The Dust Settled

Kagami Uchiha looked coldly over the silent assembly. After a moment, the crimson in his eyes slowly faded, and he withdrew his fierce, oppressive Kage-level aura. Still, no one dared raise their head to meet his gaze.

His voice was calm, but it carried an authority that brooked no argument as he spoke again:

"I'll say this one last time."

"Starting today, every child of school age in Konoha, whether civilian or clan-born, must attend the Ninja Academy."

"Clans may continue private instruction, but they will not be allowed to keep their children out of the village education system."

"Children under twelve are forbidden from taking missions above their level or graduating early without authorization."

His gaze swept across Tokuma Hyuga's pale face, and every word rang clear:

"Konoha's next generation is its future. They are not weapons for the great ninja clans to hoard, nor bargaining chips for those in power to hold on to their positions."

"If anyone still objects to this decree or intends to obey it in name only, step forward."

"Don't say you weren't warned!"

The meeting room was so quiet a falling pin could have been heard.

Tokuma Hyuga, who had led the opposition moments ago, lowered his eyes. His face turned white, then blue, and he pressed his lips tight, no longer daring to utter a word of dissent.

The other clan heads were just as silent. None dared make the slightest move.

Seeing that everyone had been thoroughly subdued, Kagami Uchiha concluded evenly, "The matter is settled. I will also serve as principal of the Ninja Academy."

With the council chamber utterly quiet, Kagami Uchiha moved on to the next decree, his expression unchanged.

"The second education reform is settled. Next, I announce the third reform."

He sat upright and gazed into the distance, his voice grave and steady:

"Konoha has stood for twenty years amid chaos. It may seem secure, but enemies surround us. Minor ninja clans, vassal forces, and spies from other countries have never stopped probing us."

"Yet our intelligence system remains a mess. The Anbu handles internal surveillance, mission intelligence is scattered, and each clan hoards its own reports. Everyone works alone. Information is cut off and arrives too late."

"How many times have we learned of sudden conflicts and enemy incursions only after the fact? How many spies have lurked in the village undetected, nearly bringing disaster upon us?"

"Even during Kinkaku and Ginkaku's rebellion in Kumogakure, if we'd had advance warning—even the slightest hint—we wouldn't have lost so many comrades."

"Even the Second Hokage might not have been gravely wounded, left with a lasting illness, and taken from us so suddenly!"

Kagami Uchiha drew back his gaze, his voice turning solemn. "In troubled times, intelligence comes first. Without it, we fight blindfolded."

"Starting today, Konoha will establish the Intelligence Coordination Department. It will consolidate the Anbu's field intelligence, village patrol reports, and every clan's external informants under one system for recordkeeping, deployment, and command."

His words sent a small shock through the room.

The Intelligence Coordination Department!

That meant every intelligence network in Konoha, every overt and covert informant, and all authority over internal and external investigations would be brought together instead of remaining scattered. This would be a department with real power!

Everyone instinctively looked up, wondering whom the Hokage would entrust with such a vital post.

Kagami Uchiha turned his gaze slightly toward Shimura Danzō, who stood silently behind him, and made the announcement with certainty:

"Shimura Danzō will serve as head of the Intelligence Coordination Department."

A ripple of quiet commotion swept through the chamber, but no one dared voice an objection.

Every gaze fell on the one-armed Danzō, their expressions varied.

Danzō had kept a low profile for years. He was ruthless and decisive, meticulous and suspicious, and particularly skilled at rooting out spies and setting covert plans in motion. Of everyone in Konoha, he truly was the best suited to command its intelligence network.

Below the dais, Shikata Nara stirred inwardly and gave a slight nod.

The Hokage's choices were sound. He had entrusted medical affairs to the careful, dependable Koharu, used education reform to bring people together, and placed intelligence in the hands of the iron-willed Danzō. Each assignment was precise, each step strengthening Konoha's foundations.

Shimura Danzō, who had stood silent all this time, let his empty right sleeve hang at his side and raised his dark eyes slightly.

He met Kagami Uchiha's gaze, bowed with a solemn expression, and replied in a low, firm voice:

"I obey, Lord Hokage. I will root out every hidden spy threatening the village, bring order to its intelligence networks, and build an unseen barrier around Konoha. I will not fail the trust you've placed in me."

There was no flattery, no grandiose oath—only cold, absolute resolve to carry out his orders to the death.

Kagami Uchiha gave a slight nod. "I trust you."

"From today on, the Intelligence Department is yours to direct. The village will give you the personnel, resources, and authority you need. Remember only this—I want to know everything that happens in the Shinobi World."

