Minato's visit to the Uchiha training area was brief. Both sides were there for business, after all.
Masashi watched as Minato walked towards the meeting room the Uchiha had prepared. The young Hokage's blonde hair caught the sunlight, making him look almost angelic. Masashi snorted inwardly at the thought.
"Masashi," a gruff voice called. He turned to see Fugaku approaching. "You'll be standing guard outside the meeting room."
Masashi raised an eyebrow. "Me? Why not one of the elders?"
"You have the three-tomoe Sharingan. It's a show of strength."
And I'm expendable if something goes wrong, right? He nodded obediently. "Understood."
As he took his position outside the ornate sliding doors, his mind was already analyzing the situation. He suppressed a sigh. Stuck outside while the real action happens inside. Story of my life.
The room beyond held the fate of the Uchiha, but all he could do was stand there looking important. At least the door's soundproofing was as effective as wet paper. Carefully, he shifted his stance, angling his ear towards the door without appearing suspicious.
Muffled voices drifted from inside. Masashi hesitated. Eavesdropping on the Hokage? If they're practically shouting...
"...appreciate the opportunity to discuss these matters directly, Hokage-sama."
"Of course, Fugaku-san," Minato replied, his tone warm and open. "Open dialogue is important for the future of the village."
"And the Uchiha clan has always been part of Konoha's strength and future. Your contributions, especially through the Police Force, are invaluable."
"We are honored by your words, Hokage-sama," Fugaku responded, his voice carefully measured. "The Uchiha have always put the village first."
"And that dedication is precisely why I believe it's time for a change," Minato said smoothly. "A change that will benefit both the village and the Uchiha clan."
Masashi fought the urge to roll his eyes. All these pretty words, and neither side saying what they really mean.
"I believe the Uchiha's talents are being... underutilized," Minato said. "The Police Force is crucial, yes, but your clan's abilities could be doing so much more for Konoha."
"Are you suggesting we abandon our duties to the Police Force?" Fugaku asked, a hint of anger in his voice.
"Not at all," Minato quickly assured him. "But consider this: Konoha's strength lies in its ability to take on high-level missions. With more Uchiha jonin in the field, we could significantly increase our mission capacity."
Ah, there it is, Masashi's ears perked up. The real reason for this little chat.
"And what of the village's security?" another elder questioned.
"We have many capable shinobi who can fill the ranks of the Police Force," Minato countered. "But the Sharingan... that's an asset we can't replicate."
The room fell silent for a moment. Masashi could almost hear the gears turning in everyone's heads.
"This would be a significant change, Hokage-sama," Fugaku finally said. "The Uchiha have been responsible for Konoha's internal security for generations."
"And you've done an admirable job," Minato agreed. "But times have changed. The war is over. The Uchiha clan belongs shoulder to shoulder with Konoha's shinobi."
Masashi had to admit, Minato knew how to sell an idea.
"We would need time to consider this proposal," Fugaku said cautiously.
"Of course," Minato replied. "I wouldn't expect an immediate decision. But I hope you'll give it serious thought. This could be a new chapter for both the Uchiha and Konoha."
The conversation began to drift into specifics – numbers, logistics, training schedules. Masashi felt his attention waning. Politics... always so tedious.
His summary would be like this: The Fourth Hokage praised the Police Force's efforts while encouraging them to maintain their high standards. He challenged them to be the village's legal superheroes, complete with capes and 'Law and Order' theme music.
The Uchiha responded with almost theatrical enthusiasm. Fugaku, in particular, treated Minato's every word like sacred text, practically ready to enshrine the Hokage's vision of justice.
He snorted softly. The reality was far less rosy. This whole meeting reeked of political theater, each side trying to outmaneuver the other with smiles plastered on their faces. But he had a pretty clear idea of Minato's intentions.
This guy wants to liberate productivity.
It made sense, in a cold, calculating way. The village's income came from three sources: government funds, mission fees, and taxes. Government funds were strictly controlled, but mission fees... that's where the real money was. Especially from high-ranking missions handled by jonin.
And Uchiha jonin? They were something special.
The Sharingan was a rare gift, even among the Uchiha. Fewer than a hundred clan members had awakened it, and only about twenty had achieved three-tomoe. But those who did... they were true jonin-level ninja, each capable of taking on two opponents at once.
Now that Minato was Hokage, he believed that if Uchiha's combat power were unleashed, even a single Uchiha could fill the gap left by dead shinobis.
