Naruto: Uchiha Rejects Konoha

"Of course, there is no grudge between me and the captain.

We're just discussing the facts.

Although your position is higher than mine in the police department, I still insist that when in a position, one should fulfil their own responsibilities.

Your work attitude is simply unacceptable. What beneficial effect does it bring to the police department?" Yūhi Kurenai stated condescendingly. Due to their difference in age and height, even though Yagami was standing, he had to tilt his head slightly to address Kurenai—especially now, sitting in his chair.

"Stop! You talk about fulfilling responsibilities so well…" Yagami's Chakra surged, instantly sealing the door of the office. He didn't mind being picked on, but he wouldn't tolerate baseless accusations.

"Oh, does the captain intend to use force on me?" Kurenai shifted into a fighting stance, but the moment her eyes met Yagami's, her body froze.

Then, the Chakra she had gathered dissipated, and her body went limp.

"No need for that; I just want to clarify a few things with you. And by the way, you have a remarkable talent for genjutsu." Yagami stood up, walked over to Kurenai, and folded his arms, looking down at her.

"Darn it… am I still not eating enough? Why haven't I grown any taller after all this time…"

"You're mocking me!" A surge of anger flashed in Kurenai's eyes. Previously, if Yagami had praised her genjutsu talent, she might have taken it in stride. 

But just now, after breaking her illusion with a single glance and trapping her in his own, he mentioned her talent again—it felt like humiliation, plain and simple.

"That wasn't my intent; it was a subconscious remark. Although I don't know why you're hostile toward me, I think you need to understand a few things about the police department. Come with me." Yagami opened the door, glancing back at Yūhi Kurenai. His earlier words weren't an excuse.

There are few genjutsu-specialist ninjas in Konoha; apart from the Uchiha, the Yūhi clan is already a well-regarded genjutsu clan.

But in the shinobi world, bloodline advantages are significant. While others must put in immense effort to reach a certain level, Uchiha can achieve it with ease simply by unlocking the three-tomoe Sharingan.

Forget about genjutsu masters like Itachi and Shisui—even Uchiha members with only moderate genjutsu skills, like Sasuke, can use genjutsu effectively enough to subdue opponents like Danzo.

The Sharingan's three stages—single-tomoe insight, double-tomoe copying, and three-tomoe genjutsu—mean that a Uchiha with the three-tomoe Sharingan has a natural mastery of genjutsu. Even without formal training, they achieve impressive results.

However, the true strength of genjutsu depends on the individual's understanding and use of it. There is a gap between Uchiha who excel in genjutsu and those who do not, though it's unrelated to their eyes.

"You used to be active in Anbu, right? I understand you may not know the current structure of the police department, so let me explain, so you can see exactly what responsibilities my position entails."

Since the police department's reformation, a liaison system has been established. Members from major shinobi clans are in the police department, and each clan's selected liaison acts as an intermediary between the captain and squad leaders.

It's not an exaggeration to call them squadron leaders.

Liaisons typically handle affairs for their clan members within the department, including assigning patrol teams and managing villagers' complaints.

"I don't micromanage the shinobi in the police department, nor can I.

As the captain, my job is to divide the village into various sectors, assign them to the respective shinobi, and, of course, manage the Uchiha."

"And the same applies to civilian ninjas in the police department, such as your situation." Yagami gestured toward the liaison office window in the police department lobby, noting that Kurenai's family was small, not even considered part of the Jōnin clans. "The only difference between her and a common civilian ninja is her ninja heritage.

Naturally, a small clan like hers doesn't have a dedicated liaison in the police department, so they fall under my jurisdiction as captain, just like other civilian ninjas."

"These ninjas prefer not to have outsiders meddling in their clan affairs, so I don't interfere as long as they handle things on their own without causing issues for me."

"I haven't seen you assigning any tasks, though," Kurenai retorted. "I've been in the police department for several days, and I haven't even seen you here."

"As captain, I could arrange your missions and team assignments, but if I do that, what separates me from the liaisons? I am still the head of the police department. I personally handle patrol and security assignments. If I were unreasonable about the candidates or sectors, what purpose would the liaisons serve?"

