Military Police Force Reform

Naraku furrowed his brow slightly.

"Then take on some high-ranking missions—protecting important people or hunting down rogue ninja, for example. Those missions are usually B-rank or higher, and sometimes even A-rank or S-rank." Naraku spoke calmly, glancing at the ninja.

The ninja, who looked to be in his thirties, furrowed his brow even more. He seemed to have something to say, but hesitated.

"How can Uchiha ninja be afraid of death?"

Naraku guessed what he wanted to say. It was probably something about the danger of the missions, so he spoke coldly.

At Naraku's words, the thirty-year-old ninja blushed slightly and fell silent, looking embarrassed.

Naraku sighed inwardly and said, "The problem of low income does need to be addressed. High-ranking missions are too dangerous, so I'll find a way to deal with that."

"However, even for the Uchiha, there's no shame in taking D-rank or C-rank missions, and they don't diminish the Uchiha's dignity. Pulling weeds, clearing waterways, and helping residents find their pets are all ways of serving Konoha. Besides, Konoha pays for the work. Clan members with free time can take on more of these missions."

"Yes, sir!"

The ninja below responded one after another.

Seeing that the meeting had more or less run its course, Uchiha Sanzang announced:

"Meeting adjourned."

Night

Military Police Building

Uchiha Sanzang walked out of the Military Police Building and glanced back at the emblem in front of it. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then turned and left.

At the Military Police Force captain's office, the squad leaders and deputy squad leaders, along with the head of the Security Force, the prison warden, and others, had gathered in the conference room.

Uchiha Naraku sat at the head of the table and slowly addressed everyone below.

"Today is my first day as captain of the Military Police Force. I hadn't planned on reforming it, but the reforms in the First Squadron have yielded excellent results. So I've called you all here to discuss reforming the Military Police Force."

Uchiha Yakumi, captain of the Second Squadron, and Uchiha Kosui, captain of the Third Squadron, exchanged glances with their respective deputy captains.

The First Squadron was represented by its company commander, Uchiha Saburo. After all, its former captain, Naraku, had been promoted to captain of the entire Military Police Force.

The prison warden, Uchiha Riki, and the head of the Security Force, Uchiha Shun, both sat quietly, their eyes fixed on the table. Neither said a word.

"Captain, how do you plan to reform it?" Uchiha Yakumi, captain of the Second Squadron, asked gravely.

In truth, these people in charge of the Military Police Force didn't want reforms. Living out their days in such comfort was a very happy thing.

They didn't think about the Hokage suppressing or excluding them, because they'd never experienced it. They certainly didn't imagine that, in the future, every member of the clan would be targeted.

"The Military Police Force will no longer have so-called squadrons. Instead, it will have divisions. The work and personnel of the original three squadrons will be reorganized."

"First, we'll establish the Public Security Division. It will have three companies, with a total of fifty-one people. Each person will earn four hundred thousand ryō a year. They'll oversee public security throughout Konoha, managing the village's public order. Their main duties will be resolving disputes between villagers, combating crime, and conducting regular patrols."

The original chaotic system of two hundred and ten people would be streamlined to just fifty-one.

"Second, the Criminal Investigation Division. It will have one company of seventeen people, with an annual salary of eight hundred thousand ryō each. They'll primarily handle cases involving ninja and major cases involving villagers. Seventeen people should be enough to deal with serious crimes in Konoha. The Criminal Investigation Division in the former First Squadron under my command had far too little to do, so this might give them more work."

Everyone below listened intently. Ninja had better memories than ordinary people because of their chakra, so there was no need to take notes.

"Third, the Village Management Division. Each member will earn one million ryō a year. It will have three squads of twelve people, plus one division chief. Whether they recruit villagers to help or manage things themselves, they must keep the streets in good order. Villagers' complaints will not be tolerated."

"Fourth, the Prison Division. Konoha Prison is large and needs many people to manage it, but having sixty ninja on guard is too many. The original five squads of four people per shift will be reduced to three squads of four. Their pay will be increased somewhat."

At this point, Naraku glanced at Uchiha Riki. Even though Riki was obedient, stripping him of authority like this was bound to be deeply resented.

Uchiha Riki remained as quiet as before, his gaze lowered, showing no reaction or expression. Naraku nodded.

"Fifth, the Security Division. Its staffing will remain unchanged at sixty people, guarding the areas where the barrier is weak."

Naraku had considered cutting their pay from six hundred thousand ryō to four hundred thousand, but decided not to say it. Cutting wages everywhere might unsettle the troops. If one of his own men confronted him, he'd lose all authority. He paused, then continued:

"Sixth, the Supervision Division. It will have three squads of twelve people, plus one division chief, for a total of thirteen. They'll oversee the work of the entire Military Police Force, including dereliction of duty, bribery, and abuse of power. The Supervision Division will have the authority to punish staff for such conduct. It will also review major cases and arrests before the next steps can be taken."

"Seventh, the Judiciary Division. It will have one squad of four people, responsible for drafting Konoha's laws and the Military Police Force's regulations. All staff must memorize the laws. Every criminal must be referred to the Judiciary Division, and no sentence will take effect until it has been reviewed. Whether the punishment is imprisonment, flogging, or something else, the Judiciary Division must approve it before any other division can carry it out. No division will be allowed to administer private punishment! Anyone who violates this rule will be expelled from the Military Police Force!"

