After watching Shawn leave, Sakumo Hatake frowned slightly.
There's something wrong with this list.
Mimura Yohmaki, Inuzuka Fukurō, and Aburame Shisei were fine—but the other three clearly did not qualify for ANBU.
Which meant the real purpose was never "evaluation" or "ANBU backup selection."
Sakumo's instincts immediately picked up on the anomaly. He pulled out a map.
I need to prepare.
Whatever ANBU's—or rather, Root's—true objective was, he had to assume the worst-case scenario.
Outside the Camp
Elsewhere, Shawn waited quietly beneath a tree with Inuzuka Ryō and the others.
Soon, they noticed the camp growing busy.
Shawn gave a subtle look. Sarutobi Atsushi vanished instantly.
A short while later, Atsushi returned.
"Captain, Lord Sakumo seems to be rearranging the entire defensive layout. Could this alert the target?"
Shawn remained unconcerned.
"Adjusting defenses is normal—just more extensive than usual."
"If he only adjusted areas under the suspects' control, that would raise alarms."
"As it is, no one will suspect a thing."
The three nodded in agreement.
Internally, Shawn assessed the situation.
Sakumo Hatake has already sensed something off.
A full defensive overhaul means he's preparing for the worst.
Sharp and decisive… truly worthy of the White Fang.
With quiet admiration, Shawn continued waiting.
An hour later, Sakumo appeared.
"Everything is ready."
Shawn rose.
"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Sakumo."
"No need."
Sakumo nodded and led Shawn's group to a temporary tent.
Once Sakumo left, Shawn turned to his subordinates.
"You'll stand guard outside. Let them enter one at a time."
"First—Akabane Nozomi."
Atsushi nodded and exited.
Interrogation Tent
Akabane Nozomi soon walked in.
Shawn observed him.
Ordinary appearance. Gentle smile. Harmless demeanor.
A trace of nervousness—but nothing unusual.
Without hesitation, Shawn applied Speak as You Think to Akabane Nozomi.
"Akabane Nozomi," Shawn said calmly,
"you must answer every question I ask."
"Yes, sir!"
Very respectful.
Shawn stared straight into his eyes.
"Are you a spy?"
The question was direct and brutal.
Akabane froze, eyes wide, then stammered nervously.
"I… I am not a spy."
Shawn raised an eyebrow.
"Then why did you betray Konoha?"
Akabane shook his head urgently.
"Sir, I never betrayed Konoha!"
Not a spy. No betrayal.
A genuinely kind, harmless man.
Shawn nodded lightly.
"Very well. You may step outside and await further orders."
Akabane bowed, utterly confused, and left the tent.
Second Suspect – Kushigami Yūma
A burly man with a scarred face entered next—an intimidating figure.
Shawn applied Speak as You Think again and asked bluntly,
"Why did you betray Konoha?"
Kushigami opened his mouth.
"Because—"
His expression changed violently.
He snapped his mouth shut, but Shawn was already in front of him.
Cold sweat poured down Kushigami's face as he leapt backward, hurling a kunai.
Clang!
Shawn drew his blade. The kunai split cleanly in half.
A heavy thud followed.
Kushigami flew out of the tent and slammed into a tree, coughing blood.
Before he could rise—
A canine roar echoed.
Inuzuka Ryō's partner Blackball lunged forward and bit down on him.
Outside, both Akabane Nozomi and Michikami Takuya stared in shock.
Kushigami knew there was no escape now. He glared at Shawn.
"How… how did you do it?"
"Genjutsu?"
Shawn ignored him and turned to Michikami Takuya.
"Are you a spy?"
"I am—!"
Michikami's face changed instantly as he leapt upward—
Scream!
The strike came from Akabane Nozomi.
Michikami hit the ground hard, immediately swarmed by Aburame Hii's insects.
At this point, Atsushi and the others were deeply unsettled.
That's it?
Such simple questioning?
Genjutsu?
Could the captain be an Uchiha… with the Sharingan?
None of them had ever seen Shawn's face.
But that domineering presence, that oppressive aura—
It really did resemble an Uchiha.
Into the Forest
With both traitors dealt with, Shawn patted Akabane Nozomi on the shoulder.
"Come with me."
"Yes, sir!"
They walked one after the other into the depths of the forest, swallowed by darkness.
Watching them leave, Inuzuka Ryō whispered to Aburame Hii,
"Do you think the captain is an Uchiha?"
Hii shook his head slightly.
"I don't know."
"But that kind of ability… only the Sharingan fits."
In the Darkness
Shawn stopped and turned.
"Are you willing to join Root?"
Akabane froze, unsure how to respond.
Shawn continued calmly,
"The Third Hokage has approved it. Root, under Lord Danzo, is no longer just ANBU's training arm."
"It is a blade that protects the village from the shadows."
"Akabane Nozomi—are you willing to become someone who protects the village in darkness?"
Akabane swallowed hard.
"I… I am willing. But…"
"That's enough," Shawn said.
"You won't formally join Root."
"You'll serve as an intelligence asset, hidden among ordinary Konoha shinobi."
Akabane was stunned.
Shawn said evenly,
"You saw it yourself. Traitors and spies hide everywhere—and they hide well."
"Your personality, your approachability—those are strengths."
"The village needs you to observe, monitor, and quietly uncover hidden threats."
Akabane's eyes lit up.
"Yes… I understand!"
"I'll do my best!"
Twenty years of mediocrity—
Was this finally his moment?
Shawn patted his shoulder.
"Good."
"From today on, I am your only superior."
"You take orders only from me—and report only to me."
"My codename is A."
"And yours…"
He paused.
"Shadow."
Akabane nodded immediately.
"Yes, Captain!"
After confirming contact codes and protocols, they returned to the camp.
"Akabane Nozomi, you may go."
"Ape—keep an eye on them."
After issuing instructions, Shawn turned and sought out Sakumo Hatake again.
"Lord Sakumo, our task is complete. Thank you for your cooperation."
Sakumo looked surprised.
"That fast?"
"Was defensive information leaked?"
Shawn nodded slightly but offered no details.
"We'll escort the prisoners back to Konoha tomorrow morning. We won't trouble you further."
Sakumo nodded.
"Do you need an escort?"
Shawn declined politely.
"Thank you, but it's unnecessary. Border security is more important."
Sakumo did not insist.