[This Chapter Is Sponsored by ItsDragonking! Everyone, please thank him in the comment!]
Konoha.
As time passed, the Police Department underwent a complete transformation, gradually gaining acceptance among the villagers, especially in terms of the dramatic changes in the internal security of the village.
The sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth squads of the Police Department recruited numerous civilian ninjas, while also incorporating Uchiha, Hyuga branch family, and Aburame ninjas with Kekkei Genkai (bloodline techniques), thus eliminating the past situation of exclusion.
The first five squads of the Police Department also recruited externally, but with higher requirements, as they were responsible for prison and perimeter defense of the village, which involved greater danger.
The Police Department, once led by Uchiha Fugaku, adopted a tolerant attitude to ease the relationship between the clan and the village. However, this tolerance only led to further encroachment, even from ordinary people.
This is human nature; for instance, when dealing with drunken disturbances, should one arrest or educate? Without a specific guideline, clan leaders urge tolerance, but if you tolerate once and not the next, or if different squads handle situations inconsistently, it leads to criticism and distrust.
However, under Uchiha Yoru's leadership, the policy became clear: implementing a ninja-centric hierarchical system.
Within the ninja, the hierarchy starts with Kekkei Genkai ninjas at the top, followed by secret technique ninjas, then clan ninjas, and finally civilian ninjas.
The advocated philosophy is that ninjas with power are the pillars shaping the future, tasked with protecting civilians, who in turn should live peacefully and prosperously.
Regarding offenses, the laws for ninjas and civilians differ. For ninjas, factors like returning from the battlefield or enduring a brutal mission are considered, along with various physical and mental changes.
Unless it's a case of homicide, ninjas are generally treated leniently, provided they undergo a period of emotional stabilization within Uchiha territory.
To alleviate the mental stress of ninjas, a lively street full of entertainment venues like casinos, taverns, geisha houses, snack streets, amusement parks, and performance venues was established near the Police Department.
This allows ninjas exhausted from demanding missions to relax quickly.
Under Uchiha Police Department's clear hierarchical management, despite some controversy, ninjas felt a sense of warmth and appreciation.
"Ahh, this street is great, right next to the Police Department, and surprisingly, no trouble. It's like an invisible pressure that also helps to ease our stress."
In a tavern, a middle-aged ninja just back from a mission expressed his melancholy, while his companion nodded in agreement: "Exactly, in the past, after a tough mission, we had to confine ourselves at home to recover."
"During wars, nobody cared, but now we can relax here first before going home to sleep."
"Going home tonight? Ha, I bet you'll sneak back here."
Hearing his companion's jest, both shared a knowing smile, typical of men.
A bustling street with regulations next to the Police Headquarters imposes a subtle pressure on ninjas: no trouble, no pressure. But if you make trouble, the pressure mounts.
However, everyone comes here to relax, not to cause disturbances.
"Sir Ninjas, here's your drink."
Once a desolate street, in just a few months, it transformed into a bustling area, rivaling the busiest districts of Konoha, attracting envious looks from ordinary people and ninja families.
The Police Department's hierarchical system presented them with a path to advancement.
Ordinary citizens live and work in peace and contentment, but to achieve something better, one must become a ninja. By becoming a ninja, one can enjoy the privileges of a different social class.
The hierarchy among ninjas, including bloodline and secret techniques, is essentially a division of power.
If a civilian ninja becomes a Jōnin, they too can receive the same treatment as a bloodline ninja.
The political direction of the previous Third Hokage cannot be said to be bad, but it was too vague, offering grand visions without practical significance.
Statements like "For the sake of Konoha, we are all people of Konoha, and should treat each other equally" are common.
Ninjas risk their lives to protect their homeland, shouldn't they receive special treatment?
Look at what the Police Force has done. Anyone under the Police Force receives discounts on treatment, ninja tools are discounted based on one's ninja rank, and important resources like exploding tags are prioritized for Police Force members, then fellow village ninjas, and lastly, those from other villages.
