Konohagakure
Uchiha Clan Compound
Uchiha Naraku frequently visited the Uzumaki and Kurama clans.
But today was special—Naraku had invited Uzumaki Naoki and Kurama Ryouta to his home for tea.
On the table sat a spread of tea, cakes, and a thermos of hot water. Naraku poured a cup and gestured politely.
"There are no servants here in my house. Please help yourselves."
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"Lord Naraku, are you planning to expand the Konoha Military Police Force? That's excellent news. The Kurama clan will give you its full support."
"Lord Naraku, why are you thinking of expanding the Police Force now?"
Kurama Ryouta and Uzumaki Naoki reacted quite differently to Naraku's announcement.
Upon learning of Naraku's plan to expand the Police Force—specifically, creating a Second Division of seventy shinobi—Kurama Ryouta immediately voiced his approval.
Konoha had allocated 150 million ryō to the Uchiha-led Police Force, barely enough to sustain its current operations. However, the Uchiha clan's weapons business generated between 200 to 300 million ryō annually through the Clan Affairs Office.
Naturally, Naraku wished to reinvest that wealth into strengthening the Uchiha. If left untouched, any change in leadership could risk that fortune falling into others' hands.
"I'm recruiting shinobi from the Inuzuka clan to join the Police Force. Their sensory abilities and use of ninken (ninja dogs) make them ideal for patrol and tracking. I want to form mixed teams using members from multiple clans."
Naraku made the first move. The others reacted exactly as he expected.
Though Uzumaki Naoki had gained popularity within the village, he had always maintained close ties with Naraku, who once saved the Uzumaki clan from near ruin.
It was widely known throughout Konoha that the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans were close allies. Over time, many Uchiha shinobi had become proficient in fūinjutsu (sealing techniques)—a trend rumored to stem from collaboration with the Uzumaki.
Traditionally, the Uchiha Police Force had refused to recruit non-Uchiha, but under Captain Naraku's leadership, that rule was broken. The Uzumaki clan was brought into the fold in large numbers.
While there had been dissatisfaction among Uchiha conservatives, that opposition faded once the strength of sealing techniques—especially in crowd control—became apparent.
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"Lord Naraku, how do you plan to organize the teams?" asked Ryouta, curious.
The Kurama clan specialized in genjutsu (illusion techniques), much like the Uchiha. This overlap in ability could complicate team dynamics.
Unlike the Inuzuka, the Kurama were a declining clan with a relatively large population but few high-ranking shinobi. War losses and Konoha's harsh jōnin promotion criteria had left them without many elites.
The Inuzuka, on the other hand, were an emerging clan—small in numbers but rich in talent. Their number of jōnin had risen, but they lacked a large base of genin or chūnin.
Kurama Ryouta saw the Police Force as a strategic opportunity. Previously, only top talents had been sent there to avoid dangerous missions. But with this expansion, he hoped to insert more family members, thereby strengthening the clan's position.
"I'm thinking of forming squads that mix Uchiha, Uzumaki, Kurama, and Inuzuka members," Naraku explained. "A jōnin from any clan can lead a team of three genin. That balance works well."
He poured more hot water into his teacup with a calm expression.
"Haha, sounds perfect," Naoki Uzumaki nodded. "My clan has honed our sealing techniques even further, and our skill with shurikenjutsu has improved a lot. Combat capability has definitely gone up."
Naoki, like Ryouta, sought opportunity. His clan's fortunes had reversed, thanks largely to two key figures:
Uzumaki Kushina, the current Nine-Tails (Kyūbi) jinchūriki, though this was a top-secret matter.
Princess Tsunade, the Sannin and one of the most powerful medics in history, who now supported the Uzumaki and had placed many of them in the Konoha Hospital.
Once refugees from the destroyed Uzushiogakure, the Uzumaki clan was now thriving under the Hokage's goodwill and political protection.
Many nations now regretted attacking the Land of Whirlpools. Without the fall of Uzushio and its sealing knowledge, other villages would never have developed their current jinchūriki technologies.
They now realized two hard truths:
1. The sealing technique is essential.
2. The Uzumaki bloodline is even more valuable.
Their error had been costly. The jinchūriki of other villages often suffered from instability and public scorn. In contrast, Konoha's Nine-Tails host had never once gone on a rampage.
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"Lord Naraku, since you're so confident, I'll give you my full support," Kurama Ryouta pledged.
He understood the inner workings of the Uchiha well. Though the clan was famed for its genjutsu, such skills required the Sharingan.
And not all Uchiha possessed it. Of the thousands in the clan, perhaps only a hundred had unlocked the Sharingan dōjutsu. The rest primarily focused on Fire Release (Katon), shurikenjutsu, and kenjutsu (swordsmanship).
In truth, most of the world recognized the Uchiha not for genjutsu, but for their explosive Fire Release techniques.
"Expanding the Police Force will help our clans avoid unnecessary conscription and assignments," Naraku said, speaking with a measured tone. "I hope both of your clans will support this plan fully. Let's move forward together."
"You're too modest, Lord Naraku," Ryouta smiled. "Whatever you decide, I will follow."
He had already committed. The Kurama had joined the Uchiha, and Ryouta's best move now was to push more of his clan into key Police Force roles.
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As two clans skilled in genjutsu, the Uchiha and Kurama were natural allies. In Konoha, the Uchiha alone boasted over a thousand active shinobi—many more, including civilians, lived outside the military structure.
"There's no need to follow me," Naraku smiled humbly. "Our clans are part of Konoha's ancient legacy. We should look out for each other."
The Police Force remained the stronghold of Uchiha elites—only those with activated Sharingan were considered truly elite. These shinobi rarely went on missions. Instead, they remained in the village, training or serving in the Force.
Naraku was quietly consolidating Konoha's oldest clans—Uchiha, Uzumaki, Kurama, Inuzuka—into a new kind of power.
One that worked behind the scenes.
But soon, everyone would see it.
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