Everyone listened intently. At Naraku's words, they exchanged glances, realizing that despite its small size, the Judiciary Division would wield considerable authority.

"Eighth, the Plainclothes Intelligence Division. It will have three squads of twelve people, plus one division chief. They'll handle counterespionage and gather all kinds of intelligence, whether about the various clans in the village or the great nations beyond it. For now, it will have thirteen people; we can discuss expansion later. They'll be the eyes and ears of our Uchiha clan! Members of the Plainclothes Intelligence Division won't wear uniforms. They'll blend into their surroundings to gather intelligence."

The division would also be responsible for guarding against Root, but Uchiha Naraku didn't mention Root.

"Ninth, the Special Mobile Force. It will be organized into squadrons, with seventy people in total. Its members will be Military Police Force officers assigned to special missions, and they must be skilled in combat. They'll assist the other divisions, including capturing criminals, guarding important people and locations, and helping transmit intelligence. They'll handle other dangerous missions as well. When they have no assignments, they'll train to strengthen their abilities. The elite of our Uchiha clan will be transferred to this unit."

When those below heard about the Special Mobile Force, a unit for Military Police Force members assigned to special missions, they all looked up.

Who among the Uchiha hadn't dreamed of making a name for himself? They'd simply been worn down by years of peaceful, comfortable living.

"Tenth, the Propaganda Squad. It will report directly to the Military Police Force and won't be a separate division. It will have one squad of four people, responsible for publicizing the Military Police Force's work. We work hard and contribute greatly to Konoha, but the villagers often don't understand what we do. The Propaganda Squad needs to publicize our accomplishments and our contributions to Konoha."

"Eleventh, the Finance Squad. It will report directly to the Military Police Force and won't be a separate division. It will have one squad of four people, responsible for the Military Police Force's finances. Every expense and source of income must be documented!"

"Twelfth, the Secretariat Squad. Its size will be flexible. The secretaries will help me draft documents, offer suggestions, and assist with the Military Police Force's work. They may also receive foreign guests on my behalf." The secretaries would mainly handle documents and provide assistance, as well as manage external affairs.

"Thirteenth, the Assistant Squad. Its size will also be flexible. They'll assist me and, if I'm away, help coordinate work with the various divisions and squads." Most of the assistants' work would involve coordinating with the Military Police Force, so they would handle internal affairs.

"Fourteenth, the Logistics Squad. It will have one squad of four people, report directly to the Military Police Force, and take care of members' food, clothing, housing, and transportation."

The original Military Police Force had three squadrons with two hundred and ten people. Adding sixty members of the Security Force, sixty prison staff, and various clerical workers brought the total to three hundred and fifty.

Naraku had streamlined it to fewer than three hundred, freeing up enough funds for the annual salaries of fifty people. That meant there would be money to redesign the Military Police Force uniforms.

Naraku had done nearly all the talking, while the various senior officers below listened. Seeing how attentively they were paying attention, he continued:

"The Military Police Force uniforms need to change, too. I already have a design in mind. All Military Police Force members will wear blue on top and black on the bottom, with blue hats. The standard vests will be black instead of the green used by the ninja ranks."

At Naraku's audacity, Uchiha Yakumi of the Second Squadron couldn't help asking quietly, "Captain, isn't it inappropriate to change the Konoha Ninja vests?"

"What's inappropriate about it? If the Hokage isn't pleased, he'll come to me, not you. Besides, only those who've reached Chunin rank will qualify for a vest." Naraku shot Uchiha Yakumi an annoyed glance.

"Also, the Military Police Force armbands need to change. The armbands worn by the Village Management Division and the Security Division must no longer display the Military Police Force emblem. Their armbands will all be changed to the Konoha symbol."

Naraku spoke calmly. Those two divisions would be the ones taking the blame, so their uniforms absolutely couldn't bear the Uchiha insignia.

Uchiha Jiro, a young man who had been the First Squadron's captain and was now Naraku's assistant, asked in confusion, "Lord Naraku, why do the Village Management Division and the Security Division need to switch to the Konoha symbol? How will people know they're part of the Military Police Force?"

Naraku didn't answer Uchiha Jiro and continued explaining:

"The old armbands displayed a Gunbai encircled by Shuriken on both arms. We'll make some adjustments. The Village Management Division and the Security Division will have the Konoha symbol on their left armbands and a shield on their right. The name of their division will be written on the shield."

"The other divisions will keep the Military Police Force's Gunbai encircled by Shuriken emblem, but only on their left armbands. Their right armbands will have a shield bearing the name of their division."

"For other clerical teams, such as Finance, Secretariat, and Assistant, the shield armband only needs to say 'Military Police.'"

Everyone below exchanged glances over the information Naraku had given them. Uchiha Naraku planned to change everything, from the roles to the uniforms.

"These changes are very important, and I'll need all of your help with them. Let's discuss the appointments of the division chiefs."

Naraku looked at them and spoke calmly.

It could be said that this round of reforms had stripped all three squadrons of their authority. And because Naraku had been in charge of the First Squadron from the start, its company commanders would be the first to receive promotions.

The former squad leaders and deputy leaders would mostly be transferred to positions in Supervision, Judiciary, Assistant, and Secretariat. They would still hold considerable power, so it was a win for everyone.