"I think the Fourth Hokage's top priority should be taking control of the Anbu. We should leave the other departments untouched for now, so we don't provoke a backlash from the elders. After all, the Anbu is one of Konoha's most elite forces. The Uchiha are willing to send ten jonin and sixty elite chunin to serve in the Fourth Hokage's Anbu."
"At the same time, the Police Force will open some positions for civilian ninja to apply for."
"What do you think, Fourth Hokage?"
Minato Namikaze was overjoyed. He clasped Masaki Uchiha's hand tightly, his expression full of excitement. "It's a deal!"
He had been worrying about how to find positions for the civilian ninja who supported him. The Uchiha's offer had come at just the right time, a lifeline for Minato.
"But the proposal to expand the Police Force to 1,200 people still won't work. That's too many. I can give you a maximum of 600 positions."
"And the Police Force will also need to hire ninja from the other clans, such as the Ino–Shika–Cho trio."
"Also, I'll help you shoulder some of the pressure from the Third Hokage and the others. You'll have to deal with the rest yourself."
"I'm not making things too difficult for you, am I, Masaki?"
Masaki Uchiha laughed. "Ha ha ha! It's mutually beneficial, and everything we do is for Konoha. Thank you, Lord Hokage."
"By the way, Masaki, what are the functions of the Media Bureau and the Special Operations Unit in your Police Force reform proposal?"
"The Media Bureau's main purpose is to clear up the misunderstandings the villagers have about the Uchiha when they don't know the truth. It's also about uniting Konoha."
"The Special Operations Unit is mainly for apprehending spies who infiltrate Konoha and ninja who break Konoha's laws. The Metropolitan Police Department's later work will focus on ordinary villagers, so we're separating the two functions."
"Here are the documents for the Police Force reforms. Please stamp them to confirm your approval, Fourth Hokage, so the Third Hokage and the others don't misunderstand."
Minato took the documents Masaki handed him and looked them over carefully. Seeing no problems, he stamped them.
Seeing the red seal on the documents, Masaki knew that the odds of his later plans succeeding had increased considerably.
"I've certainly gained a lot today, Masaki."
"I'm doing all this for Konoha."
Minato chuckled but said no more. "All right, it's getting late. You should head home and get some rest, Masaki."
"Then I'll take my leave."
As Masaki reached the doorway, Minato suddenly called out, "Masaki, from now on, between you and me..."
Without turning around, Masaki waved a hand. "We're even." With that, he left with his escort.
Shikaku Nara, who had been a spectator the whole time, spoke up. "Lord Hokage, after giving it some thought, I realized that the Police Force's Special Operations Unit is aimed at Root. Could that displease the Third Hokage and the elders?"
"Heh. They'll certainly be displeased, but I also need the elders to recognize the situation."
"If the Uchiha need me, the Hokage, as an ally, then I also need the Uchiha to help me reclaim the authority that belongs to the Hokage."
"The Uchiha and I are helping each other through a difficult time."
As he spoke, Minato let out a long breath, releasing the pent-up frustration in his chest. His expression eased.
"Shikaku, before I became Hokage, I thought the job would be easy. I never imagined how many restrictions came with this position. It's like walking on thin ice, always on edge, afraid I'll do something wrong."
"But to build the Konoha I envision, I need the help of every force in the village that's willing to support me. I need them to help me reform Konoha, whether they're the Ino–Shika–Cho clans or the Uchiha."
"So, Shikaku, you understand, right?"
Hearing this, Shikaku immediately stood up, his expression solemn. "The Ino–Shika–Cho clans are willing to give their lives for you, Lord Hokage!"
When Masaki got home, he told the escort to disband for the time being and go home. They would meet at the shrine at one tomorrow afternoon.
As the others dispersed, Masaki took Ema Uchiha's hand and led her inside.
"Ema, I finally got some revenge today. I beat Shimura Danzō so badly he ended up in the hospital."
"I can't kill him just yet, but at least I've collected a little interest on behalf of the clan members he persecuted."
"Our chance to get revenge is almost here. Just wait a few more months."
As he spoke, his heavy tone suddenly changed. His voice turned a little lecherous. "So, Ema, you'd better give me a good reward tonight. And I've got another surprise for you tomorrow."
Seeing the mischievous grin on Masaki's face, Ema blushed and nodded.
Masaki chuckled and pulled her into his arms.
Night deepened. Frogs croaked in the pond, one wave following another, louder and louder.
Early the next morning, Masaki saw that Ema was still asleep and didn't disturb her. He quietly got dressed, went out, and headed straight for Orochimaru's laboratory.
As a "regular customer" who had made deals with Orochimaru many times, Masaki had long since been told where the laboratory was.
Now that they were in the same boat and each was getting what they wanted, their cooperation had always gone smoothly.
After disabling the traps and Sealing Jutsu at the laboratory entrance, Masaki walked in as casually as if he were strolling through a garden, then closed the door behind him.
Orochimaru had already sensed Masaki's arrival. He stopped what he was doing and waited for him.
Footsteps slowly drew closer.
Looking at his visitor, Orochimaru spoke in his hoarse voice. "Masaki, did you bring the goods?"
"Here."
Masaki held up two glass jars. Inside were two pairs of Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
"I got these when I gathered the bodies of our clan members on the battlefield," Masaki said with a sigh.
"They belonged to a father and son who'd followed me for a long time. Before they died, they asked me to use their eyes to protect the clan. I didn't expect they'd come in handy so soon."
Orochimaru could hardly contain his eagerness. "Don't worry, Masaki. I'll take good care of these eyes." His fiery gaze was fixed on the two jars.
Why hadn't Orochimaru worked with Danzo on Sharingan experiments? The answer was simple.
Now that he'd made contact with the "manufacturer," why bother with a "middleman"?
Besides, Danzo was always so stingy with the research funds he provided. Apart from Hashirama Cells, he had nothing else that interested Orochimaru.
Now, at long last, a rich patron had come to him of his own accord, willing to invest in research without regard for the cost.
Would anyone be foolish enough to turn down a patron like that?
"Senior Orochimaru, how is the person I entrusted to you doing?"
Orochimaru chuckled, a strange look in his eyes. "The experiment was a success. I didn't expect your hypothesis to be viable."
"The cells of the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan are highly compatible."
"Hashirama Cells have greatly improved his chakra and his body's ability to recover. However, his Mangekyō Sharingan hasn't awakened yet. We'll need to keep experimenting."
"As long as it worked, that's good enough. Hand him over to me," Masaki said with a slight smile. "And don't forget to give me the Hashirama Cells and the extraction technique."
"Don't rush, Masaki. I heard you seriously injured Danzo with a single move yesterday. I'm curious how strong you are now."
"Would you let me see for myself?"
The lustful look in Orochimaru's eyes wiped the smile from Masaki's face. Looks like Orochimaru needs to be put in his place.