Chapter 17: Recovery and Reform – Hikari’s Proposal to Reshape the Uchiha Police Force

[You exchanged medical knowledge and experience with Kuraha. Your TCM (Traditional Chakra Medicine) skill has increased by 15.]

[You have read and studied Kuraki's medical compendium. Your TCM and medical skills have been integrated, raising your proficiency by 12.]

The next ten days passed in quiet, deliberate rhythm.

Each morning, Gin consumed strengthening tonics, feasted on Sea King meat, and trained with utmost focus to maintain his body's newfound vitality. After lunch, he buried himself in Kuraki's medical manuscripts and spent hours exchanging knowledge with her—often rewriting entire volumes on Traditional Chakra Medicine from scratch to share with her.

His recovery advanced rapidly. Days blurred together under his routine, and his mind remained sharp, his body rejuvenating at a visible pace.

Ten days later.

After her morning exercises, Hikari stood upright and exhaled deeply. Her face was calm, but there was a brightness in her eyes.

"It feels like my body is completely restored," she said, glancing at Gin and Kuraha.

"Oh?" Kuraha set her book aside with interest, and Gin immediately ceased his training.

Both approached her and examined her carefully, their chakra senses active.

They nodded in sync.

"Yes. Your body has fully recovered," Gin confirmed, and Kuraha added:

"Even your damaged soul core… it's begun to regenerate. One percent restoration in just ten days. Keep taking the soul-nourishing elixir every day, and it'll gradually repair. But don't stop the health exercises—build your physical constitution, keep meditating, and support your life force."

"Still," she sighed, "you can't stay hidden here anymore."

During those ten days, neither Gin nor Hikari had concealed the fact that she left behind a clone while disappearing during the day.

For someone like Kuraha—who possessed top-tier Observation Haki—it was child's play to see through a Tenge Clone. Hikari had learned the fundamentals of Observation Haki by now, and she realized it too.

"If we hadn't told her the truth," Hikari remarked once, "Kuraha would've assumed I was teleporting."

Gin had noticed something else as well: in just ten days of interaction and medical collaboration, Kuraha's favorability toward him had reached 64 points. An astonishing figure—enough to consider them close friends, despite the gap in their age.

"Thank you, Lady Kuraha." Hikari bowed with gratitude. "I appreciate everything. But I won't be able to stay any longer. Please look after Gin in my place."

Gin was almost fully recovered but still needed more time before he could reach his peak again.

Kuraha waved dismissively.

"Don't make it sound like I'm babysitting him. We're both gaining from this exchange."

She wasn't just being polite. Over these days, Kuraha had come to a stunning realization: Gin, despite his youth, had terrifying potential.

He wasn't just proficient in traditional medicine—he absorbed knowledge like a sponge, learned techniques rapidly, and innovated where others merely studied. Every day, he added something new to his repertoire.

Kuraha had started to believe…

"He might one day surpass me…"

[Traditional Chakra Medicine: 9314 / 10,000 → Grandmaster]

Gin was on the brink of a breakthrough. Just a few more days and he'd reach Small Success in Traditional Chakra Medicine.

And considering that even Kuraha—the best doctor in the Pirate World—hadn't surpassed that level herself, Gin's potential was almost terrifying.

"I wonder what 'Great Success' in this field would look like…" Gin mused. "Especially once I combine the chakra systems of both worlds."

Later, in Gin's private room, Hikari activated a soundproof barrier.

"From now on," she said softly, "I can only spare a little time each day to visit you. You'll have to manage on your own."

Gin nodded without hesitation.

"Got it. I'll be fine. But before you go, Mom, I think it's time we begin the clan reforms."

Then, he unveiled a meticulous, long-prepared plan—one designed to save the Uchiha's image, strengthen their hold on Konoha, and prepare for the long game ahead.

Uchiha Military Police Reform Plan 1. Formation of the Elite Guard

Selection of the top Uchiha talents.

Intensive physical and chakra training.

Combat tournaments to assess strength.

Ideological guidance and loyalty cultivation.

Enhanced equipment, armor, and resources.

2. Patrol Division Overhaul

Elite warriors relieved from basic patrols.

Outsourcing patrol duties to civilian hires and ninjas from other clans.

Uchiha to focus on high-level law enforcement and judicial leadership.

3. Judicial Reform

Creation of an Open Court Department.

Clear separation between civil and criminal matters.

Inclusion of respected elders to mediate clan disputes.

Maximum Transparency: All verdicts to be published on public boards.

"We need to eliminate the petty issues that breed resentment," Gin said firmly. "The people of Konoha need to see the Uchiha as guardians, not enforcers. I want the clan's authority to grow... not its infamy."

Reputation was everything. And for someone like Gin—who had no intention of staying in Konoha's shadow—it was a crucial step.

After all, in the near future, he planned to control the entire ninja world.

Completely disbanding the Uchiha Military Police wasn't an option—their legal powers (arrests, patrols, trials) were one of the few tools that could act as a counterbalance to the Hokage.

If reformed and presented with clarity, that same power could one day… even rival the Hokage himself.

But first, Gin thought, "I'll destroy the rot from within."

To be continued…