23. The Excitement Of Civilian Ninjas And Small Clan Ninjas

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"I see!"

The Fourth Elder and others suddenly understood after hearing Uchiha Mikasa's explanation.

So that was the solution.

With their doubts addressed, they had no further objections and immediately expressed their full support for Uchiha Mikasa's reforms.

Shortly after, the Uchiha clan began implementing the changes under Mikasa's directives.

Responsibility for setting up the clan school was temporarily handed over to the Second and Fourth Elders.

The Konoha Military Police Force's reorganization was entrusted to the Third Elder, who began by restructuring its operations and forming an elite guard Team.

The Konoha Military Police Force was divided into specialized groups:

First Team: Tasked with handling and adjudicating significant cases.

Second Team: Responsible for the management of the Konoha Military Police Force's prison.

Third Team: Assigned to handle ordinary civil disputes and designated as the squadron to be opened to outside recruitment.

Two days later, the Konoha Military Police Force underwent both internal and external adjustments. A large public notice board was set up outside, displaying detailed information about the reforms and recruitment.

The notice included specifics about the roles and their benefits. The enticing offer highlighted that the positions did not require high-risk missions; recruits would only need to patrol the village, mediate disputes, and address minor infractions—all for a stable and generous salary. Compared to the dangers of traditional missions, this opportunity was much safer and more appealing.

To further publicize the reform, Uchiha Mikasa instructed the Third Elder to post the same recruitment information on the public notice board in front of the Hokage building.

The news quickly spread, drawing attention from civilian ninjas and shinobi from smaller clans.

For a time, the reforms and recruitment became the talk of the village.

"The Konoha Military Police Force is reforming, and they're opening a squadron to outsiders? Is this real? It has always been Uchiha territory—outsiders have never been allowed before. Why now?"

"Who knows? Maybe they're short on manpower? I heard from neighbors that there have been fewer Uchiha patrols recently, and many disputes are going unattended!"

"Is that true?"

"It is! I've heard the same thing!"

"Well, maybe they've always been short-staffed. Look at how much the village has grown over the years. The population has exploded—surely the Konoha Military Police Force has been stretched thin!"

"Hey! Why are you still standing here chatting? This is a great opportunity! If you wait too long, the positions will be filled. I'm heading there now!"

"Wait for me! I'm coming too!"

"Let's go together!"

"Are you sure this is okay? I mean, it's the Konoha Military Police Force. Uchiha aren't exactly the easiest to work with."

"You don't get it! Uchiha may seem cold and arrogant, but everyone knows they're dependable and fair. They're strong and reliable. Wait up—I'm coming too!"

Before long, a steady stream of civilian shinobi, small clan members, and even side-branch members from larger clans made their way to the Konoha Military Police Force to apply.

The recent changes in the Konoha Military Police Force had not gone unnoticed by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

The reduced presence of Uchiha patrols had already drawn his attention. Now, with the Konoha Military Police Force openly posting reform and recruitment notices directly in front of the Hokage building, the situation was impossible to ignore.

In the Hokage's Office

Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura were gathered in the Hokage's office, their expressions tense as they discussed the latest developments.

"Ah, ah! Uchiha has really caused a stir this time!" Hiruzen muttered, unsure whether to be pleased or concerned.

The news of Uchiha's decision to open the Konoha Military Police Force to outsiders was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it was a promising sign. It indicated that the Uchiha were finally taking steps to integrate more fully into the village. On the other, it complicated the long-standing plans devised by the Second Hokage to monitor and control them.

From the structure of the reforms, it was clear that there were sharp minds within the Uchiha Clan. Whoever had designed this plan had skillfully removed the "poison" from Tobirama's "poisoned gift," leaving only the benefits for themselves.

"Uchiha Mikasa…" Hiruzen murmured, exhaling a cloud of smoke from his pipe. "She truly lives up to her reputation as the hero who ended the Uchiha civil war single-handedly. Remarkable."

He paused for a moment, reflecting. "And it seems the rumors of her full recovery and return to her peak strength are true."

In fact, even if Uchiha Mikasa did not deliberately let people leak it, there were a small number of people in Uchiha who were brainwashed by him.

This is inevitable.

At least, this is the case at this stage.

Uchiha Mikasa and Sora have also discussed this.

In the future, they will use the characteristics of the space-time gate to counter it and isolate all the secrets from these people.

Before they are strong enough to overturn the table, they will use these people to release some modified news to confuse the Third Hokage.

His thoughts were interrupted by Utatane Koharu's sharp voice.

"Hiruzen! You're just sitting there smoking while Uchiha acts unchecked! We can't let them dismantle the plan that Tobirama-sensei worked so hard to create!"

"Exactly," Mitokado Homura added, nodding firmly. "If they succeed in this reform, their reputation in the village will soar. That will only embolden them further in their ambitions for the Hokage seat—something none of us want to see."

Hiruzen sighed deeply, shaking his head. "The Konoha Military Police Force is Uchiha's domain. As Hokage, I have no authority to block their internal reforms, especially since they're technically within their rights. And don't you see? This is an open conspiracy."

He gestured toward the village outside the window. "Even now, civilian ninjas and shinobi from smaller clans are flocking to the Konoha Military Police Force to sign up. Uchiha's terms and benefits are incredibly tempting—far more appealing than dangerous missions for uncertain rewards."

"If we were to oppose them outright, we'd alienate those very people," he continued. "That would only make things worse for us. We can't afford to lose the trust of the village."

As Hiruzen spoke, the office door swung open with a loud swish.

Danzo entered, his movements brisk and authoritative. "Hiruzen is correct," he said bluntly, his voice carrying a sharp edge. "We can't stop this reform, nor should we try."

Koharu and Homura turned toward him, startled by his uncharacteristic agreement.

"Danzo? You actually agree with this?" Koharu asked, her tone laced with disbelief.

Danzo nodded. "Yes. Instead of opposing it, we should take advantage of the situation. If Uchiha is opening their ranks to outsiders, we must ensure that some of our people are among those who join. This is our chance to infiltrate the Konoha Military Police Force and begin dismantling their hold on it."

He continued, his voice growing more confident. "For years, the Konoha Military Police Force has been Uchiha's private domain—impenetrable. But now, they've opened the gates themselves. That means it's no longer solely theirs to control."

"Even if we can't wrest full control immediately, this gives us a foothold. Over time, we can insert loyal individuals, disrupt their operations, and erode their influence. Eventually, the Konoha Military Police Force will answer to the village, not Uchiha."

Koharu frowned but couldn't deny the logic of his argument. "If we approach this carefully, it could work," she admitted.

Homura nodded in agreement. "The Konoha Military Police Force's powers are still intact—arrests, trials, patrols, even control of the prison system. If we can infiltrate those areas, we'll gain significant leverage."

Danzo's lips curved into a small, satisfied smirk. "Exactly. And once we've established ourselves, Uchiha's reforms will benefit us more than them."