"That's about it. Prepare yourselves."
Uchiha Kai rested his chin on his interlocked fingers, eyes narrowed, a slight smile playing on his lips as he studied the three shinobi before him, each deep in thought.
He had just delivered shocking news: a complete restructuring of the Konoha Military Police Force, also known as the Guard Department.
Even during his time as Deputy Director, the Guard Department had undergone major reforms—silent, sweeping changes that reshaped its foundations. Initially, these reforms simply enforced stricter codes of conduct. But gradually, Uchiha Kai consolidated power until the entire department was firmly under his control.
Yet what stunned many wasn't just his authority—it was what he did with it.
The clearest example? The creation and aggressive expansion of the Fourth Squad.
The Guard traditionally operated in three squads, each with well-defined patrol patterns, responsibilities, and a reputation for efficient village security. Their combat ability was not in question—they were all active-duty ninja—but the sudden influx of new combat personnel, under the guise of reorganization, had raised eyebrows. In a village like Konoha, where suspicion of the Uchiha was already high—especially after the Nine-Tails incident—this move could've been seen as dangerous.
But Uchiha Kai executed it with unnerving calm. His close ties to the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, gave him the political cover he needed. And that trust had only grown.
In the aftermath of the Nine-Tails attack, as Konoha was rebuilt, Kai had expanded his influence further—openly, boldly—and he had succeeded. Not only was he not stopped, but he had gained support both inside and outside the Uchiha clan.
Uchiha Kawa and Uchiha Ryukage, the two male squad leaders seated before him, were trying to calculate how to best execute his orders—and how to remain in his favor.
But Uchiha Jun's thoughts were more conflicted.
A longtime squad leader, Jun had been part of the Guard Department for years. Yet despite her experience, she never seemed to earn Kai's trust. Worse, she felt forgotten—marginalized.
Kai's growing alliance with Uchiha Fugaku, the clan head and former director, further complicated things. Although Jun still funneled occasional reports to Fugaku, she sensed that the clan leader had grown distant, less involved with Guard politics.
Her strategy to align with Kai and climb the ranks had failed. He treated her like a tool—useful only when required, and invisible otherwise. If the restructuring pushed her out of headquarters, she'd lose any chance of influence. Her political ambitions were slipping through her fingers.
"We understand, Minister," Uchiha Kawa and Uchiha Ryukage replied in unison, nodding. Despite their many thoughts, excitement was visible on their faces.
"Good," Kai said. "Prepare your jōnin application documents as soon as possible. This is something that must be resolved quickly."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Once the squads are redistributed, performance evaluations will begin. I'll allow you to divide members equally. But if any division receives excessive complaints or poor results, the squad leader will take full responsibility. Don't embarrass me. Understood?"
"Yes, Minister!" The three responded immediately—even Jun, whose delay might've cost her dearly had she hesitated any longer.
She knew full well: if she didn't comply, Uchiha Kai might remove her altogether.
She couldn't afford a second failure.
"I have a question, Minister," Jun said, clearly having made a decision. "If we're all sent out to lead separate squads, what about headquarters?"
"We'll hold at least one mandatory meeting each week. More if necessary," Kai cut in before she finished. "Each of you will report directly to me. I won't let oversight damage the department's reputation. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Jun replied softly, eyes flickering with hidden frustration.
"Headquarters staffing is already being handled," Kawa added, but he looked uncertain. "Still, Minister... will the HQ be properly secured?"
"No need to worry," Kai said. "The Hokage has approved additional staff for internal administration. But I don't want fighters—I want support and intel personnel. This isn't a battlefield. It's paperwork and logistics. That's your job."
The clarification made Jun's eyes flicker with hope—but she quickly masked it. She wanted back into headquarters, but she knew Kai wouldn't allow it. At least, not yet.
For now, her best move was to find a successor—a loyal subordinate who would follow orders and hold her place.
"Alright, that's everything," Kai said at last. He stood. "One more thing—Squad Four's new recruits should remain in training. They're not ready for deployment until their leaders are selected."
"We understand," they replied in chorus.
"Liuying, stay behind. The rest of you are dismissed," Kai added.
Uchiha Liuying paused in surprise, then understood. As Kawa guided a confused Uchiha Jun out of the room, Kai turned his attention to the young man left behind.
He studied Liuying's face—pale, tense. He remembered the same look on his own face, once.
No Uchiha could remain calm upon learning they might awaken the Sharingan, the clan's most sacred dōjutsu.
Uchiha Kai remembered his own awakening vividly. The emotion. The fear. The clarity.
He suspected Liuying was close to that threshold.
"Are you nervous?" Kai asked with a faint smile. "Good. You should be. Being numb is dangerous. You need to stay sharp."
Liuying nodded slightly. He didn't know what Kai planned—but he could sense its weight.
No one knew the exact method to awaken the Sharingan, and Kawa—who likely had—remained silent about it. The whole process seemed like a riddle wrapped in myth.
But Liuying knew this much: Kai's attention meant something was coming.
"Before we start, I need an update," Kai said, his smile fading. His voice was calm, but commanding.
"A while back, I asked you and Kawa to produce something. Secret, important. How's that going?"
"It's done, Minister," Liuying replied immediately, lowering his voice.
"Some of the documents are stored in Captain Kawa's office. The rest are in mine—locked away. I carry the only key."
"Good," Kai nodded. "Anyone else know about this?"
"No, sir. Only Captain Kawa and I. We've ensured everything is clean. No fingerprints, no chakra residue, no signs of tampering."
Liuying's eyes were serious, his tone heavy with responsibility. Kai was satisfied.
These items were for Hyūga Aya, his most important medical collaborator—trusted more than most Uchiha. He had many allies, but few people he truly trusted.
Everything needed to be perfect.
That could wait, though. First, there was work to be done.
Kai's eyes changed—blood-red, three tomoe spinning in the iris.
Rumors had long swirled about Uchiha Fugaku possessing the Mangekyō Sharingan. As for Kai, a few whispered he might have it, but most thought it impossible.
Aside from the Hokage, Fugaku, and a handful of close confidants, no one had ever seen Kai activate it.
Especially not for something like this: casting a genjutsu on a comrade.
"Brace yourself. Keep your emotions active. If you become numb... you'll lose everything."
Liuying blinked.
"W-What?"
But it was already too late.