Uchiha Fugaku understood the aspirations behind the Third Hokage's goals—just like those behind the secretive Root organization that the Third once supported.
The ninja clans and several prestigious shinobi were always wary of Root. And those who had been repeatedly targeted by Root's operations feared them even more.
While ordinary villagers may not grasp the cold-blooded nature of Root's methods, the major clans and those familiar with Root could not hide their fear and unease.
After Danzō Shimura's rise, he receded from the public eye, supposedly giving back power to Sarutobi Hiruzen. But in truth, the ANBU training programs were still cultivating Root operatives under harsher, more brutal regimens.
Fugaku frowned when he heard the Third Hokage speak. Though he had once appreciated Sarutobi's care for him as a child, he now resented the Hokage's interference in the affairs of the Konoha Military Police Force—a domain strictly controlled by the Uchiha clan.
He felt conflicted—he was grateful for Sarutobi's trust, yet also burdened by the expectations.
"Hokage-sama, perhaps it would be more appropriate to convey these words to Captain Sanzōof the guard. I am but a weak man, and fear I cannot shoulder the responsibilities of the police force," Fugaku said at last, passing the pressure back.
"Hahaha, Fugaku, you're truly a shinobi who respects his superiors and cares for his comrades," Sarutobi said with a smile, exhaling a smoke ring. Then his expression darkened. "It's a pity I was too busy to weigh in during the Uchiha clan's leadership election. Had I the chance, I would have supported you."
This Uchiha Fugaku… ungrateful, Sarutobi thought.
Fugaku didn't know how to respond to the Hokage's attempts to win him over. He stood there quietly for a moment.
"Hokage-sama, the Police Force is quite busy. If there are no further orders, I will take my leave."
After a pause, Sarutobi took a long drag on his pipe and said deeply, "Where the leaves dance, the fire will burn. The flames will continue to illuminate the village—and from them, new leaves shall sprout. You are one of those leaves I once watched grow, Fugaku. Continue your work with the Guard. You, too, are protecting Konoha."
"…Yes," Fugaku nodded solemnly in acknowledgement of the Will of Fire.
---
Uchiha Naraku had only led the First Division of the Konoha Military Police Force for a week, and already his leadership had stirred significant change.
The First Division contained four squadrons. Originally, the First Squadron received an annual salary of 600,000 ryō. Naraku raised it to 1 million ryō.
However, to balance the budget, the other three squadrons saw their two-year salary reduced from 600,000 to 400,000 ryō.
Accounting for the extra funds allocated to the First Squadron—17 members receiving an additional 400,000 ryō—the budget required 3.4 million ryō in total.
While 400,000 over two years was modest for life in Konoha, it was not unbearable. Besides, the Uchiha Police Force enjoyed a unique privilege: they were rarely deployed to the battlefield.
During the Great Wars, nearly every shinobi—including fresh genin—were conscripted. But the Guard, by tradition and purpose, remained in the village. That alone made outside clans resentful of their exclusivity.
Recruiting non-Uchiha into the Guard was nearly impossible. Even many Uchiha members held unpaid guard positions, supporting themselves with side jobs. During the Second Great Shinobi War, aside from a handful of elite fighters, few Uchiha saw combat on the front lines.
By raising the First Squadron's salary, Naraku drew the ire of older shinobi seeking transfers.
To address this, he restructured the entire First Division:
First Squadron: Criminal Investigation Unit – Seventeen elite members were now solely focused on high-profile cases: arresting criminal shinobi and identifying enemy spies. Their all-purpose duties were now specialized.
Second Squadron: Public Security Unit – Their patrol range expanded, now responsible for general peacekeeping within the village and handling civilian disputes. They could also assist in identifying threats but would transfer serious cases to the First Squadron.
Third Squadron: Village Management Unit – Assigned to handle matters involving vendors, hygiene, and environmental maintenance. Naraku emphasized a diplomatic approach: no more arbitrary arrests, destruction of property, or violent intimidation.
Naraku knew this would be difficult. Many of the older, less aggressive Uchiha filled this unit, and their temperament suited their tasks. Incidents of excessive force—such as shouting, overturning stalls, or assaults—had already declined. Efforts were underway to organize centralized market areas to reduce civilian complaints.
Still, the Second and Third Squadrons bore the brunt of public resentment.
The Public Security Unit, by resolving disputes, inevitably favoured one side, earning scorn from the other. Over time, their image would suffer.
The Village Management Unit faced similar scorn due to past abuse—one notable case involved a civilian vendor nearly killed over a minor stall violation. When Naraku reviewed these records, he sighed. This wasn't reputation—it was infamy.
Fourth Squadron: Special Mobile Force – This team served as a tactical reserve, deployed to assist any unit in need. It comprised mostly young Uchiha under age 20, giving them flexibility and time to train in ninjutsu.
Naraku also left prison management to another branch of the Guard, choosing instead to focus on reforming his division.
Within days, personnel shifts and clearer duties began to yield visible improvements. The Third Squadron's more composed members handled villagers with restraint, enforcing the rules with less conflict.
The village was slowly adjusting. For now, Uchiha Naraku's reforms had brought both order and tension—but he remained committed to changing how the Guard was perceived.