The next morning, the bedroom bore silent witness to last night's intensity; two torn black stockings lay tangled on the quilt, while coats and undergarments were strewn carelessly on and beneath the bed.
"It's getting late. Stop soaking and hurry up, it's time to get up."
Uchiha Mikoto, lying on her side with flushed cheeks and a radiant glow, whispered softly.
It was absurd, really. Why had he pulled her into such an early morning exercise, only to refuse to let go afterward, insisting it was more comfortable to stay inside?
They had already overslept past their usual hour. Fortunately, it was a holiday, no work and no school.
Uchiha Gen, one arm still wrapped around her waist, opened his eyes at her words. Outside the window, dawn light had already begun to spill across the horizon.
"Heh… alright."
Gen chuckled and finally withdrew.
Freed from his restraint, Mikoto threw off the quilt and rose. Clamping her legs together with a small, awkward motion, she walked nude to the wardrobe, slipped into a nightgown, and disappeared into the bathroom.
When she returned, she tidied up the chaotic room before changing into home clothes. Gen's gaze lingered on her the entire time.
Mikoto's lips curved as she pretended to scold him: "Didn't you stare enough last night?"
"Not enough," Gen said immediately, grinning. "Never enough."
Sweet words, words Fugaku had never spoken before or after marriage. Mikoto's heart swelled, so much so that she deliberately slowed the motions of dressing, letting her young lover see clearly, understand fully, and take his fill.
Once clothed, she turned with a gentle smile. "I'll make breakfast. It'll be ready soon."
"Got it. I'll get up right away."
Light-footed, Mikoto left the room. Gen rose, dressed, and went to wash up.
For kunoichi, recovery was far beyond ordinary women. Even after a night's battle, with little rest, plus morning exercise, Mikoto still moved with ease.
After breakfast, Gen toured the Police Force headquarters, inspecting and guiding the work.
This period before New Year's was always the busiest. As a Chief, Gen didn't need to be on duty; the three Vice-Chiefs rotated shifts.
When the tour was done, he returned home.
Soon after, Anko, Kurenai, and Yūgao arrived.
The morning passed with card games, the afternoon with shopping and hot springs. Leisure filled the air, after a year of labor, everyone sought rest and joy at year's end.
The village entered its most prosperous season.
The commercial district was already bustling, and now even ordinary streets thrummed with life as pedestrians crowding, loud voices, and laughter rising.
Of course, such a season also bred trouble.
People drank too much, tempers flared, and accidents happened. But the deterrent of the Police Force was strong; minor scuffles broke out, but no serious incidents occurred.
…
Days slipped by. The most important festival which was New Year's passed, and time turned to Konoha Year 54.
With the holiday behind him, Uchiha Gen returned to official duty.
A new year brings a new atmosphere. On his first night back to work, Gen invited the three Vice-Chiefs and nine squad leaders to his home for a dinner gathering.
After three rounds of wine and five courses of food, Gen set his cup down. Sitting at the head of the table, he revealed his true purpose.
"Everyone."
At once, the room stilled. Conversation ceased, cups lowered, all eyes fixed on him.
"I climbed to this position step by step, from the bottom of the clan. And before my rise, I felt the difficulty of acquiring suitable ninjutsu firsthand. I could only cultivate what my parents or ancestors left behind.
"To gain new techniques, you either had to display extraordinary talent or render great service to the clan. But talent is rare and is something that cannot be sought, only gifted. Shisui and I were fortunate. Most are not. As for rewarding contributions… the system isn't unreasonable, but it lacks fixed standards. It's too opaque."
After a short silence he then added, "Frankly speaking, that opacity benefits us high-ranking officials, it leaves much room for discretion. But for the clan as a whole, it stifles growth and limits our collective strength.
As the clan leader, I must put the clan's interests above all. And as high-ranking officials, as the clan's core shinobi, you must do the same."
"So I intend to reform our reward-and-punishment system slightly."
He paused a little longer, letting the weight of his words settle.
"I have decided to establish a ninjutsu points exchange system."
Brows furrowed around the table. Gen explained,
"Each ninjutsu will be assigned a value. For example, a B-rank technique like Hiding in Ash and Dust would cost one thousand points. Missions, both for the Police Force and the clan, will also carry points. Routine tasks earn fewer, high-risk assignments earn more."
"As long as one's accumulated points reach one thousand, any member of the clan, regardless of ninja rank, regardless of whether they've awakened the Sharingan, may enter the ninjutsu library and exchange for Hiding in Ash and Dust."
"Who agrees with my proposal, and who opposes?"
"I agree."
Uchiha Setsuna spoke first, having already been briefed by his daughter.
"I agree as well," Shisui added firmly. The young squad leader had no doubts, Gen wasn't one to speak without acting. Was this the first step toward the Uchiha's resurgence?
"I agree," said Uchiha Yashiro.
"As do I," Inabi followed.
"Agree," Tekka echoed.
One voice after another rang out, momentum building swiftly.
With Gen's carefully chosen words pressing the importance of the clan's interests, opposition now seemed tantamount to selfishness.
Thus, the Second Elder, the Third Elder, and their supporters, even if reluctant, had no choice but to nod along.
Righteous labeling, and moral coercion, such tactics were once the specialty of Konoha's F4. But Gen had mastered them as well, honed by the information-saturated world of his previous life.
A squad leader raised a practical concern: "Clan Leader, I have no objection to the exchange system. But what if lower-ranked shinobi share techniques with one another? Wouldn't that defeat the purpose?"
Indeed, ninjutsu could not simply be copied freely. Otherwise, they would lose value as rewards, and widespread knowledge would risk leaks to enemies.
Gen already anticipated this. He outlined the same three safeguards he had once explained to Mikoto. As he spoke, heads nodded all around, these measures could indeed minimize risk.
"Any new system will face problems," Gen concluded. "Don't fear them. Solve them as they arise."
"The key lies in the calibration of points, both for missions and for techniques. It cannot be arbitrary. It must be grounded in real investigation and calculation. Too cheap, and it loses value. Too costly, and it becomes hopeless. The balance must be struck, difficult, but attainable with effort."
He looked around the table, then gave the order, "Shisui will lead this project. The other captains will assist. Do it well, this is your mission."
"Guaranteed completion, Clan Leader!"
The nine stood together, bowing in unison.