Konoha Notes

Chapter 177 How did the Uchiha become like this?

I am not considered an opponent.

As he watched the people from Konoha leave, Darui realized what had happened.

“…Brother Darui?” Atsui seemed to sense the subtle tension in the atmosphere as well.

"Let's go." Darui withdrew his gaze.

Let's get this Chunin Exams over as soon as possible.

He had met many people stronger than himself, but now, facing someone only slightly older than himself who had already reached a completely different level and didn't even have the intention of considering him a potential rival, Darui realized that he hadn't reached the state of mind where he could truly remain indifferent.
-
In the Hokage's office, Fugaku Uchiha sat in the guest seat, his back ramrod straight, facing the Fifth Hokage behind his desk.

Tsunade pushed a document toward Fugaku: "The village has decided to add an extra squad in addition to the existing police force structure."

"The staff will be drawn from the oil women group."

Fugaku's gaze fell on the document. This method of "increasing the number" by bringing in outsiders sounded familiar. It was almost exactly the solution he had initially proposed to Shuji, a solution he considered relatively mild and feasible.

It was rejected without hesitation at the time.

Now the village has taken a similar approach... Is it because the higher-ups have become aware of the Hyuga clan members being ostracized within the police force? Is this compensation, or another form of pressure?

Fugaku said, "Hokage-sama, could we postpone this for a while? Right now, there's a lot of internal strife within the clan. Even if the village provides funding for expansion, it will still provoke fierce opposition."

Tsunade placed her hands on the table: "The Aburame clan has excellent reconnaissance and tracking capabilities, which can effectively make up for the shortcomings of the police force in this regard."

"Whether it's the Hyuga or the Uchiha, they both tend to rely more on eye techniques for observation."

"In September, the village will hold another joint Chunin Exam. Learning from last year's experience, we must strengthen the security level of the exam venue and surrounding areas, and it is necessary to have the Aburame clan participate."

"With their addition, the Uchiha clan will be able to perform better in other areas."

Three members of Itachi's team have already been promoted; it's time to select new members.

Many in the police force have high expectations for this, as the opportunity to be promoted after serving in the village for less than a year is very attractive to most police officers.

As for the three clansmen who died on the eastern defense line... that was the front line, the battlefield.

It's common for ninjas to die on missions. If elite Uchiha ninjas resist joining core departments like the Anbu out of fear of dying in battle, they will be looked down upon by their clan members who revere strength.

Moreover, since Itachi is choosing the people, and there are already three role models, that's a good place to go.

“…I understand.” Fugaku finally lowered his head and took the document. “The Uchiha clan will cooperate with the village’s arrangements.”

When the news of the addition of the Aburame Squad spread, it did not cause much of a stir within the Uchiha clan. After all, the squad was funded by the village and did not directly encroach on the existing Uchiha members' quotas.

Uchiha Enjin, however, did not consider this a good omen.

This is already the second ninja clan to be infiltrated into the police force. Who will be next?
Adding new members sounds nice, but nowadays, the addition of new members to the police force basically requires the approval of the village's higher-ups.

This means that after Itachi Uchiha withdraws new recruits from the police force, the proportion of Uchiha members in the entire police force will inevitably decrease further.

They were all deceived by the Konoha leadership.

They were immersed in the fleeting joy of getting new positions and entering the shadows, but they couldn't see that the foundation of their family's existence was being eroded little by little.

I can't stay in the village any longer. I need to take immediate action, or it will be too late once the Uchiha completely loses its police force.

Uchiha Enjin found Itachi. "Itachi, about what we talked about last time, the Hokage agreeing to let me lead a mission, when exactly will it begin?"

"There's a lot of discussion within the clan, and the list of participants hasn't been finalized yet," Itachi replied softly.

Flame Blade gritted his teeth. Those idiots...

He took a deep breath and lowered his voice, saying, "Let me find the right people myself! I know who are truly loyal to the future of our people and are trustworthy elites!"

The young Uchiha clan leader shook his head: "This cannot convince the clansmen."

"Moreover, the police force needs to retain enough personnel to keep it running, and it is impossible to withdraw all the key personnel."

Flame Blade remained silent. Was this all going to continue? When did the Uchiha become like this?

Moreover, this is a rare time when that person is not in the village. If he returns with his team after the Chunin Exams, it will be even more difficult for me to leave the village quietly again.

"Itachi!" He almost blurted out the plans, but then held back.

Itachi Uchiha's stance may have shifted long ago, and he is no longer purely on the side of his clan.

That's what that person said.

After several tentative submissions of information about the Hokage Building's movements, Flame Blade was beginning to agree with this assessment.

"Let me go alone!" Flameblade said in a low voice, almost pleading. "I don't need a team; I can be more discreet on my own."

Itachi refused again: "This is against the rules of the Anbu."

"This is my responsibility! Itachi, this is my responsibility..."

Facing those eyes that had turned crimson, Itachi remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "You need to provide detailed directions for the operation, the pre-set target area, and contact methods in case of emergency."

A look of surprise flashed in Yanren's eyes, the crimson light faded, and he nodded vigorously: "I understand! Thank you, Itachi!"
-
Hidden Cloud Village, on a secluded cliff.

Darui trained alone.

A burly figure appeared behind him.

Darui paused, then turned around: "BOSS."

“Those cheers from the audience, for you, are not encouragement, but rather a kind of humiliation,” Raikage said. “I understand that.”

He stepped forward and stood beside Darui, looking down at the village shrouded in mist below: "Therefore, what you are doing is the same as what he is doing, both of you are working for the benefit of the village."

Darui lowered his head and said, "It's my problem, Boss. I'm jealous of the status and reputation that someone my age has achieved."

"Because he was looked down upon, he became shaken and lost the composure that a ninja should have."

The Raikage shook his head, patting Darui's shoulder firmly. "No, Darui, this is not a problem."

"It is this competitive spirit that drives a person to constantly strive to become stronger."

"You have become even better by recognizing your shortcomings and choosing to temporarily suppress your personal desires and follow the village's arrangements in order to protect the more important goal of the village."

(End of this chapter)