The shinobi academy's recruitment work began in earnest on the fifth day after the Chūnin Exam finals concluded.
The process proceeded with exceptional compactness and efficiency. Merely two days later, the final acceptance roster was already publicly posted.
Among the eight teacher positions, five names bore the clearly marked "Uchiha" surname.
The matter of the Uchiha breaking through the Police Force to begin entering the academy stirred waves among Konoha's various shinobi clans.
"Did the village yield to the Uchiha?"
"Or did the Uchiha side finally bow their heads, paying some price we don't know about?"
"Is the wind direction about to change?"
Regardless of how outsiders interpreted matters, within Uchiha clan grounds, the atmosphere proved completely different—exhilarated.
This exhilaration reached its peak with another successive message—Uchiha Itachi, plus three other young clan members, joined ANBU.
This was already the second batch.
Police Force, academy, ANBU. The Uchiha clan's presence seemed to be appearing at Konoha's various important nodes at unprecedented speed.
On the very evening these two pieces of good news arrived, Uchiha Fugaku summoned Police Force core members, holding a meeting within the clan head's residence.
At this moment, most attendees wore cheerful expressions. Only individual people showed solemn demeanors.
"The village first opened ANBU quota positions to us. Now, they have also allowed our people to enter the shinobi academy as instructors."
As Fugaku began speaking, indoor gazes all focused on the clan head.
"As a corresponding response, we must also demonstrate appropriate sincerity."
"The Police Force will soon welcome four non-Uchiha members joining."
Just as his words fell, the originally fairly harmonious atmosphere seemed instantly frozen before erupting in irrepressible clamor.
"What?!"
"Let outsiders enter the Police Force? How can this work?"
"Clan Head! This is the village's conspiracy. They want to encroach upon our clan, seizing away pride and foundation belonging to the Uchiha!"
Several radically-natured members immediately stood, expressing opposition.
"Clan Head! This absolutely cannot be agreed to! We finally made progress in other domains. Why must we still yield Police Force positions?"
Watching radical faction voices grow increasingly loud with the scene about to lose control, Uchiha Yashiro, who had remained silently listening, stepped forward.
"All of you calm down!" Yashiro surveyed the surroundings. "Precisely because we yielded these quotas did we obtain such gains!"
"Academy—five quotas. ANBU—eight quotas."
"This means our clan finally need not remain confined within the Police Force. Clan members gained more choices."
"If we refuse providing four quotas, will the village choose withdrawing everything currently given?"
Yashiro's words drew more agreement. The village obviously made more concessions. Benefits were real and tangible.
"Yashiro makes sense."
"Indeed, this looks like an exchange."
"Perhaps... this truly is necessary compromise. Using four quotas to exchange for more development space proves worthwhile."
Supporting and understanding voices began appearing. The conference room rapidly divided into two distinctly postured factions. Though the radical faction's numbers did not hold advantage, their attitude proved extremely resolute. Their words were intense, refusing to yield even slightly.
"The Police Force represents Uchiha's glory. Absolutely cannot let outsiders defile..."
"Precisely for the Uchiha's glory!" At this time, Uchiha Fugaku finally spoke again. "This must be done."
Everyone's gazes again converged on the clan head. Within those eyes, scarlet base color suddenly surfaced. Rotating within the blood color were no longer simple tomoe but more complex patterns—that was Mangekyō Sharingan's power.
Fugaku looked at those opposing people.
"This is the necessary price for the Uchiha clan's future."
"This is not a request, nor discussion, but a decision."
"If dissatisfaction still remains..."
His gaze slowly swept across those radical faction members.
"Then use your eyes to converse with me."
The matter of Uchiha Fugaku forcibly unifying internal opinions through Mangekyō Sharingan's pressure soon reached Shuji through Uchiha Itachi, naturally also synchronizing to Tsunade's ears.
Subsequent progress proved fairly smooth. After receiving definite news, the Hyūga clan rapidly dispatched four carefully selected branch family members, formally entering the Police Force. Both sides entered the adjustment period.
These past days, Tsunade indeed felt some subtle pressure and probing from other families.
Though from the village's overall interests perspective, yielding several shinobi academy teacher positions did not count as major matters, especially since those selected underwent strict vetting and would ultimately become forces serving the village.
However, in other shinobi clans' views, this undoubtedly proved a clear signal of the village yielding to the Uchiha, inevitably drawing criticism and unease.
Internal village resources and positions only numbered so many. While the Uchiha firmly occupied the Police Force, they also began involvement in other key departments, with village leadership seemingly granting recognition.
Without a sufficiently persuasive reason, making other clans who had long behaved properly feel genuinely convinced proved difficult.
However, when news of "Hyūga clan members entering the Police Force" spread, original whispered discussions and questioning voices instead gradually vanished.
Other families seemingly finally grasped some of the village leadership's intent—this was not simple yielding but more resembled structural adjustment and interest rebalancing.
Shuji said, "Having torn open this gap, subsequently gradually adding non-Uchiha members to the Police Force will face much less resistance."
Tsunade stretched lazily. "First wait for people the Hyūga clan dispatched to gain firm footing in the Police Force before saying more. Next step, consider arranging some people from consistently well-behaved families like Aburame and Inuzuka inside as well."
"Ultimately, reserving about one-third of Police Force quotas for the Uchiha should about suffice."
"As for Uchiha clan people, diverting portions to the shinobi academy, Administrative Department, ANBU, and such places should also about absorb them. The key is forming a dynamic, healthy flow mechanism."
Tsunade calculated. This entire process would probably still require several years before completely straightening out, ensuring no aftereffects remained.
Speaking here, she seemed to suddenly remember something, turning to look at Shuji beside her, showing a trace of smile on her face.
"By the way, the old man's side has about settled. He's preparing to formally step down. The daimyo happens to still be in the village and hasn't left, saving me from specifically making another trip to the capital for transfer procedures."
She forcefully patted Shuji's shoulder with strength causing the latter to sway slightly.
"So, Shuji, prepare mentally in advance. Once I assume the position, your good days..."
"Will officially begin."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild