Reborn as the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen

Despite the unrest outside, the restructuring of the Security Department proceeded step by step.

In the blink of an eye, more than a month had passed.

The new Security Department had been fully structured from top to bottom. At the highest level was Uchiha Kagami, the Minister of Security, who reported directly to the Hokage and oversaw all department operations. Below him was the Director of the Political Division, Mitokado Homura—a position created by Sarutobi Hiruzen himself. This division was responsible for guiding and "correcting" the mindset of the ninjas under its command. Of course, this was only a temporary measure. Once suitable talents were trained, this role would be phased out.

The department was then divided into three main branches: Operations, Training, and Logistics.

The Operations Division had a broad range of responsibilities, and most of its members were assigned working a part-time. Even the Third Hokage himself was technically registered here, which resulted in many clan leaders, elders, and other powerful figures in Konoha being added to its ranks. If any trouble arose within the Customs Brigade or Patrol Units, these high-ranking individuals would be called in as backup.

The Training Division focused on preparing new recruits. No ninja could officially join the Security Department without passing both the Training Division's combat assessment and the Political Division's ideological review. Sarutobi Hiruzen had personally drafted the training guidelines and rulebook for this division.

The Logistics Division was originally intended to be an Equipment Division, but since ninjas typically supplied their own gear, so Hiruzen decided to create a broader support division instead. It handled administrative tasks, finances, and internal operations. Eventually, these functions would be divided into specialized departments as the system matured.

Below these divisions were three major brigades:

1. The Customs Brigade:

° This unit was responsible for guarding the Fire Country's various border checkpoints. The brigade was divided into five squadrons, each covering a different region. Every squadron consisted of multiple teams, ideally led by a jonin. However, due to a shortage of high-ranking ninjas, many teams were instead led by elite chunin or special jonin.

° Each four-man team was stationed at a specific checkpoint, and adjacent checkpoints were managed by the same squadron. Their main duty was to inspect every caravan and ninja entering the Fire Country. Dangerous goods, explosives, and high-destruction ninja tools were strictly prohibited. Those who passed the inspection received a pass scroll, which contained encoded information about their cargo, entry date, purpose of visit, and permitted duration of stay.

° Since the system was still in its early stages, it only focused on basic inspections and collected a customs clearance fee of 1,000 ryo per shipment. Due to the Hokage's apparent laziness, many aspects of the policy remained vague, leaving loopholes but as Hiruzen put it, "No system is perfect from the start. We'll patch the flaws when they cause problems."

2. The Patrol Brigade:

° This unit patrolled the Fire Country's interior, monitoring for suspicious activity. If they encountered unknown ninjas or suspicious caravans, they had the authority to stop and inspect them, verifying their customs clearance documents. Any inconsistencies in the paperwork would result in cargo confiscation or immediate expulsion.

° Additionally, watchtowers and outposts were being constructed along major roads to conduct random checks on passing travelers. When patrol members were off-duty, they were encouraged to scout the wilderness, ensuring no foreign ninjas roamed undetected. If an unauthorized ninja was found, the patrol team could detain them and investigate their background. In case of a skirmish, nearby patrol squads would be summoned via signal flares.

3. The Central District Guard:

° This unit was responsible for Konoha's internal security—an expanded role from what the Uchiha Police Force previously held. Their duties now included barrier patrols and gatekeeping Konoha's entrance. In a rather extreme move, the Hokage even assigned a team of jonin to guard the main gate, supposedly to maintain his reputation.

° The Central District Guard also provided reinforcements for the Patrol Brigade. Members of this unit were rotated frequently, meaning they could return home after street patrols instead of being permanently stationed outside the village.

° With the new restructuring, many former Uchiha police officers were reassigned to patrol and customs duties outside Konoha.

One of such team had just departed through Konoha's gate, leaping across the ground and trees. They had recently passed the Training Center's assessment and were beginning their first field mission.

Their captain was Uchiha Ryosuke, an 18-year-old elite chunin. He had previously served as a senior member of the Uchiha Police Force—not because of family ties, but due to sheer talent and hard work. Unlike those with connections, Ryosuke had climbed the ranks through merit alone.

Now, his team had been sent into the wilderness to fulfill their new patrol duties. The world outside Konoha was changing fast, and whether the Security Department's reforms would stabilize the situation or make it worse would remained uncertain.

After the reorganization, Uchiha Ryosuke was appointed as a team captain and assigned to patrol duties in the southwestern region of the Land of Fire.

His team consisted of:

Inuzuka Kusa, a 26-year-old chunin from the Inuzuka clan, accompanied by her ninja dog, Akaru.

Shimura Kaze, a 17-year-old genin from the Shimura clan.

Kusano Yuto, a 20-year-old civilian genin with no clan background.

After more than a day of travel, they finally arrived at their assigned patrol area. Taking a break by the roadside, they sat down to eat dry rations and replenish their water. As they rested, the team chatted casually.

"Captain, your cloak looks so cool. I wonder when I'll get to wear one like that," Kusano Yuto said enviously.

Uchiha Ryosuke smirked slightly, "Work hard. Improve your strength, develop your combat instincts, and one day you'll earn your own captain's cloak." His tone carried a hint of superiority, though he quickly restrained himself.

