256-260

Chapter 256: Dissolving Root 

Shindai's dream shop finally opened its doors. 

"This is Maria-1, available in three tiers..." 

"And this is Kato-1, also in three tiers..." 

Shindai, using a pre-recorded message played through a loudspeaker, passionately introduced the puppets he had made. He figured there were too many people, and his social anxiety would definitely kick in, making him fumble his words. So, with great foresight, Shindai had prepared thoroughly. 

During this passionate introduction, Shindai could clearly see that some people were already tempted. However, when they heard the prices, that temptation vanished faster than a smoke bomb. But Shindai wasn't worried. As they say, "good wine needs no bush." Once people discovered how good his puppets were, they would definitely sell out! 

Meanwhile, Kakashi's mother, Uchiha Hikari, was pulled aside by Karura and Kushina Uzumaki. 

"Hikari, didn't we ask you to keep an eye on Shindai? How did you let him get away with this?" 

Uchiha Hikari helplessly replied, "I promised him I'd keep it a secret..." 

Kushina sighed, "Oh, you foolish girl!" 

Karura also let out a sigh. "Hikari, you can't let him lead you around like that! That Shindai has a knack for taking a mile when given an inch. If you let him lead you once, he'll only get worse." 

Uchiha Hikari wholeheartedly agreed with Karura's words now. That Shindai really was good at taking advantage. For example, with helping him make puppets, Uchiha Hikari initially didn't want to, but somehow, she ended up helping him out of the blue. 

Kushina 'tsk'ed. "That kid, he just wants to make it a done deal so we can't do anything about it." 

Karura looked disgruntled at Shindai, who was beaming with pride. "Yeah, he totally got his way." 

Then, Karura and Kushina simultaneously grabbed Uchiha Hikari by the shoulders, one hand each, and looked at her with serious expressions. Uchiha Hikari felt a little flustered under their gaze. "What's wrong?" 

"Hikari, you're on our side! You can't let that Shindai kid lead you around anymore, got it?" 

Uchiha Hikari pursed her lips. Before, Shindai had said she was on his side. Now, Karura and Kushina were saying she was on their side. So, the question was, whose side was she really on? 

Karura said seriously, "Hikari, now is not the time for you to be confused. Think about it: when Shindai gave you his week-old socks to wear, when he kicked you off the bed to sleep there himself, when he broke a cup and blamed you, when he peed outside the toilet and said you did it..." 

Uchiha Hikari's face darkened. "Stop talking! I'm on your side! There won't be a next time!" 

Karura and Kushina exchanged glances, their eyes filled with relief. 

Uchiha Hikari then started spilling the beans on everything Shindai had said before. All that talk about how Karura and Kushina were easy to manipulate, calling them "great devils" and "fiery" – she told them everything. 

Karura and Kushina's eyes narrowed dangerously as they looked at Shindai. Shindai, who was dreaming of a wonderful future, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, as if the Shinigami's mark was flashing above his head. 

While Shindai was having his grand opening, the Hokage's office was filled with tension. In the conference room of the Hokage building, Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado sat with solemn expressions. 

Danzo's eye twitched rapidly. He had a strong feeling that this meeting might be specifically targeting him. And Danzo's feeling wasn't wrong. 

Minato Namikaze began, "Thank you all for attending this meeting. This meeting is about making some adjustments to certain departments and organizations within Konoha. First, the Konoha Military Police Force. The Military Police Force will undergo reforms. The document is on the table; please read it and then vote by show of hands. The minority will abide by the majority. Once agreed, it will be implemented immediately." 

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi already knew, he still pretended to open the document and read it. 

After reading the contents of the document, Danzo slammed the table and looked at Minato Namikaze. "I disagree!" 

The biggest point of conflict between the Uchiha clan and Konoha was the Konoha Military Police Force. If the Military Police Force were reformed and other shinobi were to join, the conflict would be diluted. How then could he continue to stir up trouble? 

Minato Namikaze smiled. "Danzo-sensei opposes it, does he? I understand. What about the Third Hokage and the two advisors?" 

Hiruzen Sarutobi was definitely on Minato Namikaze's side and replied, "I agree with the reforms." 

And Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, who had already discussed it, naturally agreed as well. 

Minato Namikaze continued, "I also agree. So, it's a unanimous vote. The reforms to the Konoha Military Police Force will begin immediately after I discuss and confirm the date with Fugaku-sama." 

Danzo looked at Minato Namikaze in disbelief. He had opposed it, yet Minato still declared it a unanimous vote. What did that mean? Why was he even called here? To be a spectator? 

Danzo's heart suddenly jolted. Minato Namikaze had said he was going to make some adjustments to certain departments and organizations, implying it wasn't just the Konoha Military Police Force. Could it be his Root?! 

Danzo immediately stood up. "Since my vote isn't needed, I'll take my leave now. Root has urgent matters that need my attention." 

Because the situation was very wrong, Danzo intended to make a quick escape. 

Minato Namikaze spoke gently to Danzo, "Danzo-sensei, Root won't have any urgent matters to deal with. Even if there are urgent matters, they will be handed over to the Anbu to handle." 

Danzo stared at Minato Namikaze with a terrifying look. "What do you mean?" 

Minato Namikaze announced, "Exactly what it sounds like. Next is about Root. Root will be dissolved and reorganized into the Anbu Training Department. The leader of the Anbu Training Department will temporarily be Nara Shikaku. So, Third Hokage, and two advisors, do you agree?" 

Danzo was in utter disbelief. To dissolve Root—this was a devastating blow to his years of hard work! 

Danzo's eyes widened in fury, veins bulging on his forehead. "Minato Namikaze! Root was established by my own hands! It has made countless efforts for the stability of Konoha! How can you just dissolve it?" 

Minato Namikaze admitted, "Root has indeed made many contributions to Konoha. I believe everyone here can attest to that. However, in recent years, some of Root's actions have strayed from the right path. For the long-term development of Konoha, as the Hokage, I must take action. And I'm not dissolving Root; it's merely a reorganization." 

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke up at the right moment. "I agree with Minato's plan to dissolve and reorganize Root." 

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado also nodded. "I agree as well." 

"You all!" 

Danzo was so angry he felt his lungs might explode. No wonder his vote wasn't needed – he didn't even have the right to vote anymore! 

Chapter 257: That Annoying Blond Guy! 

Danzo's Downfall 

Danzo looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado with eyes full of unfamiliarity. They were once good comrades, but now, in an instant, everything had changed. They had actually teamed up with Minato Namikaze to target him, wanting to disband his Root Anbu. What was most infuriating was that not a single person stood by him, and no one had warned him beforehand. He was completely isolated. If Root was disbanded, he wouldn't have any power left at all. His position as Hokage's advisor had been revoked, and now the leader of Root was also being removed. Since he wasn't an elder advisor anymore, he'd be no different from any ordinary old man in Konoha. 

Danzo angrily stated, "Root was established by me, and I am its leader. I have independent command authority! You, Hiruzen, personally promised me this, so I say no! And my no stands!" 

Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly replied, "Danzo, it's true I promised you that back then, but the Hokage now is Minato, not me! You also need to remember, there is only one supreme leader in Konoha, and that is the Hokage! No one's power can supersede the Hokage's. The Hokage has the ultimate decision-making authority! Right now, whether it's me, Koharu, or Homura, we are all Minato's assistants as Hokage. We must listen to Minato. As long as it benefits Konoha, we will fully help Minato move forward. Danzo, although Root was founded by you and you have independent leadership, you are still Minato's subordinate. You need to understand that clearly. However, since Minato took office, have you reported Root's activities to him? Root is not your private organization; it is a department of Konoha. Reporting to Minato is your duty, Danzo!" 

Danzo's expression changed rapidly, like a mask. The situation was now clear: Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado would absolutely not stand by him. Today, he wouldn't just disband Root; he had to. But there were many unsavory things within Root. 

Danzo took a deep breath and said, "I understand. I'll go to Root and announce this." 

Minato Namikaze spoke up, "No need, Senior Danzo. The Anbu have already gone to take over Root." 

