After Kakashi's departure, Uchiha Touhan unrolled the mission scroll detailing the operation against Orochimaru.
The Hokage had clearly entrusted him with the authority to decide which members of the Security Department would join the mission. On the Anbu side, three Jonin had already been assigned to accompany Kakashi. One hailed from the Utatane clan, another from the Inuzuka, and the last was a civilian-born shinobi who had risen through sheer ability.
Alongside them were four Special Jonin. Among them stood Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yugao, a pair of promising swordsmen known for their mastery of the Konoha-style kenjutsu. The remaining two were a Mitomon clan member and another civilian shinobi. For reconnaissance, two capable branch members of the Hyuga clan had been added to the roster.
After considering the lineup, Touhan called toward the door.
"Sister Keiko, tell Inahiro and Zaito they'll accompany me on the mission the day after tomorrow."
These two had been the first within the clan to pledge themselves firmly to him. Supporting them was only natural.
Though the mission was dangerous—Orochimaru's name alone carried the weight of dread—Touhan had no intention of throwing lives away in a pointless clash. He formed a rapid sequence of seals. A plume of smoke burst forth, and a hawk emerged, landing gracefully on his shoulder. It brushed its cheek against his face, its eyes glinting faintly red.
Touhan pressed another sequence of seals, etching a binding spell into the hawk's body before stroking its head. With a sharp cry, the bird launched skyward, wings cutting the air as it vanished into the distance.
---
The following day, after two nights of exhaustive work, Uchiha Fugaku finalized the assignments for the newly recruited civilian shinobi. Their duties would begin the next morning. To mark the occasion, he arranged a modest induction ceremony and invited Touhan to attend.
The Security Department's conference hall overflowed with people—227 Uchiha from the original force, and 254 fresh civilian recruits. Yet the divide was plain to see. Though they had taken the brave step of joining, the newcomers sat apart from the clan members. The central rows of the chamber remained conspicuously empty, leaving a visible rift.
Touhan sighed inwardly. The Uchiha still had much work to do to mend their reputation.
When the ceremony began, Fugaku spoke briefly. Though still the official captain, he understood well that Touhan now held the true spotlight. With a graceful excuse about unfinished matters, he yielded the stage.
Touhan stepped onto the podium, surveying the divided hall before beginning.
"First, on behalf of the 227 who already serve in the Security Division, I welcome you. With your joining, and under the guidance of the Will of Fire, I believe this division will be reborn."
Applause broke out, led by Uchiha Inahime, swelling until the room rang with it.
When the hall quieted, Touhan continued.
"I trust you chose to join out of faith—faith in this department, and in the Uchiha clan. Since we are now colleagues, there is no need for distance between us."
His gaze swept the hall, pausing briefly on Inahime and Zaito. Yet they sat still, missing his subtle cue, their steady eyes returning his glance without movement.
Touhan stifled a sigh. His clan's emotional tact left much to be desired.
Then Shisui rose from his corner. With his usual easy grace, he crossed the floor and beckoned some of the civilian recruits to join him. Inahiro and Zaito quickly caught on, following his lead. Soon, others joined, and the rift dissolved. Uchiha and civilians now mingled side by side.
From the podium, Touhan clapped softly. Warm applause rippled through the chamber once more.
"Let us work together," he said, voice steady, "to make this village we share a better home."
Applause thundered again.
"And now," Touhan continued, smiling faintly, "let us address the matter you are most eager to hear about—your salaries."
A murmur ran through the hall.
"After considering both the village's income standards and the needs of shinobi, Captain Fugaku and I have set your base salary at eighty thousand ryo. As for veteran members of the Security Department, your wages will rise by twenty percent above the clan's prior allotments."
Shock rippled among the civilian recruits. Most of them had survived on the meager pay from D-rank missions—barely one thousand ryo apiece after the Hokage's cut and team division. Even completing twenty such missions in a month yielded only thirty thousand ryo at best. Eighty thousand was beyond anything they had expected.
Even the veteran Uchiha looked pleased. Their pay had never been poor, but a twenty percent raise was no small matter.
The atmosphere surged with energy, and Touhan pressed on.
"Because of the department's distance from the village, you'll also receive a six-thousand ryo monthly transport allowance."
Excitement erupted in the crowd.
"And one more thing," Touhan added, his voice carrying firmly across the chamber. "The ninjutsu techniques originally scheduled to be distributed after a month of service… will be granted to you immediately after this meeting."
The hall nearly shook with the roar that followed.
At that moment, Uchiha Inahiro rose to his feet and bellowed, "Salute Vice Captain Touhan! Chu! Makoto!"
"Chu! Makoto!" The entire room stood as one, right arms raised in unison.
"For Konoha—loyalty!" Touhan raised his hand and returned the salute, his voice cutting clear through the hall.
The cry echoed long after, binding Uchiha and civilian together under one banner.
no return...
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