"Knock, knock, knock."
A steady and powerful knocking echoed through the room.
"Come in." Minato didn't even look up; his pen only paused for a brief moment.
The door was pushed open, and a gust of damp night wind rushed into the office.
Fugaku Uchiha strode into the room.
He was still wearing the dark combat uniform from his mission, and the Uchiha crest on his shoulder was damp from the rain, making its colors look particularly deep.
Although the overnight journey made him appear a bit travel-worn, his eyes were brighter than ever before.
Fugaku walked to the desk and stood still. He did not perform the tedious family etiquette as usual, but directly took a scroll from his chest and presented it with both hands.
"Hokage-sama."
Fugaku's voice was low. "The lockdown mission around the Grass Village has been successfully completed. Following your instructions, all other 'tails' have been dealt with."
"The Grass Village has also 'agreed' to our proposal."
Minato put down his pen and took the scroll, but he was in no hurry to open it.
He looked up, his azure eyes meeting Fugaku's, and a characteristic warm smile appeared on his face. "Hard work, Clan Leader Fugaku. The Uchiha clan's efficiency is indeed well-deserved."
"None of the clansmen posing as bandits were injured, I hope?"
"None."
Fugaku shook his head. A rare, slight curve appeared at the corner of his mouth, though it still looked a bit stiff. "They were very committed to the role. In fact... perhaps a bit too much. I noticed a few young clansmen seemed to really enjoy the feeling of not having to worry about rules and just swinging their blades."
"Ribbit, they must have been bored out of their minds,"
Gamakon interjected from the side, swallowing the chips in his mouth. "Managing trivial matters in the Police Force all day and getting rolled eyes from the villagers... if it were me, I'd rather go out and be the boss, too."
Fugaku glanced at the purple toad. In the past, he might have felt offended.
But now, he merely gave a slight nod, acknowledging the words.
"That is exactly what I wanted to talk about."
Minato placed the scroll aside and leaned back slightly against his chair, interlacing his fingers. "While the work of the Police Force is important, keeping the Uchiha—a fine blade—confined to such a small patch of territory is truly a waste of talent. Furthermore, long-term opposition with the villagers is not conducive to the village's unity."
Hearing this, Fugaku's heart skipped a beat.
He keenly captured the deep meaning behind Minato's words.
"Hokage-sama, you mean..."
"The matter with the Grass Village is just the beginning."
Minato stood up and walked to the map by the window, circling a portion of Konoha's territory with his finger. "Since the Uchiha clan has proven their loyalty and capability, it is time for me to fulfill my promise."
He turned around, his gaze burning as he stared at Fugaku. "I need a list."
"A list?" Fugaku asked instinctively.
"Yes, a list."
Minato walked back to the desk, picked up a pen, and wrote the names of several departments on a blank piece of official paper. "The Anbu, the Barrier Corps, the Mission Room, and even the security department of Konoha Hospital."
"I intend to open a number of slots in these departments for the Uchiha clan."
"It will no longer be just the Police Force."
Minato pushed the paper toward Fugaku. "I hope the Uchiha clansmen can step outside those fan-shaped walls and truly integrate into every corner of the village. Let them execute missions alongside shinobi from the Hyuga, Akimichi, and Nara clans."
Looking at that thin sheet of paper, Fugaku's breathing instantly became rapid.
His hands trembled slightly as he reached for it, yet the paper felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.
This was something generations of Uchiha had dreamed of.
Ever since the Second Hokage established the Police Force, the Uchiha had been effectively isolated on the fringes of power.
They seemingly possessed law enforcement authority, but in reality, they were alienated on the opposite side of the village.
And now, Minato Namikaze, this young Hokage, had personally shattered that barrier.
"Is... is this really okay?"
Fugaku's voice was a bit dry. "The other village higher-ups, and the two advisors..."
"I am the Hokage."
Minato's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. "As long as it's a decision beneficial to the village, I can make the call. As for the advisors... I believe the matter with Elder Danzo was enough for them to understand the current situation."
Gamakon let out a weird laugh from the side. "Hehe, those two old fogies are probably hiding at home burning incense and praying right now, hoping no one digs up their old skeletons. They don't have the energy to care about this."
Fugaku took a deep breath, calming his turbulent emotions.
He solemnly reached out both hands, took the paper, carefully folded it, and placed it in his inner pocket.
"I understand."
Fugaku took a half-step back and bowed deeply to Minato.
This bow was more sincere and lower than any he had ever given before.
"Within three days, I will present the list. I will personally vet every clansman selected to ensure their absolute loyalty to the village."
"I believe in you, Fugaku."
Minato stepped forward and helped Fugaku up. "Let us build the village together."
The atmosphere in the office became more harmonious than ever before.
The ice that had long stood between the Hokage's lineage and the Uchiha clan was silently melting away.
With the official business concluded, Minato didn't seem to intend for Fugaku to leave just yet.
He turned and poured Fugaku a cup of tea, his tone becoming more relaxed, like two fathers chatting about domestic matters.
"Speaking of which, during this trip to the Land of Grass, I noticed you seemed quite preoccupied."
Minato held his teacup, leaning against the edge of the desk. "Is it because of matters at home?"
Fugaku took the teacup, feeling somewhat flattered by the gesture.
He hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Not exactly. It's just... I was thinking about the children's future."
"Oh?"
Minato became interested. "You mean Itachi and Sasuke?"
At the mention of his children, the lines on Fugaku's stern face softened a bit.
"Yes. Itachi... that child is very mature for his age."
Fugaku sighed. "When he was only four, he already began to contemplate the meaning of life and the relationship between the clan and the village."
"Now that he's six, I have nothing left to teach him."