Danzo trembled, his gaze fixed on Minato Namikaze with terrifying intensity. So, it had all been premeditated. When he left Root to come here, Minato Namikaze's Anbu had gone to take over Root. This was leaving him no way out! 

Minato Namikaze stood up and faced Danzo. "This time, no matter what is discovered within Root, I will act as if I haven't seen it. However, this is only this one time." 

Danzo glared at Minato Namikaze. If looks could kill, he would have surely torn this detestable blond guy to shreds. What did Minato Namikaze mean by saying that? To spare him this once, making him grateful? In his dreams! 

"You will regret this!" 

Danzo threw out a threat and left. After all, that was all he could do now. 

After Danzo left, Minato Namikaze let out a long sigh. Now that this major problem was resolved, Minato felt a lot lighter. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "Sitting here for so long is tiring. Minato, why don't you join me for a walk? That kid Shindai's shop has already opened; let's go check it out too." 

Minato Namikaze readily agreed. "Sounds good." 

Chapter 258: Kushina's Morning Sickness 

After leaving the Hokage building, Danzo found himself at the entrance of his own Root headquarters. Why didn't he go inside? Because he couldn't. Anbu shinobi guarded the entrance, and all his Root shinobi, research personnel, and various documents had been removed from the base. 

Danzo was trembling with rage, his eyes bloodshot. It was too sudden. Just like that, he had lost everything. His Root, which he had painstakingly built over many years, was dissolved. Danzo's expression was incredibly chilling. 

"Minato Namikaze! I haven't lost yet. Just you wait and see!" 

With things as they were, Danzo was currently powerless to reverse the situation. However, this didn't mean he had completely lost his chance. Root shinobi were directly recruited and comprised of individuals with special abilities and darkness in their hearts. Furthermore, Root shinobi were trained to eliminate their sense of self; Danzo's commands were the supreme orders. This was his potential path to a comeback in the future. 

Danzo turned and left, unwilling to look at the painful sight of Root. 

Meanwhile, after leaving the Hokage building, the Third and Fourth Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze, were strolling through Konoha when their eyes widened in disbelief at the sign of a shop ahead. 

[Shindai's Dream Hut] 

A massive poster of Jiraiya kissing a puppet was plastered on the door. Hiruzen and Minato looked at the poster, feeling their eyes burn. It was truly an eyesore. 

Inside the shop, there were far fewer people now, but still quite a few, gathered around a glass display case, carefully examining the puppets within. Maria-1 in the display case constantly changed poses, her voice alluring: "Please give Maria your command" And Kato-1, with his eight-pack abs, had one hand pressed against the glass case while the other brushed a strand of hair from his forehead: "My lady, I will fulfill all your requests" 

Hiruzen and Minato slowly turned their stiff necks to look at each other. 

"Third Hokage, I think we should check out other places." 

"I was just thinking the same thing." 

Hiruzen and Minato quickly walked away from the area, as if something was chasing them. Karura and Kushina had already run off, unable to bear the embarrassment. Rin Nohara and Obito Uchiha also didn't stay long before leaving. Rin wasn't too interested, surrounded by handsome guys. Obito was quite interested, but alas, his wallet had its limits, and Rin was more important. 

Uchiha Hikari and Yakushi Kabuto also tried to sneak away, but Shindai caught them. "One manager, one employee! If you two run off, am I, the boss, supposed to deal with these customers alone?" 

Shindai used Kabuto's past promise to him to force Kabuto to stay. As for Uchiha Hikari, after Shindai took three punches and agreed to a pile of unfair terms, she reluctantly stayed. 

It was now evening, and Shindai wiped the sweat from his brow, exclaiming, "Business is booming!" 

Uchiha Hikari and Yakushi Kabuto's mouths twitched. Booming? Did they even sell one? 

"Alright, quitting time for today! Everyone worked hard! We'll continue tomorrow, alright? Tonight, my treat! Come on, let's go to Minato-sensei's house for dinner!" 

Uchiha Hikari couldn't hold it in anymore. "Can't you have some shame?" 

Shindai spread his hands. "I can't help it! I wanted to treat you guys at the shop, but I didn't tell Karura and Kushina I wouldn't be back for dinner tonight. I'll treat you at the shop tomorrow." 

