Naruto:This Time, I, Kotetsu Hagane, Will No Longer Be Lazy

*The Next Morning*

The market district buzzed with life, but today, there was a different energy in the air. Merchants haggled and called out their prices as usual, but their voices carried an undercurrent of excitement—of speculation.

"I'm telling you, it was the Uchiha Police who caught him," an elderly fruit vendor whispered to her customer, leaning in conspiratorially.

"A Cloud spy, right under our noses! Can you imagine?"Across the street, a tailor shook his head as he measured fabric for a client.

"First, the explosion, and now this? If the Uchiha hadn't stepped in, who knows what could've happened?"

The conversations spread like wildfire, each retelling of the event adding a new layer of drama. Some said the spy had nearly escaped, only to be cornered at the last second. Others claimed he had a network of traitors inside the village. The only certainty was that the Uchiha had been the ones to stop him.

On his way to the Hokage's office, Fugaku Uchiha walked through the streets with his clan emblem on his back, the whispers of success reaching even his ears. He heard the murmurs as he passed by his subordinates, their words filled with something he hadn't heard in far too long.

Respect.

Pride.

For once, the villagers weren't looking at his clan with suspicion. For once, they weren't questioning the competence of the Uchiha Police Force.Fugaku lifted his head slightly higher.

*Hokage Tower*

The Hokage Tower stood unwavering, a symbol of authority and stability.

Fugaku Uchiha ascended the stairs with measured steps, his posture rigid, his expression unreadable. He had his evidence. Now, it was time to present his findings to the Hokage.

Arriving at the office, he was met by two ANBU guards stationed outside the door. Without a word, they acknowledged him, one of them knocking before stepping aside to allow him entry.

Inside, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, pipe in hand, eyes sharp with the weight of recent events. The room smelled faintly of tobacco and ink, a stark contrast to the battlefield of wits about to unfold.

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A Meeting of Power

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a slow stream of smoke, his eyes steady as he watched the Uchiha clan head step into his office. "Fugaku," he greeted, his tone measured. "To what do I owe this visit?"

Fugaku stepped forward, his hands clasped behind his back. "I have information regarding the explosion. My men have uncovered links suggesting that this may have been orchestrated by operatives from Kumogakure."

Hiruzen raised a brow, feigning mild surprise. "The Cloud? That's a bold accusation."

Fugaku remained impassive. "I do not make baseless claims. The individuals we have under surveillance have been in contact with known foreign intelligence networks. While we have yet to extract full confessions, there are enough indicators to suggest their involvement."

The Hokage studied him for a moment before leaning back in his chair. "Go on."

Fugaku nodded, producing a sealed scroll from within his robes and placing it deliberately on the desk. "The spy's name was Ryoji Kurokami. He operated under the guise of a merchant, but his real purpose was far more concerning."

Hiruzen picked up the scroll, though he did not unseal it just yet. He listened as Fugaku continued.

"He had been using coded messages to communicate with officials in the Land of Lightning. His intelligence network was extensive—he gathered information on the movements of our shinobi, our defense patterns, and key figures within the village." Fugaku's voice remained steady, but his next words carried a sharper edge. "And he was actively working to escalate tensions between the Uchiha and the rest of Konoha."

The Hokage's eyes darkened slightly as he unrolled the scroll, his gaze scanning over the information. His fingers tightened around the paper, his face betraying a rare moment of genuine concern.

"This is…" He trailed off, absorbing the weight of what he was reading. If Ryoji Kurokami had successfully escaped with this intelligence, the consequences would have been severe.

Fugaku observed him carefully. "Had he succeeded, the security of the village would have been compromised. And worse—his efforts to sow division within Konoha could have led to internal instability. A conflict from within before an external one could even begin."

Hiruzen set the scroll down, his fingers steepled in thought. "Do you know if he was working with anyone inside Konoha?"

Fugaku shook his head. "We found evidence of contacts in a village outside our borders. However, the only one we've been able to identify is another merchant. Given Kurokami's capture, he will likely never return."

The Hokage nodded slowly, processing the situation. After a moment, he met Fugaku's gaze. "This is valuable intelligence. You and the Uchiha have done a great service to Konoha."

Fugaku remained silent, waiting.

Hiruzen exhaled, his expression softening slightly. "I won't let this go unrecognized. The Uchiha Police Force will be rewarded for their efforts."

Fugaku gave a small nod, standing up. "That is all I came to report."

As he turned to leave, Hiruzen's voice stopped him.

"Fugaku."

In a seemingly offhanded manner, he asked, "One more thing, have you added any new personnel to the police force?"

Fugaku stops in place, his brow furrowed slightly. "No. But if I did it would solely be under the jurisdiction of the Uchiha, is it not?"

Hiruzen's expression remained neutral, because of the ruling of the second Hokage, he wasn't allowed to get to involved into the Military Police, a position that many ninja clans have been eyeing for a long time. Offering to use their clans many abilities to be a part of it.

Who wouldn't want the position, good pay, workable hours, and instead of having to fight rogue ninja's you just have to handle a few grumpy civilians.

Not to mention War.

Yes. War. You could stay away from the front lines unless the village is really stretched for man power, how many people have lost their lives in pointless battles. All the while the military police or in the eyes of the shinobi, the Uchiha, they could stay at home and kick their feet up and avoid the war entirely.

That alone earned them discontent from the shinobi factions, then their attitude, it was as if the matters didn't concern them.

But then he stops his train of thought, as Fugaku's answer sparked something in his mind. If no one had been added to the police force, then why had Kotetsu and Izumo been involved with the case? What exactly had they been doing last night? And why were they spotted exiting the Uchiha compound at night multiple times?

The Hokage gave a slow nod. "Yes, it is. I simply wished to clarify."

Fugaku turned his gaze back to the Hokage, his dark eyes unreadable. "No, my mistake. Just ensuring that our traditions remain intact. Well, if that's all I'll take my leave Lord Third."

Hiruzen watched him carefully. With that, he exited the office, his mind now turning toward the two gate guards. Whatever their involvement was, it was time to uncover just how deep it went.