Chapter 51 Legislation

To be honest, Uchiha Tohan was completely stunned when he learned that the Security Division possessed legislative authority. Holding both legislative and enforcement powers, along with its own armed forces—this was the fate of the Uchiha clan in the original timeline.

But when he thought of the clan members, most of whom had either brawn instead of brains or an obsession with family honor, and the few who showed some intelligence were either easily deceived or timid and lacking any resolve, this outcome was hardly surprising.

However, everything would be different in Uchiha Tohan’s hands. He knew all too well how to make the best use of the powers he now commanded.

Shisui was quite efficient. After Uchiha Tohan issued his orders, two days later a document titled “Supplementary Provisions to the Konoha Hidden Village Public Security Management and Punishment Law” was placed on Uchiha Tohan’s desk.

Sitting at his desk, Uchiha Tohan flipped through the draft Shisui had submitted, nodding with approval. Looking up at the expectant Shisui, he said, “Well done, Shisui. You’ve put your heart into this.”

“It’s all for the Will of Fire,” Shisui replied with a smile, sensing Tohan’s satisfaction with his efforts over the past two days.

“But don’t you think the punishments are a bit too lenient?” Tohan pointed to the clause on fines combined with verbal warnings.

“Tohan, these are just ordinary villagers. Aren’t these punishments already quite strict?” Shisui was somewhat puzzled.

“Shisui, I don’t think you quite understand my meaning yet,” Uchiha Tohan said. “Before I explain, take a look at this.”

He rose and retrieved a file labeled with a Confidentiality Level A from the cabinet behind him, handing it to Shisui.

“This… this isn’t appropriate,” Shisui hesitated, eyeing the confidential label on the file.

“You’re to look, so look. I trust someone who shares the Will of Fire as deeply as you won’t casually leak these secrets,” Tohan said.

Shisui reluctantly nodded and opened the file.

Inside were the truths extracted from the mouths of the Shimura clan’s upper echelons concerning the White Fang incident.

“This… this…” The brutal reality stunned Shisui beyond words. He had heard about the Will of Fire studies recently and knew of White Fang, the village hero. Yet he never imagined the hero’s death was shrouded in such filth.

“Is our aim in enacting this law to punish the villagers? No! Our goal is to protect the hero’s honor! Imagine if the heroes who sacrificed for the village could be defamed at will—who would still believe in the glory of the Will of Fire?” Uchiha Tohan looked Shisui in the eyes with solemnity. “The old incident involving Senior White Fang must never happen again. This is my Will of Fire!”

“I understand,” Shisui sighed deeply, putting the file down.

“You’ve done well. Leave the rest to me,” Tohan said.

After spending some time together, Uchiha Tohan had come to understand Shisui’s nature. The young man remained as innocent and earnest as ever, but rather than being brainwashed by Hiruzen Sarutobi, it was the Will of Fire that had truly influenced him. This saved Tohan a lot of effort. For someone whose mind was filled with the Will of Fire, as long as Uchiha Tohan presented himself as embodying it even more than Sarutobi, Shisui would naturally stand on the clan’s side.

Shisui left somewhat dazed, while Uchiha Tohan picked up the draft on the desk and began revising it.

Once the amendments were complete, Uchiha Tohan summoned Uchiha Inaho, instructing him to prepare a team to post the announcement throughout the village.

In the revised law, Uchiha Tohan detailed the punishments:

Those involved in spreading rumors, if the offense was minor, would receive fines and verbal warnings.

Those who spread rumors injuring the village heroes’ reputations with serious consequences would face detention from seven days up to a month.

The source of the rumors, once identified, would be sentenced to imprisonment for as long as six months.

Armed with this legal text, Uchiha Tohan made a special visit to the Hokage’s office.

After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still the village’s official supreme leader. Even though Senju Tobirama had granted legislative power to the Uchiha, it was only proper for Tohan to inform Sarutobi of this matter.

Upon arriving at the Hokage building, after reporting his purpose, Sarutobi had him wait a short while before calling him into the office.

Tohan immediately noticed Nara Shikaku, the Hokage’s aide, standing beside Sarutobi and smirked inwardly.

It seemed that, intimidated by the Heavenly Deity, the old man dared not meet Uchiha Tohan alone—there was always at least one person present.

This suited Tohan perfectly. He placed the new legal document before Sarutobi and bowed respectfully.

“Third Hokage, recently many rumors have been spreading throughout the village. To curb this unhealthy trend, the Security Division intends to enact a law addressing this. I ask you, Hokage-sama, to review it,” he said.

Upon hearing this, Sarutobi and Nara Shikaku exchanged a sharp glance. Shikaku lowered his head in silence, while Sarutobi picked up the document and began to read.

After a long while, Sarutobi lit his pipe, took a deep drag, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and slowly spoke, “Tohan, isn’t this punishment a bit too harsh?”

“Harsh? I don’t think so,” Uchiha Tohan replied earnestly. “If anyone could slander the heroes who risk their lives for the village at will, then what is the Will of Fire? Where the leaves dance, the fire burns eternally. The flames will continue to illuminate the village and nurture new leaves. But if we cannot even protect the honor of those heroes who burn themselves for the village, then in the future, who would be willing to sacrifice themselves for those newborn leaves?”

After his words, Nara Shikaku silently stepped back two paces and lowered his head.

Though now the Hokage’s aide, even he knew the Will of Fire was a sacred principle that ordinary clan leaders like himself dared not touch.