"I'm not going. If I'm late, the orphanage director will worry about me. I'm leaving now!" Yakushi Kabuto fled as if his life depended on it. He had never felt so tired in his life. Not even during the war, when he was helping treat shinobi to earn a living, had he been this exhausted. Because that was just physical fatigue; here, it was mental exhaustion! 

Shindai called out, "Be here at 9 AM tomorrow, don't forget!" Hearing Shindai's call, Kabuto ran even faster. 

"Phew, Hikari, come on, let's go home." 

Shindai and Uchiha Hikari arrived at Minato Namikaze's house. As they opened the door, they saw Minato, in addition to Karura and Kushina. 

Shindai, with a cheerful expression, greeted them, "Yo, everyone's here! You must have been waiting for Hikari and me for dinner, right? We're here, let's eat! I'm starving." 

Minato looked at Shindai with pity in his eyes. Uchiha Hikari had already discreetly backed away a few steps, putting distance between herself and Shindai. 

Kushina formed hand signs, then clapped her hands together. "Adamantine Chains!" 

Multiple chakra chains extended from Kushina's back, directly binding Shindai. Shindai looked at Kushina blankly. "What's wrong?" 

Karura's voice was ominous. "What's wrong? You don't know what's wrong?" 

Shindai instantly snapped back to reality, shivering. He quickly said, "I wasn't doing anything bad! Making puppets is my hobby, my dream! You should congratulate me for achieving my dream, why are you doing this?!" 

Kushina used her chakra chains to suspend Shindai upside down. Karura and Kushina looked at Shindai expressionlessly. "We don't care about you pursuing your dreams. Since the shop is open, we can only support you. After all, even if it's a bit embarrassing, it's still a legitimate business..." 

Shindai struggled, but the Adamantine Chains could seal chakra, so he couldn't break free. "Then why are you still doing this to me?" 

"Easy to manipulate? Great devil? Unreasonable? Fiery? Short-tempered? Menopausal?" 

With each word Karura and Kushina spoke, Shindai's heart grew colder. His eyes filled with despair, he looked at Uchiha Hikari. Uchiha Hikari guiltily turned her head away and whistled. "I'm on Karura and Kushina's side. I never said I was on yours." 

Shindai turned his head back to Karura and Kushina, pleading, "I only have one request: don't hit my face!" 

Kushina, with the bound Shindai, walked towards a small room. Karura followed behind Kushina, turning to Uchiha Hikari. "Hikari, want to join in?" 

Uchiha Hikari was about to say no, but then she remembered all the bad things Shindai had pushed onto her. She immediately said, "Coming!" 

Soon, Shindai's wails echoed from the small room. 

Minato picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea, sighing, "They're so lively~" 

At the dinner table. 

Shindai, his legs trembling, served rice to Uchiha Hikari. One of the conditions for Uchiha Hikari agreeing to be his shop manager was that he would serve her. But in this situation, serving just one person wouldn't be enough; he also had to serve Karura and Kushina. 

Karura and Kushina nodded in satisfaction. Minato looked at Shindai expectantly. Shindai pouted. "Serve yourself!" Minato hadn't helped him out at all, and now he wanted to be served too? No way! 

Minato pursed his lips. Fine, I'll serve myself. 

Just as Kushina was about to eat, she suddenly gagged. 

Minato asked worriedly, "Kushina, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" 

Kushina frowned and said, "A little. I haven't had much appetite lately, and greasy food makes me feel nauseous." 

Karura also asked with concern, "You're right, Kushina. You've been dry heaving a lot lately. I'll go with you to the Ninja Hospital for a check-up tomorrow." 

Shindai froze, looking at Kushina with a shocked expression. 

Chapter 259: Two Months Pregnant 

A Shocking Revelation 

Shindai stared in shock at Kushina Uzumaki, who was patting her chest. He was utterly stunned. Kushina's current symptoms looked exactly like pregnancy. And if she was showing these signs, it meant she had been pregnant for a while. 

Minato Namikaze, full of concern, said to Kushina, "Kushina, I'll go with you to the hospital tomorrow, too." 

