Konoha, Hokage Building Rooftop.
Under the excited gaze of Uzumaki Kushina, watching herself sitting in this position, she felt even more thrilled and emotional.
With her new title as the head of the Barrier Division, who would dare call her Konoha's ultimate weapon from now on?
"The Nine-Tails attack caused significant damage to many areas of the village. Taking this opportunity during the reconstruction, we will make some changes to the village's zoning."
As the head of the Police Force, Uchiha Mikoto, dressed in black, stepped forward to face the gathered Jonin. Holding a pointing stick, she gestured toward the Konoha map that Danzo had presented during the previous Jonin meeting.
Despite Uchiha Mikoto's gentle smile, which felt like the warmth of a spring breeze, no one present dared underestimate her.
This was the second wielder of the Mangekyō Sharingan in the Uchiha clan, with strength undeniably at the Hokage level. On the night of the Nine-Tails' attack, she had already proven herself with absolute power.
"The previous decisions studied by the Third Hokage are riddled with flaws. For example, the Aburame clan needs a forest, yet a forest is located within the Sarutobi clan's territory. The Aburame clan will relocate here…"
As the pointing stick outlined the new areas on the map, Aburame Shibi nodded firmly and declared loudly:
"The Aburame clan will not betray the trust of the village!"
Compared to Danzo's previous zoning plan, the new arrangement gave the Aburame clan a better deal.
"The Kurama, Hyūga branch family, and Hatake clans will relocate to the former territories of the Mitokado, Utatane, and Shimura clans."
This reorganization of territories left most Konoha ninjas unfazed. It didn't affect them, after all.
The rearrangement disproportionately affected the families of the Third Hokage's inner circle, but for everyone else, it seemed irrelevant.
This move to strengthen internal unity was likely to enhance Konoha's stability. After all, the village was now firmly under the joint leadership of the Senju and Uchiha clans.
As Uchiha Mikoto maintained her gentle smile, the ninjas from the four main clans of the Third Hokage's era—Sarutobi, Mitokado, Utatane, and Shimura—looked increasingly grim.
They had worked hard over the years to gain a foothold in Konoha's center, only to lose it all now!
In their eyes, Uchiha Mikoto's smile was far from gentle—it was the sinister grin of a predator.
Mikoto's calm gaze swept over everyone before landing on the four clans—Sarutobi, Mitokado, Utatane, and Shimura.
These clans, once the pillars of the Third Hokage's administration, now found themselves without territories of their own.
"The Sarutobi, Mitokado, Utatane, and Shimura clans have lost many buildings due to the Nine-Tails' attack. For now, they will relocate here to rebuild."
When Uchiha Mikoto pointed to the designated area on the map, countless Konoha ninjas exchanged peculiar looks.
The representatives from the four clans wore expressions of extreme displeasure.
The excuse of damages from the Nine-Tails' attack was all too familiar. And the new territory assigned to them?
It was none other than the land Danzo had previously allocated to the Uchiha clan!
The boomerang of karma had come full circle.
"F-Fourth Hokage-sama!"
An elderly Jonin from the Shimura clan, steeling his nerves, stood up and addressed Uchiha Shirou, who sat above them with a satisfied smile.
"We of the Shimura clan did not know Danzo's actions. Over the years, while the Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane clans have prospered under the Third Hokage's leadership, we of the Shimura clan…"
At this point, the elder's eyes reddened, and he glared as he began to denounce Danzo.
"Danzo not only failed to benefit our clan but also misused family resources for his ambitions, even going so far as to harm his people!"
This heartfelt condemnation left many Konoha ninjas exchanging awkward glances.
The elder wasn't wrong. Compared to the other clans during the Third Hokage's reign, the Shimura clan had not grown stronger but had instead declined to the brink of irrelevance.
If not for Danzo's position as an elder, they likely wouldn't even qualify as a prominent clan anymore.
While the Shimura clan lamented their misfortunes, the Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane clans burned with indignation. The Shimura elder's complaints seemed to imply they had been hoarding Konoha's resources all these years.
Uchiha Shirou, however, nodded slightly and shifted his gaze toward Sarutobi Asuma.
"Asuma, do you have any objections to the village's decision to relocate four clans to this area?"
Objections?
The ninjas of the Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane clans turned to Asuma, silently pleading for him to hold his tongue.
But Sarutobi Asuma, gazing at the flourishing Konoha, flushed with emotion and resolutely declared:
"Fourth Hokage-sama! During the era of the First and Second Hokage, the Sarutobi clan did not occupy its current territory. Over the years, our clan has prospered only due to the Third Hokage's influence…
"Now, it is only right for the Sarutobi clan to shoulder the responsibility of protecting Konoha and atoning for our sins! We have no objections!"
