The Inuzuka Clan! Loyalty!

The next day, Uchiha Toko went to the Military Police Force to make some work arrangements. Seeing that it was nearly time for the appointment stated in the calling card, he brought gifts and headed toward the Inuzuka Clan.

The Inuzuka Clan Territory had already made its preparations. It had to be said that the Inuzuka Clan possessed formidable cohesion. After the clan's upper ranks decided the previous night to go all in on the Uchiha Clan, the entire clan had sprung into action early that morning, preparing for Uchiha Toko's arrival.

Outside the gates of the Inuzuka Clan Territory, the road had been covered in yellow earth and the streets sprinkled with clear water.

When Uchiha Toko arrived, the three jonin of the Inuzuka Clan, including the Clan Head, along with their Great Elder, were all waiting at the entrance to the Inuzuka Clan Territory.

The sight nearly gave Uchiha Toko the strange sense that he was a leader inspecting a workplace in his previous life. All that was missing were two banners hanging above the Inuzuka Clan's gates.

Seeing this, Uchiha Toko understood the Inuzuka Clan's attitude. It seemed that the Inuzuka family had had enough of being an overlooked ninja clan in the village and now wanted to rise higher.

Upon seeing Uchiha Toko arrive, Inuzuka Gaku immediately led the other three forward to greet him.

Uchiha Toko smiled. "I came unannounced. I hope I haven't caused you any trouble."

"What are you saying, Clan Head Uchiha? Your visit brings great honor to our Inuzuka Clan," Inuzuka Gaku said with a smile.

Uchiha Toko shook hands with them one after another. When it was Inuzuka Fu's turn, he laughed as he clasped Uchiha Toko's hand. "When we carried out that mission before, I was greatly indebted to Clan Head Toko's hospitality. Now that you've come to our Inuzuka Clan, Clan Head Toko, you must give me the chance to return the favor."

"Clan Head Toko, please."

The group ushered Uchiha Toko into the clan's reception hall. Not long after they sat down, attendants brought tea for everyone.

Seated in the place of honor, Inuzuka Gaku asked, "May I ask why Clan Head Uchiha has come to visit today?"

"It's like this. The Military Police Force recently recruited a batch of newcomers. Their strength is passable, and they train diligently every day, but after all, they do not possess the Sharingan of my clan. When pursuing criminals and searching for contraband, they still fall short. Furthermore, when we were on that mission before, Big Brother Fu mentioned that your clan intended to sell a batch of Ninja Dogs to the Military Police Force. So, the Military Police Force intends to order a batch of fully trained Ninja Dogs from your clan."

"The Military Police Force is an important force in preserving peace and security within the village. Our Inuzuka Clan is also part of the village. Since the Military Police Force has need of them, the Inuzuka Clan will naturally give its full support. Why speak of ordering them?" Inuzuka Gaku said, waving his hand. "Tomorrow, our Inuzuka Clan will select a batch of outstanding adult Ninja Dogs from within the clan and personally deliver them to the Military Police Force."

"That would be even better." Uchiha Toko smiled. "Please rest assured, Clan Head Inuzuka. After these Ninja Dogs join the Military Police Force, they will receive the official designation of Police Dogs within the force. The Military Police Force will provide each Police Dog with a monthly stipend of thirty thousand ryo, distributed in the form of food. At the same time, the Military Police Force will ensure that every last bit of each Police Dog's food allowance goes into the Police Dog's mouth."

"Thirty thousand ryo?" Inuzuka Retsu froze at those words. When the Inuzuka family raised Ninja Dogs, only those that had formed one-on-one summoning contracts with clan members since childhood, could learn the Inuzuka Clan's secret techniques, and were truly treated as inheritance dogs received such treatment. Yet the Uchiha Clan was offering the same treatment even to ordinary Ninja Dogs. To be honest, with thirty thousand ryo a month purely for food, some of the clan's chunin and Special Jonin would probably be willing to personally become Police Dogs.