Kushina smiled. "It's fine, having Yekura with me is enough. You must be really busy right now, your duties are more important." 

Minato responded seriously, "Your well-being is also important! Just as important." 

Kushina looked at Minato, touched. "Minato~" 

Shindai interrupted their affectionate moment. "Ahem, is there a chance, Big Sister Kushina, that your body is perfectly fine, and you're just... pregnant?" 

At Shindai's words, Minato and Kushina froze, staring blankly at each other. Yekura's eyes widened. "A baby?!" Uchiha Hikari stared curiously at Kushina's stomach. 

Minato, snapping out of his daze, broke into a joyful smile. "Am I going to be a father?" 

Though Kushina was also excited and happy, she still said, "It's not certain yet. We'll only know after the hospital checkup tomorrow." 

Minato was practically glowing with happiness, excitedly saying, "I'll go with you tomorrow, Kushina!" 

Kushina nodded. If she really was pregnant, she wanted to share that good news with Minato. 

However, Shindai couldn't bring himself to be happy. In his mind, Kushina was definitely pregnant, and the timing seemed about right. The early pregnancy symptoms meant she'd been pregnant for some time. Shindai prayed inwardly. 

"Naruto, please come out a little later. Give your Big Brother Shindai more time to prepare. Later, I'll make you puppets designed like Naruko Uzumaki, and I won't even charge you for them." 

Preparing for the Future 

After a distracted dinner, Shindai lay on the sofa, deep in thought. If something unexpected happened on the day Kushina gave birth, it would mean someone had replaced Obito. Who would replace Obito then? It probably wouldn't be the Uchiha, right? 

Wait, no, that's not right. Obito has the Mangekyo Sharingan; he could just glare at the Nine-Tails when the time comes, couldn't he? 

But he still needed to make several backup plans. In case of an uncontrollable accident, he'd have an alternative. However, the Nine-Tails is pretty powerful. Ordinary methods definitely wouldn't work against it. He still needed to do research. After all, Shindai felt he could never grow strong enough to fight the Nine-Tails through training alone in this lifetime. Although he had a bloodline limit, it wasn't a "cheat" bloodline like the Sharingan. Shindai was quite clear about his own self-awareness; in a direct fight, he was just high-level cannon fodder. He didn't have any special powers to unleash. Even if he did, he couldn't grow strong enough to fight the Nine-Tails in less than a year. 

The Hospital Visit and a New Plan 

The next day, Minato Namikaze, Yekura, and a very curious Uchiha Hikari excitedly escorted Kushina Uzumaki to the hospital for her checkup. Shindai, eager to know how long Kushina had been pregnant, also went along. 

Meanwhile, at the entrance of "Shindai's Dream Shop," Kabuto Yakushi stared blankly at the closed door, a bit lost. Wasn't he supposed to start work at 9 AM? Where was everyone? Did the shop go out of business on its second day? That couldn't be right. 

At the Ninja Hospital, after a series of examinations, Kushina Uzumaki received a confirmed diagnosis: she was indeed pregnant. This news brought an unceasing smile to Minato Namikaze's face. Their family of two was about to become three; how could he not be happy? 

Shindai asked the doctor how long Kushina had been pregnant. The doctor replied, "Around eight weeks." Which meant two months. This news instantly left Shindai feeling uneasy. That meant only about eight months left. Not much time for Shindai to mess around. 

Minato Namikaze asked Yekura to look after Kushina, as Minato was truly busy. He had just disbanded Root, and the Root shinobi, researchers, and various documents needed his attention. The Uchiha clan matter also needed to be resolved immediately. Yekura, of course, readily agreed. 

After taking Kushina home, Minato went to work, and Shindai took Uchiha Hikari to open the shop. 

### The Dream Shop's Reality 

On the way to the shop, Uchiha Hikari turned to Shindai and asked, "You seemed really unhappy after finding out Kushina was two months pregnant at the hospital?" 

Shindai shook his head. "Unhappy? No, not unhappy. It's just that I'm going to be really busy soon." Then, Shindai looked at Uchiha Hikari with a serious expression. "Hikari, I want to ask you for a favor!" 