The gathered Konoha ninjas were stunned.
This... this was true self-sacrifice! True betrayal of one's own family!
Even the Sarutobi, Mitokado, Utatane, and Shimura clans were left speechless, their faces contorted with a mixture of anger and disbelief.
Asuma, however, stood resolute, his fervent expression and the red Mangekyō Sharingan armband on his right sleeve making him stand out among the gathered ninjas.
In Uchiha Shirou's eyes, Asuma's actions earned a satisfied nod.
"Asuma, you have inherited the true Will of Fire. Your vision and conviction extend beyond the Sarutobi clan to encompass all of Konoha."
Moved to tears, Asuma felt the weight of his resolve validated.
No one understood him.
Others only saw him as a traitor to his family and father, but no one realized he had chosen this difficult path because he saw how his clan's actions were harming the village.
If there had been another way, why would he, the son of the Third Hokage, choose to betray his family?
"Fourth Hokage-sama, everything I have done is for the village—not for any one person or clan!"
Asuma's resolute words echoed, earning nods of approval from Shirou and many Konoha ninjas.
Asuma's love for Konoha was undeniable.
Setting aside the Sarutobi name, his actions were clearly for the sake of Konoha's stability.
Shirou smiled even more warmly and nodded.
"We cannot condemn an entire clan for the actions of a few corrupt individuals. The Sarutobi, Mitokado, Utatane, and Shimura clans have made mistakes, but they should be given the chance to reform."
Shirou then announced a new initiative:
"I plan to create a Konoha Security Division under the Police Force, and I believe Sarutobi Asuma is qualified to lead it. This division will provide an opportunity for those clans to contribute to the village's recovery."
As Asuma nodded enthusiastically, most of the gathered Konoha ninjas praised Shirou's magnanimity.
However, a sharp observer like Nara Shikaku couldn't help but lower his head, recognizing the subtle brilliance of the Fourth Hokage's strategy.
This is a method modeled after the Second Hokage's establishment of the Police Force, gathering the four clans that previously held power under the first three Hokages into this new department.
Not only does it provide better control, but it also effectively reclaims the power these clans once held.
On the surface, it seems like an opportunity for the four clans, but in reality, it forces all the ninjas from these families, who had been scattered across various Konoha departments, to be recalled into one place.
"I've said what I needed to. Who agrees? Who opposes?"
Shirou looked around the room with a broad and open smile. At this moment, he didn't act unilaterally but chose to consult the others.
Tsunade, standing nearby, couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. What a petty move—using the same tactics to fight back.
However…
"I agree," Tsunade said, crossing her arms and nodding calmly, showing her support directly.
She hadn't forgotten what Sarutobi and the others had done to the Senju in the past. Besides, now that they had risen to power through a coup, there was no way they wouldn't guard against the Third Hokage's faction.
"I agree!"
"Seconded!"
"Seconded!"
Unanimously, everyone supported the motion. No one opposed it.
Seeing the favorable outcome, Shirou smiled in satisfaction. Meanwhile, Sarutobi Asuma flushed with excitement as he bowed his head, saying:
"Thank you, Fourth Hokage-sama, for your trust. However, my current strength is insufficient to command respect…"
Asuma was overwhelmed with emotion. Despite the serious mistakes their families had made, Shirou had given them a chance to atone and repent.
After all, their clans had been implicated by Danzo and accused of manipulating the Nine-Tails to attack the village.
At this moment, Shirou suddenly realized that Sarutobi Asuma, though he appeared mature, was only fourteen—around the same age as Kakashi but without Kakashi's talent.
With this thought, Shirou narrowed his eyes and turned his gaze to Namikaze Minato below. In a calm tone, he said:
"Jōnin Minato, it seems I'll have to trouble you to take on the role of Division Leader for this Security Division. The village's morale still needs stabilizing, and Sarutobi Asuma will be promoted to Jōnin as your deputy."
Namikaze Minato didn't hesitate for a moment. He nodded firmly and said, "For the sake of Konoha, Namikaze Minato is willing to take on this responsibility."
Minato already felt some guilt. While his actions had been for the stability of Konoha, he also owed much to the Third Hokage. This was an opportunity for him to make amends. The division's purpose of ensuring the village's stability aligned perfectly with his own beliefs.