"It seems Clan Head Toko is a dog lover as well." Inuzuka Kotsu smiled. "I had originally worried that our clan's Ninja Dogs would not receive proper care after arriving at the Military Police Force. Now, it seems I was worrying unnecessarily."

"But does the Military Police Force have people capable of taking good care of these Ninja Dogs?" Inuzuka Fu asked. "Clan Head Toko, caring for Ninja Dogs is not as easy as caring for the pet dogs kept by nobles."

"That is true. Most of my clansmen might manage if asked to care for cats, but when it comes to dogs—especially elite Ninja Dogs among dogs—they would likely be unable to handle it." As Uchiha Toko spoke, he looked at Inuzuka Gaku. "May I ask whether Clan Head Inuzuka would be willing to see this through to the end?"

"What does Clan Head Toko mean by that?" Inuzuka Gaku asked, pretending not to understand.

Although they had already made plans and even decided which clan members would be sent to work at the Military Police Force, Inuzuka Gaku still played dumb. He was waiting for Uchiha Toko to make the request himself. After all, there was a vast difference between being personally invited and eagerly offering themselves up.

Uchiha Toko also understood what the other man meant. The Inuzuka Clan had already shown ample sincerity in the ceremony welcoming him today. The spectacle of paving the road with yellow earth and cleansing the streets with water at the entrance had probably already reached Sarutobi Hiruzen and those two old fools. The Inuzuka Clan had made its stance clear, and Uchiha Toko did not mind giving them this courtesy. After all, the Inuzuka Clan was the first ninja clan willing to stand on their side. Even if they were merely a horse bone, Uchiha Toko would still pay a thousand gold for them, much less when they were offering the technical personnel the Military Police Force currently needed.

"It's like this. The Military Police Force intends to hire several professional Dog Trainers, Veterinarians, and Ninja Dog Handlers from your clan. After all, professional matters should be left to professionals. Looking across the entire Ninja World, I cannot think of anyone more skilled in these matters than the Inuzuka Clan." Uchiha Toko smiled.

"As for compensation, Dog Trainers and Veterinarians are technical personnel. The Military Police Force is willing to offer them a monthly salary of one hundred and eighty thousand ryo, equivalent to that of a Military Police Force squad leader. As for Ninja Dog Handlers, they will be assigned to the combat ranks according to their strength. Based on the Military Police Force's current pay scale, chunin receive one hundred and eighty thousand ryo per month, while Special Jonin receive three hundred thousand ryo."

Before Inuzuka Gaku could respond, Inuzuka Fu leaned forward.

"Clan Head Toko, what about jonin?"

Even he was tempted by the price Uchiha Toko had offered. After all, as a jonin, he could not earn three hundred thousand ryo in most months.

"Fu! Why are you butting in?" Inuzuka Gaku barked.

"Heh, Big Brother Fu is still as straightforward as ever." Uchiha Toko smiled unconcernedly. "For jonin, the base salary is four hundred thousand ryo. Including mission subsidies and the like, earning six hundred thousand ryo a month will not be a problem. I trust Big Brother Fu's strength."

"Cough, cough, cough." Inuzuka Kotsu suddenly coughed. "Clan Head Toko, let's discuss serious matters. The Inuzuka Clan is willing to cooperate with the Military Police Force. This afternoon, we can deliver the Ninja Dogs needed by the Military Police Force. At the same time, the clansmen going to work there will report for duty tomorrow."

"There's no need to rush." Uchiha Toko said, "The Inuzuka Clan is willing to contribute its strength to Konoha's public security, so our Military Police Force must naturally show its appreciation. As for what that appreciation will be, you will find out tomorrow when your clan delivers the Ninja Dogs to the Military Police Force."

"Then from now on, the Inuzuka Clan will have to rely on Clan Head Uchiha's care," Inuzuka Gaku said.

"Eh? What are you saying? We are all doing this for Konoha, for the Will of Fire!" Uchiha Toko waved his hand and laughed.