Merman's Skin (Seeking Recommendations and Follow-ups)

"The final Thirteenth Division is a purification and disposal unit, responsible for eliminating dangerous enemies and standing guard at various bases outside the village."

Uchiha Chen, who was bent on expanding the authority of the Police Force, knew that one couldn't become a fat man in a single bite.

However, in the layout of the division restructuring, Uchiha Chen subdivided the current responsibilities of the Police Force while leaving ample room for the extension of power for each division according to local conditions.

The division method of the Thirteenth Division was basically approved by high-ranking members of the Police Force such as Hachidai.

In their view, the scale of Uchiha Chen's reform of the Police Force was not particularly significant.

It was nothing more than subdividing responsibilities and transforming the original structure of four major squads and over a dozen medium squads into thirteen divisions that reported directly to the Captain-General and the Department Head.

However, the task of building a large-scale fish farming base left everyone feeling confused for a moment.

Even for the Uchiha, the top-tier old money of the Shinobi World with a thousand-year heritage, investing hundreds of millions of ryo into fish farming—a field the Uchiha had never touched—meant that if it failed, everyone would have to cut back on their New Year's feast.

Of course, everyone still firmly supported Clan Head Chen.

"The Clan Head's move must have a profound meaning!"

After glancing at each other for a few seconds, Uchiha Setsuna, who had already transformed into the number one Chen-fan, revealed a slight smile and took a deep breath, saying:

"We will definitely complete the Clan Head's mission! It is just that we are dull-witted."

"There's no need to be so circuitous; it's not like I can't listen to advice!" Uchiha Chen went straight to the point and tossed the small pink Samehada in his hand to Uchiha Setsuna.

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure are quite famous in the Shinobi World; you should all know about the Great Sword Samehada, right?

The Great Sword Samehada is essentially a special ninja beast that possesses the ability to absorb and store chakra, providing it to its master.

And this little pink fish is called Samehada No. 1, a clone of Samehada, possessing abilities similar to or even stronger than the original. The reason I want to build a large-scale fish farm is to cultivate more Samehada!"

The Great Sword Samehada?

Among the many peculiar ninja tools in the Shinobi World, apart from legendary artifacts like the Flame Gunbai that could be linked to the Sage of Six Paths, Samehada's fame was top-tier, and the Uchiha members had naturally heard of it.

But...

Uchiha Setsuna looked with a strange expression at the little pink fish rolling around in his hands.

If he remembered correctly, Samehada was called a 'Great Sword', a door-sized blade over two meters long wrapped in bandages. Even if this little fish had the same abilities, how much chakra could it possibly hold?

"Elder Setsuna, don't underestimate it. Although it is small in size, its utility surpasses that of the original Samehada. Hold its tail."

After Setsuna held the fish tail with half-belief, Uchiha Chen issued an order to No. 1 through the Summoning Contract to provide chakra to Setsuna.

"Setsuna, follow my hand signs!"

At Uchiha Chen's command, Uchiha Setsuna instinctively activated his Sharingan and began to copy Uchiha Chen's hand signs.

Four simple signs. Is this sign for Water Style?

Uchiha Setsuna was dazed for a moment, but under the guidance of the hand signs, the small amount of chakra that No. 1 had just injected into his body began to move along his meridians.

Puff!

Uchiha Setsuna opened his mouth and spat out a water bullet, smashing a small hole in the office wall.

"I actually used Water Style?"

Setsuna shook his head in disbelief. He had never practiced Water Style, yet he had successfully performed it on his very first attempt at the hand signs!

"Samehada No. 1 possesses all Five Elements attributes. With its assistance, as long as one's chakra control ability is sufficient, one can directly use basic Five Elements ninjutsu, though one cannot add shape or nature transformations to the ninjutsu."

Uchiha Chen spoke nonchalantly, but Hachidai, Setsuna, and the others had their eyes widened, observing this 'divine fish' with their Sharingan as if they had found a treasure.

Not every ninja is an Uchiha.

And not every Uchiha can be like the reincarnation of Indra, Sasuke, who mastered Fire Style in one night and completed Lightning Style nature transformation in a month.

For most ninjas, being able to master an elemental ninjutsu within two or three years of graduating from the Ninja Academy is already considered having some talent.

As for the development of a second attribute, what is that?

Even for the Uchiha, where everyone is a genius, if one is born with only the Fire attribute, mastering other attributes would require months of bitter practice.

Therefore, most ninjas basically only specialize in one type of ninjutsu, at most practicing another as a supplement to avoid being countered.

"A treasure, a treasure! Just this little fish can save years of practice in developing other attributes?"

The hands with which Uchiha Setsuna held No. 1 were trembling.

"We've only just begun; there is an even more useful function for the Uchiha!"

Uchiha Chen plucked No. 1 from Setsuna's hands.

"Since its birth, it has only consumed my chakra, so it has perfectly fused with my chakra aura, and can even refine Yin Release chakra that is compatible with my own."

No. 1 leaped slightly, turning into a puddle of pink slime that wrapped around Uchiha Chen's hand, transforming into a fingerless glove, with a shark-toothed dagger with a pink hilt extending from the palm of the glove.

"In this blade form, it can be used as a weapon, and it can also feed back a small amount of Yin Release chakra to me, slightly enhancing my eye power.

I call this form 'Shikai', or 'Initial Eye Power Release' form."

What Uchiha Chen said was, of course, true.

However, the amplification provided by Samehada No. 1 could only be described as negligible—but the future was promising!

However, Uchiha Setsuna had already swallowed this grand promise whole, devouring every bit of it.

It could even amplify Eye Power? As expected of our great clan leader!

If every member of the Uchiha had a Samehada like this, wouldn't the Uchiha be the number one noble clan in the Shinobi World?

Nonsense! The Shinobi World has been the Uchiha's backyard since time immemorial!

Uchiha Setsuna's eyes lit up. He immediately patted his chest to issue a military pledge, guaranteeing with high spirits:

"One month. I will oversee it personally and ensure the base is built!"

Uchiha Chen raised an eyebrow. "No empty words within the clan?"

"Twenty days!" Uchiha Setsuna slapped his thigh hard. "If it's not built in twenty days, I'll offer my head as payment!"

"Good! I'll leave it to you."

Uchiha Chen nodded in satisfaction, pulled a stack of papers from his robe, and handed them to Uchiha Hachidai.

"Hachidai, there is another urgent matter that you must handle!

The clan's reputation is currently poor, and we urgently need to turn public opinion around. Find a few manga artists and have them draw this story I've provided into a manga as soon as possible, then sell it throughout the Land of Fire."

"Yes!" Hachidai also understood the importance of propaganda and solemnly accepted the outline Uchiha Chen gave him.

"Naruto?"

Hachidai frowned; he didn't care for the title.

Believe first, then believe again!

He patiently began to read the story summary provided by Uchiha Chen.

Namikaze Menma is a genius ninja from a commoner background.

However, during his six years at the Ninja Academy, his grades were always ranked below the cold and aloof genius girl of the Uchiha, Uchiha Sazuko.

Because of this, he had always viewed Sazuko as his greatest rival and enemy.

Upon graduating from the Ninja Academy, due to an accident, Menma actually ended up kissing Sazuko!

In the subsequent team assignments, he was placed in the same squad as his 'arch-rival', along with Sazuko's admirer No Haruhide and the jonin Saiki Kakashi.

Gradually, the two were drawn to each other after experiencing many events, but both of them, possessing immense pride, were unable to face their feelings honestly...