Danzō said nothing. Standing where he was, he gave a firm nod.

Kagami Uchiha turned back to the assembly, his gaze lingering for an instant on Uchiha Setsuna's face before he continued. "The fourth reform concerns the coordination of the Konoha Military Police Force and the rest of our ninja forces."

Uchiha Setsuna's expression changed, but he said nothing. He merely watched Kagami Uchiha on the dais intently.

"As you all know, the Konoha Military Police Force handles daily patrols, law enforcement, arrests, and the maintenance of order within the village."

"I believe that keeping so many of the Uchiha Clan's finest confined to such a small role prevents them from making full use of their abilities."

Kagami Uchiha paused, swept his gaze across the Uchiha present, and finished his point:

"What I mean is that, from now on, the Konoha Military Police Force will recruit ninja from across the village. It will no longer be limited to one clan."

"That will also keep the Uchiha Clan from remaining the sole authority over village security and living under everyone else's suspicion, which only drives us further apart."

"The police exist to protect order throughout the village, not to serve as one family's private power. Any ninja of sound character and sufficient ability may apply, whether civilian-born or from another clan. All applicants will undergo the same assessment."

His words caused several expressions in the audience to shift.

Some of the non-Uchiha ninja quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Several Uchiha were startled at first, but after a moment's thought, they too began to settle down.

Uchiha Setsuna frowned and almost spoke. Then he recalled the Mangekyo Kagami had revealed earlier and swallowed his words.

He understood that Kagami was not trying to weaken the Uchiha. On the contrary, he was gradually dispelling the suspicion that had surrounded the clan for so long.

But why didn't you discuss something this important with the clan at all? Kagami, is there still a place for your family in your heart? Setsuna thought bleakly.

After a brief pause, Kagami Uchiha continued with the fourth reform in a steady, clear voice:

"As for reforming the village's ninja forces, Konoha currently has about ten thousand active ninja on its rolls, including one hundred and fifty Jonin. In the past, we had no fixed military formations. When conflict arose, teams were mostly assembled on short notice, making deployment chaotic and our response slow."

"Starting today, Konoha's ninja forces will be divided into five corps."

"Four corps will be stationed facing the other four great nations, maintaining a long-term watch on the borders and handling defense, patrols, and frontline clashes. The remaining corps will serve as Konoha's direct defense force, stationed in the village to protect it and provide mobile support."

"Each corps will have one commander, a Jonin responsible for its personnel, regular training, and border defense deployments. In ordinary times, the corps will rotate through regional training, guard duty, and missions. If conflict breaks out at the border, they'll be able to assemble quickly."

He swept his gaze across the Jonin and added:

"Corps commanders will be selected later based on their combat achievements and leadership ability. Defense deployments and training plans must also be submitted regularly to the Hokage's office for the record."

Low discussion broke out in the chamber once more.

Konoha had never maintained permanent border defense corps like these. Its forces were usually assembled only when needed. With this formal structure, the village's military system would finally be brought into order.

The new model piqued everyone's curiosity.

"That's enough. You'll understand the details once you see the results," Kagami Uchiha said calmly, raising a hand to quiet them.

After giving everyone time to absorb the news, Kagami Uchiha spoke again. "The last item isn't exactly a reform. We're simply reviving a project Lord Tobirama once researched. I can't share the details here. For now, the position of head of the Research Department remains undecided, and I'll personally vet its researchers!"

With that, Kagami Uchiha slowly rose and swept his calm gaze across the room.

"The procedures for every reform agreed on today will be posted on the Hokage Building's notice board in three days. Each clan and department will implement them step by step. If you encounter a genuine difficulty, submit a written report to the Hokage's office. Private resistance and false compliance are strictly forbidden."

Having given his instructions, Kagami Uchiha nodded slightly, turned, and stepped down from the dais.

Shimura Danzō and Hiruzen Sarutobi followed close behind him toward the chamber doors. Everyone inside remained seated until the three sets of footsteps faded and the doors closed softly. Only then did the long-suppressed tension begin to ease, and hushed conversations spread through the room.

"So many changes at once... Who knows whether they'll do more good than harm?" one ninja whispered.

"Who cares? We just need to carry out Lord Hokage's orders. Obeying orders is our duty as ninja!" a Jonin told his companion in a grave voice.

As the Jonin began to leave the chamber, representatives of the major clans followed, their faces solemn. The hall, so charged with undercurrents moments before, gradually emptied and soon fell quiet.