Yan feigned ignorance and remarked lightly,
"Uchiha hiko, you're quite bold."
Fugaku slammed the table with a furious expression, his voice rising with intensity.
"Do you realize what you've done? That was the Hokage's advisor—an elite of the village! And you, shouting at him to his face! Isn't that a blatant act of confrontation?"
"The patriarch is confused?" Yan spread his hands with mock innocence.
"Of course I—"
Fugaku began instinctively, but midway, he realized the trap in the question. His face darkened.
"Watch how you speak. You should show respect toward your elders and superiors!"
"And what am I supposed to do?" Yan challenged, tone edged with sarcasm. "The moment the old fossil appeared, he struck out with accusations and scolded me in public. Do you expect me to just stand there and accept it without a word?"
"That doesn't mean you get to insult your elders."
"You..."
Fugaku was rendered speechless by his audacity.
You create such chaos and still act like the victim?
Though I'll admit, it was cathartic seeing Danzo put in his place...
But that doesn't mean you get to repeat it.
Unable to find the right words, Fugaku sighed, sitting back down in his chair with a weary look, arms crossed over his chest.
"Yan, I know your strength. In many ways, you may even surpass Shisui. But you must learn restraint. You've seen how Danzo operates. He has now marked you, and that brings inevitable danger."
Fugaku changes his approach and assigns Itachi to the Police Force!
"For the time being, don't leave the clan grounds or the Police Department. Let others handle your patrol shifts."
You're the clan head—your word is final.
In this case, Yan didn't object. Paid time off was more than welcome.
"By the way."
Just as Yan was reaching the door, Fugaku's voice came again.
"Don't blame Shisui. He's trapped in his position. He's actually a gentle person, both to outsiders and his own kin."
"I understand… but it's not something I can control."
Shisui was a good person. That wasn't the issue. The issue was that he lacked resolve. That's why the higher-ups so easily swayed him.
But if he's caught up in his own crisis, then what about me?
I've taken risks to unify Uchiha. I've bled for it.
If I'm expected to forgive him, then who's going to forgive me for everything I've done in the name of our survival?
Yan had no expectations for Shisui anymore. As long as he stayed out of the way, that was enough.
"I'll be restructuring the Police Department soon. I believe we need more captains. I'll bring it up with the elders. I hope you'll look after our people."
What's he implying? A reorganization?
Yan couldn't understand Fugaku's motives.
Right now, the department's structure was already streamlined.
Uchiha had honed this system over years. Arrogance didn't mean incompetence.
Yet Fugaku wanted to overhaul it—now, of all times.
Such a reorganization could shift the entire clan's trajectory.
The room fell silent. Fugaku pressed both palms on the desk, his gaze low. Suddenly, a suppressed groan escaped him. Blood began to drip from his eyes.
Grabbing a towel, Fugaku covered his face, leaning heavily into the chair.
"Why... why not...?" he whispered to himself.
After resting a while, the dazed Fugaku returned home.
Itachi, playing with his younger brother Sasuke, immediately stood and bowed when he saw him.
"Father."
"Hm."
Fugaku, who had regained composure, nodded.
"How is Sasuke doing in school?"
"Great! I'm gonna be just as strong as Big Brother!"
Sasuke beamed with pride.
Before the Uchiha Massacre, Sasuke had been bright, cheerful, always eager to show off for praise.
"As expected of my son."
Fugaku, rarely smiling, ruffled Sasuke's hair with a rare warmth.
"Go upstairs. I need to speak to your brother."
"Aww..."
Sasuke looked disappointed. He loved being around his father and brother. But Fugaku's stern face left little room for argument. Obediently, Sasuke went upstairs.
Itachi knelt quietly, awaiting his father's words.
Fugaku sat cross-legged, his tone seemingly casual:
"You've probably heard about what happened with the clan and the Police Department. What's your opinion on Yan's actions?"
"Yes."
Itachi bowed slightly, sitting upright with calm eyes.
"Father, I think Senior Yan's intentions are noble, but his methods are too extreme. He showed great disrespect to the elder."
Itachi wanted to change Uchiha's fate, but he didn't have the power to speak freely.
Yan, with no attachments or status to protect, could act boldly and say what others couldn't. Even when facing the aggressive Sixth Elder, he retaliated without hesitation.
If Itachi had tried the same, he'd be silenced in an instant.
"There's truth in your words."
Fugaku's tone turned harsher.
Itachi lowered his head respectfully.
"Yes, Father. Senior Yan may act recklessly, but his actions stem from care for the clan. The long-standing complaints toward the Police Department were resolved decisively.
And the elders see that too.
There are issues the clan couldn't solve because no one dared to act."
Itachi's words danced close to accusing Fugaku of inaction. But he still said them.
"Still, acting this way breeds resentment from the village. It only invites more surveillance and pressure."
Fugaku didn't shy from the implications, instead addressing them directly.
Itachi fell silent.
He'd heard similar warnings from Shisui. He understood the risks of provoking the village.
From a clan perspective, Yan wasn't wrong. But from a village standpoint, his actions were dangerous. The benefits and drawbacks were obvious.
Seeing Itachi's silence, Fugaku didn't press. The two sat in thoughtful quiet.
Eventually, Fugaku broke the silence.
"For now, avoid Shisui. I'll be reorganizing the Police Department. Shisui will be reassigned. His position will open up. I want you to take it. Work under Yan's leadership.
Think from his perspective."
Uchiha needed someone to break new ground. Originally, Fugaku planned for Itachi to enter Anbu.
They had fought long and hard to get Hiruzen's approval. It was a rare opportunity.
But Yan's constant provocation changed Fugaku's plans.
He now wanted Itachi within the Police Department, to learn and act alongside Yan.
"Yes, Father."
Itachi accepted without hesitation.
This was simply his role—as Uchiha Itachi.
That night.
After an exhausting day that left him questioning everything, Shisui arrived at the patriarch's compound.
The guards had been dismissed. Only Fugaku remained, sipping tea in the moonlit courtyard.
"Patriarch."
Clad in a tight black suit, Shisui entered respectfully.
Fugaku set down his cup and slowly lifted his gaze.
"Tough day, wasn't it?"
A new department had been formed to handle complaints. The Third Hokage had kept his promise.
But it was a nightmare.
Those who filed complaints with the Hokage were either petty troublemakers or harbored deep resentment toward the Uchiha.
Dealing with them required impossible levels of diplomacy.
On his very first day, Shisui already felt drained.
"It's hard..."
He forced a weak smile, ruffling his own hair with a sigh.
"I didn't realize how complex these complaints are. Getting people to forgive the Police Department takes endless steps... It's overwhelming."
"And now," Fugaku said, eyes narrowed, "do you think Yan's proposal was right or wrong?"
Shisui paused, caught completely off guard by the question.
And then...