Cautious Eyes: An Uchiha's Path

On his way home, Uchiha Kai couldn't help but let a faint smile cross his lips.

The conversation with Namikaze Minato had been unexpectedly fruitful.

What interested him most was the upcoming reform regarding the welfare system for Jōnin — and, more intriguingly, the plan to abolish the rank of Tokubetsu Jōnin (Special Jōnin).

The welfare policy had been discussed in passing during their previous meeting; most high-ranking shinobi already had some idea about the incentives. But the cancellation of the Special Jōnin rank — and more importantly, its timing — was something very few knew about.

This new information gave Uchiha Kai a clear advantage. In any power structure, knowing when and where reforms happen is an edge few can afford to ignore.

"It seems Uchiha Gawa and Uchiha Ryukage should prepare to take the Jōnin exams soon," Kai thought to himself as he walked. "With the Security Department's backing and a little help from Uchiha Asahi to adjust their mission records, it should be manageable."

Kai quickened his pace. He needed to speak with Uchiha Fugaku about today's developments.

Konoha was large — deceptively so. A leisurely stroll from one end to the other could take an entire day. The village housed over 25,000 shinobi, not to mention the tens of thousands of civilians. But for a shinobi like Kai, whose body flicker was honed and chakra control exceptional, the trip wasn't long.

Soon, he arrived at the Uchiha clan district.

He didn't stop at home. Instead, he walked directly toward Uchiha Fugaku's residence.

Fugaku, who had recently stepped down from his post as head of the Konoha Military Police Force, had been spending most of his time at home — especially since Uchiha Mikoto was nearing the final days of her pregnancy. The clan had even arranged for medical-nin to be stationed nearby. Sasuke Uchiha's birth was just around the corner.

"Kai-kun," Fugaku greeted him as he stepped outside. "Mikoto is resting. Let's speak out here."

"Of course," Kai replied, offering a respectful nod. Then, with a faint grin, he added, "How does it feel to be a father again?"

Fugaku smiled. "It's… a quiet kind of joy. Gratitude, anticipation — hard to describe. You'll understand it someday. You're fourteen now, aren't you?"

"I am," Kai nodded, but quickly raised a hand. "Don't even think about arranging a marriage for me. I'm probably too much trouble for any poor girl."

Fugaku chuckled lightly but said nothing more. Truthfully, he had considered arranging a marriage for Kai. But the boy's temperament, shaped by war and shadowed decisions, made it difficult to imagine a normal life for him.

They walked slowly toward the koi pond in the garden.

Kai didn't take a seat in the pavilion this time. Instead, he stood at the edge of the pond, watching the fish swim lazily through the water. A bamboo water fountain tilted and clicked rhythmically against the stone, filling the air with a soft, tranquil sound.

"The Fourth Hokage shared some details with me today," Kai began quietly. "He's consolidating power."

Fugaku's face grew serious.

"He's already taken back control of the Mission Assignment Desk and ANBU from the Third," Kai continued, crouching to scoop a handful of fish feed and scattering it into the water. The previously calm pond rippled as koi surged to the surface.

"He also intends to restructure the village council. Some people will be removed; others brought in. He asked for my recommendations."

"And what did you tell him?" Fugaku asked, also casting feed into the water.

"That this is his opportunity," Kai said. "He needs people he can trust — not just strong shinobi, but loyal ones. And not just from the Uchiha."

Fugaku nodded. "That's true. The Fourth has reclaimed significant authority, but his circle is still thin. ANBU requires deep loyalty. The government offices are even more sensitive."

"I suggested we don't push too aggressively to place Uchiha in the bureaucracy," Kai added. "It's better to strengthen relationships with those who do enter. As for us… the Police Force is expanding. There'll be a new Fourth Division."

Minato had agreed to the idea quickly. The Military Police Force, long tarnished by bias and mistrust, had improved under Kai's leadership. The Fourth Hokage recognized its potential — but made one condition: no matter who led it, the Uchiha would be responsible for maintaining the reforms and ethical standards going forward.

Fugaku blinked. "A Fourth Division?"

"Yes. I want to expand the reach of the Force — not just criminal investigation and patrols, but civil mediation, public welfare protection, and anti-spy operations. The military protects from external threats. The Police protect from within."

Fugaku stared at the koi pond, then spoke with quiet admiration. "That's a bold vision."

Kai's smile thinned. "Ambition is the polite word for it. The blunt truth is desire. Everyone has it — whether they admit it or not. It's what drives us forward."

Fugaku was silent for a long moment, then nodded. "I've been taught something today."

"My ambition," he continued, "is for the Uchiha to thrive in Konoha. To be integrated, not isolated. To have a future. I've been working toward that for years. And you, Kai… what do you really want?"

"To live," Kai answered simply. "That's what the war taught me. If I can't survive, I can't realize anything else. Living — that's my first and only requirement."

Fugaku studied him. He knew Kai had deeper motives — perhaps too deep for even himself to fully understand. But the boy's answer was honest in its own way.

"Enough philosophy," Kai said, tossing the rest of the feed into the pond. The koi stirred into a final frenzy.

"By the way, did you hear about the Jōnin welfare reform?"

Fugaku nodded. "It was discussed in the council this morning."

"But did the Fourth mention anything about canceling the Special Jōnin rank?"

Fugaku's brows knit. "Cancel it? There's been speculation — but no confirmation."

"It's confirmed now," Kai said. "He gave me the exact timeline."

Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly. "So that's his plan…"

Kai nodded. "We should let the right people prepare. It'll be much harder to climb the ranks under the new system."

In the current Konoha, there were fewer active Jōnin than outsiders believed. Many family heads rarely took missions anymore. Some, like Kakashi, were promoted directly due to exceptional performance. Others had recommendations from current Jōnin — especially those with wartime records.

With the reforms, promotions would rely heavily on actual mission records and merit-based exams.

In their last private discussion, Minato had made one thing clear to Kai: the era of family privilege was ending. Political identity would no longer be based on clan ties — but on rank and proven ability.

For clans, their abundant resources still gave their shinobi a head start.

But for civilian-born ninja… this would finally be a path upward.

For Konoha, that was a dangerous shift — and a necessary one.

And for Uchiha Kai?

It was a battlefield he was ready for.