Konoha — Afternoon
In the Inuzuka Clan Leader's Residence
Inuzuka Hideo, the current head of the Inuzuka clan, was in his sixties. His face was marked with deep wrinkles, and his hair had long since turned gray.
For a regular villager, his age might not show so clearly—but Hideo was a shinobi. Years of missions had worn him down and drained his life force early, leaving behind a weary but wise old man.
---
Naraku sat on the tatami mat below him, sipping his tea quietly. His expression was thoughtful, even distant.
"During this morning's taijutsu training… Might Dai is stricter than he looks. He seems like a fool at first glance, but when you really train with him, you realize he's actually a dependable partner."
Naraku had to admit—he respected Dai's training more than he expected to.
Might Dai had even shared a medicinal bath recipe with him. After pushing one's body to its limits, soaking in that special blend of herbs could help with recovery.
Naraku's muscles still ached from the session. Dai's taijutsu regimen was unlike anything practiced in the Uchiha clan—intense, relentless, and punishing.
Normally, training that extreme would cause serious injuries or long-term strain.
But once Naraku studied the medicinal bath's ingredients, he understood how the Might family endured it.
The herbs weren't cheap. Most of Dai and Guy's income likely went straight into those materials.
That Dai would casually pass on such a valuable formula—Naraku wasn't sure whether it was naivety or kindness.
Among shinobi, taijutsu was often overlooked, practiced mostly by civilian-born ninja who lacked access to ninjutsu. Few clans built their fighting styles around it the way the Might family did.
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Inuzuka Hideo remained silent, watching Naraku with calm eyes. He didn't press him to speak. With age came patience—and the knowledge that conversations revealed more when left to breathe.
Eventually, Naraku placed his teacup down and spoke.
"Lord Hideo… incorporating ninken into the Konoha Military Police Force would greatly enhance our ability to patrol and investigate. Has your clan ever considered joining the Police Force?"
He kept his tone polite, soft, and respectful. Although Naraku was from the powerful Uchiha clan, he regarded Hideo as an elder deserving of proper etiquette.
Originally, he'd planned to simply purchase a trained ninken. But the Inuzuka's available breeds were too diverse, and the process too complicated. Maintaining and training a ninja dog was no small task.
Hiring the clan directly made more sense.
Not to mention—Inuzuka shinobi specialized in Jūjin Taijutsu (Beast Mimicry Taijutsu), fighting alongside their canine partners in unison. Their tracking, speed, and close-quarters combat made them perfect for a specialized unit.
---
Naraku had both resources and vision. He was preparing to expand the Police Force.
Investigation duties would slowly shift toward special task squads. A new 70-man unit was being formed—highly trained, mission-capable, and quick-response.
And Naraku didn't want it to be only Uchiha. Recruiting members from other clans would forge political ties and broaden the Force's reputation.
The Inuzuka clan, once small, had grown to mid-tier status due to the Third Hokage's generous distribution of missions and resources.
Naraku saw an opportunity to "pick a few peaches"—recruit some well-positioned shinobi while maintaining appearances of neutrality.
---
Hideo was quiet, thinking carefully.
He was no young man to leap at an offer just because it sounded good.
Everyone knew the unspoken truth in Konoha—many clans feared or distrusted the Uchiha. And the Hokage's inner circle had long viewed them with suspicion.
The Inuzuka clan had thrived thanks to the Hokage's support. Any alignment with the Uchiha could put that relationship in jeopardy.
Hideo respected the Third Hokage—Sarutobi Hiruzen was calm, wise, and compassionate.
But in Konoha, it was dangerous to put all your eggs in one basket.
The Uchiha clan had existed for centuries, long before Konoha itself. Their influence was enduring, even as the Hokage tried to limit their reach.
"Uchiha Naraku-kun," Hideo said slowly, "we're a modest clan. If you're looking to purchase a few ninken, and hire some of our people to help train and care for them, that can be arranged."
"As for formally joining the Police Force… give me some time to consider."
---
Hideo appreciated Naraku's manners. Unlike other young Uchiha, Naraku wasn't prideful or aggressive. He respected his elders and handled things with composure.
Hideo also understood what Naraku was really offering—start with a safe, cooperative partnership. It would appear as regular employment, and the Hokage wouldn't object.
But direct membership in the Police Force? That was political.
Clans who openly sided with the Uchiha risked being watched by the Hokage's intelligence division. And if political winds shifted, those favors could become punishments.
At present, the Third Hokage was respected, but not feared.
That would change in time.
In his later years, Hiruzen would tighten his grip—pushing the Hyūga clan into submission and allowing the Uchiha to be eliminated under his rule.
Everyone saw what happened to the proud Hyūga. Their clan head was forced to send his twin brother abroad as a political scapegoat—an act that humiliated the entire clan.
And worse still—the Uchiha, one of the founding clans of the village, would vanish entirely under Hiruzen's watch.
---
"You really won't reconsider?" Naraku asked, still calm. A servant poured more hot water into his cup.
Hideo frowned slightly. The Military Police had been under Uchiha control for over twenty years. No other clan had been able to gain footing there.
Despite their reputation, the Uchiha were growing stronger. Their population increased, and their young shinobi were more and more competent.
Joining the Police Force wasn't just a job. It was stability.
"How many are you looking to recruit?" Hideo finally asked, weighing the offer.
"Ten to twenty," Naraku said. "Whatever's convenient for your clan."
The Inuzuka didn't have a huge pool of ninja. Sending too many would attract the wrong kind of attention from the Hokage.
Better to send a few first—see how the wind blew. If needed, they could withdraw quietly.
"Then we'll start with ten," Hideo said. "Naraku-kun, thank you for taking care of them."
"With the Inuzuka Clan's support," Naraku replied, "the Police Force can better serve Konoha—keeping the village peaceful and safe."
"Haha. That's generous of you."
Hideo smiled faintly. "It's always better to put your eggs in two baskets—one full, one light."
He still trusted the Hokage… but trust in politics was always conditional.
---
Naraku raised his teacup once more. His tone grew solemn.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire will continue. The flames will illuminate the village… and new leaves will grow."
The Will of Fire.
And in his mind, Naraku added silently:
The Police Force will be the ground from which those new leaves sprout.
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