Early Morning –
Security Force Headquarters
The Konoha Military Police Force headquarters stood at the heart of the Uchiha Clan district, adjacent to the clan-managed prison. Criminals were apprehended and detained in the same compound, and over time, the arrogance of the guards—backed by overwhelming power and unchecked authority—had turned many of them into figures of fear rather than respect.
In the captain's office, Uchiha Sanzō sat reviewing official documents, flanked by his son Naraku and Guard Advisor Fugaku.
"Uncle," Fugaku said after scanning a report, "based on the latest intelligence, the owner of Yamato Izakaya might be an Iwagakure spy. Should we send someone to apprehend him?"
"Don't alert the enemy," Sanzō replied without lifting his gaze. "It's easy to catch a spy once they're exposed—but hard to track the hidden ones. Keep him under surveillance and follow the trail."
Naraku flipped through a different set of documents, his brows furrowed.
"Yesterday, the patrol team arrested three vendors," he said. "This month alone, seventeen vendors have been detained. Some have been held for over two months. Father, what are the punishment standards for vendors?"
"There are no set standards," Sanzo replied flatly. "We detain them until they're afraid enough to obey the guards' orders."
"What? No standards at all? Father, that's reckless. If the guards can do whatever they want, doesn't that invite abuse of power?"
Naraku had spent the past three years focused on training and overseeing Clan Affairs. He rarely involved himself in the operations of the Police Force—until now.
"This is how the force has always operated," Sanzō said. "The Second Hokage created it this way. The Third allowed it. What's the problem?"
Naraku's expression hardened. "Such methods will make the villagers of Konoha fear and resent us!"
Only now did Naraku grasp the full cruelty of the Uchiha-run Military Police. The fear they instilled wasn't respect—it was hatred. How could the civilians and minor clans not see the Uchiha Guard as enemies?
"The Uchiha clan's glory is built on that fear, Naraku. In time, you'll understand," Sanzō said with a faint smile.
But to Naraku, that smile looked more like a threat.
"Konoha is a shinobi village. Many villagers are from ninja families. Aren't you afraid that if the guards keep abusing power, all of Konoha will turn against us?"
"Let them try," Sanzō scoffed. "Who dares to resist? Anyone who does gets thrown into prison."
"The Uchiha might be strong, Father—we have over a thousand shinobi. But Konoha has tens of thousands. We can't stand against the entire village."
Naraku had proven himself a capable administrator. Now, turning his gaze toward the Police Force, he saw its faults clearly.
He glanced at the guards' uniforms—emblazoned with the Uchiha crest. Even the shuriken motif bore the clan's fan symbol. This was supposed to be a village institution, yet everything about it screamed "Uchiha." No wonder the people resented them.
"You're too pessimistic," Sanzō said, unmoved. Here in the captain's office, he listened to no one.
The Guard was coveted by many young shinobi, but with the Uchiha in full control, few outsiders ever made it in.
Naraku realized the clan was heading down a dangerous path. "Father, I intend to change the guard's structure. We need proper laws and clear divisions of responsibility.
We need a department to handle espionage, another for vendor patrols, one for criminal arrests, one for civilian reports, another for prison management—and one for combat."
"No more of this 'one guard does everything' chaos."
"For that vision to come true, I need to become captain myself."
Sanzō chuckled. "Konoha Guard? More like Uchiha Guard. If you want to be captain, then defeat me in combat. The position's yours if you win."
"Then I challenge you," Naraku said, his eyes flaring red. Three tomoe swirled within his Sharingan.
Fugaku, calm as ever, didn't react. Everyone knew Uchiha Sanzō was the strongest in the clan. No criminal ever escaped him—any who resisted were trapped in illusions, waking up behind bars with no memory of their capture.
"No fighting inside the HQ," Sanzō said. "Tonight. I'll give you your chance."
Though Sanzō loved his family dearly, he became a different man behind this desk—unyielding and obsessed with control.
"Fine. I'll prepare," Naraku said, turning and walking out.
Sanzō watched his son go, shook his head, and returned to his paperwork.
"Fugaku, handle Yamato Izakaya. Be thorough. Don't be afraid to take your time."
"Yes, sir."
Sanzō appreciated Fugaku's calm nature. He didn't challenge authority, worked well with others, and earned respect from subordinates.
---
That afternoon, Naraku strolled through Konoha's streets. His thoughts lingered on the duel ahead. Without Mangekyō Sharingan, he doubted even his father could defeat him now.
Sanzō was in his forties. While still strong, his years in command had dulled his edge. His victories were mostly over Chūnin and Genin. Against a true Uchiha Jōnin, he'd never truly been tested.
Naraku eventually arrived at a small ramen shop—the famous Ichiraku Ramen.
He smiled, lifted the curtain, and entered.
"Mr. Teuchi, one bowl of ramen, please," he said.
At this time, Teuchi was still a young man, not yet the jovial uncle he'd become.
"Coming right up."
Just as Naraku sat down, the curtain behind him rustled again.
"A bowl of miso ramen," said a soft, magnetic voice.
Naraku glanced sideways. The man had long white hair, a red mark between his brows, and wore a standard Konoha flak jacket. He was just under 1.7 meters tall.
Naraku recognized him instantly—Hiruko, the rogue developer of forbidden techniques.
Naraku remained silent, calmly picking up his chopsticks as memories of Hiruko's dossier surfaced in his mind.
Hiruko, dissatisfied with his innate ability, began developing forbidden jutsu after the Second Great Ninja War. When the Third Hokage discovered his experiments, he sent the Legendary Sannin to eliminate him. Hiruko escaped and went into hiding, continuing his research.
Coveting the Sharingan, but unable to obtain it from the Uchiha, Hiruko turned his sights to Kakashi Hatake. His self-created Kekkei Genkai Stealing Jutsu—Chimera Jutsu—devours other bloodline abilities.
His intellect rivals even Orochimaru's. If given resources and protection, could I strike a deal with him? Accelerate his work?
Naraku's mind raced with possibilities as he quietly ate his ramen.
---