SWNOVELXO Chapter 32: Chapter 32
"What? Is there a problem?"
Rēn looked toward the man standing at the front—Uchiha Meirai.
"Captain Meirai, if you have something to say, say it now. If you keep silent, I'll assume you all understand everything. If anyone complains afterward… don't blame me for punishing without warning."
The Konoha Police Department's structure wasn't bloated. Aside from administrative departments like the office, finance, personnel, and equipment, its core strength came from three patrol squads, each with a full staff of one hundred. These three squads formed the backbone of the department—three hundred elite members.
Uchiha Meirai was one of the three patrol squad captains.
Another was Uchiha Yashiro, trusted aide to Uchiha Fugaku.
As for the third captain,
That one had returned to the clan compound tonight to oversee its defense and was not present.
Pressed by Rēn, Meirai remained silent. Fugaku himself had already announced he was no longer clan head… so what could he do? Rēn might be young, but as the famed genius known as the Flame Demon, he was a well-known and powerful figure within the clan.
He glanced at the silent Fugaku, Yashiro, and the others. Then he looked behind Rēn, where Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Ranzan, and other talented jōnin from the younger generation stood.
The pressure was overwhelming.
Still… when he really thought about it, being led by a genius like this wasn't unacceptable.
"Commander, I apologize. I was just too surprised and didn't react right away… please forgive me."
Uchiha Meirai chose to yield. Aside from strength that earned his subordinate's respect, his adaptability was also why he had become one of only three patrol captains.
The Uchiha clan didn't lack jōnin-level shinobi.
There were more than ten who could match Meirai in skill, but those who were as quick-witted as him could be counted on one hand.
"No problem."
Rēn raised an eyebrow slightly. He had actually hoped Meirai would resist so he could use that as a chance to assert authority. But just because Meirai backed down didn't mean Rēn would let things slide. If Meirai accepted in word but not in heart, that would only cause trouble later. Better to be firm and settle it now.
Once the jōnin were subdued, the chūnin and genin would fall in line naturally.
"I like smart people. You speak well, act steadily, and make things easy for others. But smart people can sometimes be too clever—and that makes them indecisive. Wouldn't you say so, Captain Meirai?"
Rēn locked eyes with him.
Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes.
In an instant, Uchiha Meirai was crushed in the mental space Rēn created. He experienced firsthand just how terrifying the clan's famed genius truly was. The overwhelming power of Rēn's dōjutsu left him completely unable to resist.
This power inspired awe.
He now understood why even the ever-loyal Yashiro remained silent—because Uchiha Rēn was truly powerful.
The Uchiha clan, proud and reserved due to their strength, naturally revered those with even greater power.
"Commander, your will is my command."
Uchiha Meirai knelt on one knee and pledged his loyalty.
The shift caused a stir among the others, though most of the chatter came from the chūnin. The jōnin present, along with a few perceptive chūnin, had sensed the brief clash of dōjutsu between Rēn and Meirai.
Seeing Meirai kneeling, they understood who had come out on top. Many who had still harbored doubts were immediately sobered, their rebellious thoughts extinguished like cold water thrown over a flame.
Rēn gestured for Meirai to rise.
Facing the clan, he continued "As I've said, I know many of you are confused. But this is the reality. Fugaku, the six elders, and most of the clan's jōnin have accepted this outcome. Everything is proceeding according to proper rules. All you need to do is follow orders as per those rules. As for your doubts…"
He suddenly stopped.
Rēn frowned slightly.
He turned to look at a civilian rooftop in the distance. Under the moonlight, a white-haired ANBU in standard uniform, wearing an animal mask, was leaping across the rooftops, heading straight toward the Police Department along the shortest route.
Rēn wasn't the only one who noticed.
Shisui turned at the same time. Most of the jōnin followed a second later. They all noticed the ANBU agent who wasn't bothering to conceal his approach.
He's fast.
Rēn narrowed his eyes, watching the white-haired ANBU close the distance.
Around him, clan members glared with clear hostility. Countless pairs of scarlet Sharingan lit up under the moonlight, their barely restrained animosity washing over the ANBU like a tide. The intense pressure even stirred something within his hidden left eye.
Shisui felt a chill.
He saw the clan member's icy stares and cold expressions. Many of them made no attempt to hide their resentment toward the ANBU—or more precisely, toward the village. The open hostility shocked Shisui deeply.
He'd never had many friends. After joining the ANBU, he'd grown even more distant from the clan. Even though he'd heard from Rēn and Elder Genshi about the deep rift between the Uchiha and the village, he had never truly grasped it. He'd always clung to the naive hope that reconciliation was possible.
"It's just one ANBU…"
He murmured quietly.
"This isn't about one ANBU. It's about the anger and resentment our clan has carried since the time of the Second Hokage."
Rēn moved subtly to Shisui's side and spoke in a low voice just loud enough for him to hear.
Shisui fell silent.
The divisions and cracks between the clans and the village… may truly have reached the point of no return.
"Uchiha Commander."
The white-haired ANBU reached Fugaku.
"The Hokage has ordered—"
"Sorry. I'm no longer the clan head, nor the department Commander. If you have orders, speak to the new Commander."
Fugaku cut him off, raising his hand to point at Rēn, who stood beside Shisui.
"This is our new clan head and the new Commander of the Police Department, Uchiha Rēn."
------------------------
You can read 40 high quality advanced chapters as well as 2 daily chapters on!
Patreon(.)com/IDKjust