"Besides, you've been here a few days. Haven't your tasks and teammates been properly assigned? Have you ever found yourself idle in the police department? I'm the team leader, not a liaison.

Uchiha's liaison is our Fifth Elder; he oversees these matters. So, do you now understand why putting those documents on my desk was unnecessary?"

Seriously! If the leader had to handle everything personally, what would the others be doing—raising pigs?

"Even so, there was still negligence when Uchiha was managing the police department. You can't say it wasn't due to your work attitude!" Kurenai was silent for a moment, but then her emotions flared.

What? Ever since I took over the police department, I've implemented reforms! Besides, the only real trouble was Danzo and his root operations! Is that negligence?

Wait! The way she's talking makes it sound like this is about Uchiha's past management of the police department. Although the department is still under Uchiha's control in name, the structure is different now…

Yagami suddenly recalled that Kurenai's father, Yūhi Shinku, had died during the Nine Tails' attack when the police department hadn't been involved in the defence against the beast.

Could it be that her animosity stems from that event?

Damn it! Were the Uchiha and the police departments blamed for that incident? If Konoha's higher-ups hadn't restrained them, Fugaku would have stepped in with reinforcements in an instant!

Danzo again… stirring things up from behind the scenes.

"I don't intend to explain much about the Nine Tails incident.

Whether Uchiha neglected their duties then is something the village's senior management knows well.

If you want answers, speak to the Third Hokage.

Whether or not Uchiha is as before, we owe nothing to Konoha and haven't wronged anyone in the village.

If you believe I'm unfit as captain, you can take it up with the Third Hokage—I'm not attached to this position."

Uchiha is unpopular in the village not only due to political targeting but also due to lingering resentment from the Nine-Tails attack. The culprit wielded Sharingan, casting immediate suspicion on the Uchiha.

Furthermore, while most of Konoha's forces fought the Nine-Tails, only Root stayed out of sight, and Uchiha's absence from the battle raised suspicions. For those affected by the incident, animosity toward the Uchiha became deeply ingrained.

Yagami understood that Uchiha Obito was responsible for the attack, not the Uchiha clan residing in Konoha. But who would believe that if he tried to explain?

At the time, Danzo's manipulation ensured the police department couldn't act. Now that Root is disbanded and Danzo is imprisoned, the matter has little bearing on the present.

Unless the Third Hokage completely denounces Danzo and Uchiha can produce evidence linking the masked man to Uchiha Obito, clearing this up is difficult.

Yagami ignored Kurenai's astonished expression and left without further conversation. He had no interest in appeasing her resentment; the Uchiha weren't responsible for that tragedy. Why should he take responsibility for someone else's pain?

Today's encounter served as a reminder: if Uchiha ever intends to break ties with Konoha, it should be thorough. Uchiha won't shoulder the blame for the Nine Tails incident!

Two conditions are essential to remove this stain. First, Danzo's role in preventing Uchiha from engaging the Nine Tails must be acknowledged. Given his current situation, this is feasible.

Although the Third Hokage insists on sparing Danzo's life, he has shown no intention of aiding him and hasn't visited him. Abandoning Danzo may just be a matter of time.

The other critical factor is identifying Uchiha Obito. According to Konoha's records, he is regarded as a fallen hero, with his name inscribed on the Memorial Stone.

Proving that this presumed-dead individual orchestrated the Nine Tails incident is exceedingly challenging, even if Mist Shinobi corroborated it.

After all, Mist Shinobi saw only a masked man—who could guarantee he was the instigator of the Nine-Tails Rebellion?

A mask and a Sharingan could belong to any three-tomoe Sharingan user. Judging by abilities alone isn't reliable.

Although Kamui is distinctive, few know of it, especially in Konoha. Only Namikaze Minato may have recognized it, but he's gone, and even if he were summoned back, all he could confirm is that the masked man who controlled the Mizukage was the same as the Nine-Tails manipulator—proving it was Obito is still impossible.

The only way to clear Uchiha's name is to unmask Obito in front of Konoha, removing this lingering stain from the clan once and for all.

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