Seeing Shindai so serious, Uchiha Hikari involuntarily became serious as well. There weren't many things that could make Shindai look so grave. 

Shindai solemnly said to Uchiha Hikari, "Starting tomorrow, I need to go to the research facility early to do some research. My shop... it's up to you and Kabuto!" 

Uchiha Hikari: 

Uchiha Hikari simply walked forward, ignoring Shindai. 

"Hey, wait up! I'm serious, no jokes!" Shindai hurried to catch up. 

They arrived at the shop entrance to find Kabuto Yakushi sitting on the steps, lost in thought. 

"Huh? Kabuto, why aren't you inside?" 

Kabuto snapped out of his daze, looking at Shindai with a resentful expression. "How am I supposed to get in? Also, weren't we supposed to start at 9 AM? It's almost noon now!" 

"Ah, sorry! Something unexpected came up this morning, so I'm late. I forgot to give you the key yesterday." Shindai opened the shop door and handed Kabuto a key. 

As Shindai entered the shop and saw the puppets in the display cases, his mood immediately brightened. It was going to be another energetic day! 

At 5 PM, Shindai was slumped over the counter, looking listless. "Ugh, what's going on today? Barely anyone came to look! It's not what I imagined at all~" 

Uchiha Hikari and Kabuto Yakushi, however, thought it was perfectly normal. The crowd yesterday was due to sheer curiosity; with so many people, it felt okay to just peek inside. But today, if there were still large crowds, that would be strange. After all, the puppets Shindai was selling were quite... embarrassing, and many people would feel self-conscious. 

"Well, that's enough for today." Shindai prepared to close the shop and go home. Before leaving, Shindai instructed Kabuto, "Kabuto, your Big Brother here has important business starting tomorrow. You and Big Sister Hikari will help me watch the shop. If anyone shows interest in buying, tell Big Sister Hikari, and she'll tell me." 

Kabuto had already resigned himself to his fate yesterday, replying, "Understood." 

Chapter 260: Things Are Looking Up 

Shindai left the shop to Uchiha Hikari and Yakushi Kabuto. Even though Uchiha Hikari hadn't officially agreed, it didn't matter. He knew if he kept pestering her, she'd eventually give in. 

Shindai then went to his lab alone. "Phew, time to continue my research on magnetic fields. The power unleashed when the positive and negative magnetic fields attract and collide is quite impressive. If I delve deeper, it might even become a way to deal with the Nine-Tails..." And just like that, Shindai immediately plunged into his research. Time waits for no one, after all. 

Meanwhile, at Shindai's Dream Hut, Uchiha Hikari was slumped over a table like a dried fish, her head resting on her arms. Something felt a bit off. She was supposed to be observing the Uchiha clan, but it seemed... she hadn't observed anything so far. It was all Shindai's fault; he made her forget her important task. Sigh, she figured she'd just observe later when she had time. It wouldn't make much difference now. 

Over at Minato Namikaze's house, Karura had taken leave to better care for Kushina Uzumaki. After all, Minato, as Hokage, was working from nine to five every day, often pulling overtime, so he couldn't properly look after Kushina. Now that Kushina was pregnant, she was a top priority, and leaving her alone at home was simply too risky. 

At this very moment, Minato was in his office, sifting through documents found by Root. His brows were deeply furrowed. No wonder Hiruzen had said to let Danzo off easy this time. If Hiruzen hadn't intervened, Minato would have definitely taken care of Danzo for good. 

Just then, a knock sounded at the door. "Come in." 

The office door opened, revealing Fugaku Uchiha. Fugaku stepped inside and greeted Minato, "Fourth Hokage." 

Minato placed the documents on his desk and informed Fugaku, "Fugaku-sama, Root has been disbanded." 

Fugaku's heart immediately swelled with joy. With Root disbanded, Danzo was nothing in Konoha now, which meant there would be no more obstacles to improving the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village. 

