Konoha had many institutions. But most beloved by civilians and shinobi alike was the Uchiha Police Force. The three-man, or rather, one-man and two-boys strong team, was a force to be reckoned with.

Especially Police Commander Uchiha Sasuke was a figure that demanded respect.

His accomplishments were plenty. Not only had he discovered several well-hidden spies, he had also prevented an invasion and, with the stalwart aid of Deputy Naruto, also arrested the instigator. The notorious S-Rank missing nin, Orochimaru.

He was also responsible for coining the iconic motto of Konoha's Law Enforcement, and the wide assortment of merchandise carrying the slogan "Crime Never Sleeps" was of high economic value.

Yes, Commander Uchiha Sasuke was a well-respected individual.

The fact that most of his accomplishments had been the result of him protecting his little brother was inconsequential and remained mostly unknown to the general populace.

So, when Commander Uchiha Sasuke arrested Gaara of the Sand for causing a disturbance inside a hospital room, nobody aside from his closest friends knew that this had simply been an action in defense of his brother yet again.

The Hokage, highly satisfied with the development, immediately used the opportunity to have the Kazekage's son escorted back to his home.

Thus, the third stage commenced uninterrupted.

Much to the displeasure of Uchiha Naruto, who had forfeited for nothing.

His ire remained short-lived, however, because the arrest of Orochimaru coupled with their stellar reviews at the performance meeting had secured them both the vest, anyway.

"You know," Naruto told Sasuke during their celebratory tomato ramen the same night, "I am really happy that you are here."

Sasuke scoffed. "As if I would ever leave Konoha."

Laughter rang through the air as both of them reveled in the sheer absurdity of this notion.

Since they were holding their impromptu two-boy feast at Ichiraku's ramen stand, Sasuke's last sentence reached the ears of a very patriotic jonin passing by and soon after Konoha was abuzz with the news that Commander Uchiha Sasuke openly proclaimed that he would never abandon his village.

The non-existent eyewitnesses of this historic event even went as far as swearing that they had heard the Head of the Uchiha Police force holding a heartfelt speech about unity and the Will of Fire that was worthy of Senju Hashirama himself.

The general consensus that day was that Commander Uchiha Sasuke was a prime example for Konoha's Will of Fire, and first whispers about his deeds left the tightly guarded borders of Konohagakure through the mouth of a dichotomic man.

In the far-off village of Amegakure powerful ears listened as the wind carried the name of Commander Uchiha Sasuke.

Kakashi really wanted to say that he was surprised when his cute not-genin informed him they had retired from mission duty in favor of guarding the village. But since he was an active member of Konoha's grapevine, he was already aware that they had started to renovate the old Police Headquarters.

Sasuke and Naruto had been seen shopping for paint at least twice last week. It was the reason Konoha was suddenly facing a shortage of cantaloupe-colored paint. Once it had become public knowledge that the Uchiha Police Force was endorsing this color, everyone had suddenly felt the urgent need to repaint their houses - or toilet seats, in Kakashi's case.

He suspected Naruto was rather delighted about the sudden abundance of light orange inside the village and secretly wondered if this was another one of Sasuke's ploys to make his brother happy.

Somehow that thought made him rather uneasy.

Sasuke wouldn't go that far.

Right?

He forcefully silenced the tiny voice in his head saying 'Yes, he would' and looked at the only genin left in his team. "What about you, Sakura? Is there something you want to do?"

Please let it be something that did not include orange.

"I have met Kiba's older sister, Hana. She knows a lot about medicine. I was thinking of learning from her."

He sighed in relief. That sounded strangely… normal. "A good choice, Sakura."

Naruto hopped over and patted her shoulder. "You will do great, Sakura-chan." He looked like an enthusiastic gymnastic ball Kakashi had seen some pregnant women use at the gym. Just a bit bouncier.

"If I ever happen to run across Tsunade-sama during my duties, I will be sure to send her your way." Sasuke added and slung his arm around Naruto. They looked adorable together. It was a pity Kakashi had forgotten his camera.

Sakura threw Sasuke a worried look. "Not in handcuffs, I hope."

Knowing his cute little not-genin, that was probably exactly what he would do.

Sasuke shrugged. "That depends on her. I uphold the law."

Coincidentally, this was the exact moment the owner of Konoha's most popular clothing store happened to pass by. Delighted by being a firsthand witness to Commander Uchiha Sasuke coining yet another noteworthy phrase, he immediately set out to design new merchandise.

It was sold out minutes after it had been released.

The same evening, something strange and usual occurred.

Sasuke had just finished tucking Naruto in, when he found a mysterious package sitting on the doorstep.

He immediately discarded his juicy tomato-shaped midnight snack and marched over to inspect it.

It was addressed to Uchiha Naruto.

Somehow the handwriting was familiar.

Sasuke prodded the package with his kunai and nodded in satisfaction when he did not hear any odd noises.

He carefully unwrapped the neatly packaged gift and found a fluffy raven stuffed toy staring back at him.

A note was pushed into the movable beak.

Sasuke pulled it out.

It read:

For my little baby brother,

I am sorry for missing your birth and the first eight years of your life, despite being right there.

Please accept this gift as a proof for my brotherly feelings.

Your newly discovered oldest brother,

Itachi

Sasuke glared at the note. What was his older brother thinking calling Naruto his baby brother?! Naruto had only one older brother, and that was him!

He huffed and was almost halfway through the handsigns for the Great Fireball to obliterate the plushy eyesore, when he remembered that his little brother had always wanted a big family.

But it was Itachi!

That man had killed his clan and wanted to kidnap Naruto! There was no way Sasuke would help him get closer to his gullible little brother.

Naruto was so trusting he would walk off with everyone who offered him a bowl of ramen.

Sasuke grumbled and glared at the stuffed toy.

He was not going to hand it to Naruto.

No way.

No.

Not at all.

He was just taking this to the trash bin.

In the bathroom.

Upstairs.

Next to Naruto's room.

Since when was Naruto sleeping in the bathroom?

He'd better leave quickly before his little brother woke up.

Sasuke quietly closed the door behind him.

Inside the room, Naruto slept on, his face buried into a stuffed toy that looked suspiciously like a raven.

Meanwhile:

"Itachi?

"Yes, Kisame?"

"What…is this?"

"Non-toxic clay."

"I can see that."

"Then why are you asking?"

"Let me rephrase that: Why are you buying clay?"

"I am not buying clay. I am buying non-toxic clay."

"Fine. Why are you buying non-toxic clay, Itachi?"

"It's a gift."

"For Deidara? He has enough clay."

"No, for my baby brother."

"Sasuke?"

"Naruto."

"… you are still going on with that? No wait, don't answer. I already know what you are going to say. But does Naruto even like clay?"

"It's not for playing."

"Then what is he supposed to do with it?"

"Make a footprint. I have heard many parents do that to remember their children's first days."

"Yes, while they are still babies. Naruto is twelve."

"Then I will need a bigger frame for it."

So, I hope you enjoyed this one :D

I also have the sad duty to inform you: I have currently run out of ideas- Since these last chapters have been more connected than I have intended, I will be ending this story here to avoid confusion with further one-shots.

This does not mean I will stop writing stories about this premise. I just have to figure out the best way to handle series on FFN. Maybe I'll just start another big collection FF. If you want to see what I have planned, feel free to take a look at my profile.

I'll give you a notification when I post something new about our Three Brothers, though. So, no worries, you won't miss anything =)

Until then, I'd like to point you towards the AO3 series: archiveofourown series/2190840

Thanks to all of you! It has been great :-D - and I hope to see you at the next installment.