These simple yet beneficial measures have earned the Police Force much praise, making ninjas want to join and civilians aspire to become ninjas and join the Police Force.
The so-called benefits for the Uchiha clan actually did not result in any loss. Through the rapid exchange of various resources, they have even profited significantly.
…
In a lively street during summer, inside a beverage shop, Hayate Gekko and three friends are sitting inside.
"Ebisu, opposite is the flower shop that Yugao is preparing to open. It's being tidied up recently."
Directly opposite, Uzuki Yugao with her purple hair is seen intently organizing the inside, while Hayate Gekko looks determined. It's clear he's made up his mind, not wanting to miss this opportunity.
Ebisu, Kotetsu Hagane, and Izumo Kamizuki also showed curiosity. With their sharp ninja vision and being just across, they clearly saw Uzuki Yugao's appearance through the clear glass.
Kotetsu Hagane, enviously said: "It's really worthy of rumors, the class flower of your batch."
Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki were originally with Asuma. When Asuma went to the Daimyo's mansion, they joined Ebisu.
After all, although Ebisu is a commoner, his father served the Third Hokage, making them all part of the Sarutobi clan.
Hayate Gekko and Ebisu are familiar with each other, while the other two just accompanied them.
"Hayate, have you really decided to pursue Yugao?"
Ebisu, upon seeing the female ninja opposite, frowned slightly. Despite his commoner status, his family has served the Sarutobi clan, making him the most experienced among the four.
Hayate Gekko, not noticing Ebisu's concern, firmly nodded: "Brother Ebisu, I don't want to miss this chance, and I've known Yugao since ninja school."
Seeing Hayate Gekko's determination, Ebisu understood. Female ninjas are rare, especially talented ones, and Yugao is also exceptionally beautiful.
"How much do you know about this Uzuki Yugao?"
Ebisu hesitated, probing his friend, while Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, also curious, listened attentively.
Hayate Gekko, excited, was unaware of the others' expressions and enthusiastically shared everything he knew about Uzuki Yugao.
However, the more Ebisu heard, the more puzzled his expression became, eventually taking a deep breath, "Hayate, not to discourage you, but are you sure you can handle it?"
"Handle it?" This question made Hayate Gekko puzzled and confused.
Seeing Hayate Gekko lost in thought and the curious looks of the others, Ebisu shook his head, speechless.
"Hayate, the Uzuki Yugao you want to pursue seems quite valuable. That purple ninja sword must be a chakra weapon, along with her jewelry."
Ebisu, trying to be subtle for his friend's sake, hinted, and Hayate Gekko, not a fool, instantly forced a smile.
"Well, Yugao is a special Jonin, her mission rewards are not low, and she's been on the front lines. Maybe they're spoils of war."
The more Ebisu talked, the more his nervousness showed, his complexion growing paler. He wasn't a fool; were weapons made of Chakra Metal something a newly promoted special Jonin could possess?
Such weapons were extremely precious among Jonin. A civilian ninja who had just become a special Jonin, young and beautiful, and importantly, an ordinary ninja with no background, did she really have the privilege to choose such valuable spoils of war on the battlefield?
"I have to go home now," he said, his face growing even paler, as if he had realized something but was not quite sure.
Ebisu, understanding the situation, sighed softly and shook his head in comfort, "When you get home, you can ask your aunt about it. After all, your aunt is in charge of logistics at the Hokage's office."
Hayate Gekko left with a forced smile, not noticing the sympathetic looks in the eyes of the three people she left behind.
It was over before it even started, and so cruelly at that.
"Ah, I envy those from big families, with power and strength," said Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, their words tinged with jealousy. They had been asked by Asuma to gather information about Uchiha Yoru, including rumors about Uzuki Yugao.
Watching them, Ebisu pushed up his sunglasses and sighed, "We're just small fry, wanting to live comfortably, so we dare not aspire for more."
