The story revolved primarily around Yan this time.
When the Uchiha family meeting was convened, Yan didn't hold back. The elders were openly reprimanded for their inefficiency and outdated ideas. He didn't even spare Fuyue, questioning the validity of his decisions as the clan's patriarch.
"For the sake of the family's development," Yan stated coldly, "I sacrificed my own reputation, confronted powerful enemies, and even became a so-called gangster within the Konoha Police Department. What have any of you done?"
His words were sharp, his tone relentless. The room fell into silence. No one had the courage to retort.
"Everything is for the family?" Yan's gaze swept across the room.
While Tsunade was still off-duty and doing nothing of particular interest, a guest arrived at Yan's residence.
It was Hiko—returning to Konoha as if he owned the place. Naturally, his return was quickly reported to Fuyue. As expected, the patriarch showed up at Yan's door shortly afterward.
"Here," Hiko handed over a scroll. "Mission complete. Itachi and Jiraiya should return to Konoha shortly. If not today, definitely by tomorrow."
Being a clan mission, there was no need to visit the Hokage's office to report the completion or collect the reward. Everything could be routed through the clan head—Fuyue, in this case.
Yan liked the convenience of it.
Fuyue accepted the scroll without concern for Itachi's delayed return. A day's delay wasn't an issue—unless something went drastically wrong.
He took a sip from the tea Yan had served but immediately grimaced. Fuyue, a man who practiced the tea ceremony religiously, couldn't hide his disapproval. Yan's tea was far too crude.
Fuyue then changed the subject. "The Shimura clan has begun voicing complaints. The villagers' frustrations have shifted from the police department and Uchiha to them. Shimura's patriarch wants to meet with me."
"The patriarch agreed?" Yan raised an eyebrow.
Danzo and his entire clan were trouble. When Uchiha was being attacked by Danzo, the Shimura clan had not only watched with glee but fueled the fire. They'd backed Danzo at every turn, making them complicit.
And now they wanted peace?
"I didn't agree, and frankly, I have no intention of doing so. I'm not getting involved in this," Fuyue said casually, pretending he had no knowledge or part in it.
Recently, Fuyue had been observing the mood within the clan. To his surprise, the hostility directed at the village had lessened after Yan's actions against the Shimura clan.
"Good," Yan replied. His biggest worry had been Fuyue caving in behind his back, appeasing the Shimuras and ruining the momentum.
"But the Shimura patriarch didn't give up. He roped in Hyuga Hiashi as a middleman. The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. Since you've returned, I'd like you to go in my stead. Give them my regards—nothing more."
On the surface, the Hyuga and Uchiha clans appeared locked in a rivalry for dominance as the premier dōjutsu family. But their conflict was mostly superficial, focused on formalities or between younger members.
In reality, the two patriarchs had a cordial relationship. Unfortunately, due to political tensions, they could never be close allies.
Yan nodded. "Fine."
He'd give face to the Hyuga Clan—but the Shimura? Let them freeze in the wind.
As far as he was concerned, the Shimura clan had only just begun to pay for their crimes. Their role in Uchiha's fall was even greater than that of the Sarutobi. The current backlash was only the beginning. Real vengeance would come later.
Fuyue also brought up the ongoing issue of reorganizing the police department.
Yan shook his head. "You're going about it wrong. The hardline elders will never agree to reform. Trying to win them over is pointless."
He didn't mind helping, but Fuyue's indecisiveness was frustrating. The patriarch was simply not strong-willed enough. Yan would rather not get involved—but someone had to act.
"Am I going in the wrong direction?" Fuyue looked genuinely confused.
He had thought that reforming the police department would benefit everyone. The only obstacle seemed to be the elders.
But Yan scoffed. "Patriarch, you're stuck in a loop. You think change must be negotiated—but why? Are the elders even directly involved in the police department? Shouldn't you be working with the captains? Get their support, implement the changes, and announce it later."
Fuyue was stunned.
He had indeed been trying to push the idea through clan meetings, arguing with hardliners and neutrals alike. No wonder nothing got done.
Negotiations only led to bickering. Eventually, secrets were aired, and the in-fighting worsened.
Yan continued, "Don't negotiate. Work around them. Persuade the captains in private. Once you've secured their support, announce the changes publicly. Let the hardliners scream if they want. If they disagree, they can resign."
It was a clean solution.
Fuyue blinked, realization dawning. That was how he used to act before he became jaded—decisive and commanding. He hadn't become patriarch by cowering. When he was young, he took down those who opposed him and claimed the title through strength and vision.
Yan added one final note. "Just remember, everything must be framed as benefiting the entire Uchiha—not one faction. Use that language when persuading others."
Fuyue finally understood.
"I see..."
He looked as if a weight had lifted from his shoulders. The aura of a true clan head returned to him.
Internally, however, he was furious. So much wasted time. So many pointless arguments with the elders—all because he'd taken the wrong approach. In his heart, he cursed the elders thoroughly.
Though his face remained calm, inside, he was burning with rage.
Once he left Yan's home, things changed quickly.
Back at the police department, Fuyue summoned each team captain to his office—one by one.
Each conversation was held in strict confidence. Fuyue warned everyone: if a word of this got out, he would act mercilessly. He didn't care about factional ties or seniority. This was about the future of Uchiha—not internal politics.
If anyone dared leak information, they'd pay the price.
Under this warning, even the most arrogant hardliners fell silent.
Whether they liked it or not, they were all under the clan head's rule.
As expected, the police department's reform accelerated. Most captains agreed to support Fuyue, especially after he explained the benefits clearly and without threats.
A few remained hesitant—but their silence alone gave Fuyue justification to replace them.
"You disagree? Then you're in my way."
It was that simple.
And once the replacements were made, the reforms could proceed unhindered. Internal resistance was swept aside, and Fuyue regained full authority within the department.
For those who had doubted him—this was a powerful reminder of why he was the head of Uchiha. Anyone who underestimated him would suffer.
The clan had always demanded strength from its leaders, and Fuyue—finally—remembered how to wield his.
The restructuring of the police force was now in full swing.
And it had only just begun.