This would allow Konoha to handle more high-level missions. After all, following the recent war, Suna had lost much of its clients' trust, leading to a diversion of mission orders.
Konoha, Iwa, and Kumo were all eyeing these orders, and all three villages had given strict orders: no jonin were allowed to take time off and had to be ready at any moment.
Minato sees keeping us in the Police Force as a waste, Masashi realized. He wants us out there, taking on high-level missions. Bringing in the big bucks.
Konoha didn't exactly have a shortage of people to patrol the streets. In contrast, Konoha was stronger now than before the war. Its biggest loss had been...
"...reminds me of the White Fang in his prime. Such potential," an elder's voice drifted through the door.
Masashi's hand unconsciously tightened on the hilt of his short sword. Memories flooded back – watching that overly serious man train, the fluid movements, the flash of his blade.
You were unstoppable. Until you stopped yourself. How sad.
Konoha's White Fang was a special figure in Konoha's history. It wasn't about how strong he was, but rather his extreme efficiency and overwhelming presence. He was essentially a mission-completing machine, unstoppable.
Before his downfall, his mission record could be summed up in three words: killed them all.
Masashi's Body Flicker Technique was heavily inspired by Konoha's White Fang.
That was also why he used a short sword—the way White Fang combined the Body Flicker with a short blade left a deep impression on him.
Truth be told, it was indeed effective.
Especially when the blade breaks, a darker part of him whispered. That's when it's most lethal.
Lost in thought, Masashi suddenly noticed that the laughter in the room had grown louder, followed by the sounds of people getting up.
He straightened, schooling his features into a neutral expression as the door slid open.
Minato emerged first, his face wreathed in a sunny smile. Behind him came a group of satisfied-looking Uchiha, with young Shisui bringing up the rear.
Right now, the Konoha ninjas probably couldn't imagine that, within a decade—if Masashi couldn't change certain things—the upper echelons of Konoha would turn into a geriatric club. The currently brilliant Fourth Hokage and the Legendary Sannins would either die, betray the village, or leave.
The new jinchuriki would be a child, the Uchiha would be gone, and Konoha, the once great village, would face a talent crisis.
And the people standing before him were central players in those events.
"You've worked hard, Masashi," Minato said, beaming at him. "By the way, I noticed your request from a while ago—to replace Obito on the Kannabi Bridge mission."
"Yes," Masashi replied with a smile. "But unfortunately, the village didn't approve it."
It was a bit awkward—right after submitting that request, he had been scolded by one of the elders. They thought he was meddling where he shouldn't.
Minato chuckled. "Don't worry, there will be more opportunities." He patted Masashi's shoulder and walked off, the Uchiha group trailing after him.
As the Hokage walked away, the group of Uchiha followed, escorting him out. Masashi lagged behind, hearing Minato cheerfully insisting, "You're all too polite! I can see myself out. Let's work hard together from now on!"
Masashi hung back, lost in thought. That request... it had seemed like a good idea at the time. Replace Obito, take advantage of the situation with Madara... But looking back, it had been rash. Not being approved was probably for the best.
Dealing with Black Zetsu will be safer. That guy's got plenty of good stuff. It's just a matter of getting lucky.
"Masashi-nii," a voice piped up beside him.
Masashi turned to find no one, then remembered to look down to see Shisui gazing up at him with those too-innocent eyes.
Don't play dumb with me, you naive brat. I ought to knock some sense into you like I used to. But then again, I might not be able to beat you now.
This brat had awakened the Mangekyo, after all.
"Masashi-nii," Shisui repeated, "don't you like the Hokage?"
Masashi resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I'm a Konoha ninja," he replied evenly. "It's not about liking him. I respect him."
"Why fear him? The Hokage is very kind."
Masashi looked at the boy, remembering the tragic fate that awaited him in another timeline. "He's the Hokage first, Shisui," he said softly. "As Hokage, his will is no longer his own, much like a jinchuriki. You understand that, don't you?"
Shisui's brow furrowed as he thought it over. Then, like a sun breaking through clouds, he smiled brightly. "I believe in the Hokage."
"That's great," he said, forcing a smile. "I believe in the Hokage too."
As Shisui trotted off, to join the others, Masashi's smile faded. He believed in the Hokage, all right—believed that Minato, like every leader before him, would do what he thought was best for the village.
The question was: would the Uchiha clan fit into that vision of 'best'? Only time would tell.
His thoughts turned then to the future. He thought of Minato's words—more opportunities.
We'll see, his hand rested on his sword hilt. We'll see what those opportunities bring.