The next morning, within the Hokage's Office.
"Lord Hokage, Uchiha Misuke requests an audience." An ANBU operative appeared in the office, bowing as they reported to the Third.
"Hm?" Hiruzen looked up, surprised. "Let her in."
He had been keeping a close eye on this particular Uchiha clanswoman, who had rapidly risen to prominence over the past two years, but this was their first private meeting. From Misuke's activities during that time, Hiruzen sensed intricate connections between her and Akimichi Tatsuya. Moreover, he suspected her rapid rise might be directly linked to Tatsuya himself.
A few moments later, the capable-looking Uchiha Misuke was escorted into the office by the ANBU operative.
"Lord Hokage," Misuke greeted, offering a respectful bow.
"Ah, Misuke. Please, sit," Hiruzen greeted her with a kind smile, gesturing towards a chair.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Misuke replied respectfully, remaining standing for a moment. "I have come today on the Clan Head's orders, to submit a proposal for the reform of the Military Police." She respectfully presented a scroll.
"A Military Police reform plan?" Hearing this, the Third Hokage's heart gave a sudden lurch. His expression stiffened slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Misuke.
"Please review this, Lord Hokage," Misuke said, bowing slightly as she proffered the scroll again.
Hiruzen reached out, took the scroll, and began to read. Gradually, his expression became rather strange. The Military Police reform plan Misuke had presented was completely unexpected.
It was actually a proposal from the Uchiha clan themselves to relinquish a portion of their authority over the Military Police, inviting the village administration and other major clans to assign personnel to join the force. If implemented, the Military Police would no longer be the Uchiha's private domain.
The village leadership had entertained similar ideas in the past, Hiruzen recalled, but had always abandoned them for fear of a severe backlash from the Uchiha. Now, the Uchiha themselves were proposing it! Hiruzen found himself wondering, since when had the Uchiha clan become so cooperative?
"Did Fugaku truly authorize you to present this specific plan?" Hiruzen asked, looking up sharply at Misuke.
"Yes," Misuke confirmed with a nod. "Shisui and I proposed this together, and the Clan Head raised no objections."
"I see…" A look of understanding dawned on Hiruzen's face. After knowing Fugaku for so many years, he knew the man likely didn't possess that level of foresight or willingness to compromise on his own.
His gaze burned intently into Misuke's as he pressed further, "Why did you and Shisui suddenly propose such a plan?" ANBU intelligence had suggested the situation within the Uchiha clan was improving over the past two years, but this turnaround felt too abrupt, almost difficult to accept.
Misuke met the Third's gaze calmly, her expression serene. "Because we are also shinobi of Konoha, Lord Hokage. We no longer wish to be treated as outsiders in our own village."
Hiruzen fell silent, understanding the clear implication in her words. The Uchiha clan wanted to actively integrate, to draw closer to the village structure.
But could they truly be trusted? Yet, if he refused this proactive gesture, would the fragile truce shatter, worsening the conflict between the clan and the village leadership once more?
Furthermore, there were practical considerations. The Military Police Force was currently staffed entirely by Uchiha. If a portion of the current Uchiha officers were reassigned to make room for others, where would these experienced shinobi go? They couldn't simply remain within the clan compound, effectively acting as a private army. And if these skilled officers couldn't be effectively utilized elsewhere by the village, then integrating new personnel from other clans into the MP would actually exacerbate the village's overall shortage of experienced shinobi.
The Third Hokage was lost in thought, weighing the complex variables.
After a few moments, he spoke again. "Misuke, you may return for now. This is a significant matter. I need to discuss it thoroughly with the council elders and the heads of the major clans."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Misuke acknowledged respectfully. She naturally hadn't expected the Hokage to approve such a major proposal immediately. She bowed once more and took her leave.
Once Misuke was gone, Hiruzen summoned another ANBU operative. "Immediately send word for the two Elders and the heads of the village's major clans to convene here. There is an urgent matter I need to discuss with them."
"Yes, sir!" The ANBU acknowledged the order and vanished.
That evening, Tatsuya found himself walking home together with Kyoko and Mitarashi Anko.
He had been back in Konoha for several days now, but due to Anko being away on a mission, this was the first time he'd seen her in months. The ninja squad Anko belonged to (Tatsuya recalled Kurenai was also part of it) had earned quite a reputation throughout the village. Not only were the squad members themselves strong fighters, but within the Jonin Corps – presumably still managed by Nara Shikaku – their team's mission frequency and completion rates consistently ranked among the highest. Anko had just returned today.
As the three walked, Tatsuya sensed a slightly unusual atmosphere. Anko, who was usually the most talkative and boisterous of the group, walked with her head down, unusually silent. Her face was slightly flushed, though she didn't look like she'd been bullied or was sulking about anything.
Kyoko, on the other hand, chatted animatedly with Tatsuya about recent happenings at the Ninja Academy. Through her account, Tatsuya gained some insight into the current status of the so-called "Konoha Rookies."
Among them, Naruto and Sasuke's performance at the Academy apparently hadn't diverged much from what Tatsuya knew of the original timeline. One was still the renowned genius of their year, while the other remained the infamous dead last. Sasuke was typically aloof and carried his usual air of arrogance, while Naruto was still his usual trouble-making, prank-pulling self.
He wondered about those two youths with such contrasting personalities. Would they still form that deep, complex bond in this lifetime?
Just as they entered the Akimichi clan compound, they saw Akimichi Rou waiting near the entrance. Seeing Tatsuya and the girls, Rou immediately walked towards them. They quickly went to meet him.
"Tatsuya," Rou said urgently, before Tatsuya or the girls could even offer a greeting, "we have something important to discuss with you."
"Alright," Tatsuya nodded understandingly. He turned to the girls. "You two head on home."
Kyoko and Anko acknowledged and headed towards Tatsuya's house, while Tatsuya followed Rou towards the Akimichi clan's main meeting hall.
Arriving at the hall, Tatsuya found more than ten people already seated inside. He recognized them instantly – they were all high-ranking members of the Akimichi, Yamanaka, and Nara clans.
Seeing the assembled group, a look of understanding immediately flashed in Tatsuya's eyes. It seems they're here about the Military Police reform plan I proposed.
That same night, similar urgent meetings were taking place within the compounds of Konoha's other major clans.
Two days later, major news spread like wildfire through Konoha.
The Military Police Reform Plan!
The announcement immediately sparked intense discussion and speculation throughout the village. Spies from the other major hidden villages and powers embedded within Konoha also sensed that something significant and unusual was brewing beneath the surface of the Leaf.
For now, the news was just a broad announcement outlining the intention to reform. The specific personnel assignments, structural changes, and detailed implementation would require further discussion and careful planning by the village leadership. But the first, potentially groundbreaking step had been taken.