The attitudes of the three reflected the mindset of ordinary ninjas: envy and jealousy towards ninjas from prominent bloodlines and powerful families, yet also a desire to be like them.
However, as they matured, they realized they couldn't catch up even if they tried their hardest and resigned themselves to their fate, privately expressing their frustrations and only admiring such existences from afar.
They also developed a mature mindset: acceptance, and the wish to simply live peacefully.
For them, whether with Asuma or the Sarutobi clan, it was a survival instinct to align with the powerful, so they could live at ease.
…
Although Hayate Gekko possesses a bloodline, he does not belong to a major clan, but rather a traditional ninja family, which is a family composed of ninjas for generations. Therefore, influenced by his family, Hayate Gekko wants to find a partner who is also a ninja.
Hayate Gekko's father died in the Third War, leaving only his mother, a middle-ranked ninja, who works year-round in the Hokage office building, belonging to the logistics and information department, essentially a clerk.
Under the night sky, at the Hayate family home.
"Mother, have you found out the information I asked you to investigate?"
Looking at her son, Hayate Gekko's mother coldly huffed and said in a stern voice, "Hayate, I am keeping a face for you now. Uzuki Yugao is not suitable for you; you simply can't handle her."
"Why?"
Others might not support him, but Hayate Gekko still felt unreconciled when it came to his own mother.
"Mother, Yugao clearly wants to retire to the second line now, and it is obvious that she has encountered something. I don't care about her past. Right now, she is alone, so why can't I?"
Hayate Gekko is not foolish. Uzuki Yugao is so beautiful, and she possesses the Chakra Metal Sword. He seems to have guessed something. Yugao might have had a boyfriend before, but they must have separated by now, otherwise, she wouldn't be like this.
Looking at her naive son, his mother couldn't help but take a deep breath. If it were someone else's child, she would have already started scolding, but this is her own son.
"That purple Chakra Metal Ninja Sword I've looked into is not just any ordinary ninja sword!"
Seemingly reluctant to tell her son this harsh reality, but fearing he might make a mistake if not informed, Hayate Gekko's expression turned uneasy as he said, "Is it not a regular Chakra Metal Ninja Sword?"
Chakra Metal weapons also vary in quality. The most common ones contain a bit of Chakra Metal, which most high-ranked ninjas use.
Although they are expensive, they are not unaffordable. Ordinary Chakra Metal weapons cost around one million Ryō.
Special high-ranked ninjas already participate in A-rank missions, with rewards ranging from 150,000 to one million. Divided among the team and deducting various expenses, considering the many high-level missions on the battlefield, it's possible to save enough to afford these.
Watching her son's final stubbornness, Hayate's mother sighed deeply. She wasn't being unreasonable but took out a file from her bosom.
"This is a copy of the file, not a secret, so you don't have to worry about breaking any rules."
Working in the logistics and information department, she naturally has more convenient access to the village's non-secret records.
"Son, do you know why I said you can't handle it? This weapon was made by a famous craftsman in spring, and the materials were all provided by him. Just the labor cost was one million three hundred thousand. This is not just any Chakra weapon; this is a famous blade."
"And these jewels, they are all traceable. The necklace is three hundred thousand, the bracelet two hundred thousand. A female ninja from a civilian background, who has just been promoted to special jonin, how could she possess these? Even our Hayate family, with generations of accumulation, only has one ancestral ninja sword, yet it is still not as valuable as a casual gift she received."
"What kind of civilian female ninja could own such precious items that only major clans have? What kind of ex-boyfriend could give her these? She is clearly a kept mistress, a lover! Now that she is older, she is looking for someone to take over!"
Unable to take in his mother's sarcastic words, Hayate Gekko just stared blankly at the information in his hands.
A civilian ninja might be able to manage to make a weapon with great effort, but what about jewelry? For a ninja, only noble families have the leisure to focus on such adornments.
A single piece of jewelry equals or even exceeds the reward for a B-rank mission, and that's before the mission reward is divided.