"Earning Trust Through the Outcast?"
"Recruiting the Ugly for Trust?"
Inside the meeting room, everyone exchanged confused glances. Seeing that none of them understood Aozora's meaning, they all looked at him with puzzled expressions.
Aozora looked around the room and slowly began his explanation, "Right now, many commoner-ninjas still doubt whether our Police Force will truly recruit non-Uchiha ninjas after seeing our recruitment poster. Therefore, our first step is to shatter that belief.
We must make this absolutely clear—our recruitment poster is legit, and the benefits we offer are tangible.
How do we spread this message? The best way is to create a showcase case!"
Inabi, who was responsible for this matter, immediately caught on, "You mean we should first recruit a few physically unattractive ninjas and then heavily promote them?"
Aozora smiled and nodded, "Exactly! That's what 'Earning Trust Through the Outcast' means."
Inabi grasped the idea instantly and roughly understood the meaning of "Recruiting the Ugly for Trust." Though he didn't voice his thoughts, he simply nodded for Aozora to continue.
"'Recruiting the Ugly for Trust' is easy to understand too—we treat those we recruit exceptionally well, even appointing one outstanding individual as a team captain. He'll publicize this case so others can see how well the Police Force treats commoner-ninjas.
If we treat someone like an average commoner ninja this way, just imagine how we'd treat someone with real talent?
I believe through such promotion, more and more commoner-ninjas will join the Police Force."
Everyone present was part of the Police Force leadership and quickly grasped Aozora's idea, though some expressed differing opinions.
Aoki spoke up, "But if we recruit a bunch of useless people, how will we answer to those more talented members in our clan?"
Aozora's words prompted quiet nods among the clan members in the room. Due to staffing limitations within the Police Force, many clan ninja hadn't been accepted—it was one reason they weren't enthusiastic about recruiting commoners.
"I understand everyone's concern for our younger clansmen, and I also wish to provide more opportunities for our people."
After showing understanding toward their concerns, Aozora continued, "Yesterday, you all witnessed the Elder Election Vote.
Didn't you notice? Even with cooperation between the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, Hiashi still lost.
Now think—if the Hokage (Kage of the Village) position had been contested between Jiraiya and the Uchiha Clan Head, what would the ballots have shown?"
Upon hearing Aozora's words, everyone fell silent.
Previously, they'd imagined that other commoner-ninjas might support them thanks to the Uchiha's strength. But after the Elder election, they realized it was all wishful thinking.
Aozora said firmly, "Therefore, if the Uchiha are to thrive, we must recruit commoner-ninjas!"
After a moment of thought, the group exchanged glances and finally gave their nod of agreement.
Aozora continued, "Of course, we also need to consider our clan members' feelings, and absolutely won't accept true incompetents into the Police Force.
Recruiting doesn't mean no elimination—we can set a probationary period, say one month, during which we evaluate their behavior and performance before retaining only the excellent ones..."
Aozora explained the process of hiring interns from companies, filling in the loopholes of the "Recruiting the Ugly for Trust" plan.
Fugaku nodded in agreement with Aozora's suggestion and turned to Inabi. "Inabi, do you have any questions?"
Inabi shook his head and assured, "I'll handle this matter personally right after the meeting!"
Fugaku gave a short "Hmm," then announced the agenda for Friday's high-level meeting before dismissing everyone.
Back at the Chief's office, Fugaku sat in his chair and stared directly at Aozora.
Kyudai quietly closed the door and looked at him curiously.
Aozora sat in his chair, clearly uneasy, forcing a smile. "Chief," he said, "if you've got something to say, just spit it out!"
Fugaku spoke in a calm tone. "Why?"
He wasn't mad that Aozora had refused the promotion—but he did want to know why. Because apparently, he had misjudged Aozora somehow.
Kyudai was equally curious about Aozora's answer.
The Chief Assistant role was really just a stepping stone for Uchiha—it carried no real power or responsibility, serving simply as a post established by the Chief to cultivate promising newcomers within the Police Force.
Looking into Fugaku's serious eyes, Aozora knew what Fugaku wanted was an honest answer from the bottom of his heart—not the excuses he gave during the meeting.
