That afternoon, the Police Force went all out.
Unless you'd paid the so-called "public safety management fee," you were either arrested under some fabricated charge or had your property "accidentally" damaged during an operation.
At the same time, the current heads of the Ino–Shika–Chō clans gathered together—Yamanaka Haichi, Nara Shikashige, and Akimichi Chōza. This generation's Ino–Shika–Chō trio were not only comrades but also the leaders of their respective clans.
"Shikashige, what do you think the Uchiha are trying to pull?" Haichi asked angrily.
The Nara clan's pharmacy had been raided, their medicines confiscated under the false claim they sold counterfeits, staining the family's reputation. The Akimichi's barbecue shop was forcibly shut down after bogus accusations of food safety issues. They weren't allowed to reopen unless they met "Police Force standards."
As for the Yamanaka family, their flower shop had its entire stock ruined during an alleged pursuit of a thief. "Accidentally damaged," the Police Force claimed. But it was clearly deliberate.
"They want money," Shikashige replied calmly. "The so-called 'public safety management fee'—they're using the Police Force to extort funds."
The motive was plain. What confused Shikashige was the deeper purpose—was this really worth it? The Uchiha's reputation was already poor, and now it was getting worse. All this for a bit of money?
"IchiroUchiha... I can't read him," Shikashige muttered.
Despite his famed intellect as Konoha's strategist, even he couldn't grasp Ichiro's endgame. The financial gain seemed minor compared to the damage done to their name.
"What should we do?" Chōza asked gruffly. "We can't just let this go."
"I'll visit the Police Force and speak with Ichiro Uchiha. First, I'll get our people released," Shikashige decided. "Think of it as paying to resolve a calamity."
"What? Just swallow it?" Haichi protested. Among them, the Nara clan had suffered the most—rare medicinal herbs confiscated. And Shikashige wanted to yield?
"Let's see how this unfolds. The Uchiha are shifting quickly. I wouldn't be surprised if Ichiro Uchiha becomes the next clan head," Shikashige reasoned.
He wasn't about to be the first to take a stand—not when even the Sarutobi clan's businesses had been affected. Ichiro wasn't acting recklessly. He either had a plan or considerable confidence.
Was Konoha's strongest Uchiha likely to be a fool?
There was no point provoking him now. Someone else would eventually step up. And frankly, none of them could defeat the Uchiha anyway.
After the decline of the Senju, the Uchiha were easily the most powerful clan in the village. The Hyūga liked to see themselves as rivals, but they weren't even close. Even if the Ino–Shika–Chō worked together, they couldn't stand up to the Uchiha.
"We'll go with you," Haichi and Chōza said.
"Fine, but don't speak once we're there," Shikashige warned.
They nodded. Shikashige was the brain of the trio—he usually took the lead in situations like these.
At the Police Force headquarters, most officers were still out "on duty," so the place was nearly empty.
"Well, if it isn't our esteemed clan leaders," Ichiro greeted with a smile.
Haichi clenched his jaw. As if Ichiro didn't know why they were here. This guy was really playing dumb.
But Haichi kept his cool—he'd promised Shikashige to let him handle everything.
"Captain Ichiro, I'm here to pay the safety fee," Shikashige said plainly.
"Oh? So you're the first one to come forward voluntarily. A man of great understanding, truly rare," Ichiro said, praising him with a mocking undertone.
The three handed over the fee—one million ryō per month. Painful, but Shikashige had talked them into it. Without his persuasion, Haichi and Chōza would've refused outright.
"Also," Ichiro added after taking their money, "please stop selling fake medicine, Nara clan. And Akimichi—keep your food clean."
The sarcasm was sharp. Shikashige remained silent, but Chōza was gritting his teeth. He knew his shop's food quality was top-notch.
"This time, I'll let your people go. But the fake medicine is confiscated for good. Can't let it endanger others again."
"Understood. Thank you, Captain," Shikashige replied, barely managing to suppress his anger.
He was shaking. Being accused of selling fakes was an unbearable insult to the Nara clan.
"I wonder who'll be next. Will they be as sensible as you three?" Ichiro mused aloud, tapping his desk.
He doubted it. The Hyūga, for one, had always seen themselves as equals to the Uchiha. They'd never bow so easily.
Then there were the Sarutobi and Shimura clans. Would they back down? Probably not.
The Police Force was about to get a lot busier.
"Well, time to clock out. If anyone comes looking for me now, they're out of luck."
Ichiro left promptly on schedule. He never worked overtime—but his subordinates? They were still out there, working hard into the evening.