Meikyō glanced at everyone speechlessly.
He remembered that he had come to discuss matters concerning the Hyuga Clan, right?
How did it turn out like this again?
However, this is also a good thing. They have received a large amount of funding from the village's higher-ups and the Ninja Clan behind them, which will definitely benefit their experiments.
After some further discussion, the matter of the Golden Potion was ultimately dropped.
If we want to discuss this matter, it would be best to call Orochimaru over, and it would also be necessary for Tsunade, an expert in the field, to be present.
The Konoha High Command decided to discuss it later.
Meikyō didn't care about this. With him and Fugaku, two high-ranking executives, plus Orochimaru and the other two, their share was unlikely to decrease. If others wanted to join in and expand production, they would ultimately benefit.
Then, they finally got back to the main topic and discussed matters concerning the Hyuga Clan.
"I think the best approach to the Hyuga Clan is to appease them. You've only just taken Hokage, and the stability of the village is of utmost importance. However, a necessary reprimand is still necessary."
After taking a puff of his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi offered a vague suggestion and then fell silent.
The person in charge in Konoha now is the Fourth Hokage, not him, the Third Hokage. As for the specifics of how to proceed, it still needs to be discussed between Dan Katō and the current leadership.
"What the Third Hokage said makes sense. Those old fogies of the Hyuga Clan are indeed a bit ungrateful. I guess this is also a test of their attitude towards me, the newly appointed Hokage."
Dan Katō also agreed with the Third Hokage's idea, giving them both carrot and stick.
"The specifics of how to do it are simply to divide and win over the enemy. Those members of the Main Family are ungrateful, so we'll give the positions to the branch family. In terms of battle merits and strength, the contributions of the branch family ninjas to Konoha far exceed those of the Main Family ninjas. With a position and the support of the village's higher-ups, those Main Family won't dare to do anything too outrageous to this branch family member. We'll then provide some guidance, and before long, something will happen. The choice of person and position is up to you."
Dan Katō stopped talking and looked at the others.
"Let's talk about the candidates first. I recommend Hizashi Hyuga, the head of the Hyuga Branch Family. In terms of strength, he is an elite among the Jonin. In terms of battle achievements, he also made outstanding contributions in the Third Shinobi World War. He should be the most respected person in the Hyuga Clan."
Minato Namikaze raised his hand in recommendation.
"Agreed. Hizashi has also teamed up with me on missions before, and he is qualified enough in terms of ability and combat achievements."
Meikyō agreed.
"Agree."
"Agree."
"Agree."
"Lord Orochimaru said that the selection of personnel is entirely up to the higher-ups. However, since the Hyuga Clan, the Root, which is hidden underground, is not suitable. Nevertheless, he welcomes Hyuga Clan ninjas to serve in the Root organization."
After saying a few words, Mitarai Shīshō sat down in the corner.
"The Intelligence Analysis Unit only has three battalions. I've already prepared to assign the captain positions to Nami, and Inoichi. There's no position left for Hizashi."
Meikyō tapped the table and said.
"If someone is willing to come to the Education Department, I have no objection. However, with Hizashi's talent, it would be a waste for him to come to a place like the Education Department."
Hiruzen Sarutobi also took a puff of his cigarette, politely indicating his refusal.
For ordinary Genin, the Education Department is definitely a top-notch place, a place that countless civilian ninja would fight tooth and nail to get into.
Becoming a Chunin, then taking a position in the Education Department, and becoming a teacher at the Ninja Academy might be their best outcome, because this place, unlike other departments, doesn't require frequent missions and risking their lives to fight enemy ninjas.
The Education Department is the safest department and also a place to house many ninjas who have made great contributions in battle but have become disabled due to the war.
The experience they can pass on to the students of the Ninja Academy is one of Konoha's most valuable assets.
However, for Hizashi Hyuga, who is not yet thirty years old and is considered an elite among Jonin, taking a position in the Education Department would undoubtedly be a huge waste of his talents.
"The Logistics Department is short-staffed, but like the Education Department, it's not suitable for a young and powerful Jonin like him. Of course, if Hizashi is willing to come, that's fine too."
Torifu Akimichi took out a bag of potato chips and ate them as he spoke, even during the meeting.
