Chapter 81: Enough, Koharu, I Am the Hokage

The public's resentment boiled over almost in an instant, so fast that Hui barely had time to react. To avoid hurting the row of helpers, Hui immediately formed hand seals and summoned several Shadow Clones to block the crowd.

Although Shadow Clones couldn't withstand too much impact, stopping some ordinary people with a ninja's strength posed no pressure for Hui.

The three of them withdrew. Passing by the street corner, the steamed bun shop owner was craning his neck to watch the commotion. Seeing the Police Department arrest Ye Ben Rou Song, he was startled.

"Oh no, oh no, they're really, really arresting people!"

Hui glanced back at him and said directly, "Send the buns to the Police Department later. Make them plenty, make them big. Dare to cut corners, and you're next!"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!"

The steamed bun shop owner stood ramrod straight, answering loudly with a tearful voice, then ran back into his shop sobbing.

At the same time, the same thing was playing out on every street in Muye Cun. Behind each arrested vendor trailed a large crowd of Muye villagers, ceaselessly cursing.

They seemed to have found an outlet, venting all the misfortune and dissatisfaction of their recent lives onto these vendors.

This terrified the other small merchants who had once offended the Uchiha, making them fear they might be next. They even hid far away in corners, not daring to show their faces, whenever they saw Police Department personnel.

It also greatly intrigued the passing ninja.

Such a large-scale operation naturally couldn't be hidden. It spread throughout Muye Cun by that morning, and the three advisors soon got word.

Danzo was still nursing his anger. Fortunately, part of the funding he had fought for at the Jonin Council meeting had suddenly been approved for some reason, and the Root organization had been separated from the Anbu and returned to his control.

Now he wanted to continue building his Root organization, so upon hearing the news, he only cursed "Those evil Uchiha" and paid it no further mind.

Koharu Utatane was displeased. She had wanted to come with Homura Mitokado to discuss matters with the Third, but Homura refused, citing the recent busy affairs of the logistics unit.

Koharu Utatane had no choice but to come alone.

When she arrived at the Hokage Building, she learned about the patrol mission. Furious, she ran straight to the Third's office, kicked open the door, and demanded, "Rizhan, do you know what you're doing?"

The Third was busy using the Water Crystal Ball to survey the area near the Uchiha clan compound. Hearing the door kicked open, he almost thought Danzo had arrived.

"It was the teacher's idea to keep the Uchiha confined to the Police Department. Don't you understand the teacher's intent?

How could you agree to let them find replacements? And a C-rank mission was raised to A-rank, with such generous rewards—what exactly are you trying to do?"

The Third had just breathed a sigh of relief when Koharu Utatane launched another barrage of questions. "And what about those Police Department thugs running around the village persecuting innocent villagers? Do you know about that? What's going on with this Shisui Uchiha?

Wasn't he in the Anbu? How can he still hold a post in the Police Department? On his very first day in the Police Department, he's turned the whole Muye Cun upside down. You should immediately summon Fugaku for questioning!"

Seeing Koharu Utatane rambling on, the Third frowned deeply, puffing on his pipe with a *baji baji* sound.

After a moment, Koharu Utatane noticed the Third wasn't saying a word and gradually sensed something was wrong. She fell silent.

"Rizhan, I'm doing this for your own good. Shisui Uchiha doing this will only—"

"Enough!"

The Third was already irritated. Hearing this, he finally lost his patience and asked in a low voice, "Who instigated those vendors? Hoarding goods, disrupting market prices, harming the people's livelihood—can arresting such people possibly be unjust?"

"They just refused to sell things to the Uchiha. It was a normal transaction, a matter of mutual consent—how does that make them enemy spies harming the people's livelihood?"

"So you're saying you know they were instigated by someone?"

Koharu Utatane was struck silent. She quickly skipped that topic and continued, "But you can't let others replace the Uchiha on patrol. Don't you understand how big a risk that is?"

The Third had nothing to say on this matter and didn't intend to explain. He said directly, "I've already agreed. Let it be. Don't interfere."

"Rizhan!"

"Enough, Koharu. I am the Hokage!" The Third roared. Koharu Utatane froze on the spot. She opened her mouth but couldn't utter a word, so she just snorted and turned to leave.

After she left, the Third sighed. The earliest he could let them know about the Uchiha's planned Coup was the ninth day; otherwise, there would be no room for negotiation left.

"Shisui, the safety of Muye rests on you. Don't let me down."

At the Police Department, after throwing Ye Ben Rou Song and the others into prison, Hui went to report to Shisui.

"Everyone's been arrested. What do we do with them next?"

Hui naturally knew whether these people had colluded with the enemy, so he was curious about how to handle them.

"Ignore them for now. Separate the helpers from them. We'll deal with it later once the situation stabilizes."

As long as these people didn't show their faces, they weren't important. Shisui also had no time for interrogations.

After a brief reply, he instructed, "Everyone will be back soon. Brother Hui, go to the street and prepare lunch for everyone. The ninja who took the mission will be arriving soon. Remember to buy plenty—we'll be busy today."

Hui immediately nodded in agreement. "Don't worry, I'm on it."

Not long after Hui left, the other Police Department members returned one after another. They had moved quickly, completing the arrest and propaganda missions before noon and returning to headquarters.

"I've submitted the restructuring plan to the Third Hokage and Clan Leader Fugaku, and it has been approved.

Additionally, I've issued commission missions to our other comrades in Muye. Those who accepted will arrive shortly.

However, there are no new Police Department uniforms in the warehouse. I hope you can lend your clothes to them temporarily."

Shisui had effectively taken control of the Police Department, and everyone standing here was a well-trained Elite Forces ninja. Upon hearing the order, they immediately shed their outer garments.

Tie Huo stood to the side, quite surprised. He had expected at least some complaints, but they were this cooperative.

Just as everyone had taken off their clothes, someone came to Shisui's side to report, "Several ninja who accepted the mission have arrived to confirm the mission details. Should we let them in now?"

Shisui nodded, and the man went to bring the outside ninja in. Shisui was taken aback when he saw the face of the one leading them.

"Lord Shisui!"

"Jonin Kozumi!"

The newcomer was none other than Kozumi Satsuki, a Special Jonin who had come to reinforce the western front back then, only to be rescued by Shisui and his men instead.

"It really is Lord Shisui!"

Kozumi Satsuki's expression was excited as he quickly stepped up to Shisui. "Your subordinate heard that Lord Shisui had entered the Police Department and issued this mission, so I rushed over. It's so good to see you here again."

Shisui was also overjoyed. He looked at Kozumi Satsuki, then at some of the others behind him—many of whom were subordinates he had once gifted ninjutsu to. A myriad of emotions welled up, hard to put into words.

*'One who gains the Way has many allies; one who loses the Way has few.'*

Sima Yi's teaching flashed through his mind, and he gained a new understanding.

"No, it's wonderful that you're all willing to come and help."

The Police Department ninja stood to the side, exchanging glances. Though they didn't know these people, seeing how respectful they were toward Shisui made them feel proud, and they all puffed out their chests.

When meeting their gazes, (they) even showed a faint smile they considered gentle.

I still thought it was updated at ten yesterday, only just realized it was at eight, almost forgot.

(End of chapter)