"Geniuses are always lonely," Minato noted.
Fugaku smiled bitterly, offering no rebuttal.
He was indeed a strict father at home, and Itachi's education had always focused on the heavy burden of the clan.
"Then, Clan Leader Fugaku."
Minato set down his teacup, his gaze deepening. "What are your plans for these two children? Do you intend for them to follow in your footsteps, entering the Police Force as a matter of course and eventually taking over clan affairs?"
This was a seemingly casual yet extremely sensitive question.
The path of the Uchiha clan's heir often represented the future political direction of the entire clan.
In the past, Fugaku would have answered without hesitation, "For the glory of the Uchiha, of course."
But now...
Fugaku's grip on the teacup tightened.
He looked into Minato's eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through people's hearts, and various thoughts flashed rapidly through his mind.
Minato had just given the Uchiha a chance to integrate into the village.
This was not just a gift, but also a test.
If the next generation of Uchiha still remained confined within the clan's small circle, today's integration would ultimately be nothing more than a passing fancy.
However, if he entrusted the children entirely to the village...
For a moment, Fugaku felt a struggle in his heart.
It was the instinct of a father wanting to keep his children close, and the habit of a clan leader wanting to control the clan's future.
But soon, he suppressed that struggle.
He thought of Danzo's fate, the destruction of the Grass Village, and the heavy list in his pocket.
Times had changed.
Since he couldn't beat them, he would join them.
And he would join thoroughly, without reservation.
Fugaku took a deep breath and placed the teacup gently on the table.
He looked up, staring directly at Minato with a look of determination in his eyes.
"Hokage-sama," Fugaku said in a low voice, "I am indeed somewhat out of my depth when it comes to educating my children. Itachi's thinking is too advanced; I fear my own narrow-mindedness will limit his growth. As for Sasuke... he's still young, and I only hope he can be safe and happy."
"So..."
Fugaku paused, passing the responsibility back to Minato. "I wonder if Hokage-sama could give me some suggestions? If it were you, you would certainly do a better job than I could."
These words were spoken with great skill.
They expressed humility while implicitly stating his position: the children's future was for the Hokage to decide.
"Snap."
The bag of chips in Gamakon's hand fell onto the desk.
He looked at Fugaku with surprise and whispered, "The old fossil has finally seen the light? This political awareness... did he take a rocket up here?"
The smile on Minato's face blossomed even more brilliantly at that moment.
He was satisfied to the extreme with Fugaku's answer.
This was not just a concession regarding the children's education; it was a total pledge of allegiance, surrendering the Uchiha's future.
"Since Clan Leader Fugaku trusts me so much."
Minato stood up straight and adjusted his Hokage Cloak. "Then I won't be modest."
He walked up to Fugaku and held up a finger.
"I have observed Itachi. His talent is not inferior to Kakashi's. More importantly, he possesses a big-picture perspective and the Will of Fire beyond his years."
Minato's voice became solemn. "If you don't mind, I would like to take Itachi as my disciple."
"What?!"
Fugaku suddenly stood up, his movement so abrupt that he nearly knocked over the chair behind him.
His eyes widened, filled with utter disbelief.
Taking a disciple?
This was not a simple relationship between a Jonin instructor and a Genin.
In the shinobi world, the master-disciple bond was the tightest connection, even surpassing blood ties.
The Third Hokage was the Second's disciple, the Sannin were the Third's disciples, and Minato was Jiraiya's disciple.
This was a clear line of succession leading to the core of Konoha's power.
If Minato took Itachi as a disciple, it meant that for the first time, the Uchiha clan had truly stepped into the Hokage's inner circle!
Furthermore, if Itachi proved excellent enough, in the future, running for Hokage...
Fugaku felt a bit lightheaded from the lack of oxygen; the massive surge of joy made his head spin for a moment.
"Hokage-sama... you... are you serious?" Fugaku's voice was trembling.
"Of course."
Minato nodded with a smile. "However, being my disciple is very demanding. Moreover, I hope he can gain experience in the Anbu for a few years first. Kakashi happens to be short a partner right now, and I want the two of them to spend more time together."
"I'm willing! Of course, I'm willing!" Fugaku was so excited he was nearly incoherent.
"To become your disciple is Itachi's honor! And the honor of the Uchiha clan! Send him to the Anbu! To the most difficult post! Just say the word, and he'll do whatever is required!"
Seeing Fugaku's ecstatic state, Minato smiled and waved his hand, signaling him to sit down.
"As for Sasuke..."
Minato's tone shifted, becoming more lighthearted. "He's still a child. I hope he can be like any ordinary Konoha child, entering the Academy as scheduled, making a few friends, and having a carefree childhood."
"Don't put too much pressure on him."
Minato looked at Fugaku. "Itachi already carries so much. I plan to have Sasuke be in the same year as Naruto so they can keep each other company."
Fugaku dithered for a moment before realizing Minato's profound intentions.
As the bridge between the clan and the village, Itachi was destined to walk a path of thorns for the strong.
Whereas for Sasuke, Minato wanted him to retain his humanity—the last bit of innocence and joy for the Uchiha clan.
One martial and one civil, one rigorous and one relaxed.
This was indeed the best arrangement.
"I understand."
Fugaku's eyes grew a bit warm.
He had always worried the village would fear the Uchiha's power and look for ways to weaken and suppress them.
But Minato had not.
He didn't just give the Uchiha power; he gave them a future and even considered the children's happiness.
With a Hokage like this, how could one not be utterly loyal?
"Thank you... Hokage-sama."
Fugaku bowed once more.
This time, it was not out of political calculation, but from the bottom of a father's heart.