Aozora asked, "Chief, do you remember the condition I had when I agreed to become your assistant?"
It had only been a few months, so of course Fugaku still remembered.
"That absurd condition? Of course I remember—five days off per week!"
Fugaku shook his head as he continued, "I originally thought your request alone was absurd enough, but I never expected your actions to be even more ridiculous. You literally come to the Police Force only for the weekly meeting..."
Feeling awkward, Aozora shyly avoided Fugaku's gaze and chuckled, "Well, I'm giving Kyudai some experience, aren't I? Right, Kyudai?"
Upon hearing that, Kyudai snorted and turned his head away.
Aozora then became serious and asked, "You know why, don't you?"
Kyudai cut in, "Isn't it obviously because you're lazy?"
Fugaku firmly nodded in agreement with Kyudai's judgment.
"Of course not!"
Aozora rolled his eyes. Was his reputation really that bad?
Seeing Fugaku's disbelieving look, Aozora sighed, "I can't believe you guys would misunderstand me like this after all this time in the same office."
Fugaku couldn't help but tease, "You're only there for twenty minutes a week anyway!"
Aozora hesitated. Fugaku, I didn't expect you—with your thick eyebrows and all—to turn into such a smartass!
Seeing the hint of amusement in both Fugaku and Kyudai's eyes somewhat eased Aozora's sense of dread.
Smiling, he said, "Chief, Kyudai, I'm simply not interested in power or authority! My dream is to master every ninjutsu in the Ninja World and become the strongest ninja alive!"
Aozora repeated his dream once more. This time, unlike what he had told Shisui before, he went a step further.
Fugaku and Kyudai looked at Aozora in astonishment, their expressions filled with disbelief.
Fugaku solemnly replied, "Do you even understand what makes someone 'the strongest' in the Ninja World? Even the Five Kages wouldn't dare claim that title!"
Nodding, Aozora answered, "Of course I do! Throughout the long history of the Ninja World, only two individuals could truly qualify as the strongest: the Sage of Six Paths and the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju! Even our ancestor Madara Uchiha doesn't measure up to that title!"
Kyudai said, "Then why do you still have such delusions?"
Aozora replied confidently, "Why not? I'm almost thirteen now, and I firmly believe my strength has already reached the Jonin level. In the future, I will definitely become an expert at the Kage level. If that's the case, why shouldn't I set myself a grand goal?"
The Chief's office fell silent for a long time.
Kyudai opened his eyes wide, but even so, he felt as though he couldn't fully grasp Aozora's depth. Although Aozora was still only about 1.6 meters tall, his image towered infinitely in Kyudai's eyes.
Fugaku remained expressionless, but inside, he was just as shocked as Kyudai.
To every Uchiha, their ancestor Madara Uchiha had already become like a god—someone to revere and fear deeply. Even Fugaku himself, having awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan and confident that his strength had reached the level of the Five Kages, had never thought of surpassing Madara Uchiha.
Only those who reached his level could truly understand how difficult it was to make progress—and just how wide the gap was between true experts.
Looking at the energetic Aozora, Fugaku didn't know whether to call him ignorant or commend his confidence.
After a long while, Fugaku sighed and said, "I understand! Right now, you're indeed at a stage of rapid growth, and having such dreams—I, as your elder, should support them! However… once you reach the Jonin level, simply shutting yourself away training won't improve your strength much anymore…"
Aozora quickly cut in, "But I'm kinda special!"
Fugaku gave Aozora a stern look and said, "Relax, I know you want some free time!"
Upon hearing this, Aozora immediately grinned and said, "Go ahead, Chief, I'm all ears!"
Fugaku continued, "Alright then—after the Flying Tigers are established, besides carrying out missions regularly, continuous training is needed for improvement. I remember you mentioned earlier we should hire some instructors. Your skill in marksmanship with concealed weapons is rare within the clan, so I hereby appoint you as the Flying Tigers' instructor, specifically teaching those not on missions concealed weapon throwing every weekend."
Aozora considered it for a moment, then nodded.
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