Chapter 67 – Rebuilding the Police Department
"Shizune-neechan, you're tricking me. How could Tonton, a pig, possibly know ninjutsu?"
Naruto laughed, convinced she was teasing him.
"Naruto! Where are you?"
Fugaku's voice rang from outside.
Shizune was just about to have Tonton show off a trick when Naruto waved.
"Uncle's calling me—I'll go first!"
He dashed off like the wind.
Fugaku spotted him and asked instead, "Naruto, what do you want for breakfast?"
They hadn't eaten at home, since Mikoto had, unusually, slept in and told Fugaku to take the boys out.
Naruto looked around eagerly and ordered three youtiao and three large buns.
Fugaku paid, and the three headed off.
Sasuke noticed Naruto looking back toward the bun shop and frowned.
"What are you going back for? Let's go to the Academy."
"Wait just a second!"
Naruto ran back inside, bright-eyed, to Shizune.
"Shizune-neechan! We've got combat training this morning. Do you want to come watch me finally beat Sasuke?"
He scratched his head, grinning sheepishly. He had a soft spot for the kind older sister who bought him dango last night.
"This morning, huh? Sure," Shizune said after a pause. "Lady Tsunade won't wake up until the afternoon anyway."
It had been years since she'd last seen the Academy. She had never even graduated before being sent to war. Most of her classmates had never returned. If not for Lady Tsunade rescuing her, she too would have died on the battlefield.
"Then it's a deal!" Naruto cheered, rushing back out.
Shizune shook her head softly. "So many memories…"
Tonton nudged her leg, and she smiled. "Already hungry again?" She bought three vegetable buns and tossed them to the pig.
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Meanwhile, Fugaku had arrived at the Hokage Building.
He hadn't forgotten his promise to Kakashi yesterday. He ordered a meeting with the Hokage's assistant, the two advisors, and all department heads.
Soon, the conference room was filled. Kakashi attended as acting commander of the Anbu. The Mission Department was headed by Uchiha Masato, the clan's third elder. Intelligence was under Uchiha Setsuna, the second elder. Fugaku had entrusted those two crucial posts only to his own clan.
The other departments were spread out.
Medical was led by Nara Suzaku, younger brother of Nara Shikaku, known for his precise Shadow Imitation Jutsu.
Administration was held by a Hyūga of the main family, though Fugaku had reduced its power; real authority now lay with the Hokage assistant and advisors.
Education was overseen directly by Fugaku himself—he would never relinquish the training of the next generation.
Interrogation remained with the Yamanaka clan.
The Police Force, however, was another matter. Fugaku had disbanded it earlier to improve the Uchiha clan's reputation. But now he realized Konoha, with over 100,000 residents, could not function without it.
He would rebuild the Police Force—but not with Uchiha alone.
"To maintain fairness," he declared, "every clan will provide members, all of jonin rank. Only the commander will be chosen by me."
When he named Uchiha Inaho as the new commander, no one was surprised. Before its abolition, the Police had always been under Uchiha.
But his next words changed the atmosphere.
"This will not be an Uchiha-only force. Every clan shall send people. Order must be maintained by all, not by one."
The department heads exchanged glances—then their eyes gleamed. This meant influence. This meant power. They would gladly offer men.
Nara Shikaku alone remained thoughtful. He knew the dangers: the Police Force made enemies. The Uchiha's poor reputation had come from enforcing laws too strictly. His younger brother Suzaku was already eager to join, but Shikaku said nothing. Out loud, he voiced support.
"Hokage-sama, our Ino–Shika–Cho alliance will provide ten jonin to aid the Police Force."
The others quickly followed, volunteering their own. Fugaku nodded, satisfied.
The Police Department of Konoha was about to be reborn.
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