Transaction

"I believe the Fourth Hokage's primary goal should be to secure control over the Anbu. Other departments should remain untouched for now to avoid provoking a backlash from the elders. After all, the Anbu is one of the most elite forces in Konoha. The Uchiha are willing to dispatch 10 Jonin and 60 elite Chunin to serve within the Fourth's Anbu."

"At the same time, the Police Force will open up positions for civilian ninja to apply."

"I wonder what the Fourth Hokage thinks of this?"

Minato Namikaze was overjoyed upon hearing this. He gripped Masaki Uchiha's hand tightly, his expression filled with excitement. "It's a deal!"

Minato Namikaze had been fretting over how to arrange the civilian ninja who supported him; the olive branch extended by the Uchiha was truly a timely gift for him at this moment.

"However, the reform plan to increase the Police Force to 1,200 personnel is still not feasible. That number is too high; I can only grant you an establishment of 600."

"Furthermore, the Police Force must also accommodate ninja from other clans, such as the Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka clans."

"Additionally, I will help you shoulder some of the pressure from the Third Hokage and his associates, but you will have to resolve the rest yourself."

"This isn't too difficult for you, is it, Masaki?"

Masaki Uchiha laughed heartily. "Hahaha, it is a mutually beneficial arrangement. Everything is for the sake of Konoha. Thank you, Lord Hokage."

"By the way, Masaki, regarding the Police Force reform plan, what are the functions of the Media Bureau and the Special Operations Unit?"

"The main purpose of the Media Bureau is to dispel the misunderstandings that the villagers of Konoha, who are unaware of the truth, hold against the Uchiha. It is also to foster unity in Konoha."

"The Special Operations Unit is primarily for capturing spies who have infiltrated Konoha and ninja who violate the laws of Konoha. Since the subsequent work of the Metropolitan Police Department will focus on ordinary villagers, I have specifically separated them."

"This is the document for the Police Force reform. Please, Fourth Hokage, stamp it to confirm, so as to avoid any misunderstandings from the Third Hokage and his associates."

Taking the document handed over by Masaki Uchiha, Minato Namikaze carefully reviewed it. Finding nothing amiss, he stamped it immediately.

Seeing the red seal imprinted on the document, Masaki Uchiha knew that the success rate of his subsequent plans had increased significantly.

"I have truly gained a lot today, Masaki."

"Everything I do is for Konoha."

Minato Namikaze chuckled without saying much more. "Alright, it is getting late. Masaki, head home and get some rest."

"Then I shall take my leave."

As he watched Masaki Uchiha walk toward the door, Minato Namikaze suddenly asked, "Masaki, from now on, between you and me..."

Masaki Uchiha waved his hand without looking back. "We owe each other nothing." With that, he left with his security detail.

Shikaku Nara, who had been a spectator for quite some time, finally spoke up. "Lord Hokage, after careful consideration, I have realized that the Special Operations Unit of the Police Force is aimed directly at Root. Won't this cause dissatisfaction from the Third Hokage and the elders?"

"Heh, there will certainly be dissatisfaction, but I also need the elders to recognize the current situation."

"Since the Uchiha need me, the Hokage, as an ally, I also happen to need the Uchiha to help me reclaim the power that belongs to the Hokage."

"The Uchiha and I are simply keeping each other warm."

Having said this, Minato Namikaze let out a long sigh, releasing the pent-up frustration in his chest, and his expression softened.

"Shikaku, before I became Hokage, I thought the position was easy to manage. I never expected that sitting in this seat would mean being constrained at every turn, walking on thin ice, trembling with fear, and terrified of making a mistake."

"But to realize the Konoha of my ideals, I need all the strength within the village willing to help me transform it—whether it be the Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka clans, or the Uchiha."

"So, Shikaku, you understand now, don't you?"

Hearing this, Shikaku Nara stood up immediately with a solemn expression. "The Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka clans are willing to die for Lord Hokage!"

Upon returning home, Masaki Uchiha dismissed his security detail, telling them to return to their respective homes and gather at the shrine tomorrow at 1:00 PM.

Watching them disperse, Masaki Uchiha took Ema Uchiha's small hand and walked toward the house.

"Ema, I finally vented my anger today and put Shimura Danzō in the hospital."

"Although it's not the right time to kill him yet, this is at least a small interest payment for the clansmen who have suffered under his persecution."

"The time for our revenge is coming soon. Just wait a few more months."

As he spoke, his heavy tone suddenly shifted, replaced by a slightly lecherous lilt. "So, Ema, you must reward me well today. There is another surprise waiting for you tomorrow."

Looking at Masaki Uchiha's mischievous grin, Ema Uchiha blushed deeply and nodded.

Masaki Uchiha chuckled and pulled Ema Uchiha into his arms.

The night grew deeper, and the croaking of frogs in the pond rose and fell, wave after wave.

Early the next morning, seeing Ema Uchiha still fast asleep, Masaki Uchiha did not disturb her. He dressed quietly, stepped out, and headed straight for Orochimaru's laboratory.

As an 'old customer' who had traded with Orochimaru many times, the location of the laboratory had long been disclosed to him.

Since they were now in the same boat, and both sides were getting what they needed, their cooperation had always been quite pleasant.

Disarming the traps and sealing techniques at the entrance of the laboratory, Masaki Uchiha walked in as if strolling through a garden, closing the heavy door behind him.

Orochimaru, inside the laboratory, had already sensed Masaki Uchiha's arrival and immediately stopped what he was doing to wait for him.

The sound of footsteps slowly approached.

Seeing the visitor, Orochimaru's raspy voice rang out. "Masaki, have you brought the items?"

"Here."

Masaki Uchiha shook the two glass jars in his hands, inside of which were two pairs of three-tomoe Sharingan.

"I recovered these while collecting the bodies of our clansmen on the battlefield," Masaki Uchiha said with a sigh.

"They belonged to a father and son who followed me for a long time. In the end, they entrusted me to use these eyes to protect the clan. I didn't expect them to come in handy so soon."

Orochimaru could hardly wait. "Rest assured, Masaki-kun, I will treat these two pairs of eyes well." His burning gaze was fixed intently on the two glass jars.

If one were to ask why Orochimaru didn't collaborate with Danzo on Sharingan experiments, the answer was simple.

Since he could connect directly with the 'manufacturer,' why bother with the 'middleman'?

Furthermore, the research funding provided by Danzo was always stingy, and aside from Hashirama cells, there was nothing else that interested Orochimaru.

Now that a big spender had finally come knocking, willing to invest in research and development regardless of the cost, he would be a fool not to cling to such a golden thigh.

"Senior Orochimaru, how is the person I entrusted to you doing now?"

Orochimaru chuckled, a strange glint in his eyes. "The experiment is a great success. I never imagined the hypothesis you proposed could actually be realized."

"The fusion rate between the Senju clan cells and the Uchiha clan cells is remarkably high."

"The Hashirama cells have greatly enhanced his chakra and physical recovery capabilities, though the Mangekyo Sharingan has yet to manifest. That will require further experimentation."

"As long as there are results, that's enough. Hand the person over to me," Masaki Uchiha said with a faint smile. "And don't forget to give me the Hashirama cells and the extraction technology as well."

"Don't be so impatient, Masaki-kun. I heard that you left Danzo critically injured with just a single move yesterday. I am very curious about how strong you have become."

"Would you mind letting me see for myself?"

Orochimaru's gaze, filled with desire, caused Masaki Uchiha to wipe the smile from his face. It looks like Orochimaru's skin needs a little loosening, he thought.