Chapter 203 – The Formation of the Internal Affairs Department
The Jōnin Council had ended, but the turmoil in the village was only just beginning.
On the very day the council concluded, the Education Department imposed stricter admission requirements on the Uchiha and Hyūga children, even limiting the number of students admitted from both clans.
Meanwhile, every ninja from those two clans studying in the Research Division was promptly expelled from the lab without exception.
Tobirama Senju moved swiftly, drawing the attention of many informed shinobi.
But the Uchiha weren't about to take that lying down. First, they shut down shops owned by the Senju and Sarutobi clans under the pretense of health code violations.
Then they rounded up many of the Inuzuka clan's loyal canine companions, claiming they were "unleashed and disturbing public order."
To top it off, they began spraying insecticide across the village under the guise of pest control, which effectively trapped the Aburame clan indoors, unable to let their bugs roam freely.
Of course, the Aburame and Inuzuka clans retaliated with their own methods, launching their own campaigns against the Uchiha.
This cycle of conflict lasted for half a month, and both sides suffered heavy losses. Konoha's economy teetered on the edge of collapse.
During this time, villagers rarely ventured outside, and the streets remained eerily empty.
Until one day, the fighting came to a sudden halt.
…
Hokage's Office
"Orochimaru, what is the meaning of this?"
Uchiha Fugaku stood grimly in front of the Hokage's desk, struggling to suppress the fury in his eyes.
Tobirama Senju and Hiruzen Sarutobi were also present, both with unpleasant expressions.
Just moments earlier, Orochimaru had summoned them all to the office and formally announced a series of personnel changes in the village.
Everything had been arranged per Kazane's plan, save for one modification: Orochimaru, fearing that Hiruko and Kabuto alone wouldn't be enough to keep Tobirama in check, decided to personally enter the field. He carved out an independent division within the Research Department to focus exclusively on forbidden jutsu.
And that wasn't all—today, Orochimaru also stripped Hiruzen of his daily executive authority and declared the creation of a new department in Konoha.
This new division would oversee mission assignments, ninja pay, task verification, and financial management. It would be known as the Internal Affairs Department, and it would be led by Nara Shikaku, head of the Administrative Division.
This announcement directly cut into everyone's piece of the pie—especially Uchiha Fugaku, whose face instantly turned sour with opposition.
Just as Kazane had suggested, Orochimaru had also inserted Jiriku into the Police Force as Deputy Chief. On its own, Fugaku might've tolerated that. After all, the Police Force had already started accepting other clans and even civilian shinobi. The key leadership roles, however, still belonged to core Uchiha members, which gave Fugaku a sense of control.
But Orochimaru went a step further: he granted Jiriku independent oversight authority. That meant Jiriku could dismiss any member of the Police Force—without the captain's consent.
This was a major power play.
With this new authority, Jiriku essentially had the means to stand equal with Fugaku.
The Police Force was too important to the Uchiha—it was their hands, eyes, and voice within the village.
If Orochimaru gained control of the Police Force, it would be like binding the Uchiha's limbs, blinding them, and gagging their mouths.
It crossed a line Fugaku couldn't tolerate.
He had made up his mind. No matter what, he would oppose this today.
"Orochimaru, I must say—this arrangement seems quite hasty and unilateral. I thought such matters would be discussed collectively," Hiruzen added, temporarily setting aside his differences with Fugaku to stand united in their resistance.
Neither Fugaku, Hiruzen, nor even Tobirama had expected Orochimaru to sit back and do nothing after their provocation. They had anticipated a counterattack—but not one this swift and brutal.
If Orochimaru's proposal were to go into effect, he'd be the only one benefiting, while the rest of them would be marginalized. Every key department would be staffed with Orochimaru's people. They would be left with no choice but to comply.
And once power is in your hands—who gives it up willingly?
Despite their resistance, Orochimaru remained unfazed. His painted eyes shimmered with an eerie gleam as he spoke calmly, "You gentlemen may have misunderstood something. I'm not here to negotiate. I'm here to inform you."
His voice was soft—but it ignited the fury in all three of them.
Inform them? That meant he didn't even regard them as equals. He saw Konoha as his own one-man show. What place did that leave for the other elders?
Now even Hiruzen's tone shifted.
Planting his hands firmly on the desk, he stood up, his voice heavy with authority: "Lord Hokage, if you've come to inform us, then allow me to formally object. According to Konoha's founding charter, elders have the right to oppose decisions that endanger the village's future. I demand a High Council meeting."
Fugaku nodded coldly and added, "I too request a High Council session. Your actions are overreaching, Orochimaru. Konoha is not your personal playground."
Clap clap.
Unbothered by their threats, Orochimaru simply clapped his hands and leaned back into his chair, completely relaxed.
He had anticipated this reaction from both men. The real problem was the one who had remained silent throughout—the truly cunning Tobirama.
Creaaak.
The office door opened. Nara Shikaku entered with a stack of documents, accompanied by Jiriku and Might Duy.
"Lord Hokage," Shikaku greeted him casually, ignoring the three elders entirely.
The files in Shikaku's hands were the official appointment letters that Orochimaru had ordered prepared. They clearly outlined each role and the accompanying powers.
