Uchiha's personal opinion

Meanwhile, the Uchiha clan's police department reform is in full swing.

The first step in the reform was to change the nameplates of the various departments in the police department building, followed by the reorganization of personnel.

Uchiha Tokumitsu had long anticipated that the police department's plan would be rejected by the Hokage's faction, so he didn't take the Hokage's edict seriously.

Uchiha Tokumitsu crumpled the Hokage's edict into a ball right in front of the Anbu and casually threw it into the trash can next to him.

The ANBU member, who was used to wanting to get angry, dared not act rashly because of the watchful eyes of the Uchiha Jonin around him. After standing there for a while, he turned around and left without saying anything.

The specific personnel arrangements and divisions after the police department reforms fall under the authority of Uchiha Yomo, who is the chief of staff. Uchiha Tokumitsu will not interfere in this matter to avoid causing internal conflicts within the clan.

However, Uchiha Yomo was a sensible person. In the name of his meritorious reforms, he granted Uchiha Tokumitsu and his successor Uchiha Fugaku the rank of police superintendent in the police department.

Although this might seem like using public office for private gain, the Uchiha also have to consider human relationships. Uchiha Tokumitsu and Uchiha Fugaku are both heirs who will inevitably take power in the future, and they are only holding the titles without actually holding any positions, so the Uchiha ninjas have no objections.

However, Uchiha Yomo's actions made Uchiha Tokumitsu look at him in a different light.

I didn't expect him to grasp the function of ranks so quickly. He truly deserves to be called a rare talent in political maneuvering within the Uchiha clan.

In Uchiha Tokumitsu's police department reform plan, ranks and positions are different. Ranks are for life and also represent the qualifications of the police department's head officer in the corresponding position.

Since holding a corresponding position can lead to the corresponding rank, conversely, having a corresponding rank also gives one the opportunity to hold a corresponding commanding position.

This means that Uchiha Fugaku could directly enter the police headquarters as a mid-level officer under a certain name after the initial personnel reorganization of the police department, without having to follow the previous practice of starting from the bottom.

Uchiha Tokumitsu naturally had no objection to this; he had more important things to do.

That is to expand the police outposts established by the Uzumaki clan into a branch of the Uchiha police force, thereby truly binding the Uzumaki clan to the Uchiha's chariot.

Although the Hokage's office has issued an order that does not allow the police department to establish additional police offices, Uchiha Tokumitsu sees this as nothing more than a change of name.

However, this matter requires the approval of the Ashina clan chief of the Uzumaki clan.

Uchiha Tokumitsu ordered his men to prepare some gifts and send a formal invitation to the Uzumaki clan in advance. Only after receiving a reply from the Uzumaki clan did he arrive at their territory with the gifts.

"How has Chief Ashina been lately?"

When he needed something from someone, Uchiha Tokumitsu naturally showed great friendliness.

"Thank you for your concern, Tokumitsu-kun. I am doing well." Uzumaki Ashina, who personally arrived at the entrance of the clan's territory to greet them, showed no airs whatsoever and said cheerfully, "The sentry posts set up by the police department have played a great role, allowing our descendants to live and recuperate in peace."

Ashina's words were like a reassurance to Tokumitsu Uchiha.

The police department reform plan devised by the Uchiha clan has already begun to circulate in certain circles of the village, so it's not surprising that Uzumaki Ashina learned of this and guessed Uchiha Tokumitsu's intentions.

Ashina Uzumaki, accompanied by Tokumitsu Uchiha, slowly walked through the Uzumaki clan's territory, explaining the current situation of the Uzumaki clan one by one.

Although the Uzumaki clan has undergone a period of recuperation, it has only been able to heal those who were seriously injured in the war in the Land of Whirlpools; the clan's population has not yet increased.

In the vast ancestral land, the people walking around were mostly of all ages, with very few young and middle-aged people.

