To be honest, Seiryu was stunned when he learned the Police Force had legislative power.
Having both legislative and enforcement power, plus their own armed force—yet the Uchiha still ended up like that in the original timeline.
But thinking of his clan, most of whom cared only for strength and glory, and the few who were smart either got misled or lacked courage, maybe that outcome wasn't so strange.
But with Seiryu in charge, things would be different. He knew exactly how to use such powers.
Shisui worked efficiently. Two days after Seiryu's order, a draft titled "Supplementary Provisions to Konoha Public Security Administrative Penalties" was on Seiryu's desk.
Seiryu read the draft, nodded with satisfaction, and said to the expectant Shisui, "Good work, Shisui. You've put effort into this."
"All for the Will of Fire," Shisui replied with a smile.
"But don't you think the penalties are too light?" Seiryu pointed to the fines and verbal warnings.
"Seiryu, they're just ordinary villagers. Isn't this harsh enough?" Shisui asked, puzzled.
"Shisui, you don't get my point," Seiryu said. "Before I explain, look at this."
Seiryu took an A-level confidential file from the cabinet and handed it to Shisui.
"This… is this okay?" Shisui hesitated, seeing the confidentiality level.
"I trust you, someone who shares the Will of Fire, not to leak it," Seiryu said.
"…Okay." Shisui reluctantly opened the file.
Inside was the truth about the White Fang incident, extracted from the heads of the Shimura clan.
"This…this…" The bloody truth shocked Shisui to the core. He'd heard about White Fang, but he never imagined such filth lurked behind the hero's death.
"Are we enacting this law to punish villagers? No! We're here to defend the honor of heroes! If heroes who risk their lives for the village can be slandered at will, who will believe in the Will of Fire?" Seiryu declared. "What happened to White Fang must never happen again! That's my Will of Fire!"
"I understand," Shisui sighed, putting down the document.
"You've done well. I'll handle the rest," Seiryu said.
Over time, Seiryu had figured Shisui out: more than being brainwashed by Hiruzen, he was brainwashed by the Will of Fire. This made Seiryu's job easier—he just needed to embody the Will of Fire better than Hiruzen, and Shisui would naturally side with the clan.
Shisui left, a little dazed, while Seiryu revised the draft law.
After making changes, Seiryu called Uchiha Inaho to prepare a team to post the new law throughout the village.
The updated law specified clear penalties:
[Minor rumor-mongering: fines and verbal warning.]
[Serious defamation of village heroes: 7 to 30 days of detention.]
[Proven source of slander: up to six months' imprisonment.]
Seiryu then took the law to the Hokage's office.
After reporting his purpose, Hiruzen had him wait a while before letting him in.
Upon entering, Seiryu saw Hokage Advisor Nara Shikaku standing beside Hiruzen, and inwardly smirked.
It seemed the threat of Kotoamatsukami was effective—Hiruzen never saw Seiryu alone anymore; he always had someone else present.
But that suited Seiryu just fine. He presented the law to Hiruzen and bowed:
"Third Hokage, there have been many rumors in the village lately. To curb this unhealthy trend, the Police Force intends to enact this law. Please review it."
At his words, Hiruzen and Shikaku's eyes sharpened. Shikaku lowered his head in silence, while Hiruzen took the document and read.
After a while, Hiruzen lit his pipe, took a slow puff, and said, "Seiryu, isn't this punishment a bit too severe?"
"Severe? I don't think so." Seiryu replied righteously, "If anyone can slander heroes who died for the village, what's the Will of Fire worth? Where Konoha's leaves dance, so too does the fire burn. The fire will continue to light the village, nurturing new leaves. But if we can't protect the reputation of those who burn for the village, who will be willing to do so in the future?"
As he finished, Shikaku quietly stepped back two paces, bowing his head lower.
Although he was now a Hokage advisor, the Will of Fire was something even a clan head like him couldn't touch lightly.