Kusano Yuto sighed, "It's so hard. I'm just a civilian ninja. No matter how much effort I put in, I'll never have the same advantages as those from the big clans."

Ryosuke glanced at him and replied, "Opportunities come to those who are prepared. Just look at me, I was once just an ordinary member of the Uchiha Guard. Back then, all the captains and squad leaders were relatives of elders or jonin. I had no one backing me but I never gave up. I trained relentlessly, studied countless scrolls and books, and pushed myself to the limit. And now? I'm a captain. If I had given up back then, I'd still be a genin today. If I keep working hard, maybe one day I'll become a jonin—or even a squadron leader."

Hearing Ryosuke's words, not only Kusano Yuto but also Inuzuka Kusa and Shimura Kaze were deeply inspired. Their spirits lifted, and they once again felt hopeful about the future.

Just then, Ryosuke pointed toward the road ahead. "Look over there. Our job is to patrol and inspect the entire Land of Fire. There's a caravan approaching—let's conduct a routine check. Consider it practice. You all remember the patrol regulations from training, right? There are quite a few people in that caravan, so we'll approach together. Stay alert and be tactically prepared."

A caravan slowly approached from the distance.

Ryosuke's team moved swiftly, jumping in front of the caravan. Immediately, the caravan guards reacted, drawing their swords in caution.

Ryosuke remained calm, taking out his official patrol token, "Konoha Patrol Guard, Fifth Squadron, Third Unit. I am Captain Uchiha Ryosuke. We need to conduct a routine inspection. Please cooperate by providing your travel pass, cargo details, and other relevant documents."

A middle-aged man, who appeared to be the caravan leader, stepped forward with a tired expression, "Running a business these days is tough. First, we have to pay customs fees at the border, and now we get stopped for inspections every few miles. Here—take the documents."

Ryosuke accepted the paperwork while Inuzuka Kusa's ninja dog, Akaru, let out a low growl. Sensing something, Ryosuke handed the documents to Inuzuka Kusa for further verification while he inspected the pass himself.

He formed a hand seal, unrolling the customs scroll, carefully scanning the details. Something felt off.

Uchiha Ryosuke carefully examined the pass, 'from the Iron Country to Kikyo City in the Fire Country… Iron Mine… Entry Customs… Year… Month… Day…'

At the bottom was a signature. The pass had been issued by the 3rd checkpoint of the Customs Second Squadron and also bore an inspection mark from the Second Patrol Squadron.

Kikyo City was located in the northwest of the Fire Country, while Uchiha Ryosuke's team was patrolling the southwest. There was no logical route where a caravan from the Iron Country would pass through here on its way to Kikyo City.

Ryosuke turned his head slightly, making eye contact with Inuzuka Kusa, "How's the document? Any issues?" he asked, subtly making a tactical hand signal in a hidden gesture.

Understanding the signal, Inuzuka Kusa remained calm and replied casually, "No issues. Everything looks normal." She handed the document back to Ryosuke as if nothing was wrong.

Ryosuke nodded and turned to the caravan leader, "Your paperwork checks out. Would you mind if we conducted a random inspection of the caravan?"

The caravan leader grinned widely, "Not at all, go ahead." He seemed almost too eager, which sent a chill down Ryosuke's spine. Was this a trap? He needed to be careful.

Sensing the tension Inuzuka Kusa quickly made an excus,. "Captain, since everything seems fine, we'll head into the woods to eat first. You take your time with the inspection." She motioned for Shimura Kaze and Kusano Yuto to follow her.

Ryosuke pretended to be annoyed, "Tch, fine. Go eat quickly. I'll finish the inspection and catch up later."

But the hidden meaning in his words was clear, 'Call for backup immediately. Something is seriously wrong.'

Ryosuke followed the caravan leader as they began the random cargo check. Normally, patrol regulations only required inspecting 5% of the goods, but strangely, the caravan leader insisted on opening every cart.

More time passed—half the caravan had been checked already. By protocol, a random inspection shouldn't exceed 10 minutes, but Ryosuke allowed it to drag on. The more they stalled, the more time his team had to call for reinforcements.

Then—a dog's bark echoed from the forest.

Ryosuke didn't hesitate. In a flash, he grabbed the caravan leader and disappeared from the caravan using the Body Flicker Technique.

As Ryosuke reappeared outside the caravan, three patrol squads emerged from the shadows.

Among them, two teams were chunin, while the third was headed by none other than Squadron Leader Inuzuka Yuya.

With a commanding presence, Yuya landed in front of the caravan, holding up his squadron leader badge. His massive gray ninja dog stood beside him, growling menacingly.

"Konoha Guard Department, Patrol Team Fifth Squadron!" Inuzuka Yuya voice was firm and authoritative. "I am Inuzuka Yuya, the Squadron Leader. Your caravan is in violation of Konoha's Trade Regulations. You are now detained and will be punished according to Guard Regulations. Cooperate immediately!"

His ninja dog let out two sharp barks, reinforcing the command.

The caravan guards tensed, their hands inching toward their weapons.

The situation was about to escalate.