Advancing in silence, the two returned to the entrance of the clan grounds. When they reached the fork in the road, Fugaku suddenly spoke, "Makiya, report to the Police Force tomorrow. Start as a squad leader."
A three-tomoe Sharingan was sufficient to be a branch commander, and Makiya's war experience was also adequate. However, considering Makiya's age and the village's attitude, Fugaku demoted the position to squad leader.
Fugaku hoped that through the experience in the Police Force, Makiya would learn to think about problems from the perspective of the clan's interests.
"No problem," Makiya agreed immediately.
Entering the Police Force meant he wouldn't have to perform missions frequently. By sending a Shadow Clone out on patrol, he could have plenty of time for cultivation.
Ultimately, his strength still wasn't great enough. With his current power, he couldn't withstand the pressure of the entire Konoha to forcibly kill Danzo and the Root.
There were many ways to become stronger: practicing Kido and Fire Style, developing the Sharingan, searching for sacred lands to explore Sage Mode... Makiya needed time.
In the Hokage's office, Danzo stayed until the end. He and Hiruzen were alone for a long time, and no one knew what they said. In the end, Danzo left in a rage, carrying the maimed body and slamming the door behind him.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, who were hidden outside the door, exchanged glances and followed Danzo. The three spoke in low voices and disappeared down the hallway.
A moment later, Minato pushed the door open and entered the office.
"Lord Hokage, did you call for me?"
"Minato, have a seat."
Hiruzen took out a scroll and threw it to Minato. "This is the information on that child, Makiya. I hope you can pay more attention to him."
Minato took the scroll, looking thoughtful. "Lord Hokage thinks very highly of that child?"
Hiruzen did not answer directly, turning to look out the window instead. "He is an out-and-out genius. Once he grows up in the future, he will be enough to determine the direction between the Uchiha and the village. For such a person, either establish a bond as soon as possible, or..."
Hiruzen did not finish his sentence. Minato showed a look of surprise; such things shouldn't be a concern for a mere Jonin. Hiruzen's implication was more than clear, leaving him flattered.
After Minato left, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply, the wrinkles on his face making him look several years older.
He was glad that Makiya was a straightforward child, without scheming, saying whatever was on his mind, and acting on his grievances.
Young people don't have so many calculations of interest; their emotions are pure. To deal with such people, one only needs to establish bonds with them to lock down their stance. Hiruzen believed Minato could handle it well.
Continuing to sit in this position, Hiruzen felt he lacked the energy and had to cultivate a successor as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, Orochimaru was too unscrupulous, Tsunade had left and was unwilling to return, and Jiraiya was a qualified successor but was idle and undisciplined, constantly muttering about the Child of Prophecy. After thinking it over, he found he could only place his hopes on Minato Namikaze.
He had sufficient ability, a sunny personality, a high IQ, and was the husband of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. He couldn't be more suitable to become Hokage, though he lacked a bit of prestige.
During the war, with Minato's strength, gaining prestige wouldn't be difficult.
"Someone come."
"Lord Hokage!" An Anbu entered the room and knelt on one knee.
"Order Jiraiya to find an opportunity to return once."
"Yes."
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At the Uchiha clan grounds, Makiya returned to Grandma Mako's small courtyard.
The children had gone to learn from the clan adults, and Grandma Mako was tidying up the dishes. Obito had not left and was helping wipe the table.
Seeing Makiya push the door open, Grandma Mako gave Obito a look.
Obito looked full of reluctance, shuffling into the snow to stand opposite Makiya.
"Ma... Makiya." Obito lowered his head, pinching the corner of his clothes, his voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "I'm sorry."
"What?" Makiya almost thought he had misheard; Obito's voice was too small, drowned out by the sound of his own breathing.
"I'm sorry!" Obito suddenly raised his volume, summoning the courage to lift his head. His eyes under the goggles looked directly at Makiya. "I shouldn't have listened to rumors and slandered you in front of our younger siblings."
Makiya was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly broke into a smile. "It's fine, I forgive you."
He patted Obito's shoulder. "I was only angry that you would rather believe unidentified people than me. Obito, we've known each other since we were kids. Don't you know what kind of person I am?"
Just then, Grandma Mako came over carrying two packages and stuffed them into their hands. "Take these back to eat. Little Makiya, you should also apologize to little Obito. How could you just strike him? We are all one family; everything is fine once things are out in the open."
"Okay, Grandma Mako." Makiya nodded with a smile. "Obito, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have laid hands on you."
Obito observed Makiya's expression and found no trace of discord, as if he truly was willing to apologize. He felt inexplicably a bit afraid and hurriedly shook his head to say it didn't matter, then ran out of the yard clutching the packages.
As night fell, Makiya helped Grandma Mako finish the housework, then left with his package, treading through the snow back to his own home.
Tonight was destined to be sleepless. Not long after Makiya got home, a group of clan friends came over together, each with an excited expression.
They had been suppressed for too long; the long-term surveillance and pressure had made them dissatisfied with the village, yet they didn't dare to resist openly. Therefore, they admired Makiya even more.
The next day, Makiya arrived at the Police Force building to take up his post.
The members of the Police Force were basically all from the Uchiha clan, and everyone's expression upon seeing Makiya varied.
The Uchiha were not a monolith; some clansmen believed Makiya had damaged the relationship between the family and the village and glared at him.
Makiya ignored these gazes, finished the procedures, and met his squad members.
Four people, three men and one woman, all between 15 and 20 years old.
No cliché drama occurred where subordinates were dissatisfied with a parachuted superior or attempted to challenge him. All four had heard of Makiya's deeds and knew his temper was as explosive as his masterful Fire Style, so they were very obedient.
A division was responsible for a neighborhood, and a squad was responsible for a street. The Police Force's jurisdiction was nominally very broad, from capturing enemy spies to managing merchant operations; they could get involved in everything.
However, Konoha also had the Anbu directly under the Hokage, whose duties overlapped significantly with the Police Force. When the two conflicted, the Anbu took precedence.
By now, the Police Force was left with only duties like managing merchants and arresting thieves and hooligans.
Makiya waved his hand and let everything continue as usual. Over three days, the four members took Makiya around to get familiar with the merchants on the street. The owner of a large bathhouse specifically stuffed a stack of bath vouchers into Makiya's hand, asking for his care.
These bath vouchers weren't worth much. Makiya initially wanted to refuse, but seeing the owner's anxious face, he accepted them, reminding him that as long as he operated properly, no one would come to cause trouble.
A wisp of chakra carried banknotes toward the counter, tucking them into a corner under the desk.
For the subsequent patrols, Makiya simply had Shadow Clones take over, while his main body dashed onto the rooftops to look for empty training grounds, also called exercise fields.
The most convenient places to practice ninjutsu in Konoha were the first three exercise fields, not far from the Ninja School.
The higher the number, the further away the training ground's location was. Makiya searched through them one by one according to their numbers, only to find that they were all in use.
His training would cause quite a stir, so it was best to find a place with no one around.
Moving forward, he reached the border of Konoha, where an unusually lush forest suddenly appeared before him.
The forest was surrounded by a tall iron fence with a wooden sign hanging on it, written in scrawled handwriting:
[Exercise Field No. 44]
Also known as: The Forest of Death.
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