NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22: Pledging Loyalty
After Kakashi left, Kuragami Uchiha picked up the mission scroll regarding the pursuit of Orochimaru.
It was clear that the third Hokage intended to let Kuragami Uchiha decide who from the Konoha Military Police Force would participate in the mission. On the other hand, the Anbu had assigned three Jonins to the mission alongside Kakashi, their squad leader.
Among these three Jonins, one came from the Mitokado clan, another from the Inuzuka Clan, and the last was a civilian ninja with no clan background.
In addition, four Special Jonins were assigned to the mission. Among them were Hayate Gekko and Yūgao Uzuki, two rising stars renowned for their expertise in Konoha-style swordsmanship.
The other two included one from the Mitokado clan and another civilian ninja with no notable background.
For reconnaissance purposes, two branch members of the Hyuga clan were also recruited.
After some consideration, Kuragami Uchiha called out toward the door: "Keiko, notify Saito and Inoka that they'll be joining me on this mission in two days."
As the first among the Uchiha to openly pledge allegiance to him, Saito Uchiha and Inoka Uchiha were naturally individuals whom Kuragami was willing to support.
This mission was undoubtedly dangerous, given that their target was the infamous Orochimaru.
However, Kuragami Uchiha had no intention of engaging in a death battle with Orochimaru this time.
He quickly formed a series of hand seals, and with a puff of smoke, a messenger hawk emerged and perched on his shoulder, rubbing its cheek against his face. The hawk's eyes gleamed with a special red glow.
After inscribing a unique sealing jutsu onto the hawk, Kuragami patted its head lightly.
The hawk let out a sharp cry before spreading its wings and soaring into the sky, disappearing from his view in an instant.
The following day, after two consecutive nights of overtime, Fugaku Uchiha finally finished assigning tasks to the newly recruited civilian ninjas. Starting tomorrow, they will officially begin their duties. To commemorate the occasion, Fugaku hosted a small induction ceremony and invited Kuragami Uchiha to attend.
The Konoha Military Police Force's large conference room was packed with attendees. The original 227 ninjas from Uchiha were joined by the 254 newly recruited civilian ninjas.
As Kuragami Uchiha and Fugaku Uchiha entered the conference room, Kuragami scanned the scene.
It was clear that the civilian recruits still saw the Uchiha through a certain lens. Though they had mustered the courage to join the Konoha Military Police Force, they still hesitated to fully integrate. When it came time to take their seats, they instinctively sat apart from the Uchiha members, leaving a row of empty chairs in the middle, a clear divide between the two groups.
Seeing this, Kuragami Uchiha shook his head. The effort to improve the Uchiha Clan's image was still a long road ahead.
The ceremony began, and although Fugaku remained the official leader of the Konoha Military Police Force, he understood how important this matter was to Kuragami. Not wanting to steal his spotlight, Fugaku kept his speech brief and quickly handed the stage over to Kuragami.
After stepping up to the podium, Kuragami swept his gaze across the room before speaking: "First, on behalf of the original 227 members of the Konoha Military Police Force, I'd like to welcome all of you to our ranks. With your addition, and under the will of fire, the Konoha Military Police Force will embark on a new era."
In the audience, Saito Uchiha took the lead in applauding, and soon, the room was filled with warm applause.
Once the applause died down, Kuragami continued: "I assume that everyone who joined the Konoha Military Police Force did so because you believe in it and in the Uchiha Clan. Since we are all colleagues now, there is no need to keep such distance from one another."
A friendly smile appeared on his face as he glanced at Inoka Uchiha and Saito Uchiha.
However, the two merely returned his gaze with their clear, clueless eyes, seemingly failing to grasp his intention.
Kuragami sighed inwardly. The emotional intelligence of his clan members really left something to be desired.
Fortunately, from a corner of the room, Shisui Uchiha was the first to stand up. He took the initiative to walk toward the civilian recruits, inviting them to sit together with the Uchiha members.
Realizing Kuragami's unspoken message, Inoka and Saito quickly followed suit, leading more young Uchiha to do the same.
After a brief period of adjustment, the conference room, once divided, now had Uchiha and civilian ninjas mixed together.
Seeing this, Kuragami Uchiha clapped his hands, and another round of applause erupted.
"Now then, let us work together to make our village a better place!"
As his words concluded, the room once again filled with applause.
"Next, let's discuss a topic that I'm sure many of you are concerned about, compensation."
After the applause subsided, Kuragami smiled and continued: "Fugaku and I have reviewed the average earnings of village ninjas as well as the village's living expenses. As a result, we have decided to set your monthly salary at 80,000 Ryo. Additionally, existing members of the Konoha Military Police Force will receive a 20% raise on top of their previous salaries."
As his words fell, the civilian ninjas looked on in disbelief.
Most of them had previously relied on missions for income. A D-rank mission typically paid around 10,000 Ryo, but after the village took its cut and the remaining amount was divided among the team, each Genin would only receive a little over 1,000 Ryo permission. Even at their best, they could only complete 20 or so missions a month, earning around 20,000–30,000 Ryo in total, just enough to cover expenses and save a little for jutsu training.
From the rumors they had heard, they assumed the Konoha Military Police Force's salary would be on par with D-rank mission earnings. What they hadn't realized was that the Konoha Military Police Force's D-rank mission salary did not account for village deductions and team splits!
The Uchiha members were equally delighted at the direct 20% increase!
Seeing the enthusiasm in the room, Kuragami decided to stoke the fire further.
"Additionally, since the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters is quite far from the village center, each of you will receive a monthly transportation allowance of 6,000 Ryo."
The civilian ninjas were stunned. There was more?
"Furthermore."
Kuragami continued with a smile: "I'm going to bend the rules a little. Originally, new recruits were supposed to receive their first jutsu after completing one month of service. However, I've decided that you'll all receive them immediately after this meeting."
The room fell into a state of barely contained excitement.
At that moment, Saito Uchiha suddenly stood up, raising his hand in salute.
"Salute to vice-captain Kuragami! Loyalty!" He shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Loyalty!"
The entire room rose to their feet, raising their right hands in unison.
"For Konoha, loyalty!" Kuragami returned the salute.
The echoes of their voices resounded throughout the hall.