Uzumaki Straight

Uchiha Nara set down his teacup without a change in expression, his voice soft.

"That is not the case. I merely thought of the Root organization when you mentioned your clansmen had been missing for three years. After all, that is simply how the Root operates; even as the leader of the Uchiha, I hold a deep wariness toward them."

Upon hearing this, Uzumaki Nao already had his suspicions, yet he still intended to request an audience with the Hokage tomorrow to inquire about his people.

As clan head, it was only natural to worry for the safety of his kin; surely the Third Hokage would understand.

At this thought, Uzumaki Nao could not help but recall the tragedy of their fallen nation, and he sighed.

"Alas, in recent years, I have been finding and bringing back the clansmen scattered abroad, gathering them into Konohagakure. Five years ago, our Uzumaki Clan was a great house with over a thousand ninja; today, fewer than a hundred remain."

"I do not know if bringing them to Konoha was a blessing or a curse. Perhaps those currently in Konoha are all that remain of the Uzumaki."

"Nao-kun, do not sigh so. Those clansmen of yours who joined the Anbu are surely protected by fate; perhaps they are simply away on long-term missions."

Nara offered this comfort, though as he raised his cup to sip, his gaze fixed on his own nose, he did not believe his own words.

Uzumaki Nao let out another heavy sigh upon hearing this.

For a ninja clan that had just joined Konoha to be sent on long-term missions was impossible; they had not even passed the initial period of loyalty assessment.

Furthermore, long-term missions were typically espionage or counter-intelligence—tasks that would never be entrusted to the Uzumaki.

"Why have I never heard of this 'Root'?" Uzumaki Nao stopped dwelling on the matter, deciding instead to learn more about it.

"The vast majority of ordinary villagers never come into contact with the Root. They exist only to suppress ninja clans and scout out talented individuals with high potential. Once you are targeted and absorbed into the Root... heh."

As he spoke, Nara's tone softened, and he let out a dry, forced laugh, finding it inconvenient to say more.

Uzumaki Nao's expression turned grave.

"I understand. I will go and ask the Third Hokage!"

Uzumaki Nao had already reached his own conclusions regarding those clansmen who had joined Konoha and had not sent word in three years. Because the Uzumaki were the most recent clan to join, their status was not high despite their numbers, making them easy targets for exploitation—just as when the Third Hokage demanded they provide ninja for the Anbu, a request Uzumaki Nao could not refuse.

The Jonin positions Konoha granted the Uzumaki were limited to Uzumaki Nao himself and his younger brother, Uzumaki Qu; the rest were mostly Chunin, Genin, or students.

Most of the Uzumaki youth were either being trained within their own clan grounds or had joined the Ninja Academy.

As for the teenagers, most had been funneled into the Anbu, and Uzumaki Nao felt a deep sense of guilt for those who had been absorbed.

Now, Uzumaki Nao was considering how to protect the rest of his people from being plundered by Konoha.

And the Uchiha leader before him was clearly a power capable of shielding the Uzumaki.

"I hope you receive a satisfactory answer." Nara replied upon hearing Nao's intent to question the Third, though he could not help but shake his head slightly.

The Third Hokage's style was either to brainwash with the Will of Fire, pass the buck, or stall for time. Anyone unfamiliar with the Third's true colors would be played to their death.

At this, Nara couldn't help but offer a warning: "Though it is unbecoming of a subordinate to criticize his leader, the Third Hokage... heh."

Nara found it difficult to speak ill of the Third, but the mere thought of him still drew a cold sneer.

Uzumaki Nao understood what Uchiha Nara meant.

"Since our Uzumaki Clan has joined Konoha, we must naturally contribute to the village. But my clansmen are currently too young and inexperienced; without powerful ninja among them, what are we to do?"

Many Uchiha ninja were also within the Konoha ninja establishment. As a clan with formidable combat strength, if he could foster a good relationship with the Uchiha, perhaps his clansmen could form squads with them, which would surely increase their survival rate.

The Konoha ninja establishment was under the direct jurisdiction of the village and managed vertically by the Hokage, typically utilizing the mission hall to assign tasks to these ninja.

However, specific assignments were sometimes made—such as ordering Shimura Danzo to the Land of Rain to challenge Hanzo, or sending Hatake Sakumo to the Land of Wind for assassination and sabotage missions.

They could delegate the Sannin, the Anbu, or various ninja squads, but they could not delegate the great Uchiha clan, nor could they delegate the Konoha Military Police Force.

At least, that was the case for now. Fugaku's submission to the Hokage in the later stages of the anime was a future event; at this stage, no such thing had occurred.

Nara caught the subtext in Uzumaki Nao's words and said softly:

"You could join the Military Police Force. Beyond my role as Uchiha leader, I hold a position and a voice within the Konoha Military Police Force."

Uzumaki Nao had only intended to suggest teaming up with Uchiha ninja; he had not expected Nara to generously invite them to join the Police Force.

He was momentarily stunned. This was a lucrative position; setting aside the salary, it was, at the very least, far removed from the battlefield.

Furthermore, with the Uchiha backing them, the Anbu or the Root would likely not dare to come asking for more people.

"Hahaha, that would be excellent, truly excellent! Nara-sama, please, have some tea." With that, Uzumaki Nao smiled and drained his cup in one gulp.

Uchiha Nara raised his own cup and took a light sip, thinking to himself, The Public Security Squad and the Village Management Squad are in need of some outside hands; this works out perfectly.

Though these two departments were often despised by the villagers, they were undeniably far from the front lines.

The Uchiha clan had held these posts for so long that, despite the resentment and scorn of countless villagers, many other clans were green with envy.

"Nao-kun, you should consider this carefully. After all, it seems many of your Uzumaki are serving in the Sealing Team and the Barrier Team. If you get too close to the Uchiha, perhaps..."

Nara left the rest unsaid. Getting too close to the Uchiha would invite suppression from the Hokage's faction, and being kicked out of other departments would be an awkward outcome.

"Two clansmen in the Sealing Team, two in the Barrier Team—that is only four positions. It is of no consequence. With your patronage, Nara-sama, why should I care about such things?"

Uzumaki Nao said, unconcerned.

"True enough. The Military Police Force can provide at least thirty positions for your people; there is indeed no need to worry about one or two individuals." Nara nodded slightly, throwing out a concrete number.

Uzumaki Nao's eyes lit up instantly. Thirty positions meant thirty iron rice bowls. The rest of the clansmen could continue their missions as usual and mind their own business.

Those who were outstanding or showed potential could join the Military Police Force, meaning there would be no need to worry about the clan's destruction at all.

After all, Konoha was the most powerful hidden village; it was impossible for any other village to organize an assault and wipe them out, right?

No matter how the clansmen developed, as long as the Military Police Force existed, the clan could never be destroyed.

Uzumaki Nao felt deeply vexed and regretful about his initial decision to agree to the Third Hokage's request and send his clansmen into the Anbu, believing he had harmed those people.

Now, he absolutely could not miss this olive branch from the Uchiha Military Police Force. It was precisely because the Uchiha controlled the Military Police Force that they stood at the pinnacle of the ninja clans in Konoha.

"In that case, many thanks, Lord Naraku! The Uzumaki clan is willing to serve you with the utmost loyalty!" Uzumaki Nao hurriedly pledged his allegiance.

"No need for formalities, Nao-kun. You and I are friends, after all. By the way, Nao-kun, I have also dabbled in and studied sealing techniques over the past three years, and some of them are truly obscure and difficult to understand..."