Tiger or kitten
The main residence of the Uchiha Clan.
Taiichi looked at Fugaku, who was clearly very excited, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Regarding the candidate," Taiichi added, "We've tentatively decided on Shisui Uchiha. His abilities and calm demeanor make him perfectly suited for the Anbu. Of course, this is just a preliminary idea; if the clan leader has other suitable candidates to recommend, we can discuss it further."
Fugaku did not immediately answer the question about Shisui, but instead asked, "So, what about the others? What will the Uchiha have to give up?"
He knew there was no such thing as a free lunch; the Konoha High Command must have had some demands for such an important position.
Taiichi's gaze deepened. "The Military Police Force."
He clearly saw Fugaku's back seem to straighten for a moment. "From its inception, the Military Police Force has been the duty and glory of the Uchiha, without a doubt."
However, the Fourth Hokage believed that, for the sake of Konoha's unity and to better fulfill the functions of the Military Police Force, it might be worth considering recruiting some non- Uchiha Konoha Ninja into the Military Police Force.
"What!"
Fugaku's deep voice finally revealed a hint of barely suppressed emotion, his brows furrowing tightly. "The Military Police Force is a power granted to the Uchiha by the Second Hokage; it's one of the few foundations the Uchiha have for themselves in Konoha! Let outsiders interfere? Absolutely not!"
He almost slammed his fist on the table, his pride as a member of the Uchiha Clan and their long-held aversion to the Military Police Force being confined to their homes instantly shattered. This crossed the Uchiha's bottom line.
"Clan Chief Fugaku, please calm down." Taiichi's voice remained steady, but his volume increased slightly. "Let me finish."
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze intense. "The Military Police Force is the pride of the Uchiha, that's true. But isn't it also a heavy shackle? A barrier that separates the Uchiha from the other villagers?"
Taiichi's words struck Fugaku's heart like a heavy hammer.
"The Uchiha clan is naturally proud, a confidence born from strength. But when dealing with daily disputes and maintaining order—tasks that require a lot of interaction with ordinary villagers—this pride can unconsciously turn into arrogance or even indifference."
Taiichi's voice was calm, yet every word was piercing. "I ask the clan leader, over the years, because of attitude problems, poor communication, and mishandling of a small misunderstanding, how much resentment has the Military Police Force accumulated among ordinary villagers? In the eyes of those with ulterior motives, this resentment is the perfect material to sow discord between the Uchiha and the village!"
Fugaku's lips pressed into a straight line; Taiichi's words struck a chord with a deep-seated worry that he had long harbored but had been unwilling to dwell on.
He was not unaware of the rumors circulating about the Military Police Force being "aloof" and "unapproachable."
"Including foreign ninjas in the Military Police Force is not about stripping the Uchiha of their leadership, nor is it about dismantling the Military Police Force," Taiichi softened his tone, his voice carrying a persuasive undertone. "On the contrary, it's for the good of the Military Police Force, and even more so, for the good of the Uchiha!"
"First, introducing ninjas from other tribes can alleviate some of the pressure on grassroots patrols and dispute mediation. These tasks are tedious and meticulous, yet most prone to causing conflict. Having ninjas, whose personalities are more gentle and whose communication styles are more acceptable to the villagers, handle these tasks can greatly ease tensions."
"Secondly, and most importantly," Taiichi's voice carried a clear understanding of the world, "When these foreign ninjas work together with the Uchiha clan members, patrol together, and face those trivial disputes together, they can truly appreciate the difficulty of the Military Police Force's work!"
They will witness the efforts and pressures that the Uchiha ninjas endured to uphold village rules and ensure safety. These firsthand experiences are far more convincing than any empty propaganda.
"They will become the natural spokespeople for the Uchiha among ordinary villagers," to tell the truth about the work of the Military Police Force, and to dispel the resentment caused by misunderstandings. Isn't this reshaping the image of the Uchiha and breaking down that invisible barrier?
Taiichi's light locked onto Fugaku: "The Military Police Force no longer belongs exclusively to the Uchiha. On the surface, it may seem like a dilution of power, but in the long run, it is precisely to relieve the Uchiha of a heavy burden and to dismantle the wall that separates them from the Uchiha!"
Only by transforming the Military Police Force from the exclusive domain of Konoha Uchiha into a public safety department jointly built and shared by all Konoha, and only then can the foundation of the Uchiha be truly solidified!
A hush fell over the reception room, broken only by the crackling of the lamplight. Fugaku sat there, like a statue, his expression shifting unpredictably.
Taiichi's words were like a sharp scalpel, peeling away the layers of hidden problems beneath the glamorous exterior of the Military Police Force and the deep anxieties in his heart.
Pride was exposed, and worries were confirmed, but what followed was an unprecedented, painfully clear direction.
The monopoly of power brings not only glory, but also a heavy burden and an inescapable isolation.
Taiichi's depiction of a future where non- Uchiha ninjas understand and spread the value of the Military Police Force, share the burden, and thus truly win the villagers' approval is like a ray of light piercing through the gloom. Although accompanied by the discomfort of sacrifice, it points to a broader future.
