Wind and Prestige

Hidden Leaf Village seemed to have had a boulder dropped into it overnight. The once-calm surface was shattered, and ripples spread to every corner.

The cause of the uproar was a joint notice posted in the most prominent spot on the bulletin board, stamped with the Hokage's seal and the Military Police Force's emblem. It was an official announcement about the organizational reform of the Konoha Military Police Force.

"Have you heard? The Military Police Force is recruiting from outside the clan!"

"Really? The Uchiha are willing to give up a piece of their pie?"

"It's right there in black and white! Every clan gets a quota, and even civilian shinobi can apply!"

The news swept through the village like the wind. In taverns, at mission gathering places, and on clan training grounds, almost everyone was talking about it.

Meanwhile, in Yakiniku Q on the other side of the village, three young shinobi sat around a table, but the mood was not as carefree as usual.

They were the younger generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans: Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, and Yamanaka Inoichi.

Though they were still only Chunin, they were heirs receiving special attention from their clans, and already qualified to know about and discuss this major event that had shaken the village.

Nara Shikaku absently nudged the slices of meat on the grill with his chopsticks. His brow furrowed slightly, and his usually drowsy eyes now gleamed with insight.

"Uchiha Ling played this beautifully," he said quietly, with a trace of admiration in his voice.

"On the surface, he distributed some of the Military Police Force's authority, silenced everyone, and earned a reputation for 'putting the greater good first.'

"But in reality? He traded a few insignificant seats for the Hokage's trust and a wealth of resources. More importantly, he broke the Uchiha's isolation and gained a chance to extend his influence into every corner of the village."

Akimichi Choza focused on coating a slice of grilled meat in sauce before stuffing it into his mouth. He said indistinctly, "You're making it too complicated, Shikaku. I just want to know if we should send someone. If we do, will the Uchiha bully them?" He was more concerned with practical matters and his friends' safety.

Yamanaka Inoichi was more composed. Sensing the jumble of emotions among the people around them as they discussed the news, he chimed in.

"We have to send someone. This is a decision made by the leadership. As one of the Hokage's supporting clans, our three families can't sit it out.

"Besides, it really is a good chance to learn about the Military Police Force and Uchiha Ling."

Yamanaka Inoichi looked at Shikaku. "What do you think of Uchiha Ling?"

Nara Shikaku put down his chopsticks and answered seriously, "I can't figure him out.

"But every move he makes seems risky, yet somehow leads to the best possible outcome.

"From his time at the Academy to attracting the Hokage's attention, resolving the Uchiha's problems, and even turning the tables on Elder Danzo, I can't help thinking..."

Nara Shikaku lowered his voice. "His goals may go far beyond the Military Police Force." The thought gave even him a faint chill.

At the same time, similar discussions were taking place within the mid-sized clans, including the Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame.

The Hyuga Clan had little objection to sending Hyuga Tokuma from the Branch Family. It would show their support without touching the Main Family's core interests.

The Inuzuka and Aburame Clans, meanwhile, saw this as a chance for their members to gain combat experience and get involved in the village's core affairs.

Clans of every size had their own calculations, but in the end, they all decided to take part.

The ones who truly rejoiced, almost regarding Uchiha Ling as their savior, were the village's vast population of civilian shinobi.

"An opportunity! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

A civilian Genin who had graduated from the Ninja Academy not long ago stared at the notice, his face flushed with excitement.

His friend was just as thrilled. "Right! Before, joining the Military Police Force was impossible! Now all we have to do is pass the exam! The Uchiha are amazing!"

In taverns and throughout the civilian districts, similar conversations could be heard everywhere.

"Captain Ling has given those of us without connections a way forward!"

"I hear the Military Police Force offers great benefits, and you can even trade merit for jutsu!"

"My son has already signed up! If he gets in, he'll finally have something to look forward to!"

The parents of many civilian shinobi were even more grateful to Uchiha Ling.

They had spent their lives struggling at the bottom of the mission ladder and knew how difficult it was to get by without clan support.

Now, Uchiha Ling had broken through that barrier and opened a path for their children to reach greater heights. Their gratitude came from the heart.

Uchiha Ling had once been respected by civilians for resolving a few conflicts, but now he had truly won their hearts. Countless families remembered and praised him.

Even some ordinary villagers could feel the change.

"The Uchiha really went all out this time!"

"Yeah. I guess they're not all so arrogant and hard to approach. Captain Ling seems like a good guy."

Under this new openness, the fear and distance people had felt toward the Uchiha began to quietly fade.

In the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the window, listening as Anbu reported how people across the village had responded to the Military Police Force reform.

When he heard that dissent within the Uchiha had been swiftly suppressed, that the various clans were participating cautiously but eagerly, and especially that civilian shinobi were almost unanimously grateful and supportive, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction and smiled warmly.

"It seems having Ling push this through was the right call."

He turned to the two advisers beside him. "The boy truly understands the Will of Fire. He isn't thinking only of his clan, but of all Konoha. No wonder Tsunade trained him!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi became increasingly convinced that Uchiha Ling was a promising young talent and an important bridge between the Uchiha and the village. He even began to consider whether he could entrust him with greater responsibilities in the future.

As for the possibility that Uchiha Ling had deeper motives?

As far as Hiruzen Sarutobi was concerned, ambition was not necessarily a bad thing, as long as it served Konoha's prosperity and stability.

Shimura Danzō had naturally learned everything as well.

Deep within the Root Base, Danzō listened to his subordinate's report, his face so dark it seemed water might drip from it. His single eye gleamed with hatred and coldness.

"That wicked Uchiha brat... He's certainly skilled at manipulating people!"

Danzō's wooden cane struck the floor with a heavy thud.

He knew perfectly well that Uchiha Ling's move had not weakened his power. On the contrary, he had seized the opportunity to spread his influence through every level of the village, and his prestige was now at its height.

That was far more dangerous than simply controlling a closed-off Military Police Force!

"Damn that fool Hiruzen. He's still congratulating himself!"

Danzō roared inwardly. He had said the Military Police Force's authority should be reduced, too, but he had intended to abolish the regulations left behind by the Second Hokage.

He had never expected Hiruzen Sarutobi and Uchiha Ling to come up with this arrangement. But having just been reprimanded by Hiruzen, all he could do now was watch as Uchiha Ling grew stronger, burying his boundless resentment deep inside.