Chapter 35: The Police Department Reopens, and Uchiha Eighty-Eight Goes Mad!

Their eyes flickered, lips curled in cold smirks.

What had to come, finally arrived.

It’s not easy to take advantage of the village, but what to do next still depends on Uchiha Jin’s thoughts.

All eyes turned to Uchiha Jin, who wasted no words: “Eighty-Eight, Itachi handle this.”

“Me?” Eighty-Eight was startled.

Uchiha Jin slowly nodded.

A faint smile appeared on his face, then he added: “Itachi’re one of the leaders of the moderate faction—the village doesn’t suspect Itachi. Your presence will lull them into false security.”

“Also bring twenty squads of genin to set up the basic structure of the Police Department.”

“Remember, if any unexpected situation arises, your only strategy is one word… delay!”

“If the Hokage demands an explanation, say the clan just relocated and everything is still chaotic—we simply can’t spare more personnel right now.”

“If the village keeps pressuring Itachi, say the Uchiha are willing to abandon the Police Department—let any other clan take it if they want it.”

In the past, Uchiha Jin had agonized over who would take this mess.

After all, he needed daily time to restore his ocular power, manage clan affairs, outmaneuver the village, and oversee the big picture—he couldn’t pour all his energy into the Police Department.

Now? Perfect!

Since both the moderate and centrist factions have defected to us, handing this task to the moderates will yield better results.

And as for that—

Though Eighty-Eight had little confidence, he ultimately accepted the burden.

“Alright, understood.”

“I’ll strictly follow Jin’s instructions and do my best to manage the Police Department.”

…

Time slowly passed.

Though the Uchiha had moved their clan grounds, they stabilized quickly.

After all, compared to their previous edge-of-village home where they’d lived only a few years, they’d resided here much longer.

Uchiha Jin nearly went into seclusion.

Aside from dedicating two hours daily to ninjutsu training and light stretching, he spent all other time at home.

All to—restore his ocular power!

During his previous clash with Danzo, he had expended nearly three percent of his ocular power to fully intimidate the village's high-ranking officials.

To remain at peak readiness, he needed to fully restore that power.

As for village and clan intrigues, he only ensured the overall situation stayed stable, leaving the details to subordinates.

For other clans, such delegation might have been welcomed.

The Uchiha were an exception!

Regardless of faction, nearly all were single-minded—capable of fighting on the battlefield, but utterly unfit for bureaucratic work.

Had Uchiha Jin not forced them, they’d have quit outright!

Especially the Police Department!

Previously, even though Fugaku was indecisive, he was at least steady; now, with Eighty-Eight in charge—even though he was a moderate—the mountain of paperwork nearly drove him insane.

…

Eight a.m., Police Department.

Eighty-Eight had just sat down in his office when someone knocked.

Hearing the knock, his lips twitched, and his head throbbed.

But, sigh!

After a weary sigh, he spoke weakly:

“Come in.”

“Eighty-Eight-sama!”

A Uchiha genin entered and knelt on one knee: “Those troublemakers are back again asking for the case outcome—should we keep stalling them?”

“The case is clear: a man ate without paying. Everyone knows that local thug—just arrest him!”

The genin’s face was strained, on the verge of tears.

Yes!

Because of Uchiha Jin’s new rules, they were being tortured beyond endurance.

Problems that used to be solved in minutes now required entire procedural manuals—leaving this illiterate bunch utterly baffled.

And as for that—

Eighty-Eight, hearing this, spoke wearily: “Do Itachi have evidence?”

“This…?” The genin gave up: “Many villagers saw it!”

Eighty-Eight rolled his eyes: “Then go find those witnesses. Record their statements. Get their signatures and thumbprints.”

“They won’t.” The genin shook his head.

Eighty-Eight continued: “Do ideological work on them!”

“It won’t work!” The genin nearly cried: “No one wants to testify!”

“Eating without paying is a one-hour offense—maximum one month in jail. Those villagers won’t testify because they fear the thug will come after them when he’s released.”

“This case is stuck!”

The genin poured out his grievances.

But unfortunately—

Eighty-Eight had nearly heard it all to the point of nausea; he cut him off before he finished.

“Enough, shut up!”

“Talking to me won’t help—it’s Jin’s rule. Follow the procedure.”

“If ideological work fails, keep doing it!”

“As long as the Police Department is making an effort, who cares if the case gets resolved? I never set a deadline, did I?”

“Take your time!”

The genin stared blankly, itching to curse.

Yes!

The higher-ups didn’t set KPIs, but those troublemakers camped outside the Police Department daily—driving him mad!

He instinctively spoke: “But—”

“No buts!” Eighty-Eight cut him off: “That’s final. Get out!”

The genin held back a flood of words, then swallowed them again.

Finally, sigh!

After another weary sigh, he left reluctantly.

Watching the office fall silent again, Eighty-Eight relaxed slightly, then couldn’t help letting out a long sigh.

So frustrating!

But unfortunately—

Before he could finish his lament, the familiar knock came again.

Eighty-Eight’s temple veins bulged.

“Come in!”

“Eighty-Eight-sama, I—”

“Recorded statements? Found evidence? Completed the case procedure?”

“This—no!”

“Get out! Follow the procedure!”

“But—”

“No buts! Get out!”

Immediately—

The officer who had just entered quickly fled the office.

Ten minutes later.

The familiar knock sounded again.

This time, Eighty-Eight, utterly enraged, abandoned his moderate demeanor entirely—he flung open his door and roared:

“Record statements! Find physical evidence! Find witnesses!”

“Until the full procedure is completed, no one is allowed to bother me in this office!”

“Get out! Get out! Get out!”

“Get the hell out now!”

“If I see Itachi bastards again, I’ll burn Itachi all to ash with a Great Fireball!”