Konoha Notes

Isn't Chapter 258 enough?
Watching Iruka-sensei bring that blond loser back, Sasuke's inexplicable frustration quietly dissipated.

This may prove that he is not easily ambushed, and that the previous two attacks were just accidents.

Therefore, when the school bell rang, Sasuke's steps on his way home were even lighter than when he came in the morning.

As he walked through the familiar streets, he caught a glimpse of several ninjas wearing headbands and uniforms marked with police insignia. But Sasuke didn't approach them.

These people were not the standard police force members he knew.

Some of them had dogs with them, some wore sunglasses, and some had completely white eyes.

Hinata, Aburame, and Inuzuka.

They act as a police force, carrying out the task of maintaining public order, but they are not members of the Uchiha clan.

A subtle sense of alienation washed over him. Sasuke silently walked past them and continued toward the clan's territory.

The iconic, towering gate of the ancestral lands was now in sight. In the twilight, a familiar figure stood there.

It's the father.

Sasuke instinctively quickened his pace, almost jogging. However, just as he got closer, he realized that there was another person standing next to his father.

Hiashi Hyuga is the head of the Hyuga clan. He is also currently the vice captain of the police force.

The sound of their conversation drifted over, and Sasuke slowed his pace.

"...Considering the venue area outside the village, its usage frequency will increase in the future," Hiashi Hyuga said. "Based on the trend, starting next year, the village intends to adjust it to a year-round operation mode. The surge in people will inevitably bring new pressure to the overall security of the surrounding area and even the village. Therefore, the higher-ups hope that our police force can come up with an effective solution to this."

Fugaku Uchiha's face remained expressionless: "Vice-Captain Hiashi, do you have any objections?"

Hiashi Hyuga didn't react to Fugaku's emphasis on the title, and continued, "The stadium area is some distance from the village headquarters. To ensure the safety of this area, it would be inefficient and exhausting to frequently transfer personnel from headquarters."

"Why not apply to the village to set up a permanent duty station near the venue area, where team members can take turns resting and replenishing supplies? This way, we can respond quickly in case of emergencies."

After a long pause, Uchiha Fugaku finally spoke: "Does the vice-captain of Hiashi suggest setting up a branch of the police force in the stadium area?"

Hiashi Hyuga replied, "Captain Fugaku, you flatter me. At present, it is just a base for the team to rest and resupply when carrying out long patrol missions. Its core purpose is to improve the efficiency of responding to emergencies."

Fugaku's brows furrowed, forming a very shallow "川" (river) shape. He tilted his head slightly, his peripheral vision glancing at Sasuke, who stood quietly to the side, but quickly returning to Hiashi Hyuga.

"I am aware of your proposal."

"I will make a decision on the specific response after considering it."

Upon hearing this, Hiashi Hyuga said no more, only bowing slightly: "I understand. Then, I will await the captain's message."

Fugaku turned around and looked at his young son, who had been waiting quietly.

"We're home, Sasuke."

"Yes, father."

Sasuke responded and quickly followed his father's steps, but couldn't help turning back to look in the direction where Hyuga Hiashi had left.

The atmosphere before dinner was somewhat heavy. Fugaku didn't show his usual concern for Sasuke's training progress or inquire about his schoolwork.

He simply leaned against the porch, gazing at the small fishpond in the courtyard.

Sasuke sat quietly on the side of the wall not far away, watching his father's back.

This tranquil atmosphere lasted until the end of dinner.

The soft sound of a door being pulled open came from the entryway.

"I am back."

Mikoto Uchiha smiled and said, "Welcome back, Itachi. Have you had dinner?"

“It’s already been used,” Itachi replied, then stepped aside. “Father, Mother, Senior has come to visit.”

Fugaku Uchiha had already heard the second set of footsteps and had come out. His gaze passed over his eldest son and landed on the figure stepping out from behind him. "Shuji." After thinking it over, he finally chose this form of address.

Mikoto smiled and looked at Sasuke, who had come out with her: "Sasuke, go and review your lessons."

“But…yes.” Sasuke glanced at his mother’s eyes, then at the visiting guest, and finally obediently agreed, heading towards his room.

In the living room, Uchiha Mikoto served tea and then closed the door and left.

The weasel stood to one side.

Fugaku Uchiha and Shuji sat facing each other across a low table.

"I apologize for visiting today without prior notice, Mr. Fugaku," Shuji broke the silence.

The Uchiha clan leader did not respond to this polite remark.

"Hiashi Hyuga proposes today that a duty station be set up in the venue area outside the village."

"Is this the village's opinion?"

This is why Fugaku did not reject Hyuga Hiashi directly.

He wasn't sure whether it was the village's idea to do this, or whether it was Hiashi Hyuga's suggestion to gain real power within the police force.

After all, with Fugaku having to stay at headquarters, the most suitable person to lead the troops at the duty station was Hyuga Hiashi, who was the vice-captain.

Shuji picked up his teacup, took a sip, and gave a clear answer in the face of Fugaku Uchiha's gaze.

"Yes."

Fugaku's fingers tightened slightly without him noticing.

"Isn't the current situation enough?"

Shuji put down his teacup, making a slight clinking sound.

"Compared to your initial mental preparation of either handing over the police force or rebelling, isn't the current situation enough?"

"Although I have never promised anything to the Uchiha."

“However, given the current situation,” Shuuji’s gaze swept over Itachi beside him before finally returning to Fugaku’s face, “it shouldn’t be considered a betrayal of Mr. Fugaku’s sincerity in having Itachi deliver that list to me.”

“There are Uchiha in the Anbu, there are Uchiha in the Ninja Academy, and even other administrative departments have members of the Uchiha clan one after another.”

"Uchiha who committed serious mistakes were basically handed over to Itachi for supervision."

"As for the Uchiha clan, Shimura Danzo, the village's biggest opponent, is also dead."

His tone remained calm: "Is there a problem with setting up just one branch?"

"You will remain in charge of the police headquarters. The Hyuga clan is indeed not suitable for duty in the village, so the stadium area will be handled by Hyuga Hiashi."

Fugaku Uchiha remained silent.

He then said, "This will cause opposition within the clan."

“The village didn’t want to make things too difficult for you, so they had Hiashi Hyuga propose setting up a checkpoint instead of issuing a direct order.” Seeing that Fugaku’s attitude had softened, Shuji continued, his tone more gentle. “This doesn’t involve personnel changes at headquarters.”

"As for the future, it would be natural to send a high-ranking person in charge after the size of the patrol team outside the village is expanded. But for now, this is just a functional outpost."

Say it.

His gaze became exceptionally calm: "If the village has already done this much and it's still not enough, then it can only mean that the village has given up too much."

"Mr. Fugaku".

(End of this chapter)