Time passed slowly, and the teacup in front of Fugaku had long since gone cold.
Finally, he took a deep breath, a breath that seemed to inhale the heavy history and future hopes of the entire Uchiha.
He slowly raised his head, the sharpness in his eyes not gone, but with a heavy sense of determination.
"Shisui —he's a good boy." Fugaku's deep, hoarse voice broke the long silence. "His abilities and temperament are more than enough for the work of the Anbu. The Uchiha Clan will fully support his development in the Anbu."
This undoubtedly endorses the first proposal.
Then, he changed the subject, his tone carrying a resolute determination born of resignation. "As for the Military Police Force —what Taiichi- kun said is indeed reasonable."
He closed his eyes slightly, seemingly processing this difficult decision.
"The pride of the Uchiha should not become a barrier separating the clan from the village. The Military Police Force can open up some positions to accept outstanding non- Uchiha ninjas."
"We need to discuss the specific proportions, division of responsibilities, and how to ensure the core functions of the Military Police Force and the leadership position of the Uchiha in detail with the Hokage's Office."
He opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as he looked at Taiichi: "But one thing remains unshakable: the Military Police Force's core responsibility and ultimate decision-making power in maintaining internal order in Konoha. This is the bottom line."
A genuine smile of relief finally appeared on Taiichi's face. He knew that the most difficult hurdle had been overcome. Fugaku's compromise was a historic step forward for the Uchiha Clan.
"That's natural, Chief Fugaku," Taiichi replied solemnly. "The core functions and leadership of the Military Police Force are undoubtedly the responsibility of the Uchiha."
The introduction of ninjas from other clans was to better serve the village and to allow the Uchiha to exercise their power more smoothly.
Regarding the details, the Fourth Hokage will personally send someone to discuss them with the clan chief and elders.
The two exchanged views on some preliminary frameworks, and the atmosphere was much more relaxed than at the beginning. When Taiichi got up to leave, Fugaku personally saw him to the door.
"Taiichi- kun," Fugaku said, gazing at the clan's territory bathed in moonlight as he departed, his voice tinged with complex emotion, "I hope this truly is—a path leading to the light."
Taiichi stood in the Gekko, his shadow stretched long. He looked back at the dimly lit Uchiha Compound, then towards the brightly lit Hokage Rock in the distance, a symbol of the entire Konoha, and spoke with a firm and powerful tone.
"No matter how long the night, dawn will always come. Taking this step will bring the dawn of the Uchiha, and the dawn of a stronger Konoha. Clan Chief Fugaku, please believe in the Fourth Hokage, and please believe in me."
Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the night of Konoha, his steps steady and powerful. Behind him, Fugaku Uchiha stood at the entrance of the mansion, gazing for a long time in the direction where Taiichi had disappeared, then looked up at the newly engraved portrait of the Fourth Hokage on the Hokage Rock, his deep eyes surging with unprecedented waves.
The lights of the ancestral land flickered behind him, as if symbolizing that this ancient and proud family was standing at a turning point full of challenges but also pregnant with new life.
On the top floor of the Hokage Building, a few solitary lights still shone, echoing the relatively tranquil lights of the Uchiha Compound in the distance.
Just as Taiichi stepped into the Fugaku Uchiha residence and began a conversation that would change the landscape of Konoha, the atmosphere was completely different in another corner of the village, in the cozy home of the new Fourth Hokage Hokage.
A sense of oppressive, impending explosion of anxiety permeated the air.
Kushina Uzumaki, the "Bloody Habanero" of Konoha, was sitting with her knees drawn up to her chest at the low table in the Reception Hall.
--
On the table lay a half-open cookbook, next to a plate of neatly arranged, now-cold food—the result of her afternoon's work.
The clock on the wall ticked away, its hands long past dinner time, relentlessly pointing into the dead of night.
Her signature red hair seemed to lose its usual luster under the light, slightly tousled, revealing her agitated state of mind.
Those emerald green eyes were fixed on the entrance, the storm brewing within them almost tangible. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force.
"Squeak."
Finally, a slight turning sound came from the door lock.
Minato Namikaze appeared at the doorway, his face bearing an undisguised deep weariness. His brand-new white Mizukage Haori was casually draped over his arm, and his golden hair was somewhat disheveled.
But he habitually put on a warm smile, trying to dispel the weariness that enveloped him. "Kushina, I'm back—"
Before the words were even finished!
A red whirlwind had already swept right in front of us!
Minato Namikaze!
Kushina's roar seemed to shake the ceiling; her pent-up anger, accumulated all night, erupted like a volcano. "You finally dared to come back! Look at the time! Ah!"
With a roar, her powerful fists rained down on Minato's chest and shoulders. Although she deliberately controlled her strength to avoid serious injury, the resounding thuds were enough to demonstrate their power. Her feet were not idle either, kicking at Minato's calves in a fit of rage.
"So what if you're the Hokage? Hokage you can treat your home like a hotel? You're out early and back late Tenten! You never even see a shadow of someone! Do you even respect me?"
