Wherever there are people, there's jianghu (the world of clashing interests and hidden tensions).
Back then, the Military Police was tiny and consisted mostly of family members. Everyone followed the Clan Leader.
Now things were different.
The ranks had expanded significantly, filled with all sorts of characters. Power struggles were inevitable.
For Sakuma Chiaki, if he kept his head down and didn't cause trouble, at worst he'd lose his position as deputy captain. No big deal.
But for Akaba, it wasn't that simple.
Right from the start, it was just Danzo's word, plus a bunch of higher-ups, and only two subordinates to help—himself and Orochimaru.
Though officially called Research Institute Director, Orochimaru was practically the only one in Konoha deeply passionate about research.
Still, Orochimaru didn't care much about having underlings. As long as his experiments continued uninterrupted, he was perfectly content.
And by the way, Akaba still had to assist Orochimaru's research.
Akaba couldn't sleep all night.
Even walking on the streets, he looked listless and drained.
After thinking all night, he decided he needed to draft someone to help out. Otherwise alone, he'd end up pulling his hair out before accomplishing anything.
Besides, he was just a ninja trainee who graduated half a year ago. Why should he endure burdens beyond his years?
"Master, today—"
"I'm on surveillance today. Leave me be."
Akaba sent a clone into the room to sketch while the real one sat by the door, keeping an eye on passing ninjas.
Many ninjas in Konoha bought manga. If he waited here like this, maybe he could find a few suitable instructors.
Sakuma Yunlang didn't understand what Akaba was up to. He hadn't cared much about this little space originally, but yesterday too many manga volumes arrived, leaving no room on the shelves.
According to plan, he intended to put some outside.
Looking back and seeing Yunlang's troubled expression, Akaba figured it out: "Set up a table over here."
"Great!"
Yunlang hopped to it, grabbing the table with enthusiasm.
Akaba sighed softly.
If only he were a ninja. With such diligence, he'd make an excellent subordinate.
They set up a small stand. It was still early—most people were doing morning drills and not quite ready to swing by yet.
Akaba sat there a while, then went to buy breakfast. When he returned, several people had already gathered in front of the store.
He didn't recognize most people, but that didn't stop him from secretly watching potential candidates.
Soon, he noticed someone.
Shige Nohara—an average Chunin in terms of combat ability.
But Akaba had once seen his information scroll—their theory knowledge was solid, and both chakra control and ninja tool handling skills were top-notch. In war, these skills allowed survival and eventual promotion to Chunin.
His overall strength might not be impressive, but that wasn't what Akaba needed anyway.
Therefore—
"Uncle Nohara, you're here to buy manga for the kids again?"
Akaba greeted warmly, smiling brightly.
"Yeah, hehe. Both my kid and I love manga. We'll definitely be here right away when there's a new release."
Shige Nohara chuckled with his usual honest smile.
This guy was straightforward and not great at hiding his feelings—he clearly had something on his mind.
Without showing his intent, Akaba chatted briefly with him, then casually pulled Shige Nohara aside for more casual conversation.
The two were separated by over a decade in age, yet they got along extremely well.
About ten minutes later, Shige Nohara shared his concerns.
"The responsibilities of my position have been reassigned to the Military Police. Not sure what they'll do with me now."
The power restructuring within the Military Police affected not only the upper ranks but also workers at the grassroots level.
Shige Nohara was one of them.
Akaba's eyes lit up, though outwardly he remained calm. Like a respectful junior, he asked, "Do you have any personal thoughts on this?"
"Me?"
Shige Nohara hesitated slightly.
What thoughts could he have? As a chunin, wherever the village sent him, he had no choice but to go.
"Yes, your own opinion. What do you personally think about your work?"
Akaba nodded thoughtfully while an idea suddenly struck him—there must be many shinobi like Shige Nohara who worried about their future after this shift in power.
Konoha operates entirely on assigned postings. If I post a recruitment notice, applicants should come naturally.
What was there to worry about?
Suddenly, Akaba found clarity.
"Well... truth be told, I'd really rather stay in the village if possible."
Shige Nohara replied with a wry smile.
"I happen to have a position suitable for you. Recently, not only the Military Police, but also the Anbu Training Division has been restructured into the Ninja Preparatory Division. I'd like to invite you to join the Ninja Preparatory Division as a teacher in theoretical knowledge and ninja tools operations."
At that moment, Akaba extended the invitation.
"A teacher in the Ninja Preparatory Division? Me? Really? That's possible?!"
Shige Nohara was stunned.
"Believe in yourself. You can do it."
Akaba gave him a thumbs-up.
"Let me catch my breath. I'm feeling dizzy."
Shige Nohara always considered himself quite incompetent. He never dared to dream about a role like becoming a teacher, especially for a department resulting from the Anbu training reform!
"Think it over carefully. Of course, if you truly refuse, I can't force you."
Akaba didn't press further.
He could always find someone else later—if this guy said no, that was fine too.
"No, if possible, of course that would be great. But I'm afraid I won't be up to the task."
Shige Nohara expressed his concern. "After all, I'm just a chunin, while those students are all Anbu elites."
"You misunderstood. The Preparatory Division is responsible for accepting freshly graduated ninja academy students. Our duty will be to train these graduates, preparing them for wartime needs."
Akaba realized suddenly.
No wonder the other felt such pressure—he'd completely misunderstood.
Hmm, I should clarify this clearly on the recruitment poster next time.
"Ah… wait, you mean it's for academy graduates? Then yeah—of course I'd take it! Who wouldn't jump at that chance?"
Shige Nohara became visibly delighted.
"Then that settles it."
With this recruitment experience under his belt, Akaba now knew how to write a better poster next time.
With their worries resolved, both Akaba and Shige Nohara relaxed simultaneously.
Now that they were both relaxed, reading manga felt fun again. Shige Nohara plopped down at the doorway and flipped open a manga volume.
When Shige Nohara saw Gaara's face in the manga, his mood darkened instantly. After a long silence, he asked, "What kind of country is Wind Country?"
"Very barren and desolate—most of its land buried under endless dunes and sandstorms. Crops can't grow there at all."
Akaba answered calmly.
"That kind of country sounds terrifying."
Shige Nohara let out a soft sigh and closed the manga. One of his teammates had died from the poison of a Sand ninja.
To him, Gaara was the very soul of Sunagakure—
Brutal and highly aggressive.
"No more reading for now. I should go home and tell my wife the good news!"
Shige smiled as he stood up, but then paused—he needed to go find Sakuma Yunlang to buy the complete set of Naruto manga.
"Master, he—"
"Forget it."
Akaba shook his head.
Shige wasn't heading home either; he was going to the Memorial Stone.
Every Chunin returning from the battlefield had faced death themselves. Although their abilities might be average, even if they sometimes hesitated in the face of danger, when real war struck, they would without hesitation rush to the frontlines.
"I'm going back to sleep. If you need me, talk to my Shadow Clone."
With his mind finally at ease, Akaba's lazy streak resurfaced—especially since he hadn't slept well last night and now all he wanted to do was yawn.
"Ah, I'm afraid you won't be able to go anywhere."
Sakuma Yunlang spotted a group approaching from a distance and sensed something ominous.
Akaba glanced over, then quickly formed hand seals and vanished.
"Don't run! Quickly, grab him!"
Tsunade shouted loudly.
"Leave it to me."
Sakumo summoned Fang and followed the trail toward where Akaba had fled.
Behind them were Nightdance, Shinnosuke, and Jiraiya.
They made their intentions clear—they were here for the Illusionary Exercise.
So many people showing up at once meant no chance for a nap. He'd have to spend tremendous energy creating illusions for them all.
The worst part? He wouldn't gain anything from it.
What exactly was the point?
Still, he ran—
Akaba sensed wave after wave of approaching chakra, and despair crept into his heart.
Among those his age, who could possibly outrun Sakumo?
Let alone Shinnosuke—his Earth Release far surpassed Akaba's own.
He stopped running and surfaced willingly from underground. "Guys, what if I let you surrender with only half the usual consequences?"
Sakumo hesitated, not quite understanding what that meant.
Others hadn't arrived yet, but soon enough, Shinnosuke popped out from underground beside him, asking curiously, "Half consequences? What does that mean?"
Everyone moved at similar speeds, so before long, all five had arrived.
"Ahem, so all five of you want to play?"
Akaba looked at the five figures.
Sakumo, Nightdance, and Shinnosuke nodded. But Jiraiya and Tsunade just looked confused. "What are you talking about?"
"Ahh, never mind, it's not important."
Akaba blinked in surprise and hurriedly changed the subject.
"No no no, this sounds interesting. Sakumo, what does 'surrender with only half the usual consequences' even mean?"
Jiraiya asked enthusiastically.
"And what exactly are you two doing here anyway?"
Sakumo found it odd.
He thought they were into street fights too—that's why he tagged along halfway.
Turns out neither of them had any clue.
"I'm here to ask Akaba something."
Tsunade explained.
"Hmm, same here, though now I feel like playing too."
Jiraiya wanted both.
Akaba shot him a glare—who got to have everything?
Looking around, Akaba announced, "Today I'm pretty tired, so I'll only provide the illusion game for two people. You guys decide among yourselves who gets to participate."
Two people?
Shinnosuke caught on immediately—that's what "half consequences" meant.
"Alright then, Tsunade, why don't you go ahead and ask your question first."
Akaba wanted to get it over with once and for all, so he wouldn't have to deal with it again later that afternoon.
"Is there any way," Tsunade asked, "to improve physical constitution?"
"Improve your constitution?"
Everyone hesitated for a moment, exchanging looks of disbelief.
Seriously? With the body you already have?
Akaba pondered for a moment. Though he had some idea of the reason, he chose not to say anything outright. After a brief silence, he replied thoughtfully, "The body's strength is complicated. I'm not exactly sure about this myself. Orochimaru has been researching this lately—you might want to ask him."
"Orochimaru? Fine, I'll go find him."
Tsunade was already halfway out the door when she suddenly remembered something.
These days, Orochimaru hardly ever leaves his lab. Where on earth would she find him?
Therefore, Akaba immediately stopped her, saying, "His current lab is located inside Anbu. How do you plan to find him there?"
"This... Would you be able to take me there later?" Tsunade hesitated slightly before asking.
"What could she possibly need Orochimaru for? I, the great Jiraiya, can handle anything!"
Jiraiya happily barged in, only to meet an awkward silence.
"Well then, I'll send a Shadow Clone later." Akaba offered a compromise he knew everyone could live with.
So, Tsunade leaned back against a tree by the roadside and slumped down, waiting.
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