Assignment of Tasks
Inside the Konoha Defense Force headquarters.
Chi Yu and Uchiha Shisui sat at the front, while fifty shinobi stood before them.
Among them were thirty Root operatives and twenty Anbu members.
Chi Yu spoke unhurriedly.
"Deputy Captain, it's time to divide the units and arrange patrol shifts within the village. Do you have any suggestions?"
Uchiha Shisui immediately replied, "Since there are exactly fifty members, we can divide them into ten groups of five, and rotate patrols in two shifts. That should cover the entire village effectively. What do you think, Captain Chi Yu?"
Chi Yu chuckled.
"Since we're operating under the Konoha Defense Force, let's address one another properly by our positions—Deputy Captain."
Shisui frowned slightly, uncertain why Chi Yu was being so pedantic about formality over such a minor matter. Still, he complied.
"…I understand, Captain."
"The Deputy Captain's proposal is sound. I find it acceptable," Chi Yu continued, to Shisui's surprise.
He had expected Chi Yu to reject his plan outright after insisting on formal titles. But Chi Yu's mind was already several steps ahead. To him, Shisui was still far too inexperienced—desperate to prove himself, yet wasting that eagerness on something as trivial as patrol assignments.
It was normal, though. This was Shisui's first true leadership role. His motives were clear: to serve as Minato Namikaze's eyes within the Force, and at the same time, protect the Uchiha Clan, who were already being quietly isolated from the village leadership.
Chi Yu smiled faintly. If their roles were reversed and Shisui had been the one announcing the new regulations, he would have rejected them immediately—no matter how beneficial they seemed, or how Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze might react.
"Five members per team," Chi Yu declared. "Each squad will consist of three Root operatives and two Anbu. That should balance things appropriately. Agreed, Deputy Captain?"
"…Yes. That's fine," Shisui conceded.
Chi Yu raised his voice to address the assembled shinobi.
"From now on, you will be grouped according to your current standing positions. Three Root shinobi and two Anbu will form a squad. Beginning tomorrow, you will patrol Konoha in these units.
If you witness any criminal act—or signs of a crime about to occur—you are to intervene immediately and arrest the culprit on the spot.
And remember this: no one outside myself or the Deputy Captain has the authority to countermand your orders. If anyone obstructs you while carrying out your duties, you may use force without hesitation.
That is all. Form your squads."
Once the fifty shinobi had finished grouping, Chi Yu turned back to Shisui.
"Deputy Captain, do you believe we should assign squad leaders?"
Shisui shook his head.
"Not yet. With so few people and no familiarity among them, it's premature. Let's allow them to build rapport first. Later, we can establish leadership."
Shisui's reasoning was deliberate. He knew that if leaders were assigned now, nearly all of them would be Chi Yu's Root subordinates, further diminishing Anbu influence in the Force. That outcome was unacceptable to him.
Chi Yu nodded as though he agreed.
"The Deputy Captain makes a valid point. We'll revisit the issue later. Do you have any other matters to raise?"
"…Regarding recruitment," Shisui began carefully.
But Chi Yu waved him off.
"I've already started recruitment efforts. Of course, the Deputy Captain may also recommend candidates if he wishes."
Shisui's expression darkened. Chi Yu had bypassed him entirely. Any shinobi recruited this way would naturally be loyal to Chi Yu, leaving the Anbu at a disadvantage. Still, he could not allow the Defense Force to be filled exclusively with Root operatives.
"…Very well. I will send my own people to assist with recruitment," Shisui replied.
Chi Yu rose from his seat.
"That concludes today's meeting. This is only our beginning, so unforeseen problems will arise. We will address them as they come. Tomorrow, the Konoha Defense Force will officially begin patrol duty. Dismissed."
At once, Chi Yu's Root shinobi departed without hesitation, while the Anbu lingered, awaiting Shisui's words.
"…Dismissed. Be here on time tomorrow," Shisui said firmly.
After the Anbu dispersed, Chi Yu left the headquarters. But rather than return home, he made his way to the Root base.
There, the same thirty operatives who had just left were already assembled in the Root hall—standing perfectly still. Danzo Shimura was present as well.
"Did everything proceed as planned?" Danzo asked coldly.
Chi Yu bowed his head slightly.
"Very smoothly. Uchiha Shisui will remain a figurehead at best. He poses no threat."
Danzo gave a thin sneer.
"Hmph. Minato is still far too naïve. To appoint such a green child as Deputy Captain in hopes of restraining you… laughable. If Uchiha Fugaku himself had come, perhaps he would be worth consideration."
Chi Yu's eyes sharpened.
"Lord Danzo, I will likely require your assistance in the next step."
"Speak."
"When our men begin patrolling, have some of your people provoke the Uchiha. Stir their tempers, force them to reveal hostility. As long as they show signs of aggression, we will have legal grounds to arrest them. Naturally, this must not be traced back to us.
Even if it's just ordinary villagers insulting the clan, the Uchiha are too proud to endure it quietly. A single retort is enough for us to brand them as 'potential threats.'"
Danzo's expression hardened into satisfaction.
"Good. I will arrange it. You focus on the arrests. I have countless ways to make the Uchiha falter."
The following day.
The Konoha Defense Force began its first official patrol.
Elsewhere, three Uchiha shinobi were patrolling their own district.
One of them grumbled quietly, "This is unbearable. The Defense Force is nothing but a tool to target our clan. Why did the clan head surrender our authority so easily?"
Another scowled. "Exactly. Fugaku-sama can't compare to Masaki-sama. He's far too soft…"
The third Uchiha cut them off sharply.
"Enough. Complaining won't change anything. We'll endure this—for now."
As they passed a narrow alleyway, the three suddenly heard strange noises echoing from within…
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