Hokage's Office.
The "Konoha F4" were gathered together.
No sooner had Hiruzen returned than Danzō pulled the other three into a high-level meeting.
Danzō still felt a trace of regret.
Why didn't the Uchiha cause a bigger scene?
I was just waiting to use the mishandling of the Uchiha issue as grounds to force Hiruzen Sarutobi to resign!
Last time, he had finally maneuvered Hiruzen into stepping down—only for him to push forward his grand-disciple, Namikaze Minato, as the Fourth Hokage.
If he could force Hiruzen to retire again, Danzō could recommend himself and ascend as the Fifth Hokage.
Unfortunately, things had not unfolded as he had hoped.
The frustration gnawed at him.
"Hiruzen, you are too soft!"
"We should have taken advantage of the moment to wipe out the Uchiha completely!"
Danzō struck his cane against the floor, killing intent flashing in his eyes.
Regarding the Uchiha, Danzō had always advocated extermination.
The power of the Sharingan was too terrifying.
If it could not be controlled, how could one ever feel secure?
Hiruzen shot Danzō a sideways glance.
He understood Danzō's thoughts all too well.
Take advantage of the situation to exterminate the Uchiha?
You just want me and the Uchiha to fight to the death so you can reap the benefits.
Hiruzen's expression darkened.
"The Uchiha are comrades of Konoha. Speak no more of extermination."
Then he shifted his tone.
"However… while extermination is out of the question, the Uchiha cannot be left unchecked."
"The rise of 'Flame Oni' Akihito concerns me deeply."
"What are your thoughts?"
Homura Mitokado pondered briefly before speaking.
"For now, perhaps we should attempt to win over Fugaku and turn him into our informant."
Danzō sneered.
"Win over the former Uchiha clan head?"
"You truly believe he would stand on our side?"
Hiruzen shook his head as well.
Judging from today's events, Fugaku clearly stood closer to his clansmen.
Winning him over would be unrealistic.
Still, Homura's suggestion sparked another idea.
If the old guard could not be swayed—
What about the younger generation?
During the Second Hokage's era, quite a few Uchiha had stepped beyond clan interests to serve the village wholeheartedly.
Hiruzen immediately thought of Uchiha Kagami's descendant—Uchiha Shisui, the one who stood alongside "Flame Oni" Akihito.
Then his mind turned to the prodigious Uchiha Itachi, who had just graduated from the Academy.
As he considered this, a faint smile crept onto Hiruzen's lips.
All for Konoha.
The Will of Fire will guide them.
He had already resolved to find an opportunity to properly "educate" them.
The following day.
As the new clan head, Akihito convened his first clan assembly.
Same hall. Same faces.
Only this time, Akihito sat at the head.
"Greetings, Clan Head."
The members offered a simple salute.
The Uchiha were not the Hyūga—there were no excessive formalities.
Akihito nodded with a smile.
He maintained authority without putting on airs.
Calm yet commanding.
The clan members were highly satisfied with their new leader.
Though young, Akihito carried himself with poise no less refined than Fugaku's.
To possess such leadership presence at his age—
The Uchiha's future looked bright.
"Ahem."
Akihito cleared his throat.
"I have gathered everyone today to announce two matters."
"Both are crucial to the Uchiha's reputation."
"I ask that everyone strictly abide by them."
His tone grew serious.
The atmosphere turned heavy.
The clan understood instantly—
Reform was coming.
Akihito sat upright and went straight to the point.
"First: strictly restrain clan members. Bullying others under the Uchiha name will not be tolerated."
"Violators will be punished severely."
If one intended to cut out rot, decisive measures were required.
Then his tone shifted slightly, half in jest.
"Of course, if someone bullies us, you may fight back."
"The Uchiha will never allow ourselves to be trampled."
Laughter and agreement rippled through the hall.
Akihito summarized succinctly:
"Do not provoke trouble. Do not fear trouble."
Six words.
Simple and clear.
He opposed the clan abusing its strength—
But he would not demand silent endurance either.
A warrior clan could never be reduced to cowardice.
In the past, a mere provocation might earn someone a slap across the face.
In recent years, under pressure from Konoha's leadership, tempers had cooled somewhat.
Fugaku's way of resolving disputes had been to smooth things over.
But now, under Akihito—
If you stood on the side of reason, you need not fear escalation.
After a pause, Akihito continued.
"The second matter: reforming the Police Force's enforcement procedures."
The first announcement had merely been the appetizer.
This was the true objective.
"I believe everyone understands."
"Since taking over the Police Force, the Uchiha have gradually become the target of public resentment."
"If we want to change how the village views us, reform is imperative."
When the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, assigned the Police Force to the Uchiha, it had seemed fitting.
Yet it had burdened them with severe negative perception.
Even when enforcing the law impartially, they were resented.
Coupled with the Uchiha's natural pride—they disdained explaining themselves.
Over time, misunderstandings deepened.
Konoha's leadership knew the Uchiha's grievances—
But offered no assistance.
If you wear the crown, you bear the weight.
The Uchiha held enforcement authority, so enduring resentment was deemed reasonable.
After all, they were never meant to become Hokage.
Reputation didn't matter.
Fugaku had endured it.
Akihito would not.
Konoha's leadership refused to shoulder responsibility?
Fine.
He would openly reform the system—and bring every major clan into the process.
Akihito unfolded a document and outlined his proposal.
"Prohibit violent enforcement."
"Before conviction, treat suspects humanely."
"No abuse of punishment. No coercion through torture."
"Establish a jury system. Invite members of major clans to jointly adjudicate cases."
"Ensure fairness, transparency, and justice."
Drawing on memories from his previous life, Akihito devised a participatory judicial model.
In simple terms—
No dictatorship.
Collective decision-making.
If something went wrong—
The responsibility would be shared.
The Uchiha would not bear the blame alone.
The proposal received unanimous approval.
With such reforms, within a year—
The villagers of Konoha would surely see the Uchiha in a different light.
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