That's how the Akimichi Clan is; they like to eat high-calorie foods to store up fat.
"Everyone in the Police Force is Uchiha."
Uchiha Fugaku only said one sentence and then said nothing more.
This is already a way of expressing rejection.
Meikyō, however, had a sudden thought and remembered some things from a few years ago.
It seems that the Logistics Department and Root are the only two options. However, going to the Logistics Department would be a waste of Hizashi Hyuga's talent as an Elite Jonin, while going to Root would not be a waste of his talent, but it seems that it would not satisfy the Hyuga Clan's demands.
"Who cares? The position was offered by the Hyuga Clan, so they have no right to be picky."
Torifu Akimichi commented while munching on potato chips.
Dan Katō.
He also preferred to place Hizashi Hyuga in the Root.
"Actually... besides the Root, the Konoha Military Police Force isn't a bad option either."
Meikyō suddenly interjected.
Uchiha Fugaku raised an eyebrow, his expression serious.
"Meikyō, you mean..."
"It seems that Fugaku, have also thought of that suggestion I made a few years ago. You should also have some understanding of the Third and Minato."
"Reform the Konoha Military Police Force, allowing non- Uchiha Clan Ninja Clan and civilian ninjas to serve there, in order to alleviate the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, glanced at Meikyō and Fugaku, and seemed lost in thought.
The Second Hokage established the Konoha Military Police Force with the intention of having the powerful Uchiha Clan take charge of ensuring the safety of Konoha. The Sharingan's Genjutsu and perception were also very effective in investigating spies and criminals.
At the same time, it can also keep the "evil Uchiha" in the eyes of the Second Hokage within the Konoha Military Police Force. Given the nature of the Uchiha Clan, the law enforcement process will definitely cause conflicts with the villagers of Konoha.
The relationship between the Uchiha Clan and the village is relatively peaceful now because Uchiha Meikyō and Uchiha Fugaku, two of Konoha's top combatants, have considerable influence and high prestige, which allows them to suppress these conflicts.
But the contradictions still exist.
According to Meikyō, the Konoha Military Police Force should be given other ninjas, just like other departments, so that the firepower can be dispersed.
"The head of the Konoha Military Police Force is still the Fugaku clan chief. Even after the introduction of other ninjas, the main body of the Konoha Military Police Force is still the Uchiha. However, in general, this will lead to the Konoha Military Police Force's power becoming too large. Meikyō, it's not that I don't believe in the Uchiha, but in the past, the Konoha Military Police Force was autonomously managed by the Uchiha, with fixed responsibilities and scale. Once reformed, it is no longer suitable to be a one-man show for the Uchiha Clan."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe, glanced at Meikyō and Fugaku, and spoke.
After stepping down from the position of Third Hokage, he could see things more clearly from the outside, and his actions were less influenced by political interests than before.
Furthermore, the Uchiha Clan now has two high-ranking members who are an important part of Konoha High Command combat power, and their conflicts of interest with other high-ranking members are deeper than in the past. Therefore, for the future development of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi now believes that eliminating the gap between the Uchiha and the village's common people is a good thing.
However, Danzo's death still looms like a thorn between him and the current Konoha High Command, especially Uchiha Meikyō, who personally killed Danzo, and Uchiha Fugaku, who led the Uchiha ninjas of the Konoha Military Police Force to break through Root.
He still didn't have much affection for the Uchiha Clan, and like the Second Hokage Uchiha Clan, he believed that the clan needed to be restricted, but he wouldn't be as overly radical as Danzo and the Second Hokage.
With Meikyō and Fugaku around, along with other high-ranking officials, his radicalism is useless.
The other high-ranking officials immediately fell silent and looked at Meikyō and Fugaku.
If things go wrong, I might offend these two Uchiha.
"The Third is right. If the Konoha Military Police Force is to be reformed, then I think some of the high-ranking positions should indeed be reserved for others, so that people other than the Uchiha can also have a voice."
Meikyō gave Uchiha Fugaku a reassuring look and continued:
"However, the Uchiha Clan relinquished their sole control of the Konoha Military Police Force even offered up high-ranking positions within it. I think the Uchiha Clan also has the right to enter other departments of the village and hold positions there. Of course, to get a position, they'll have to earn it through their own battle achievements."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked his pipe, remaining silent.
The Hyuga Clan was restricted by the Caged Bird, but the Uchiha Clan was not. Given the size of the Uchiha as a powerful Ninja Clan, if the Uchiha Clan were no longer confined to the Konoha Military Police Force as in the past, many combat-related positions in the village would probably be taken by Uchiha ninjas.
By then, the Uchiha will have truly become integrated with every aspect of Konoha, and there will be no way to restrict them anymore...
"I think it's feasible."
Dan Katō tapped the table and looked at Uchiha Fugaku.
"Fugaku, what about you?"
"I have no objection."
Uchiha Fugaku replied with a serious face.
Just kidding. His previous conflicts with Meikyō were just an act for Hiruzen Sarutobi to see. Now that the Hokage in power is the Fourth Hokage Dan Katō, why is he still acting?
If the Uchiha reforms are successful, Uchiha Fugaku will still be the head of the Konoha Military Police Force and a high-ranking official in Konoha. The core of the Konoha Military Police Force will still be Uchiha. If ninjas from other Ninja Clan and civilians are added, the size of the Konoha Military Police Force will definitely expand, which will indirectly expand his power and the influence of the Uchiha Clan.
Not to mention that the Uchiha will also be involved in combat units such as the Anbu and Root in the future—those are simply the most suitable positions for the Uchiha.
"Where are the others?"
Dan Katō glanced around.
"I certainly agree to eliminate the rift between the village and the Uchiha Clan."
Minato Namikaze raised his hand in agreement.
"If any elite Uchiha who has awakened the Sharingan joins Root, Lord Orochimaru will welcome them."
Mitarai Shīshō also said something.
With Genjutsu hypnosis and exceptional insight, the Uchiha with the Sharingan are indeed the kind of ninja most needed by organizations like the Anbu and Root.
"I agree, although I don't think Uchiha Clan ninja would be willing to retire in our Logistics Department."
After Torifu Akimichi looked up and poured the last few potato chips from the bag into his mouth.
Now that most of the higher-ups, as well as the Fourth Hokage himself, have agreed, the Third Hokage's opinion is no longer important.
"Well then, that's settled then, Fourth Hokage. I hope you won't regret it someday."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed inwardly.
"Third Hokage, I am the Hokage!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi:...
Why do I feel like I'm in a time warp?
"Then... what position should we give the Hizashi?"
Torifu Akimichi pulled out a new bag of potato chips and said.
"The Hyuga Clan wants positions that reflect their prestigious status, and Hizashi is also Jonin with considerable battle achievements. Shouldn't your Konoha Military Police Force at least give him a squad leader position?"
"Squad leader? No, no, no. The Hyuga Clan is a prestigious family. How can the head of their branch family only serve as a squad leader? Why not be like me and hold the position of deputy director in the Konoha Military Police Force? As for the squad leader, we have more suitable candidates."
A slight smile appeared on Meikyō's lips.
In the Naruto World, after the Fourth Hokage took office, the Konoha Military Police Force launched a large-scale reform, which drew differing opinions both inside and outside Konoha.
However, everyone agrees on two points: first, this matter is definitely related to the two current high-ranking Uchiha in Konoha; second, this should be a reform carried out by the newly appointed Fourth Hokage, Dan Katō, to strengthen his authority and influence.
When a new leader takes office, how can they demonstrate their courage and talent if they don't do something and make some changes? How will people realize that things have changed? How can the new leader gain a voice and influence within the team?
For example, the Fourth Kazekage and the Fourth Mizukage both initiated wars when they came to power. While diverting internal conflicts, they hoped to gain prestige through war victories and tell their subordinates that they could lead them to achieve results and win battles.
However, doing so is bound to be risky. If the new leader is not competent, it will only lead to widespread discontent, not only failing to solve the problem but also creating new troubles.
Now that the Shinobi World War has ended, all the villages are beginning to recuperate, and most of the Konoha Ninja are also eager for peace. Dan Katō naturally wouldn't provoke a war. The best approach would be to carry out some internal reforms and eliminate some of the existing problems within the village.
Outsiders could never have imagined that the whole thing started with a few Hyūga Main House elders making unreasonable demands on Hyuga Hiashi.