As everyone expressed their satisfaction with the arrangement, SHirou's smile carried a hint of mockery as he glanced at the Sarutobi, Mitokado, Utatane, and Shimura clans.
It seemed like he was offering them hope, but in reality, he was merely ringing the death knell for their destruction.
These four clans were not like the Uchiha. The Uchiha had always been in a difficult position, so they had initially been excited about the establishment of the Police Force. It provided them with purpose and satisfaction.
Yet, even so, after the suspicions surrounding the Nine-Tails attack and their forced relocation, they had been filled with resentment and anger, leading to their eventual downfall.
The situation for these four clans was entirely different. They were falling from the heights of power. Having been accustomed to decades of privilege and status, their sudden downfall would undoubtedly fill them with extreme resentment and anger.
Coupled with the suspicion surrounding the Nine-Tails attack and their forced relocation, their discontent would only grow and ferment over time, eventually exploding.
But what did that have to do with him?
Shirou smiled. His methods were merely a reflection of the tactics his opponents had used against him.
"An eye for an eye."
No one in Konoha could blame him because it was the other side that had acted first.
A military coup without any visible bloodshed had completely transformed Konoha.
This outcome left many Konoha shinobi feeling both relieved and resentful of everything the Third Hokage's leadership had done. Their actions were truly reprehensible.
As the Jōnin meeting concluded, Shirou's methods of appeasement won the heartfelt respect and admiration of countless Konoha shinobi.
Many had expected Uchiha Shirou to employ heavy-handed tactics, leading to rivers of blood in Konoha. However, to their surprise, his methods of appeasement were even more skillful and effective than those of the Third Hokage.
This was the power of perception.
The Uchiha clan's reputation lowered everyone's expectations. When they acted with restraint and diplomacy, it left a stronger impression.
It was like how a good person doing good deeds seemed normal, but when a bad person did something good, it became a significant event.
...
In the Hokage's Office.
"Nara Jōnin, what is the meaning of this?"
Back in the office, Shirou finally sat in the chair that symbolized control over all of Konoha. A satisfied smile appeared on his face, but just then, three familiar figures entered the room under the guidance of a Uchiha shinobi.
Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Chōza, and Yamanaka Inoichi—the heads of this generation's Ino-Shika-Chō trio—had arrived.
After entering, Nara Shikaku immediately lowered his stance and humbly nodded.
"Fourth Hokage-sama, during the Third Shinobi War, our three clans suffered heavy losses. Regarding the shops and other…"
As expected of the brains of Konoha.
Seeing Nara Shikaku's tactful behavior, Shirou couldn't help but smile in admiration.
If this were a world where a wise strategist could change everything, or if Shirou were an ordinary Kage-level power, he would naturally make use of Shikaku's talents.
But he knew that the future was a world of overwhelming power, and he himself possessed such power.
Even so, the intellect of the Nara clan could not go to waste.
"The sincerity of the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans is noted. The Intelligence Division still needs to protect the village, and Konoha cannot function without the contributions of all its shinobi."
Shirou didn't push them too hard. There was no need. He already controlled everything in Konoha. Now, his priority was to strengthen the village.
"The Police Force and the stability of the frontlines all rely on everyone's efforts. While the Uchiha are strong, every division still needs manpower. The Police Force, in particular, is currently understaffed."
With a smile, Shirou hinted that while the Police Force had once been an exclusive Uchiha, it would now be open to all.
This move served to integrate more people into the system while addressing the Uchiha's lack of numbers.
As Nara Shikaku lowered his head, he secretly marveled at Shirou's ingenuity. No wonder the Third Hokage had lost—not just because of Shirou's strength, but also because of his tactics.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama, for your trust."
As the three left the Hokage's office, Nara Shikaku's back was drenched in sweat.
"Shikaku, do you think everything will be fine now?"
Walking along the street, Akimichi Chōza frowned and asked in confusion. Yamanaka Inoichi also wore a concerned expression.
"Fine?"
Shikaku laughed bitterly before nodding.
"This one has great ambition. As long as we remain loyal and sever ties with the Third's faction, we'll be safe. But the privileges we once enjoyed are gone."
Hearing this, Chōza sighed in relief and smiled.
"As long as we're safe. Though we've given up many shops and benefits, our three clans have grown considerably over the years. There's no such thing as endless prosperity in this world."
Shikaku forced a smile and nodded, but deep down, he sighed. With Shirou's methods and the ambition he'd sensed while working in the Intelligence Division, this was just the beginning.
From the window of the Hokage's office, Shirou gazed out over Konoha with a calculating look in his eyes. Beside him stood a golden-haired figure.