Appointment: Special Jōnin! - Naruto: The Primal Hyuga Pierces the Shinobi World

The Uchiha's situation in Konoha was already difficult. Ever since the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, took charge of Konoha, the Uchiha lost the trust of the Konoha high command. The high command had always used the critical post of "Military Police Force" to indirectly imprison and monitor the Uchiha.

This policy did not change even after the Second Hokage died and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, took office.

With two consecutive Hokage adhering to the same policy, the Uchiha and the Konoha high command became increasingly estranged over the decades. Excluded from the core management, the Uchiha gradually drifted further away from the ordinary villagers through their accumulating Military Police Force duties.

Even now, the Uchiha Clan members' interaction with other ninja clans and civilians in Konoha Village was slowly decreasing.

As the Uchiha Clan grew in number, their members alone could form a small society. All necessities for life could be purchased within the clan compound, presenting the appearance of an "independent village."

As the current Uchiha Clan Head, Fugaku naturally understood the Uchiha's situation very well. He hoped to re-establish contact with Konoha's high command, gain their trust, and place the Uchiha in an appropriate position.

However, the Nine-Tails' attack made this possibility completely vanish. At least, when Fugaku came to the Hokage's office for questioning, he was already without hope.

Yet... the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, actually said he trusted the Uchiha! Whether it was merely lip service or not, Fugaku had to seize this opportunity and regard the Fourth Hokage as a crucial ally and patron for the Uchiha.

Even if the Council Elders and the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, distrusted the Uchiha, as long as the young and vigorous Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, remained Hokage, there was still room for reconciliation between the Uchiha and Konoha.

"Fourth Hokage..." Fugaku sincerely promised Minato, "Rest assured, the Uchiha will spare no effort in arresting the rogue ninja Uchiha Obito!" "We absolutely will not disappoint you!" Capturing Uchiha Obito was like a pledge of allegiance. As long as the Uchiha handled it beautifully...

"Fugaku, I appreciate your efforts on this matter." "The pursuit of the rogue ninja is a special assignment for the Uchiha, and we will not set a time limit for now." "He is skilled in Space-Time Ninjutsu, and catching him won't be easy." "You will likely have to exert yourselves greatly." Minato's original intention was only to ease the tense atmosphere.

To be honest, he didn't hold much hope for the Uchiha Clan capturing Obito. Having fought Obito, he knew that likely no one in the Uchiha Clan could defeat his own student.

Of course, this was due to Minato's incomplete understanding of the Uchiha Clan's true strength.

An Uchiha who hadn't awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan for many years was seen by others as merely a powerful bloodline limit clan, not transcending the category of "ninja." In reality, every Uchiha who awakens the Mangekyō Sharingan is an existence that can rival the 'Kage' of any village.

The questioning of Fugaku was dropped due to Namikaze Minato's deliberate defense. Although Danzō and the Council Elders were bursting with frustration, they wanted to vent on Fugaku; seeing Minato speak up meant they could only hold their tongues.

The young Namikaze Minato was different from their old comrade Hiruzen; even the Council Elders would not interfere too much with Minato. In front of Hiruzen, they could leverage their status as "old comrades," but they held little sway over Minato.

"Clan Head Fugaku, please return to oversee your clan for now." "Convey the Village's decision to your clansmen and tell everyone to prepare in advance." "Next Monday, the Village plans to gather all ninja clans to re-adjust our defenses.

Please come personally at that time." Minato patted Fugaku's shoulder and said gently. Hearing that the Village planned to re-adjust defenses, Fugaku's previously relaxed brow furrowed slightly. After a heavy nod, he turned and left the office.

After Fugaku left, Minato and the others finally turned their attention to Hyūga Hiashi and Hyūga Shinichi: "Clan Head Hiashi, Shinichi, why have you come?" "Is there something important?" The Hokage had not summoned the Hyūga Clan, and Minato and the Konoha high command were puzzled by the father and son's visit.

"Fourth Hokage, my visit this time is actually about Shinichi." "Please take a look." Saying this, Hyūga Hiashi took a letter from his robe and handed it to Minato.

"A letter of recommendation?" Minato was surprised as he glanced at the title on the envelope. He tore open the letter and began to read, while Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others watched curiously. A letter of recommendation from the Hyūga Clan Head was indeed a rare sight. Quickly scanning the contents, Minato's gaze turned to Hyūga Shinichi: "Hiashi, you intend to recommend Shinichi for Special Jōnin?" "This... wouldn't that be a bit too early?"

As soon as Minato spoke, everyone's eyes in the office focused on Shinichi, standing next to Hiashi. Hiashi was recommending his son, who was so young, to become a Special Jōnin?! Even if he was using connections, this was going too far! "Hey, Hyūga Hiashi!" "What do you take the Village's Special Jōnin rank for?!" "Child's play?" "How can a brat who can't even be considered a ninja become a Special Jōnin of the Village?!" Mitokado Homura reacted strongly. His reaction was even greater than Danzō's and Hiruzen's, and his tone was completely impolite.

Homura, who rose to Konoha's high command from a civilian background, sincerely wished to maintain fairness in Konoha's ninja promotion channels, and his words were spoken out of perceived righteousness. Danzō thoughtfully scrutinized Shinichi, his eyes filled with assessment. He would not belittle Shinichi for his age, having personally witnessed Shinichi defeat Kakashi a while ago.

The Third Hokage knew more about Shinichi than the others. He seemed to guess something and asked with a trembling voice: "You... Shinichi, have you already completed that Jutsu?" Hearing his words, Homura and the others also seemed to remember something and focused their attention on Shinichi.

Minato sighed lightly at the sight, walked in front of Shinichi, gently patted his head, and interjected: "Since it is Clan Head Hiashi's recommendation, then it is decided." "I am very clear about your ability." "I will personally sign your letter of appointment." "Shinichi, I will personally select your teammates." "After becoming a Jōnin, the Village will assign missions to you. Remember: be cautious, cautious, and even more cautious." "I believe that in just a few years, you will make the entire Ninja World recognize you!"

Chapter 46 - Appointment: Special Jōnin!