"Chief Ashina just mentioned the role of the police department's sentry posts. Could you elaborate?" Uchiha Tokumitsu continued, following the topic initiated by Ashina Uzumaki. "For a long time, I've been away on campaigns with Sakumo-kun, so I haven't paid much attention to the police department..."

"Ugh……"

Ashina Uzumaki sighed, "Unidentified individuals have attempted to infiltrate the Uzumaki clan's territory several times. Fortunately, the police sentries detected them in time, preventing any disaster. However, the clan members were still quite frightened as a result..."

Were there any casualties?

Uchiha Tokumitsu frowned.

“No…” Ashina Uzumaki shook his head and said, “The intruders retreated on their own after being discovered by the ninjas stationed at the police outpost. To prevent it from being a feint by the enemy, I specifically instructed the police not to pursue them…”

"So, the Ashina clan chief means... that the identity of the intruders hasn't been determined either?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu's tone became slightly serious.

But inside, I was already overjoyed.

It's like someone just delivered a pillow when you're sleepy; it seems that tying the Uzumaki clan to the Uchiha clan's war chariot is indeed a possibility.

"It hasn't been determined... but what's certain is that the intruders were very familiar with the situation inside Konoha Village..."

Ashina Uzumaki said meaningfully.

"Does Chief Ashina think anyone might be responsible?" Uchiha Tokumitsu probed. "The police department can detain suspects without evidence. As long as Chief Ashina requests it, the police department will do its best to cooperate."

"There are no suspects at the moment..."

Ashina Uzumaki seemed startled by Tokumitsu Uchiha's words and quickly said, "There's no need for unwarranted arrests and detentions; it would damage the reputation of the police department..."

Reputation?

Where does the police department get its reputation?

Especially after the police department began its reforms and expansion, Uchiha Tokumitsu could imagine how the villagers whose interests had been infringed upon would slander the Uchiha clan as the police department's power expanded further.

But Uchiha Tokumitsu didn't care about those insect-like comments; at the moment, all he could see was Uzumaki.

"Does Lord Mito know about this?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu asked casually.

"Lady Mito has returned to the Pure Land..." A trace of sorrow appeared on Ashina's face. "Those invasions... only happened after Lady Mito passed away..."

As the head of the Senju clan and the most senior member of the clan, Mito Uzumaki ensured that the clan could live a relatively worry-free life.

However, Mito Uzumaki would inevitably be an old man from the Warring States period. Even with immense power, she could only return to the Pure Land of the Dead in the face of the unstoppable force of time.

The Uzumaki clan, having lost their protection and having no foothold in Konoha, immediately began to face the covetous gazes of a pack of wolves.

They went their separate ways!

Uchiha Tokumitsu was even happier inside!

The Uzumaki clan also had the idea of ​​aligning themselves with the Uchiha clan, which was excellent news for Uchiha Tokumitsu.

As a powerful ninja clan, the Uzumaki clan far surpasses the Uchiha clan in reputation and has a certain influence in Konoha's culture, as evidenced by the Uzumaki clan mark on the Jonin uniforms.

Although the Uzumaki clan doesn't have much power right now, that doesn't matter. Uchiha Tokumitsu only needs the Uzumaki clan's reputation to support the Uchiha clan.

It couldn't be more perfect.

We really have to thank that big idiot Danzo.

Uchiha Tokumitsu thought to himself with a smug satisfaction.

"My deepest condolences to Chief Ashina..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu offered some polite words of comfort, then naturally changed the subject: "Where is your granddaughter? Isn't she in the clan compound?"

"After Lady Mito passed away, Kushina stayed at the Senju residence to receive her education..." Ashina Uzumaki sighed, somewhat helplessly.

“Oh…” Uchiha Tokumitsu said casually, “There are some frost persimmons brought back from the Land of Grass among the gifts. They’re not worth much, but they taste very good. I thought Kushina would like them, so I sent some over as well.”

Uchiha Tokumitsu skillfully defused the situation and continued the conversation, never bringing up the topic again.

