Chapter 4: 4.What Did the Uchiha Do Wrong to Deserve Punishment?
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-Dan Trigolden
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Kazuki's voice grew louder:
"Everyone, the police force is an organization led by the Uchiha, and our clan members who join the police force are law enforcement officers. As law enforcement officers, we should be concerned with handling various sudden incidents, not how to reduce complaints."
"Nonsense! Then tell me, how do we solve the complaint issue?" the Sixth Elder retorted angrily.
"Why should we solve it?" Kazuki replied with a scornful laugh.
"Isn't that something the Hokage's office should coordinate? Why push it onto our police force?
We keep restraining ourselves, but do those who make mistakes or commit crimes do the same?
Or does the Sixth Elder think that as law enforcement officers, our first priority when arriving at a scene should be to consider how to be gentle with others to avoid complaints?
Should we perhaps greet the criminals with a smile when we arrive?"
"Pfft~~~"
This remark made many people burst into laughter.
The Sixth Elder's face turned red with anger, unable to utter a word, clearly infuriated.
Unaffected, Kazuki continued:
"As the squad captain of the police force, I believe my team and I have done what we should. As for complaints, that is not our concern.
All kinds of troublesome, nasty tasks that offend people are handled by the police force, yet we receive the most complaints.
I just want to ask, why!!!"
Kazuki slammed the floor and shouted:
"This should be coordinated by the Hokage's office, so why is it our responsibility!!!"
"Well said! I agree with the captain. I'm fed up with it. Today we have restrictions, tomorrow we need to hold back. Why don't we just do nothing and wait for complaints every day?" Jiho was the first to respond.
His words resonated with many. Working in the police force, they had endured enough frustration, and everyone was holding in their anger.
With Kazuki leading, everyone's pent-up resentment and dissatisfaction erupted.
Many people cheered and applauded Kazuki.
The Sixth Elder's face turned black, and he fell silent. Fugaku, the clan leader, also looked displeased because Kazuki's words indirectly criticized his leadership, suggesting that the clan members suffered because of it.
"Enough."
Seeing more and more people agreeing with Kazuki, the Third Elder couldn't bear it any longer and loudly rebuked:
"How can this be tolerated? If you are uncomfortable, do you think we are any better off?
Uchiha Kazuki, by leading this, have you considered that the clan might be punished by the Hokage's office?"
As expected, the doves are all spineless.
Kazuki made no effort to hide the disdain and disgust in his eyes, asking contemptuously:
"Elder, please tell me, what did the Uchiha do wrong to deserve punishment?"
"Yes, what did we do wrong to deserve punishment?"
"Why!!"
"Why!!"
At this point, even the doves were feeling indignant. They were doing their jobs properly, yet they were misunderstood, complained about, and punished. What's the point of this?
"Exactly!!"
The hardliner Great Elder looked at Kazuki as if he had found a kindred spirit, and said loudly:
"The Uchiha have done nothing wrong, so why should we be punished? The complaint issue should be handled by the Hokage's office, not us. What do you think, clan leader?"
"...."
Fugaku's mouth twitched.
Even the hardliner elder was jumping in to fully support Kazuki. What could he, the clan leader, say?
Oppose?
Could he oppose in this situation?
Internally cursing, Fugaku could only nod slightly and say:
"I will report this to Hokage-sama at the Hokage's office tomorrow."
"Does anyone have anything else to say?"
After Kazuki's outburst, the issues that were supposed to be discussed at the clan meeting were overshadowed.
The monthly clan meeting ended hastily.
"Very good. The clan needs someone like you who can stand up for the clan, who dares to speak and act. Come see me sometime to chat."
Before leaving, the Great Elder didn't forget to warmly recruit Kazuki.
Regardless of his sincerity, at least he made a good show of it.
"Hahaha, great job, captain! Everyone admires you!"
Jiho was as happy as a child.
Most of the Uchiha in the police force were from the younger generation, and they shared a common trait: they couldn't tolerate injustice.
A seemingly chaotic clan meeting dispute had changed many people's view of Kazuki.
"Stop laughing. Go home and rest."
Kazuki sent Jiho away and waited at the shrine's entrance. Soon, Fugaku and his guards came out, and Fugaku signaled Kazuki to follow.
At Fugaku's signal, the two guards left.
It was just Kazuki and Fugaku walking along the road.
"The clan meeting put me in a difficult position."
"But that's a responsibility of the clan leader."
"You're right, it's my responsibility. I will personally report this to the Hokage's office. The clan members have indeed endured a lot these years."
Fugaku didn't shirk his responsibility. Even though he wouldn't receive a warm welcome at the Hokage's office, as the Uchiha clan leader, he had to shoulder the clan's burdens.
Stopping, Fugaku looked at Kazuki:
"Have you considered that by doing this, you'll become a target of suspicion for the higher-ups?"
"Does it matter?" Kazuki laughed.
The higher-ups had always targeted the Uchiha, getting more and more aggressive. The Uchiha would concede, and the higher-ups would push further.
Did the hardliners seem like they were just randomly staging a coup for no reason?
It was all driven by the Third Hokage and his group, step by step.
"I hope you won't regret this."
With that, Fugaku walked away. He didn't blame Kazuki for indirectly criticizing him or get angry at him for it.
Once this incident spread, Kazuki would undoubtedly become a key surveillance target for the higher-ups.
Because his actions had changed him from a non-confrontational Uchiha to a troublemaker on the front lines.
Watching Fugaku's retreating figure, Kazuki shook his head slightly.
They were all driven to this point. If it were possible to develop quietly, who would want to jump out?
If I don't step up now, it will be too late.
"Come out, you've been following me all the way."
Back home, Kazuki turned to face the dark alley.
From the shadows, Shisui emerged, his expression complicated: "Kazuki, your actions tonight were very dangerous. Have you joined the hardliners?"
Seeing the Great Elder trying to recruit Kazuki with sweet talk, Shisui had observed everything.
Though surprised by Kazuki's defiance at the clan meeting, he was more worried that Kazuki might join the hardliners and tread the path of a coup.