"Sir, I am Uzuki Yugao. Please take care of me in the future."
In that moment, Uzuki Yugao appeared both excited and uncertain, her innocent and youthful face reflecting a mix of emotions. She seemed to be a newly graduated ninja, inexperienced and fresh.
Uchiha Kaien maintained a calm expression on his face upon seeing her, but inside, his heart was stirred with waves of emotion.
"Kaien‑niisan, Uzuki Yugao comes from a civilian family. She graduated with top marks in her academic studies last year and is meticulous enough to assist the Police Department."
Uchiha Shisui, with a relaxed smile, explained that she was intended to be an administrative secretary, someone who could handle office tasks. In every department or team, such an assistant was necessary. In administrative roles, they were mostly women, while in combat roles, they were elite ninjas.
Observing Shisui's well‑intentioned gesture, Uchiha Kaien also smiled. He looked at the newly graduated and still naive Uzuki Yugao before him, and said with a smile, "Very well, for now, you can go and familiarize yourself with the work."
"Thank you, sir." Uzuki Yugao bowed deeply at a ninety‑degree angle, her face filled with excitement and anticipation for the future.
However, as Uzuki Yugao closed the door and left, Uchiha Kaien's smile gradually turned cold, though Shisui beside him remained oblivious.
As Uchiha Kaien read the personnel file, he couldn't help but show a chilling glint in his eyes. He looked up with a grim expression, staring at Shisui, and slammed three profiles onto the table.
Uchiha Shisui, an elite Jōnin, noticed Kaien's serious expression when he took out the three files. Among them was Uzuki Yugao's, which he had specifically placed on top.
"Kaien‑niisan, should we…?" Shisui's eyes flashed with anger. He was growing more resentful toward Root and its dark actions. His discontent was becoming stronger.
Uchiha Kaien shook his head, though inside he felt bitter. He knew that revealing the truth to Shisui now would backfire. Better to let him continue his covert investigations—once he uncovered the truth about these three, he would grasp the gravity of the situation.
For the sake of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Kaien had gone to great lengths. He didn't want to relive the night of the clan's near‑extermination.
Though Uzuki Yugao and Hayate Gekkō were destined for tragedy, the original story made clear that both were ANBU candidates. But when had ANBU begun secretly training them?
He didn't know, but one thing was certain: Konoha was short on personnel now that the Third Hokage had returned, and they would focus on developing their own forces.
"People from ANBU, huh?" Uchiha Kaien inwardly sneered. Sending such young infiltrators was a clever strategy.
During the Chūnin Exams, these two were already classified as Special Jōnin—especially Hayate Gekkō, a bloodline ninja. But infiltration was the ideal role for covert operatives. Uzuki Yugao, by contrast, was a civilian pick.
Identifying talented recruits and cultivating them early was ANBU's modus operandi. And as for Kabuto… everyone knew he belonged to Root.
"Kaien‑niisan, should we take action against them or assign them to prison duty?"
Aware these were internal threats, Shisui suggested decisive moves or at least harsh assignments.
But Uchiha Kaien shook his head and sighed, feigning exhaustion. "You can contain them for now, but not forever. Let's pretend we know nothing. As for Uzuki Yugao—since she's at my side already, don't alarm the other side. The other two…"
"Hayate's profile is ordinary enough—assign him to patrol and public safety as usual. And these three… remember, raise no alarms."
"Understood."
Uchiha Kaien chose secrecy. Sometimes ignorance is the best defense. Exposing them now might reveal deeper infiltrations.
"Shisui, continue your covert investigation. Check all recent recruits for other problem cases."
Uchiha Kaien didn't believe it stopped with just three. Shisui's face turned solemn, sorrow crossing his features. Why must they guard themselves even against Konoha?
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