Of the eight hundred men who followed Kakashi to storm the Kumogakure main camp back then, only one hundred and twenty-eight survived that great battle.
After excluding those who had to retire due to disability, one hundred and eight remained. After Kakashi took office as Acting Hokage, every single one of them was assigned to the Anbu.
And Kakashi fulfilled the promise he made back then.
Once the war reparations from Kumogakure and the military funding from the Daimyō arrived, the families of everyone who had sacrificed their lives were supported by Konohagakure under the highest unified standards.
This applied even to those who survived.
It could be said that if one asked who the most loyal people to Kakashi were in the entire village, it would be these one hundred and eight.
Furthermore, aside from Forbidden Jutsu and techniques similar to the Flying Raijin, all jutsu in Konoha were thrown open to them. Several specialized Jōnin were even assigned to provide one-on-one tutoring for their daily training.
It could be said they received every benefit possible.
Today, these one hundred and eight combined with the original Anbu members totaled three hundred and sixty personnel.
And Kakashi intended to use these three hundred and sixty men to completely blockade the Uchiha clan when the time came, preventing anyone from leaving.
He would thoroughly strangle the Uchiha hardliners.
"Lord Hokage."
In the Captain's office at the Anbu base, Yūgao Uzuki brought a cup of hot tea for Kakashi.
"Thank you for your hard work. Have there been any troublesome missions for the Anbu recently?"
Kakashi accepted the tea, casually flipping through the Anbu roster in his hand as he spoke.
"Aside from the departments responsible for monitoring the village, there are fifteen squad members out on missions."
Yūgao Uzuki knew the situation within the Anbu like the back of her hand and answered crisply.
Kakashi nodded and said, "If that's the case, then suspend their current missions for now. Have them all return to Konoha within two days."
Yūgao Uzuki was startled to hear this.
Fifteen squads meant fifteen missions.
Because of the Anbu's special nature, they absolutely did not undertake missions below A-rank.
That meant abandoning fifteen S-rank or A-rank missions.
Was there some major combat plan in the works...?
"Yes, I will handle it immediately."
Yūgao Uzuki didn't waste a single word; she simply obeyed the order and left the office.
As a veteran Anbu member, she knew all too well that one should not ask what shouldn't be asked.
She understood the principle that disaster stems from the mouth.
Glancing at the departing purple-haired Anbu, Kakashi returned his gaze to the roster in his hand.
Eliminating the unfamiliar names, there was one name that made Kakashi pause for a moment.
Tenzo (Temporarily Resigned)
How could I have forgotten him?
Kakashi, who had been worrying about having no candidate for Anbu Captain, felt his eyes flicker slightly.
As a former member of Root who had also spent several years in the Anbu, Tenzo was perfectly suited to lead the organization.
Letting him serve as an ordinary mission Jōnin was truly a waste.
"Someone, call Tenzo here."
Following Kakashi's order, it wasn't even ten minutes before Tenzo appeared before Kakashi, looking travel-worn.
Seeing his appearance, Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"So late? Did you just return from a mission?"
Tenzo scratched his head sheepishly.
"Yes, Sempai Kakashi... Lord Hokage."
Looking at Tenzo, Kakashi waved his hand.
"Just 'Sempai' is fine. It's just a title; call me whatever you're used to."
"Besides, logically speaking, you're actually my teacher."
Kakashi was referring to the time Tenzo had instructed him in Water Release.
"Sempai Kakashi is being too formal. I was merely contributing my part for Konoha," Tenzo shook his head, his tone sincere and earnest.
"In that case, I won't waste words with you either."
"Tenzo, I need your power right now."
Kakashi stood up, strode over to the man, and grabbed his wrist.
"As long as Sempai Kakashi has a need, I will go through fire and water."
Listening to his words, Kakashi nodded and spoke evenly:
"Good. From now on, you are the Director of the Anbu."
???
Sempai Kakashi, isn't this a bit fast?
Something was wrong.
Something was very wrong.
For the past two days, Itachi had spent entirely too much time within the clan grounds.
Shisui Uchiha frowned as he watched the young Uchiha ahead of him, who seemed to have nothing better to do than buy a pancake from Uncle Yamahara Uchiha's roadside stall.
Itachi was an Anbu Squad Captain.
Usually, even without missions, he would be instructing Sasuke or training himself.
Rarely did he spend all day wandering idly through the clan district like this, doing absolutely nothing.
There was a problem...
Shisui Uchiha recalled his meeting with Itachi the previous night, and a heaviness rose in his heart.
It could be said that he had watched Itachi Uchiha grow up; the boy's every move could not escape his notice.
Therefore, Shisui understood his younger clansman extremely well.
From a young age, Itachi had worshipped the Hokage and despised war.
When the Hokage was still Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shisui had not corrected this trait in Itachi; on the contrary, he had been happy to see it.
But the current Hokage was Kakashi Hatake, and Shisui felt he should have corrected his clansman's direction.
However, by the time he realized this, it was already a step too late.
Under Fugaku Uchiha's arrangement, Itachi Uchiha had entered the Anbu.
Furthermore, that ruthless Fifth Hokage had rapidly promoted Itachi to the position of Anbu Squad Captain.
Shisui refused to believe that Kakashi Hatake didn't have an ulterior motive.
Even though he harbored a dislike for Kakashi in his heart, Shisui had to admit Kakashi's excellence.
He was capable of maximizing the benefits from the chips he held; even sacrificing the lives of others would not evoke a shred of pity in Kakashi's heart.
And now, that ruthless Fifth Hokage certainly intended to use Itachi for something.
He had to stop this!
Shisui took a deep look at the retreating figure of Itachi Uchiha, then disappeared from where he stood.
Shisui Uchiha was not a fool; he was merely somewhat naive.
The calls for an Uchiha coup were intensifying, looking as if they were about to spiral out of control.
Shisui absolutely did not believe that Kakashi was ignorant of this.
He was going to find that Lord Hokage.
He would use his own eyes to force the Hokage and the Uchiha Clan Head to sit down and talk properly.
He would completely resolve the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha clan.
If it became necessary...
He would spare no cost! Even if he had to use Kotoamatsukami to control both Kakashi and Fugaku Uchiha, he would—
This was the meaning behind the birth of these eyes of his, Shisui Uchiha!
To accomplish the impossible.
To fulfill duties within the scope of his own abilities.
For a moment, a sense of great righteousness surged in Shisui's heart.
This further solidified his resolve.
Everything he was doing was right!
————
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