The fourth category was the Justice Department.
Hikaru opened his ledger, his gaze falling on Minister of Justice Senju Momoma.
The Justice Department oversaw Konoha’s laws, case trials, and judicial matters—alongside education and healthcare, it was one of Konoha’s three foundational pillars.
“Therefore, a special allocation of five hundred million is granted, to be managed by Minister of Justice Senju Momoma and Minister of Works Shimura Yuno, for the expedited construction of the Konoha Public Security Department building and the prison.”
“Yes!” Senju Momoma shot to his feet.
“The Senju clan will give its all.
We guarantee the mission will be completed!”
The Justice Department was newly established, starting from nothing—no personnel, no building, no prison.
With this funding, he could recruit staff, select a site, construct the building, and purchase equipment, truly establishing the department’s framework.
“Momoma.”
Hikaru’s voice suddenly grew deeper, his tone earnest.
“Law is the skeleton of Konoha.
Education is its flesh and blood.
The burden on your shoulders is no lighter than Sarutobi Sasuke’s.”
Hikaru spoke each word deliberately: “Law enforcement must be strict, and lawbreakers must be prosecuted—I hope you will remember these eight words.”
Senju Momoma nodded firmly.
“Rest assured, village.
Rest assured, Hokage-sama.
The Senju clan will not fail this trust!”
The Justice Department, the Public Security Department, the prison—these were genuine centers of power.
Whoever held the power of law enforcement held the village’s lifeline.
Now Hikaru had given the Justice Department to the Senju.
But upon reflection, something felt off.
Tobirama Senju furrowed his brow.
He could not shake the feeling that Hikaru was up to something.
Giving the Justice Department to the Senju?
Five hundred million in funding?
Putting Momoma in charge of the Public Security Department?
Since when had Uchiha Hikaru become so generous?
Tobirama had a vague sense that something had been lost, but he could not quite place it.
Just then, Hikaru clapped his hands and had a golden plaque carried in.
The plaque was as tall as a man, gilded all over, gleaming brilliantly under the chamber’s lights.
Three lines of bold, powerful calligraphy were inscribed upon it—
First, never act on impulse!
Second, never fail to judge any wrongdoing!
Third, always deliver fair and just judgments!
Hikaru smiled slightly and announced: “Last night, the Hokage-sama personally inscribed this plaque for the Konoha Public Security Department.
Its meaning is that the Public Security Department, as Konoha’s law enforcers, must be just and impartial at all times.
These three principles shall henceforth be the department’s motto.”
“Excellent calligraphy!”
“This is the Hokage-sama’s handwriting?
I never knew his calligraphy was so remarkable!”
Tobirama Senju remained tight-lipped.
Hikaru had shoved the Justice Department and Public Security Department onto the Senju—was he setting them up to be the ones who made enemies?
Uchiha Hikaru, you are ruthless.
In the original story, the Uchiha were destroyed, and the Public Security Department was absolutely the root of that disaster.
Now Hikaru was making the Senju taste that same bitter fruit.
Having allocated the four funding categories, Hikaru did not sit down.
He surveyed the room, his gaze sweeping across every clan head’s face, and raised his voice: “Everyone, we have finished discussing the funding.
Next, I have something even more important to address.”
The hall fell silent.
More important?
Even the distribution of one hundred billion was not the most important thing?
Hikaru took a deep breath, his tone grave: “To ensure that Konoha has laws to follow and that those laws are enforced, after discussion between the Hokage and the Three Department Chancellors, we have decided to establish a new legal code for Konoha.”
The hall erupted once more.
“A legal code?”
“What legal code?”
“Every clan has its own rules.
Why do we need a new one?”
Hikaru raised his hand and pressed down, signaling for quiet.
“Everyone.” He paused.
“Currently, Konoha’s governance is chaotic.
Many matters are still handled according to each clan’s own customs—you have your clan rules, I have my family laws.
If an Uchiha and a Senju clash today, whose rules do we follow?
If a Hyuga and a Sarutobi have a dispute tomorrow, whose judgment do we accept?”
“If this continues, Konoha will remain a collection of scattered factions.
We must have laws to rely on.
Drafting a complete Konoha legal code is absolutely necessary.”
In the Warring States Period, every clan had its own rules.
Some were harsh, some lenient, and some simply followed the clan head’s word alone.
In the past, each clan kept to itself, and matters were settled peacefully.
But now everyone had moved into Konoha.
Without a unified legal code, progress was impossible. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“What are the three essential elements of law?”
“Fairness, justice, and transparency!”
“One unjust trial is worse than ten crimes.
Crime merely pollutes the water; an unjust judgment pollutes the very source.
Everyone, I ask you to keep these words in your hearts.”
“This is the Konoha Grand Charter, drafted by the Hokage.”
Hikaru picked up a thick volume from the table, its cover bearing five large characters: Konoha Grand Charter.
He raised the volume in his hand: “The Konoha Grand Charter contains the Civil Code, the Criminal Code, the Education Code, and the Konoha Daily Administration Regulations—four codes in total, covering every aspect of Konoha’s operations.”
He waved his hand, and several Uchiha shinobi filed in, each carrying stacks of thick volumes, which they distributed to every clan head and representative present.
Tobirama Senju accepted a copy and opened the first page, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Nonsense about the Hokage drafting it!
He cursed inwardly.
Madara Uchiha was a brute, just like his own brother—nothing but fighting in their heads.
Could either of them have written something like this?
Tobirama felt he had encountered the greatest rival of his life.
He, Tobirama Senju, was sharp-minded and calculating, leaving no detail overlooked.
He had once believed he could easily manipulate the Uchiha—a clan of brutes who relied solely on their Sharingan.
A little provocation and they would tear themselves apart from within.
But now, the Uchiha had produced Uchiha Hikaru.
What was worse was that this man was always one step ahead of him.
Tobirama Senju felt as though he had always lived in Uchiha Hikaru’s shadow.
That feeling was deeply unpleasant.
“After taking these back, clan heads are to circulate them within your clans.
Later, the Konoha administration will also post the full text on the village bulletin board for public review.
If anyone has objections, raise them in a timely manner.
Those deemed suitable will be adopted.”
“This is not a formality.
Konoha belongs to everyone, and the law concerns everyone’s personal interests.
If any clause seems unreasonable, speak up.
The Hokage-sama and the Three Department Chancellors will give serious consideration to all feedback.”
Tobirama Senju set down the volume in his hands and took a deep breath.
He had to admit, the Konoha Grand Charter was exceptionally well written.
Though he was reluctant to acknowledge it, reason told him—once this legal code was implemented, Konoha would no longer be a loose alliance of ninja clans, but a true village.
And Uchiha Hikaru was the architect of that village.
Tobirama closed his eyes, silently calculating in his mind.
He had lost this round.
But the next round, he would surely win it back.