191.Joint Chūnin Exam!

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The Fourth Hokage, upon returning to power in Konoha, implemented a series of internal reforms. The first major change was the restructuring of the Konoha police force, originally established during the era of the Second Hokage and specifically entrusted to the Uchiha clan to demonstrate trust. However, this special privilege also acted as a double-edged sword, isolating the Uchiha clan from the rest of the community due to the inherent antagonism law enforcement can provoke.

The Fourth Hokage's reform aimed to open the police force to all, not just the Uchiha, effectively diluting their influence. This decision met with significant resistance from the Uchiha clan, who saw it as a direct attack on their privileges and interests.

Yet, Uchiha Fugaku, suppressing the clan's objections, believed that relinquishing such privileges was essential for the Uchiha clan to truly integrate into Konoha. He envisioned a future where the Uchiha could vie for the Hokage title, a goal he deemed worth the potential generational effort.

Under the Fourth Hokage's leadership, Fugaku saw a bright future for Konoha and urged the Uchiha clan to look ahead. However, not all members shared his foresight:

"Damn the Fourth Hokage! He's taken away the police force that rightfully belonged to the Uchiha!" Uchiha Yayoi bitterly complained, viewing the police force as the Uchiha's rightful property.

"What is the patriarch thinking? After acting as Hokage for six years, he's earned no credit and even harmed the Uchiha clan's interests," Uchiha Inada voiced his dissatisfaction, puzzled by Fugaku's actions.

"Our patriarch is too lenient! He was just one step away from becoming Hokage, yet he backed down," Uchiha Tanba lamented, recalling his earlier suggestion to leverage the Uchiha's control of the police force and Anbu for a coup during the Fourth Hokage's absence—a plan Fugaku firmly rejected.

"I've seen through Fugaku; he's nothing but a coward," Uchiha Yayoi declared contemptuously.

"Then what should we do? If the patriarch doesn't support us, what can we do?" the clan members pondered, uncertain of their next steps without Fugaku's backing.

"Isn't there another patriarch?"

Another Uchiha replied with a hint of irony, Master Madara, he is still alive and has been sheltering us!"

Their faces lit up with enthusiasm. A few years earlier, a mysterious masked man had appeared at the Naka Shrine, a forbidden area of the Uchiha clan, displaying the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan and convincing them through illusions that he was the legendary Uchiha Madara.

"Yes! Just follow Madara-sama's orders. Sooner or later, Konoha will be ours!" Driven by their obsession with power and the masked man's instigation, the three elders decided to embark on a dangerous path.

The Fourth Hokage's internal reforms began to show results, undermining the arrogance within the Uchiha clan. The restructuring of the police force removed their exclusive privileges, forcing them to engage more humbly with the community. Over time, the Uchiha clan found themselves less ostracized, their interactions with the populace growing.

"Now, it's time to look outward," the Fourth Hokage announced his intention to hold a joint Chūnin exam during a Konoha leadership meeting.

"Isn't it a regular Chūnin exam, inviting other ninja villages to participate?" Uchiha Fugaku inquired, quickly understanding the Fourth Hokage's intentions: to break Konoha's isolation diplomatically and to consolidate his prestige with a major event.

Shikaku agreed, recognizing the diplomatic strategy. Hiashi wondered if the other villages would accept the invitation, to which Shikaku confidently replied, "Because of the mutual blockade, they've lost their intelligence channel on us. With the recent war against Akatsuki over, they'll likely send teams to gather information."

"Senior Shikaku is right. This is an opportunity. The alliance among the four ninja villages is not as solid as it seems. If they were, they would have united against Konoha long ago," the Fourth Hokage added, seeing it as a chance to sow discord among the villages and weaken their alliance.

When Hiashi asked about inviting Akatsuki, the Fourth Hokage considered it, given their nominal peace agreement. Shikaku advised caution, recognizing the risks and opportunities. The Fourth Hokage, confident in his leadership, decided to extend the invitation, believing in facing challenges head-on rather than avoiding them.