Minato continued, "So, the reforms to the Konoha Military Police Force will begin. Starting tomorrow, Fugaku-sama, please arrange for any Uchiha clan members willing to serve in the Military Police Force and accept the reforms. I will assign them to various departments within Konoha, and at the same time, we will recruit new shinobi into the Military Police Force. Fugaku-sama, please coordinate well with the vice-captain of the Military Police Force to avoid any unforeseen issues. The beginning is always the hardest; if serious problems arise at the start, it could be very troublesome later on." 

Fugaku solemnly agreed, "Fourth Hokage, please rest assured. I will absolutely keep them in line, and there will be no incidents. May I ask, Fourth Hokage, who is the new vice-captain?" 

Minato replied, "My first choice was Shikaku, but because Root was disbanded and reorganized, and a new Anbu Training Department was established without a suitable leader for now, Shikaku was temporarily assigned there. So, for the Military Police Force's vice-captain, I plan to have Inoichi do it." 

"Yamanaka Inoichi? That's an excellent choice." During the Third Great Ninja War, Fugaku had fought alongside the Ino–Shika–Cho trio, and he had a very good impression of all three. Yamanaka Inoichi was humble, a true gentleman, and easy to get along with. Fugaku believed he would be able to work well with Yamanaka Inoichi in the future. 

After discussing some details, Minato and Fugaku departed to make preparations. 

Time flew by, and three months passed. 

The reform of the Konoha Military Police Force, pushed forward by the combined efforts of Minato Namikaze and Fugaku Uchiha, had been initially completed. The Konoha Military Police Force was no longer a private department of the Uchiha clan; more than half of its members were now other shinobi. Fugaku took responsibility for the Military Police Force's reforms, telling his clan members that it was his suggestion to Minato. This way, the extremist clan members of the Uchiha wouldn't blame Minato. At the same time, if any Uchiha clan members tried to cause trouble, Fugaku would deal with them with extremely severe punishment, showing no mercy whatsoever. 

After the Military Police Force's reform had been underway for a while, many Uchiha clan members actually began to see its benefits and felt that Fugaku's approach was correct. Although it had only just begun, the feeling of isolation was slowly starting to disappear. Fugaku was genuinely happy about this change in his clan members' mindset. 

However, there were still headaches for Fugaku. The extremist clan members remained unchanged, still clashing with other shinobi in the Military Police Force from time to time. But under the suppression of Fugaku, their clan leader, they had reined themselves in considerably. Fugaku was now preparing to slowly weed out the extremist clan members from the Military Police Force. As for the Uchiha clan members who agreed to the reforms, Minato had properly arranged places for all of them, assigning them to various departments in Konoha, and they were all doing quite well. The Uchiha clan was developing in a positive direction. 

As for the disbanded Root shinobi, because these shinobi had no self and only recognized Danzo, Minato had no choice but to temporarily incorporate them into the newly established Anbu Training Department. The Root researchers, on the other hand, joined the already established Science Research Department, becoming researchers under Orochimaru. Orochimaru was now conducting research at the Science Research Department's base. 

However, Shindai did not join them. This was because some of his experiments could be quite volatile, with sudden explosions being a common occurrence. So, Shindai continued his research in his previous underground research base. For these three months, Shindai was always out early and back late, and there were even a few days when he didn't go home at all, practically living in his lab. In the end, Uchiha Hikari had to literally drag him back. She was worried Shindai would collapse from sleep deprivation in the lab. 

Karura had been diligently looking after Kushina. Kushina, now five months pregnant, clearly had a noticeable baby bump. 

And as for Shindai's Dream Hut... 

Over these three months, despite occasional visitors, not a single puppet had been sold. And Uchiha Hikari and Yakushi Kabuto, running the shop, genuinely just watched the shop. At most, Kabuto would shout a "Welcome!" when a customer entered. As for introductions, that was out of the question; they still had some dignity! Shindai's pre-recorded loudspeaker loop was enough. 

Just as Uchiha Hikari and Yakushi Kabuto thought the day would end like any other, a person roughly Shindai's age, wearing sunglasses, crept into the shop. This person was none other than Ebisu. 

Things are certainly moving forward in Konoha, wouldn't you say? It's fascinating to see how everyone is adapting to these big changes. What do you think will happen now that Ebisu has shown up at Shindai's shop?