Others might falter under Hiruzen Sarutobi's oppressive aura, but that pressure had no effect on Ichiro.
Ichiro's strength was on par with Hiruzen's—why would he be intimidated?
"Everyone we've arrested had issues. The Konoha Police Force never lets a single criminal slip through."
Ichiro responded righteously and firmly.
Hiruzen set his pipe down on the table, eyes locked onto Ichiro.
"Then how do you explain the 'security management fees'?"
"That's a question you should be asking yourself, Lord Hokage. Konoha doesn't provide any funding for the Police Force—do you expect us to survive on air? We had to find ways to sustain our operations."
"We risk our lives to maintain order and protect the village. Those shopkeepers get to enjoy peace and security thanks to us—charging a little fee for that is only fair."
Ichiro calmly explained, his tone unhurried.
"You know, Lord Hokage, what I realized during this process? Konoha is full of ungrateful wretches. Not one of them was willing to pay for peace and stability. It's heartbreaking. How can they not be willing to give something back to the village? Selfish people like that don't deserve to stay in Konoha."
Hiruzen's mouth twitched at Ichiro's words. The man certainly had a way with words.
He made himself sound like a noble protector, while painting those who refused to pay as traitorous scum.
"Let's put an end to this. Release everyone you've detained."
Hiruzen said flatly.
After all, many of his own clansmen had been arrested by the Police Force—and even his son, Sarutobi Shin'nosuke, was among them.
Hiruzen had two sons. The elder, Shin'nosuke, was twenty years old—one year older than Ichiro. The younger, Asuma, was only five.
When members of the Sarutobi clan were imprisoned, Shin'nosuke had gone to the Police Force trying to cause a scene, only to be thrown in a cell by Goro without hesitation.
"Release them all? Absolutely not. They're criminals. My sense of justice won't allow me to let them go."
Ichiro rejected the order without hesitation.
He still had plenty of profit to extract from those people—letting them go now would mean losing money and Evil Points.
Hiruzen didn't lose his temper at Ichiro's outright refusal.
He had to maintain the dignity of the Third Hokage. He wouldn't lash out so easily.
"Uchiha Ichiro, why is the Police Force suddenly expanding? Care to explain?"
Hiruzen stared him down, trying to read his intentions.
The Uchiha clan had always had their eyes on the Hokage position. Was Ichiro planning something? Hiruzen couldn't allow even a hint of that kind of ambition.
"Simple. There are just too many people in the village breaking the law. The current Police Force is understaffed. We had to expand."
"Is that so."
Hiruzen's tone was calm, completely unreadable.
"Oh, and Lord Hokage—your son openly attacked our Police Force officers. That's a serious crime, wouldn't you agree?"
"You're such a wise leader. We can't have your reputation tarnished by your son's actions. Don't worry—I'll make sure to properly discipline Sarutobi Shin'nosuke for you."
Ichiro smiled pleasantly.
Hiruzen's hand rested on the desk. If one looked closely, they'd notice cracks forming on the surface—he was gripping it so tightly in silent rage.
He realized now that he truly had no way to deal with Ichiro. He couldn't risk a full-on confrontation.
To go to war with Ichiro would mean war with the entire Uchiha clan—something that would only hurt Konoha.
As for assassinating Ichiro? The thought had crossed his mind. But who could do it?
Ichiro wasn't weak. In Hiruzen's current understanding, the only ones in the village who might have a chance were himself, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Sakumo Hatake.
But that was only based on what Hiruzen thought Ichiro's strength was.
What he didn't know was that Ichiro had already reached Kage-level strength—and had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
In reality, even Hiruzen wouldn't be able to beat him in a fight.
Among the current Five Kage, the only one Ichiro felt might pose a real challenge was the Third Raikage.
Anyone who could go head-to-head with the Eight-Tails like that? Yeah, Ichiro considered him a cut above Hiruzen.
While Hiruzen was often praised as the "strongest Hokage in history," in truth, he probably ranked among the weakest.
Ichiro left the Hokage Tower, and on his way out, he even reminded them about the Police Force's funding issue.
"Uchiha Ichiro… your existence is dangerous to Konoha."
Standing by the window, Hiruzen muttered as he watched Ichiro's figure fade into the distance. A trace of killing intent flickered in his eyes.
He wanted to kill Ichiro—but the chance was long gone.
Ichiro had already grown far too strong. Even taking on an entire Hidden Village solo wouldn't be easy, but it was equally hard for anyone to take him down.
Even that old relic Uchiha Madara wouldn't be able to kill Ichiro—not in his current decaying state. Ichiro could simply run if he couldn't win.
After all, Madara had already handed his eyes over to Nagato. His real power was limited now.
Back at the Police Force HQ, Ichiro immediately ordered his men to bring Sarutobi Shin'nosuke over.
He had promised to help "educate" Hiruzen's son—naturally, he'd follow through.
"Let me go! My father is the Hokage! You'd better release me right now!"
Dragged in by two Uchiha officers, Shin'nosuke thrashed wildly—but he couldn't break free.
After being thrown into prison, his chakra had been sealed by a special technique.
Though he was a jōnin, once his chakra was sealed, even two chūnin were enough to restrain him.
Seeing him struggle so hard, one of the Uchiha even slapped him across the face without hesitation.
They couldn't care less that he was the Hokage's son.
To them, the Uchiha reigned supreme.