Appointment: Special Jonin!

The Uchiha Clan's position in Konoha had always been difficult. Ever since the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, took charge of Konoha, the Uchiha had lost the trust of Konoha's high-ranking officials.

Konoha's high-ranking officials had long used the important post of the "Police Force" to indirectly imprison and monitor the Uchiha. Even after the Second Hokage died and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, took office, this policy had not changed.

Two successive Hokage had maintained the same policy, causing the Uchiha and Konoha's high-ranking officials to grow increasingly estranged over the decades.

Excluded from the core leadership, the Uchiha had also gradually drifted further and further away from ordinary villagers through their accumulated Police Force duties.

By now, the Uchiha Clan's interactions with the other shinobi clans and civilians of Konoha had slowly dwindled.

As the Uchiha Clan grew in number, its members alone had formed a small society. All kinds of daily necessities could be bought within the Clan Compound, making it resemble an "independent village."

As the current head of the Uchiha, Fugaku naturally understood the clan's situation very well. He also hoped to reestablish ties with Konoha's high-ranking officials, win their trust, and secure a proper place for the Uchiha.

But the Nine-Tails Attack had completely erased that possibility.

At least, when Fugaku came to the Hokage's Office to undergo questioning, he no longer held any hope.

However...

The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had actually said that he trusted the Uchiha. Whether it was merely polite talk or not, Fugaku had to seize this opportunity and regard the Fourth Hokage as an important ally and pillar for the Uchiha.

Even if the members of the Council of Elders and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, did not trust the Uchiha, as long as the young and vigorous Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, remained Hokage, there was still room to mend the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha.

"Fourth Hokage..."

"Please rest assured, we Uchiha will do everything in our power to apprehend the rogue ninja Obito Uchiha!"

"We definitely won't disappoint you!"

Before Minato, Fugaku gave his sincere assurance. Apprehending Obito Uchiha would serve as a pledge of loyalty. As long as the Uchiha handled it well...

"Fugaku, I'll be counting on you for this."

"Apprehending the rogue ninja is a special mission exclusive to the Uchiha. There will be no time limit for now."

"He is proficient in Space-Time Ninjutsu. It won't be easy to catch him slipping."

"You'll likely have to put in a great deal of effort."

Minato's original intention had only been to ease the tense atmosphere. To be honest, he did not hold much hope for the Uchiha Clan's pursuit of Obito. Having fought Obito before, he understood that there was likely no one in the Uchiha Clan capable of dealing with his former student.

Of course, that was also because Minato did not fully understand the Uchiha Clan's strength.

The Uchiha had not awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan in many years. To outsiders, they were merely a powerful Kekkei Genkai clan, not something beyond the scope of "shinobi."

Yet in truth, every Uchiha capable of awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan possessed power comparable to the "Kage" of every village.

Under Minato Namikaze's deliberate protection, the questioning of Fugaku came to an inconclusive end. Danzo and the other advisors were full of anger and wanted to vent it on Fugaku, but since Minato had said as much, they could only swallow their words.

The young Minato Namikaze was not like their old comrade Hiruzen. Even the Council of Elders would not interfere too much with Minato.

Before Hiruzen, they could trade on the favor of being "old comrades," but before Minato, they did not have nearly as much face to rely on.

"Clan Head Fugaku, return and take charge for now."

"Convey the village's intentions to your clansmen and have everyone prepare in advance."

"Next Monday, the village plans to gather all shinobi clans and readjust the defenses. Please come in person when the time comes."

Minato patted Fugaku's shoulder and spoke gently.

Hearing that the village intended to readjust its defenses, Fugaku's brow, which had only just relaxed, furrowed again. After nodding somewhat heavily, he turned and left the office.

After Fugaku left, Minato and the others turned their attention to the father and son pair, Hyuga Hiashi and Shinichi Hyuga.

"Clan Head Hiashi, Shinichi, why have you come?"

"Is there something you need?"

The Hokage had not summoned the Hyuga Clan, so Minato and Konoha's high-ranking officials did not understand the pair's purpose.

"Fourth Hokage, I came this time because of Shinichi."

"Please take a look."

As he spoke, Hyuga Hiashi took a letter from his robes and handed it to Minato.

"A Letter of Recommendation?"

After glancing at the label on the envelope, Minato looked somewhat surprised. He opened it and began reading, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others nearby looked over curiously.

A letter of recommendation from the head of the Hyuga Clan was quite a rare sight.

After quickly scanning the contents of the letter, Minato looked toward Shinichi Hyuga.

"Hiashi, you intend to recommend Shinichi for Special Jonin?"

"Isn't that... a little too soon?"

The moment Minato spoke, everyone in the office focused their gazes on Shinichi beside Hiashi.

Hiashi had actually recommended his son, who was so young, to become a Special Jonin?! Even if he was pulling strings, this was not how it was done!

"Hey, Hyuga Hiashi!"

"What do you take the village's Special Jonin position for?!"

"A joke?"

"How old is your son? He's just a brat who can barely even be considered a shinobi. How can he become the village's Special Jonin?!"

Mitokado Homura reacted strongly, even more strongly than Danzo or Hiruzen. His tone was not polite in the slightest.

Born a civilian, Mitokado Homura had become one of Konoha's high-ranking officials through hard work, talent, and a tiny bit of luck. He had always disliked certain practices of the major shinobi clans.

He genuinely wanted to preserve fairness in Konoha Ninja advancement paths. Speaking up now could be considered a righteous defense.

Unfortunately, he had chosen the wrong target.

Danzo studied Shinichi thoughtfully, his eyes full of scrutiny.

As the leader of Root, Danzo would not underestimate Shinichi simply because of his young age. Not only were there many exceptionally capable young shinobi in Root, but he had personally witnessed Shinichi defeat Kakashi some time ago.

The Third Hokage knew more about Shinichi than the others did. He seemed to have guessed something and asked in a trembling voice,

"You..."

"Shinichi, have you already completed that technique?"

Hearing him, Mitokado Homura and the others seemed to recall something as well, and they all turned solemnly toward Shinichi.

Minato sighed softly at the sight. He walked over to Shinichi, gently patted his head, and interjected,

"Since this is Clan Head Hiashi's recommendation, there is no reason to refuse."

"I know your abilities well."

"I will personally issue your letter of appointment."

"Shinichi, I will personally select your team members."

"After becoming a Jonin, the village will assign missions to you. Remember: be cautious, cautious, and cautious again."

"I believe that in just a few years, you will make the entire Shinobi World know your name!"