Forcing Ino-Shika-Cho to Choose a Side

"The clans still have their legacies," Uchiha En said. "Their kekkei genkai are still theirs, and so are their secret techniques. What points can buy are ordinary ninjutsu, the fundamentals—things that give civilian ninja a path to greater strength."

"The clans have their legacies, and civilians have their own way forward."

"If Konoha is to grow strong, we can't leave those at the bottom with no chance of ever rising."

Shikaku fell silent for a moment.

"Those words..." he said slowly. "I heard you say them at your inauguration."

"They weren't just for show," Uchiha En said.

"The third matter is military reorganization," he continued. "Konoha's ninja are too scattered. In wartime, they charge in all at once, and everything turns into a mess. I intend to establish units with a proper military structure—the Barrier Corps, the Medical Mobile Corps, the Engineering Corps, the Special Reconnaissance Corps, and the Corps Combat Unit. The Anbu will be disbanded, and its functions divided. Some will be incorporated into the Special Reconnaissance Corps, and the rest into the Konoha Military Police Force."

"The police will handle affairs inside the village, and the combat units will handle affairs outside it. Two separate systems, neither interfering with the other."

Shikaku listened without interrupting.

"The Ninja Academy will also expand its enrollment," Uchiha En said. "Orphans from anywhere in the Land of Fire can be brought here, provided they have talent. We'll add a Medical Team, a Tactical Staff Team, a Barrier Team, an Engineering Team, and an Intelligence Division."

"From the day each child walks through the school gates, they should know what path they'll follow in the future."

He finished speaking.

He lifted his teacup, took a sip, and set it down.

The courtyard fell quiet.

Only the wind stirred the chimes beneath the