The Taste Is Right
The next day.
Chi Yu put on his standard shinobi uniform, something he hadn't worn in over half a month.
After bidding farewell to Uzumaki Kushina, he made his way toward Root headquarters.
Upon entering the main hall, Chi Yu was met with the sight of thirty Root operatives standing in perfect formation.
Their faces were devoid of emotion, their collective aura heavy with silent menace. Every single one of them had clearly undergone Root's infamous "self-annihilation" training—no names, no attachments, no emotions.
From a side corridor, Danzo Shimura emerged, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of authority.
> "Chi Yu, these thirty operatives have been hand-picked by me. They will follow your every order without question. Use them as you see fit once you assume command."
Chi Yu inclined his head respectfully.
> "Understood. I will not disappoint your expectations, Danzo-sama."
A cold gleam flickered briefly in Danzo's single visible eye.
> "Go. They've been idle for too long—it's time to put them through their paces."
Without further words, Chi Yu led the thirty Root shinobi toward the Konoha Defense Force headquarters.
---
At this point in time, the Uchiha Clan's reputation in the village was strained but had not yet reached full-blown ostracism. The Military Police Force headquarters still stood in a relatively central district of Konoha. (It would only be moved to the outskirts after the Nine-Tails' attack years later.)
Arriving at the Defense Force building, Chi Yu noted that it was a more imposing structure than the Military Police headquarters directly across the street.
Two Uchiha guards at the Police Force entrance watched the Defense Force with thinly veiled resentment.
Only days earlier, Uchiha Fugaku had convened the entire clan at Naka Shrine, briefing them on the creation of the new Konoha Defense Force. He had warned them explicitly: during this sensitive period, they were to avoid causing trouble at all costs, or face punishment under clan law.
Now, curious villagers crowded around the Defense Force entrance. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, were already present.
When Chi Yu approached with his thirty elite operatives, the crowd instinctively parted. Whispered speculation spread quickly. Everyone in Konoha knew who Chi Yu was—and the Root operatives at his back radiated danger.
It was obvious to anyone watching: this department was his to command.
---
At the entrance stood Uchiha Shisui, positioned behind Minato. Flanking Shisui were twenty ANBU, personally selected by Minato to support him. While skilled, they were not at the same elite tier as Root operatives.
Chi Yu greeted the two Hokage with formal respect.
> "Third Hokage, Fourth Hokage—I have arrived."
Both Hiruzen and Minato frowned subtly at the sight of the Root detachment. Danzo's decision to send such an elite unit had not been discussed beforehand, and the imbalance between Shisui's ANBU and Chi Yu's Root squad was glaring.
Just then, Orochimaru arrived. He exchanged a casual greeting with Hiruzen before turning to Chi Yu, a faint smirk curling his lips.
> "You look well, Chi Yu. Sharp, even."
Chi Yu's answering smile was measured.
> "Is that so? Then I suppose that's good."
Hiruzen and Minato exchanged a brief glance—Orochimaru's presence was unexpected. Since Minato had taken the Hokage seat, Orochimaru had largely kept to his own laboratory, seldom appearing in public.
After a moment's pause, Hiruzen smiled politely.
> "I didn't expect you to join us today, Orochimaru. In that case, let's begin. Minato?"
Minato nodded, his trademark calm smile in place.
> "Very well. Chi Yu, Shisui—stand beside me."
The two stepped forward, flanking the Hokage as he addressed the gathered crowd.
---
> "After careful deliberation," Minato announced, "and in light of the excessive workload placed upon the Konoha Military Police Force, a new department will be formed to share the burden. This organization will be known as the Konoha Defense Force. Its duties will include the formulation of village regulations and the apprehension of shinobi exhibiting criminal behavior.
> Chi Yu will serve as Captain of the Konoha Defense Force, with Uchiha Shisui as his Deputy. Both appointments are effective immediately."
The crowd murmured in surprise.
A Root-aligned captain notorious for his criticism of the Uchiha… working directly with one of the clan's most promising young prodigies? The arrangement seemed almost engineered for conflict.
Was this truly a joint command—or a political trap?
---
Minato gestured toward them.
> "You should both say a few words."
Chi Yu gave a slight shrug.
> "Let Shisui speak first."
Several villagers blinked in shock at the uncharacteristic deference. Was this really the same Chi Yu?
Shisui's eye twitched, but he stepped forward regardless.
> "Thank you, Hokage-sama, for your trust. It is my honor to serve as Deputy Captain of the Konoha Defense Force. I will fulfill my duties to the best of my ability, and I will work to safeguard the peace of our village."
A smattering of polite applause followed—restrained, as the Uchiha name still carried suspicion among many villagers. Without Chi Yu's presence, some might have assumed this was merely an Uchiha-controlled extension of the Police Force.
Shisui stepped back.
---
Then Chi Yu advanced, his earlier politeness vanishing. A cold edge entered his voice as he addressed the crowd.
> "From today onward, I am Captain of the Konoha Defense Force. Perhaps some of you are unclear on what that means—so let me put it in simple terms."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed, and Minato's smile tightened. Chi Yu's blunt tone risked alienating the villagers.
But their concern proved unnecessary.
No resentment stirred in the crowd—only a sense of recognition.
This was the Chi Yu they knew. Direct. Uncompromising. Unapologetically himself.
The flavor was right.
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