The Uchiha clan had long been in a difficult position within Konoha. Ever since the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had taken power, the clan had lost the trust of the village's upper echelon.
Under the guise of authority, Konoha's leadership had confined and monitored the Uchiha by assigning them to the Konoha Police Force—a prestigious post in name, but a cage in truth. Even after Tobirama's death, when the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi assumed power, this policy never changed.
Two consecutive Hokage, the same distrust.
Over decades, that gulf between the Uchiha and the village leadership had only widened.
The Police Force assignments separated the Uchiha from ordinary villagers. Over time, they grew increasingly insular—isolated from other clans and commoners alike.
The clan had grown large enough to function as a self-contained society; their compound had its own markets, stores, and resources—almost a village within a village.
As the Uchiha clan head, Uchiha Fugaku understood their plight all too well. He'd long wanted to rebuild ties with the Hokage's office—to earn the leadership's trust again, and reclaim a rightful place in Konoha's hierarchy.
But the Nine-Tails' attack had shattered any such hope.
By the time Fugaku was summoned to the Hokage's office for questioning, he no longer expected a fair hearing.
Yet—
To his surprise, the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, stated that he believed in the Uchiha.
Even if it was only lip service, Fugaku had to seize this chance.
If the Council and the Third still distrusted his clan, then Minato—young, capable, and fair-minded—would have to become the Uchiha's most important ally within the system.
"Lord Fourth," Fugaku bowed solemnly, "please rest assured. The Uchiha will do everything in our power to hunt down the traitor Uchiha Obito."
"We will not let you down."
His words were both an oath and a calculated gesture—a loyalty offering to the Hokage. If the Uchiha handled this well, it would be their proof of loyalty.
"Fugaku, I'm counting on you," Minato replied gently. "Capturing a rogue of that caliber is no small feat—he's mastered space-time ninjutsu. Take all the time you need."
"I'll leave this task solely to the Uchiha. But do be careful—he's not easy prey."
In truth, Minato's main goal was simply to ease the tension in the room. He held little hope that the Uchiha could actually capture Obito. Having fought his former student firsthand, Minato knew just how impossible that task was.
Of course, that was partly because Minato, like most, didn't understand the true extent of Uchiha power.
To outsiders, a Sharingan user—even an elite one—was just another powerful ninja. Few realized that every Uchiha who awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan possessed strength on par with a village's Kage.
Under Minato's deliberate mediation, Fugaku's interrogation was soon concluded.
The advisors—Danzo, Koharu, and Homura—were visibly displeased. They'd been eager to vent their frustration on the Uchiha leader, but Minato's words left them no opening.
They could only swallow their anger.
After all, the young Fourth Hokage was not the same as their old comrade, Hiruzen Sarutobi. They couldn't use the same "old war buddy" influence on him.
"Clan Head Fugaku, return and stabilize your people," Minato said kindly, patting his shoulder. "Tell them the village's position and have them ready."
"Next Monday, the village will hold a meeting to reorganize the defense structure. I'd like you to attend personally."
At the mention of "reorganizing defenses," Fugaku's brow tightened slightly. Still, he nodded and left without complaint.
Once he was gone, the room's attention shifted to another pair—Hyuga Hiashi and his son Hyuga Satoru.
"Clan Head Hiashi, Satoru," Minato asked, "what brings you here?"
The Hokage's office hadn't summoned the Hyuga, and both the Hokage and his advisors were puzzled by their visit.
"Lord Fourth," Hiashi began, "I came regarding Satoru."
"Here—please take a look."
He drew a sealed envelope from his robe and handed it to Minato.
"A recommendation letter?"
Minato raised an eyebrow at the label before breaking the seal and scanning its contents. Around the room, the other senior officials glanced over curiously.
A personal recommendation from the Hyuga clan head—that was rare indeed.
After reading, Minato looked up in surprise.
"Hiashi… you're recommending Satoru to be appointed as a Special jonin?"
"Isn't that… a bit premature?"
The moment he said it, all eyes turned toward Satoru.
Hiashi wanted to promote his child to Special jonin? Even if one pulled strings, this was… extreme.
"Hey! Hyuga Hiashi!"
Homura Mitokado slammed his hand on the desk. "What do you take the title of Special jonin for—some kind of family toy?!"
"Your son's what, six? Seven? He's not even a genin yet! How could you possibly make him a Special jonin?!"
The old advisor's tone was sharp, even insulting.
Coming from humble origins himself, Homura had always resented how the great clans used their power to secure positions for their own. In his eyes, this was another case of aristocratic favoritism—and he couldn't stand it.
But unfortunately for him, he had picked the wrong target this time.
Danzo Shimura, arms folded, said nothing—but his eyes gleamed with interest as they studied Satoru.
He, of all people, understood that age meant nothing. Root had raised many young prodigies—and the scene where Satoru had single-handedly defeated Hatake Kakashi was something Danzo had personally witnessed.
As for the Third Hokage, he seemed to know even more than the others. His expression changed slightly; his eyes flickered with realization as he asked in a trembling voice:
"You… Satoru… have you already completed that technique?"
The room went quiet. Homura and Koharu turned toward him, realization dawning as they too recalled which technique he meant.
All eyes fixed on the boy.
Minato let out a soft sigh. He stepped forward, resting a hand gently on Satoru's head.
"Since this is the Hyuga clan head's formal recommendation," he said evenly, "then so be it."
"I know your abilities well, Satoru."
"I'll personally sign your appointment."
"I'll also select the team members who'll accompany you."
"As a jonin, missions will soon be assigned to you—but remember: caution, caution, and more caution."
"I believe it won't be long before the entire ninja world knows your name."
...
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