Another piece of confirmed information is that after Mito Uzumaki passed away, Kushina Uzumaki succeeded her as the second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

The next thing the police department needs to keep an eye on is whether Kushina Uzumaki will go to the Konoha Ninja Academy as her original memories suggest.

"Chief Ashina, I have a request..." After a brief conversation, Uchiha Tokumitsu formally stated the core purpose of his visit.

"Please speak, Deguang-kun. The Uzumaki clan will do everything in its power!"

Ashina Uzumaki was also straightforward.

"The police department is undergoing institutional reforms, which will involve significant adjustments to the existing structure... You just mentioned the police department's outposts, so could you please suggest that they be upgraded to branches of the police department?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu cut to the chase, "Similarly, to thank the Uzumaki clan for their support, the police department can also provide a certain number of positions to Uzumaki clan members..."

Ashina sighed and did not reply immediately.

Uchiha Tokumitsu wasn't in a hurry and continued to admire the scenery of the Uzumaki clan's territory.

After a long pause, Ashina Uzumaki finally spoke, "Can the police department provide us with a few slots?"

Just tell me how many you want!

Uchiha Tokumitsu was overjoyed.

Chapter 111 Overt and covert fighting

After receiving the approval of the Ashina clan chief of the Uzumaki clan, the Uzumaki branch of the Konoha Police Department was officially established.

Meanwhile, five members of the Vortex Clan joined the Vortex Division of the Police Department.

This news has attracted widespread attention from all the major ninja clans in Konoha.

Although the Uzumaki clan has declined, it is still a powerful clan, having once been a staunch ally of the Senju clan.

In particular, most of Konoha's sealing techniques were given to them by the previous Uzumaki clan leader, Ashina, and the Uzumaki clan emblem is also on the uniforms of Konoha Jonin.

No matter how weak they are, it doesn't mean the Uzumaki clan has no influence.

This is especially true for those ancient ninja clans.

As is well known, the police department has always been the exclusive domain of the Uchiha clan since its establishment, and no outsiders have ever joined. However, five Uzumaki ninjas have suddenly broken with tradition and joined the police department. They even set up a so-called Uzumaki branch for this purpose. Even without mentioning the Uzumaki clan's purpose and motives, the name of this so-called police branch alone is enough to make people think.

Has the Uzumaki clan truly begun to form an alliance with the Uchiha clan?

Not to mention the other ninja clans in Konoha, even Tsunade was stunned by the shock.

Is it because Senju has gone into seclusion and his name is no longer known that the Uzumaki clan needs to find new allies?

Or is there some other unspeakable reason behind this?

Tsunade was at a loss as to what to do.

Regardless of how the rumors evolved, the Uchiha and Uzumaki police department's Uzumaki branch officially opened the day after its establishment.

Uchiha Kazumi, a former captain of the police force and a trusted confidant of the clan leader, personally led his 42 subordinate ninjas to officially assume the position of chief officer of the Uzumaki branch of the police force, while Uzumaki Yasuharu, a member of the Uzumaki clan recommended by Uzumaki Ashina, served as his adjutant.

After discussions between the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans, the Uzumaki branch adopted a structure similar to that of the police headquarters, internally divided into several specialized police groups.

其中，巡逻组编制24员、搜检组编制12员、机动组编制12员、突击组编制12员、财务及预决算组编制6员；包括正副主官在内，分局编制人数高达六十八员。

Although the number of people from both groups is currently insufficient to fill all the staff positions in the branch, neither side is concerned, as the most urgent task is to get things running smoothly.

Meanwhile, Fugaku Uchiha secured a position as a patrol team leader at the Uzumaki branch office.

Uchiha Tokumitsu also obtained the position of head of the Anti-Illegal Organization and Counter-Espionage Group under the Police Department Headquarters.

Although the atmosphere within Konoha became increasingly strange with the establishment and operation of the Uzumaki branch of the police department, the Uchiha clan members paid no attention and immediately devoted themselves to Konoha's security and law enforcement work according to their respective duties.

The merchants in Konoha were extremely nervous.