"...The final Thirteenth Division is the Purification Unit. It's responsible for eliminating dangerous enemies and guarding some of the bases outside the village."
Uchiha Chen, who was determined to expand the Police Force's authority, knew that Rome wasn't built in a day.
When dividing the divisions, he had broken down the Police Force's current responsibilities and tailored each division's jurisdiction to leave plenty of room for expansion.
The arrangement of the Thirteen Divisions had won the approval of most of the Police Force's senior officers, including Hachidai.
In their eyes, Uchiha Chen's reforms to the Police Force were hardly radical.
He had merely broken down its responsibilities and reorganized the existing four departments and dozen-odd squads into thirteen divisions that reported directly to the overall commander—Clan Head Chen—and the minister.
But the assignment to build a large-scale fish farm left everyone at a loss.
Even for the Uchiha, an old-money clan with a thousand-year legacy and a place among the Shinobi World's foremost powers, investing over a hundred million ryo in fish farming—a field they had never entered before—was no small matter. If it failed, they'd have to cut two dishes from their New Year's feast.
Of course, everyone still firmly supported Clan Head Chen.
"The clan head must have a deeper purpose!"
After exchanging bewildered looks for a few seconds, Uchiha Setsuna, who had become Chen's number one admirer, flashed a faint smile and took a deep breath.
"We'll certainly carry out the clan head's orders! It's just that we're too dull to understand..."
"There's no need to beat around the bush. I can take criticism!" Uchiha Chen cut straight to the point and tossed the little pink Baby Samehada in his hand to Uchiha Setsuna.
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure are well known in the Shinobi World. You should all have heard of one of their weapons, the greatsword Samehada, right?
"Samehada is essentially a special ninja beast. It can absorb and store Chakra, then provide it to its wielder.
"This little pink fish is called Samehada One. It's a clone of Samehada, with similar—or even greater—abilities. I want to build a large fish farm so I can breed more Samehada!"
The greatsword Samehada?
Among the Shinobi World's many strange ninja tools, Samehada was one of the most famous, apart from a few legendary treasures like the Flame Gunbai that were said to be connected to the Sage of Six Paths. The Uchiha had certainly heard of it.
But...
Uchiha Setsuna stared strangely at the little pink fish rolling around in his hands.
If he remembered correctly, Samehada was called a "greatsword"—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. It may be small, but it's even more useful than the original Samehada. Hold it by the tail."
After Setsuna took hold of its tail, still half skeptical, Uchiha Chen gave Number One an order through their Summoning Contract to provide Setsuna with Chakra.
"Setsuna, follow my Hand Seals!"
At Chen's command, Uchiha Setsuna instinctively activated his Sharingan and began copying Chen's Hand Seals.
Four simple Hand Seals. Was this Water Style?
Uchiha Setsuna hesitated for an instant, but as he formed the Hand Seals, the small amount of Chakra Number One had just infused into him began to flow through his body.
Pfft!
Setsuna opened his mouth and spat out a stream of water that smashed a small dent into the office wall.
"I actually used Water Style?"
Setsuna shook his head in disbelief. He had never trained in Water Style, yet he'd managed to use it on his very first try!
"Samehada One has all five elemental natures. With its help, as long as you have enough control over your Chakra, you can use basic ninjutsu from all five elements. You just can't add shape or nature transformations to the techniques."
Uchiha Chen spoke as if it were nothing, but Hachidai, Setsuna, and the others stared wide-eyed, gazing at the "divine fish" like it was a priceless treasure.
Not every ninja was an Uchiha.
And not every Uchiha was like Sasuke, the reincarnation of Indra, who could master Fire Style overnight and complete Lightning Style nature transformation in a month.
For most ninja,
mastering the basics of an elemental ninjutsu within two or three years of graduating from the Ninja Academy was already a sign of talent.
As for developing a second nature, what was that?
Even among the all-talented Uchiha, those born with only Fire Release would need months of hard training just to learn the basics of another nature.
So most ninja focused on a single type of elemental technique, at most learning a second to avoid being at a disadvantage against an opponent.
"What a treasure! This tiny fish can save us years of training just to develop another nature?"
Uchiha Setsuna's hands trembled as he held Number One.
"That's not all. It has an even more useful ability for the Uchiha!"
Uchiha Chen took Number One from Setsuna.
"Since it was born, it's only ever consumed my Chakra. That means its Chakra signature has fused perfectly with mine. It can even refine Yin Release Chakra that can blend with my own Chakra."
Number One gave a small leap, turning into a puddle of pink slime that wrapped around Uchiha Chen's hand. It transformed into a fingerless glove, with a shark-toothed short blade attached to its palm and a pink handle.
"In this blade form, it can be used as a weapon. It can also feed a little Yin Release Chakra back to me, slightly strengthening my Eye Power.
"I call this form 'Shikai,' or the 'initial release of Eye Power.'"
Of course, Uchiha Chen was telling the truth.
But the boost from Samehada One was so slight it was practically nonexistent. Still, the future was full of possibilities!
Uchiha Setsuna had already swallowed the promise whole, hook, line, and sinker.
It could even strengthen his Eye Power? The clan head truly was great!
If every Uchiha had one of these Samehada, would the Uchiha become the Shinobi World's greatest clan?
Hell, no! The Shinobi World had always been the Uchiha's backyard!
Uchiha Setsuna's eyes lit up. He immediately thumped his chest and made a solemn pledge, full of confidence.
"One month. I'll handle it personally. The base will be built!"
Uchiha Chen raised an eyebrow. "A clan member's word is their bond?"
"Twenty days!" Uchiha Setsuna smacked his thigh. "If it's not built in twenty days, I'll come to you with my head!"
"Good! I'll leave it to you."
Uchiha Chen nodded in satisfaction, pulled a stack of papers from his robes, and handed them to Uchiha Hachidai.
"Hachidai, there's another important task for you!
"The clan's reputation is poor right now, and we urgently need to turn public opinion around. Find a few manga artists and have them adapt this story I've provided into a manga as soon as possible. Then sell it throughout the Land of Fire."
"Yes!" Hachidai understood the importance of publicity and solemnly accepted the outline from Uchiha Chen.
"Naruto?"
Hachidai frowned. He didn't like the name.
First, believe. Then, believe again!
He patiently began reading the story synopsis Uchiha Chen had given him.
Namikaze Menma was a genius ninja born into an ordinary family.
But throughout his six years at the Ninja Academy, his grades had always been second to those of the aloof Uchiha prodigy, Uchiha Sasuko.
So he had always regarded Sasuko as his greatest rival—his enemy.
When he graduated from the Ninja Academy, an accident led to Menma kissing Sasuko!
Later, when the teams were assigned, he ended up on the same team as his "archenemy." Their teammates were Noha Haru, who admired Sasuko, and the jonin Kakashi Five-and-a-Half...
Gradually, after going through many things together, the two were drawn to each other. But both had such strong pride that neither could face their feelings honestly...
Before you continue