burden grows. The Police Department has expanded its manpower three times this year alone. We are at our limit."
Fugaku offered a small, diplomatic compliment to the Third's leadership, followed by a strategic "sale of misery." It was a classic negotiation tactic—praise the boss's success while explaining why you can't fulfill his latest demand.
Sarutobi exhaled a long, thin stream of smoke. "You make a fair point, Fugaku. Uchiha's manpower is indeed stretched thin."
Fugaku's heart skipped. He braced for the move he feared most: the Hokage suggesting they open the Police Department to other clans and civilian ninjas to "help" with the workload.
"Lord Hokage," Fugaku intercepted decisively, "we can still ensure the Department's operation. Please, trust in Uchiha's loyalty and capability."
If Hiko had been in the room, he would have cursed aloud. Stupid! Fugaku was guarding the Police Department like a treasure, not realizing it had become a cage. By refusing to let others in, he was keeping all the resentment and dirty work concentrated on the Uchiha. A smart manager would have welcomed outsiders to handle the "complaint" desk and the grunt work, turning them into low-level subordinates while Uchiha kept the command structure.
Sarutobi sighed, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. "In that case... I will select a special committee to handle the complaints. But, as you know, the village finances are... strained."
"The Police Department will cover their salaries," Fugaku promised instantly.
To Fugaku, it was a victory. He had successfully outsourced the "headache" of complaints without letting spies into the core of his Department. He didn't mind the cost; Uchiha was wealthy. He was buying peace. He didn't realize he was simply paying the village to build a more efficient gallows for his own people.
The Rising Tide
As Fugaku walked out of the Hokage Tower, feeling as though a great stone had been lifted from his chest, the Third Hokage watched him go.
"Uchiha Hiko," Sarutobi murmured, looking at a file on his desk.
Hiko's presence at the Academy gates was an annoyance; his influence in the clan meetings was a threat. Even if Hiko wasn't a hardliner yet, his ability to mobilize the youth was a variable Sarutobi couldn't ignore.
"Increase the surveillance on Captain Hiko by one level," the Hokage commanded the empty room. Shadows flickered in acknowledgment.
Back at the compound, Fugaku convened a small meeting of elders and captains. He relayed the "victory" with a rare, satisfied glint in his eyes.
"From now on," Fugaku announced, "a special department will handle grievances. We pay the bill; they handle the noise. We are finally free to focus on the law."
The room erupted in smiles. Even Shisui looked relieved. The Great Elder beamed, whispering about a "victory for Uchiha."
Hiko sat in the corner, leaning against the wall, and secretly rolled his eyes. A victory? Uchiha was now paying the salaries of people who would likely spend their days documenting Uchiha "failures" for the Hokage. It was a soft knife, cutting through their treasury while keeping them isolated.
Fugaku turned his gaze to Hiko. "Hiko. You were the one who raised this issue. Now that we've cleared the administrative hurdles, what else do you think needs rectifying?"
The room went quiet. Fugaku was testing him, or perhaps truly seeking the "modern" perspective that had shaken the clan the night before.
Hiko didn't hesitate. "I think the Police Department needs to remember it is a combat force, not a neighborhood watch."
He stepped forward, his eyes sharp. "Konoha is the heart of the ninja world, yet we waste Uchiha talent on trivialities. Catching lost cats? Finding stray dogs? Escorting drunk merchants?"
Hiko's voice grew cold. "Every hour a Three-Tomoe Sharingan spends looking for a civilian's pet is an hour wasted. It breeds contempt in the villagers and resentment in our officers. From today, we should reject every 'trivial' task. Let the Mission Desk handle them. Let the Genin earn their pocket money."
He looked at the Elders. "We are the Police. We handle spies, prisoners, and high-level threats. If we want the village to respect us, we have to stop acting like their servants."