Within the Konoha Defense Force
Sora and Uchiha Shisui sat in their seats as fifty ninja stood before them in formation. Thirty Root ninja and twenty ANBU ninja waited for their orders.
Sora spoke calmly, "Vice-Captain, it's time to divide them into groups and arrange patrols throughout Konoha. Do you have any suggestions?"
Uchiha Shisui responded immediately, "Since we have exactly fifty people, we should divide them into ten groups of five. Each group will patrol different sectors of Konoha. What do you think, Yahiko?"
Sora chuckled softly, "Since we're in the Konoha Defense Force, we should address each other by our official ranks, Vice-Captain."
Uchiha Shisui frowned slightly. Did she really need to care about such a trivial matter?
Nevertheless, he replied, "I understand, Captain."
Sora continued, "The Vice-Captain's grouping proposal is very good. I agree with it."
Uchiha Shisui looked at Sora with surprise. She had just emphasized proper address, so he expected her to reject his proposal.
However, in Sora's eyes, Uchiha Shisui was still too immature. She knew he felt suppressed by her authority and was eager to prove himself. But this simple task of assigning groups wasn't worth fighting over.
Still, Uchiha Shisui's performance was normal for his position. This was his first leadership role as Deputy Captain of the Konoha Defense Force. His purpose was clear—to serve as Namikaze Minato's spy while helping the increasingly targeted Uchiha clan.
Uchiha Shisui had realized he would have little real power in the Konoha Defense Force, which made him desperate to assert himself. But it was too late.
If their roles were reversed and Uchiha Shisui had been the one announcing new rules, Sora would have rejected them without mercy—regardless of whether Sarutobi Hiruzen or Namikaze Minato supported them, and even if those rules would benefit her.
Sora continued, "For each five-person team, let's divide our ninjas evenly. I'll assign three Root ninjas and you'll assign two ANBU ninjas to form each team. What do you think?"
Uchiha Shisui nodded, "That works. Let's allocate them that way."
Sora announced to the gathered ninjas, "According to your current positions, three Root ninjas and two ANBU ninjas will form each five-person team. Form your teams in order, and begin patrolling Konoha starting tomorrow."
She continued with authority, "If you discover any criminal behavior, or situations where a crime might be committed, arrest the suspects immediately! Remember, no one can command you except me and the Vice-Captain. If anyone interferes with your patrol mission, deal with them without mercy!"
As the fifty ninjas began dividing into groups, Sora asked Uchiha Shisui, "Vice-Captain, do you think we need a team captain for each group?"
Uchiha Shisui shook his head, "I don't think it's necessary right now. Our numbers are still small, and everyone isn't familiar with each other yet. Let's allow them to work together for a while before considering team leaders."
Uchiha Shisui knew that if team leaders were appointed now, most of the ten positions would go to Sora's Root ninjas. The ANBU ninjas Namikaze Minato had given him were no match for Sora's Root operatives.
If team leaders were established now, not only would he be further suppressed by Sora, but his ANBU ninjas would also be dominated by the Root ninjas. This was something Uchiha Shisui definitely wanted to avoid.
Sora nodded, "The Vice-Captain makes a good point. We'll discuss team leaders later. Does the Vice-Captain have anything else to add?"
Uchiha Shisui said, "About recruiting more ninjas..."
Sora waved her hand dismissively, "I've already started recruitment. The Vice-Captain can also send people to continue recruiting."
Uchiha Shisui's face darkened. Sora had ignored him regarding recruitment, which meant the ninjas she brought in would likely be loyal to her command.
He would need to recruit his own people—he couldn't let the entire Konoha Defense Force fall under Sora's control.
Uchiha Shisui nodded, "Very well. I'll organize my own recruitment effort."
Sora stood up from her seat, "That concludes today's meeting. Since we're just beginning, there are problems we haven't discovered yet. If issues arise later, we'll discuss solutions then. Tomorrow, the Konoha Defense Force officially starts its mission. Meeting adjourned."
Sora's Root ninjas left immediately without hesitation, while Uchiha Shisui's ANBU ninjas remained in place, looking to him for orders.
Uchiha Shisui said, "Dismissed. Gather on time tomorrow."
After the ANBU ninjas dispersed, Sora also left the Konoha Defense Force headquarters.
Instead of going home, Sora went directly to the Root base. The thirty Root ninjas who had just left were now standing in perfect formation in the Root hall. Danzo was there as well.
Seeing Sora arrive, Danzo asked, "Is everything going well?"
Sora nodded and replied, "Very well. Uchiha Shisui will become a marginal figure and won't pose much of a threat to me."
Danzo sneered, "That Namikaze Minato is still too young. He chose such an inexperienced boy as Vice-Captain thinking he could control you. How foolish. Even Uchiha Fugaku would barely be qualified for such a position."
Sora addressed Danzo respectfully, "Master Danzo, I may need your assistance with something."
Danzo nodded, "Just tell me what you need."
Sora explained, "When our people are patrolling, could you send operatives to provoke the Uchiha ninjas? We need them angry enough to give us reason to arrest them. Of course, we can't be caught doing this deliberately."
She continued thoughtfully, "I believe if ordinary villagers speak badly about the Uchiha clan, those Uchiha ninjas won't be able to contain themselves. Even if they merely argue back, we can arrest them for showing criminal tendencies."
Danzo immediately agreed, "No problem. I'll arrange it. You just focus on making arrests. I have many ways to make them lose their temper. Sora, proceed as you wish."
The next day, the Konoha Defense Force began their first patrol.
Three Uchiha ninjas were also patrolling at this time.
One of the Uchiha ninja complained, "This is so frustrating. That Konoha Defense Force is clearly targeting us. Why did the clan leader agree to hand over our two most important powers?"
Another Uchiha ninja joined in, "You're right. There's no comparison between Chief Fugaku and Chief Masada Hayame. Chief Fugaku is just too weak..."
The third Uchiha ninja cut him off, "Enough! Stop talking. It is what it is—what else can we do about it now?"
Just as the three of them were passing by an alley during their patrol, they heard unusual sounds coming from within.
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion