Tsunade's formal assumption as Fifth Hokage brought considerable liveliness to the western suburbs old estate. By evening when Shuji awoke, Grandma Momoka had already dealt with several batches of visitors.
They came to celebrate. However, because Shuji was still sleeping, they only stayed briefly before returning.
After waking, Grandma Momoka informed him that Hayami and others had arranged an evening gathering at Yamanaka House, asking Shuji to come over after waking.
"Alcohol, do not drink."
Grandma Momoka instructed, her gaze especially sharp while speaking.
Shuji obediently agreed. After simply washing up, he departed the old estate amid sunset's fading glow.
The streets permeated with a relaxed feeling after celebrations. Villagers' faces still retained daytime excitement. Passing a familiar confectionery shop, he heard a familiar greeting from inside.
Turning to look, he saw old classmates Kamizuki Izumo, Hagane Kotetsu, and Hyūga Tokuma seated by the window with dango and tea on the table.
Shuji's steps paused. The Yamanaka House gathering only required showing his face. Time delay hardly mattered.
Thus he turned and entered the dango shop.
"Yo, where is the esteemed Captain Shuji heading?" Kamizuki Izumo asked.
"Yamanaka House." Shuji pulled out an empty chair and sat.
Hearing this name, Izumo and Kotetsu's faces simultaneously showed expressions of respectful decline.
Hagane Kotetsu looked at Shuji sympathetically. "That place. Uncle Hayami called you again?"
"Yes."
"Worthy of being a jōnin. Already able to participate in adult gatherings," Kamizuki Izumo said disdainfully. "Go quickly, go. You're no longer one of us."
Shuji ignored him, ordering dango.
Kamizuki Izumo didn't mind. Seeing Shuji truly was not rushed to leave, he said, "Speaking of which, Shuji, you know about Hyūga clan members entering the Police Force, right?"
"I know."
"Tokuma is one of the four newly transferred."
This he truly did not know. Shuji looked toward Hyūga Tokuma, seeing his expression indeed proved poor.
Looked like he suffered grievances inside.
Hagane Kotetsu said, "Those Uchiha are truly arrogant. Tokuma and others have been tormented quite thoroughly."
Hyūga Tokuma lightly sighed, tone fairly calm. "The work itself is acceptable. Captain Fugaku's attitude toward us also proves fairly amicable."
"Just the others..." Tokuma showed a weary expression. "Before Lord Hiashi dispatched us over, he also specifically instructed us to act with extra caution, avoiding solo actions as much as possible, lest..."
"Lest triggering incidents."
Being bullied.
This point did not surprise Shuji. Precisely considering the first batch entering would suffer serious bullying was why the Hyūga were chosen. With others, going when confrontational consciousness remained so strong could easily result in being controlled by Sharingan genjutsu.
"Well, after all, the Police Force was managed by them for so many years. Suddenly inserting outsiders, having some emotions also proves normal," Kamizuki Izumo attempted easing the atmosphere, patting Tokuma's shoulder.
"Endure through this period. Once accustomed, it will improve."
"After some more time, perhaps circumstances will turn better."
Hyūga Tokuma forced a smile, saying nothing more.
At this time, Shuji's ordered dango arrived. Just as he picked up bamboo skewers, a figure wearing an animal mask soundlessly appeared at the confectionery shop entrance.
ANBU.
Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu exchanged glances. Tokuma also sat straighter. ANBU directly finding someone usually meant urgent missions.
"Shuji Jōnin," the ANBU's voice transmitted through the mask. "Hokage-sama requests your immediate presence at the Hokage's office."
Shuji set down the skewers, nodding slightly to the three classmates before rising to follow the ANBU.
"Three dead?"
Tsunade set down the scroll. Just the first day assuming office and trouble immediately arrived.
Losing three Uchiha who activated three-tomoe Sharingan at once in this eastern defense line battle repelling hired shinobi made this loss number appear especially glaring.
From Kakashi's report, those hired shinobi mixed in capable fighters. The Uchiha squad encountered targeted ambush. On the surface, this appeared an unfortunate yet reasonable combat casualty.
As long as no conspiracy was involved, the Uchiha clan had nothing to say.
After all, on battlefields, no situation existed where others could die but Uchiha could not.
What concerned her most were report details: attackers could actually forcibly take one corpse and withdraw after Uchiha Shisui's support. This capability was absolutely no ordinary wandering ninja.
After Shuji reached the office, Tsunade tossed him the scroll, having him read it himself.
"You lead reinforcement forces to the eastern defense line for rotation. The mission is not garrison but field confirmation of circumstances, then escorting fallen Uchiha remains back to the village."
"Also, have Uchiha Enblade return for rest too."
Though an Uchiha clan radical faction member, he ultimately fought for the village. At times like this, not allowing people to return would prove unacceptable.
That would prove too harsh. If he truly caused trouble after returning, handling it then sufficed.
Afterward, Tsunade said solemnly, "Tell Kakashi to conduct a sweep of wandering ninja in surrounding regions subsequently."
Participating in attacks on Konoha, even with Kirigakure manipulating behind scenes, was not something simply settled.
This rotation involved six total squads. Front line actual fatalities were not so numerous. Besides that Uchiha ANBU squad suffering near complete annihilation, most people only carried light injuries.
The force departed that night, arriving at the base before dawn.
Shuji briefly conversed with waiting Kakashi, understanding general battle conditions.
Subsequently, Uchiha Shisui walked to his side, saying quietly, "Shuji, over here."
Both walked toward the tent temporarily storing remains. Shisui's footsteps seemed somewhat heavy, voice kept very low. "Apologies, Shuji. I was negligent."
"The attacker probably was what you previously told me about..."
"Orochimaru?"
"Yes." Shisui nodded. "His target proved very clear. Precisely the Uchiha."
Just then, a suppressed anguished and furious roar suddenly erupted from the corpse storage tent.
"Eyes! Their eyes are gone!"
Immediately after, the tent flap was violently lifted. Uchiha Enblade, both eyes crimson, rushed out while scanning surroundings. His gaze finally locked deadly onto Kakashi who was arranging handover affairs not far away.
"Hatake Kakashi!" Enblade's voice trembled from excitement, pointing at Kakashi. "It's you! It must be you who stole the Sharingan!"
This sudden accusation caused the early morning camp, originally busy yet orderly, to instantly fall into deathly silence.
Everyone hearing this sentence, whether Konoha shinobi conducting handovers or Shuji and Shisui, all froze in place.
Kakashi himself proved even more bewildered. "Eyes... me?"
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