"I spent so much time and effort cooking the food, and I reheated it again and again! It's all gone cold now!"
"Speak up! Do you think I'm dispensable now that Hokage?"
"You bastard! You idiot! You moron Minato!"
Kushina hit and cursed at the same time, her voice filled with anger, but also with deep grievance and barely perceptible worry.
Minato was forced to retreat repeatedly by this sudden "domestic violence," until he leaned against the door, helplessly and indulgently enduring Kushina's "iron fists."
He knew Kushina too well; he knew the soft heart beneath her fiery temper, and he knew he had indeed neglected her these past few days.
"Kushina, listen to me—" Minato tried to explain, but his voice was interrupted by Kushina's fists and roars.
"I won't listen! I won't listen! Any explanation is just a cover-up!"
Kushina, like a puffed-up little lion, intensified her attacks instead of diminishing them.
Looking at Minato lover, who was puffed up with anger and whose eyes were red, Minato's frustration from his heavy official duties vanished instantly, leaving only tenderness and love.
He knew that a simple apology would be ineffective in the face of "Bloody Habanero's" wrath.
He suddenly reached out and, ignoring her still waving fist, gently but firmly grasped her wrist, stopping her movement.
Kushina struggled for a moment but couldn't break free. She raised her teary, angry blue eyes and glared at him.
In this brief, Yakumi standoff, Minato's signature warm smile vanished, replaced by an unprecedented, extremely serious and solemn expression.
He didn't say "I'm sorry," nor did he explain how busy he was with work. He simply gazed into Kushina's eyes and, in his clear and gentle voice, uttered five words: "Let's get married."
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
All of Kushina's actions, all her shouts, all her burning anger seemed to have been paused.
The anger in her wide eyes dissipated quickly like the receding tide, replaced by incredulous astonishment. Then, like a pebble thrown into a lake, circles of blush spread visibly from her neck to her cheeks, ears, and finally even her forehead was tinged with a lovely pink.
"Get married?"
She opened her mouth, her voice suddenly dropping eight octaves, becoming barely audible, trembling with obvious shyness.
Just moments ago, the "Bloody Habanero" was so aggressive, as if it were about to demolish a house, but in an instant, it turned into a boiled red shrimp.
"Um."
Minato nodded emphatically, his golden, tousled hair swaying gently with the movement, his eyes so tender they could melt water.
"Just the two of us, and the people who care about us, a simple ceremony will suffice. I don't want to wait any longer, Kushina."
I want everyone to know that you are my wife, the Fourth Hokage's Wife of Konoha.
His voice was deep and firm, filled with unwavering determination and deep affection.
Overwhelmed by the immense surprise and sweetness, Kushina's defenses crumbled instantly. She abruptly lowered her head, covered her burning cheeks with her hands, and let out unintelligible, tearful sobs.
"Idiot— Minato —what—what kind of marriage proposal is that—when someone's angry—"
Although she was still complaining, her restless little hands had unconsciously left her cheeks and instead gently touched the chest and shoulders that she had just "punched" Minato, carefully massaging them with movements so gentle that they were completely different from the raging storm just moments before.
"Does it still hurt? Did I... did I use too much force just now?"
Her voice was soft and sweet, filled with heartache and frustration.
Minato's heart was struck by this huge contrast, becoming incredibly tender.
He pulled Kushina into his arms, his chin gently resting on her soft red hair, inhaling her familiar scent.
"It doesn't hurt anymore. With you here, I don't feel any pain anywhere." He chuckled softly, a pleasant vibration emanating from his chest. "As long as you agree to marry me."
Kushina buried her face deep in his chest, her exposed ear tips burning red.
She responded softly against his chest, her voice so low it was almost inaudible:
Minato's smile widened instantly, like sunlight piercing through all the gloom. He cupped Kushina's burning cheeks and planted a precious kiss on her smooth forehead.
"Great! Then... shall we set it for the beginning of next month?" Minato's voice was filled with excitement.
Kushina was too shy to look at him, and just nodded haphazardly in his arms, her fingers unconsciously drawing circles on his chest. Her previous anger had long since vanished, leaving only sweetness and shyness in her heart.
"I'll do whatever you say—but—" She suddenly looked up, her face still flushed, but her eyes became serious, "I can't neglect my work too much! You're the Hokage now!"
Minato couldn't help but chuckle, and hugged her tighter again. "Don't worry, my Hokage wife. I'll arrange everything. But now..."
He leaned down and whispered in her ear, a mischievous smile playing on his lips, "Shouldn't you make it up to your long-waiting fiancé by reheating my dinner? I'm starving."
Kushina finally stopped crying and smiled, giving him a light punch. "Idiot! Wait!" She broke free from his embrace and, like a happy little red bird, turned and ran towards the kitchen, her steps light and quick, showing no trace of her previous rage.
Minato watched her retreating figure, his golden eyes filled with a gentle smile and the happiness of becoming a husband.
Outside the window, the gentle Gekko spilled down, enveloping the small house that had just weathered a "storm" and quickly returned to its sweet state, and also enveloping the Konoha, which was undergoing a quiet transformation not far away.