The first ray of morning light penetrated the window lattice of the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters, landing on a young but composed face.
Uchiha Fugaku stood in front of the mirror, meticulously adjusting his brand-new captain's uniform.
The pure black material was well-tailored, setting off his upright figure, honed by long-term training, making him look exceptionally heroic.
On his back, the red and white "flame fan" clan emblem was like a burning flame in the morning light, proud and eye-catching.
Ever since the name "Uchiha Barbecue Team" resounded throughout Konoha during the construction of the Naka River Reservoir, and received double affirmation from Lord Hokage and Lord Danzo, he had been exceptionally promoted for his merits, becoming the youngest squad captain in the history of the Military Police Force.
For him, this was recognition staked on the glory of the Uchiha.
"Fugaku, so vain early in the morning?"
A deep voice with a hint of teasing came from the door.
Uchiha Tekka, the head of the Military Police Force known for his impartiality, walked in with his hands behind his back.
Looking at the meticulous appearance of the junior he favored most, the lines at the corner of his mouth, usually tight from seriousness, rarely relaxed.
"Director Tekka!"
Hearing the voice, Fugaku immediately withdrew his scrutinizing gaze, straightened his body, and bowed respectfully.
"Alright, don't stand on ceremony with me."
Tekka waved his hand casually, walked straight to his desk and sat down, throwing a dossier onto the table with a "slap."
"Today, you lead a team to the South District. That's the new residential area. Many retired veterans and ordinary villagers have just moved in, and their tempers are harder than the next. Pay attention to your law enforcement methods."
"Yes!"
Fugaku picked up the dossier, his eyes quickly scanning the information on it.
Tekka looked at his calm and capable appearance, the satisfaction in his heart almost overflowing from his eyes.
Since he took over the Military Police Force and carried out iron-fisted reforms with the unquestionable support of Lord Hokage, the atmosphere had long been renewed.
This was no longer the closed, arrogant family armed force that only served the Uchiha in the past.
But a sharp sword that truly served the whole village and protected the peace of Konoha.
Konoha's crime rate and internal conflicts had dropped to the lowest point since the village was founded.
Tekka implemented a "performance appraisal system," completely breaking the old habit of ranking by seniority, allowing capable and motivated young people like Fugaku to stand out.
On the streets of Konoha today, ninja from the Inuzuka family tracked scents with their ninja hounds, ninja from the Aburame family drove kikaichū to conduct searches without blind spots, and even ninja from the Hyuga family used their Byakugan to see through disguises...
The Uchiha were embracing and integrating into this village with an unprecedented attitude.
And the source of all this pointed to the far-sighted man on the Hokage Rock.
"By the way, Fugaku."
Tekka seemed to suddenly remember something, leaned forward slightly, and his tone became gossipy. "How are things going with that girl Mikoto recently?"
"!"
Fugaku's always tense face instantly cracked, and his ears turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"...Director, we are still in the stage of getting to know each other."
"Haha! You kid, still so thin-skinned!"
Tekka laughed heartily, reached out his fan-like big hand, and patted his shoulder heavily. "That's a good girl, gentle and kind, and her strength is not bad either. You have to hurry up. I heard that many excellent boys are asking about her recently!"
"I... I know."
Fugaku's voice was as thin as a mosquito's buzzing.
"Alright, go."
Tekka stood up, his smile fading, and his tone returned to seriousness. "Remember, we are the Military Police Force, the first line of defense for the village's peace. Our duty is to protect every blade of grass and tree in the village!"
"Yes, Director!"
Fugaku nodded heavily, turned and left, his steps firm.
Watching his back, Tekka stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes somewhat profound.
This kid was a good piece of steel. Capable, responsible, and his loyalty to the village and the clan was unquestionable.
Given time, he would surely achieve great things.
Tekka coughed lightly and turned his gaze to the vice-director, Uchiha Yashiro, who was watering a pot of clivia in the corner.
"Yashiro, what do you think?"
"A perfect piece of uncut jade."
Yashiro put down the watering can, concise and to the point. "His strength and character are top-notch among his peers. What's even rarer is that he fully understands the philosophy of Lord Hokage and Lord Kagami. He is an Uchiha of the new era."
"Mm."
Uchiha Tekka nodded slowly, a flash of determination in his eyes.
"I plan to recommend him to the Clan Head."
"Recommend?"
Yashiro was a little surprised. "His current position is already very..."
"Not enough."
Tekka interrupted him, his voice heavy. "The future of the Uchiha needs a more dazzling leader. This piece of uncut jade, Fugaku, can only be polished into a sharp tool with me. But his capacity is more than this."
"He needs a broader stage, and a... more weighty teacher to personally carve him."
...
Uchiha Fugaku didn't know that his future path had been clearly arranged by his two immediate superiors.
He came downstairs, and the patrol squad had assembled.
In the team, besides three Uchiha clansmen, there were two ninja from the Inuzuka family and their spirited ninja hounds, as well as a silent, shadow-like Aburame clansman.
"All present! Move out!"
With Fugaku's order, the squad marched in neat steps, starting a new day of work.
Walking on the bustling Hokage Avenue, looking at the shops lining both sides, the voices of people, and the innocent smiling faces of children everywhere, an indescribable sense of pride welled up in Fugaku's heart.
This was the village they protected and built with their own hands.
The patrol mission went unexpectedly smoothly.
Occasionally, there were a few guys with sticky fingers, but before Fugaku's Sharingan could capture their abnormal movements and gaze shifts, the Inuzuka family's ninja hounds had already followed the scent and dragged the people out of the crowd.
At noon, their group went to the Akimichi family's barbecue restaurant to settle lunch.
Relying on the uniform of the Military Police Force and Fugaku's familiar face from the "Barbecue Team," the owner generously gave them a 20% discount and personally delivered a plate of fat and delicious "Konoha Special Supply Pork."
"Sigh, Captain Fugaku, we have it good."
A young Inuzuka ninja mumbled enviously while chewing a large mouthful of barbecue. "Those brothers of ours sent to the farm to herd sheep, staying with those cattle and sheep all day, are bleating at home."
"Nonsense!"
Another Inuzuka ninja immediately retorted. "My big brother said that Manager Sakumo taught them that herding sheep is also a kind of cultivation! It's exercising tracking, lurking, and teamwork! And the food on the farm is good, with unlimited roasted whole lamb!"
"Hey! Wrong, wrong, make your Kuromaru let go! My pants are falling off!"
"Hahaha..."
Listening to the team members' laughter without any estrangement, Fugaku just smiled and silently added barbecue for them.
Patrolling, herding sheep, baking chakra cement...
They were all contributing to this village in their own ways.
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