As the traditional strategists of Konoha, the Nara clan had always played it safe—but Shikaku recognized the weight of this document. With it, his clan now stood at the heart of Konoha's power. He could already foresee Kazane and Orochimaru's next moves. The time had come to stake everything on the line.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Orochimaru spoke.
"Do you know why Kazane isn't here today? He's probably at Tsunade's house."
He looked pointedly at Hiruzen and Fugaku. "Are you sure you still want to request a High Council?"
Then, he accepted the files from Shikaku, pressed them onto the desk, and pushed them toward the two elders.
"Take a look. If there are no objections, I'll make the announcement."
Ha… ha… ha ha ha!
Tobirama, silent until now, suddenly burst into laughter. His booming laughter filled the room, startling everyone.
Once he had finally composed himself, he looked at Orochimaru and said, "For the Monkey to have trained a disciple like you… very good. Very good indeed. If Konoha is in your hands, I can rest easy. You have my support."
Tobirama was remarkably candid, as if everything he had done was just to test Orochimaru's mettle.
In truth, the moment Orochimaru had shared his planned appointments, Tobirama had already foreseen this outcome.
He hadn't spent much time with Orochimaru—just three years in the lab—but it was enough for him to understand exactly what kind of creature Orochimaru was.
A venomous snake lurking in the shadows. Patiently watching its prey for the slightest lapse in focus—then striking without hesitation. Precise. Lethal.
This round went to Orochimaru.
But with immortality on their side, there were many rounds left to play.
Hmph.
With Tobirama now supporting Orochimaru, Fugaku knew there was no longer any point in resisting. He cast a cold glance at Jiriku, snorted, and turned to leave the office.
Hiruzen followed suit, departing with Tobirama without saying another word.
Orochimaru remained silent, watching their backs as they left, lost in thought.
~
The reason the three elders gave up was simple.
Konoha had many departments, each with its own head—like Shinku in charge of the Genjutsu Division, Uchiha Gōtan of the Interrogation Unit, or Shikaku as head of the Jōnin Corps.
But only a few department heads were considered part of the High Council, with the authority to vote on major village decisions. These included the heads of the ANBU, Political, Medical, Education, Research, and Police Departments, along with the village elders.
Due to specific circumstances:
– Hiruzen served as both an elder and the head of the Education Department.
– Tsunade led the Medical Department.
– Fugaku led the Police Force.
– Kazane oversaw the ANBU.
– Shikaku ran the Political Department.
– Tobirama controlled the Research Division.
Excluding Orochimaru, that left seven people with voting rights: Kazane, Tsunade, Tobirama, Fugaku, Hiruzen, Shikaku, and the often-absent Jiraiya.
Kazane was clearly aligned with Orochimaru. Jiraiya's whereabouts were unknown. Shikaku had now publicly sided with Orochimaru. Kazane was currently convincing Tsunade.
At best, the opposition could force a tie.
Even if they called Jiraiya back, there was no guarantee he'd support them. And if things deadlocked, Orochimaru could exercise his Hokage veto to resolve it.
It was all within the rules. And if anyone dared to break the rules?
Well… with Kazane around, that would be a foolish choice. Orochimaru would still win.
Knowing this, further protest would be meaningless. Better to retreat with some dignity and work out how to protect their clan interests under the new order.
~
That afternoon, the appointment notices for Shikaku, Jiriku, and others were posted outside the Hokage Tower. Word spread quickly throughout the village.
Everyone saw what was coming: another major reshuffle of power.
No one had expected Orochimaru—the so-called aloof Fourth Hokage—to be the one to emerge victorious from the Senju–Uchiha power struggle.
And now, they began to regard him in a whole new light.
~
After this event, the Senju and Uchiha clans temporarily set aside their feud. A greater opponent had emerged.
Uchiha and Hyūga children were once again allowed to attend school. The Senju's businesses reopened. The Inuzuka dogs returned home. And insecticide was no longer sprayed across the streets.
Thanks to the "efforts" of all involved, Konoha soon returned to its former prosperity.
But the true changes for the two great clans were only beginning.
Orochimaru and Kazane hadn't gone through all this effort just to mediate a feud.
Once installed in the Police Force, Jiriku swiftly purged opposing voices and promoted his own.
Hiruko and Kabuto launched new research courses at the Ninja Academy, drawing away many talented young ninja previously studying under Tobirama.
As for Might Duy—well, every generation of students included a few so-called "fools" with no ninja talent. Who knows what they might become in his hands?
Kakashi returned to the village with the elite of Root. Shikaku selected members from the three clans to staff the newly launched Internal Affairs Department.
And Kazane?
~
Senju Compound – Tsunade's Residence
Tsunade's home was a complete mess. Empty sake bottles and trash littered the living room and bedroom.
Kazane lay sprawled on the floor. Tsunade snored on the bed.
The chaos around them made it very clear what had happened.
Kazane had never intended to "convince" Tsunade. She didn't want to involve herself in the village's political struggles anyway.
So when he showed up—they made a bet.
Kazane won.
Tsunade? She played dirty.
And so…
Well, the rest is self-explanatory.