Training Ground 35.
Dozens of Flying Tigers stood in neat formation on the training ground.
Longken and four others had already removed their Police Force vests, standing with their heads bowed before the group.
Hachidai, hands behind his back, pointed at the five and snapped, "The Flying Tigers are the elite unit of the Police Force — it's not an open door for just anyone to join! These five showed poor performance during training, and during missions they even withdrew without permission. They've disgraced the Flying Tigers!"
"Effective immediately, they are stripped of their police status!"
"Does anyone want to switch with them?"
The Flying Tigers below solemnly shook their heads and stood up. "No one, Captain!"
Five figures silently walked out of Training Ground 35, each wearing a different expression.
In unison, all five turned back for one last glance, deeply imprinting Training Ground 35 into their memories.
Not far from the training ground, one of their clan members carrying a sword waited quietly outside.
Patrol Officer Training Base.
Originally an Anbu training base, after Danzo defected, the Uchiha took control and converted it into a training base for the Patrol Officers.
Today, all members of the Patrol Officers gathered here for the First Outstanding Patrol Officer Award Ceremony.
"...Since the restructuring of the Police Force, we have continued safeguarding Konoha's development. Our Patrol Division has played an irreplaceable role, thanks to everyone's hard work.
Now let's recognize the brothers who have led by example."
"First, we honor the Fifth Patrol Unit known for solving cases with the ease of drinking water. To recognize their efficiency, we award them the title 'Case-Solving Experts'!"
"They are Conan Uchiha, Inuzuka Aya, Da'er Nara, and Fuku Yuanfang! Congratulations!"
Those called out by Keimei either flushed red, remained expressionless, or trembled slightly, but all excitedly stepped onto the Platform, accepted medals from Keimei, and received applause from the crowd.
Keimei then presented various other awards, recognizing outstanding patrol officers. Although most were from the Uchiha Clan, there were also members from other ninja clans and commoner ninjas.
Especially noteworthy was the "Community's Favorite Officer" award, where the Uchiha were almost entirely absent — clearly showing Keimei's fairness in governance.
After leading everyone in mourning those who had fallen before, Keimei's face grew serious.
"Over the past few months, most patrol officers have successfully adapted to the new policies. However, some still fail to fully embrace our mission of serving the villagers, especially Xiong Uchiha and Yishi Uchiha, who repeatedly ignored corrections and damaged villagers' properties.
Therefore, they are hereby expelled from the force — as a warning to others!"
Immediately, Keimei confiscated both men's Police Force vests, letting them walk away in shame.
Seeing their fate, other arrogant Uchihas quietly resolved to treat the Konoha villagers with more kindness from now on.
Meanwhile, non-Uchiha patrol officers were even more impressed by the Uchiha's impartiality.
Shortly after Xiong and Yishi left the training ground, a black shadow appeared and said, "Follow me."
Meanwhile, Iron Blue compiled a new list of casualties for the guard squad, while Sekkou dispatched two members from the prison guards on a mission.
...
Wild mountains and abandoned bandit camps.
This was an unnamed hideout previously occupied by a group of rogue ninjas who had been extorting nearby villagers and robbing passing merchants. Just a few days earlier, Shuichi and his team had cleared them out.
Aozora sat openly in the leader's seat, tapping his fingers on the armrest while contemplating the training plan for the Sleeping Dragon Squad.
Aozora understood the old saying: "The Hidden Dragon Must Not Act Yet" – a reminder that even with great potential, one must remain cautious and patient in the early stages.
Although the Sleeping Dragon Plan [symbolizing hidden strength waiting to be unleashed] was promising, espionage and undercover work would certainly involve sacrifices. Before proper preparations were made, Aozora would never recklessly send clan members to their deaths.
Time passed quickly. Shuichi and Shin'ya successively brought twelve clan members handpicked by Uchiha Aozora up the mountain. They arrived at the main hall.
Shuichi and others took seats on either side while the twelve stood within the main hall.
Seeing the group preparing to bow respectfully, Aozora shook his head and said, "From today onward, you are no longer police force ninjas, nor are you Konoha ninjas. You can't casually use ninja etiquette anymore."
After hearing this, the twelve attempted to reply with a greeting salute but hesitated, momentarily unsure how to proceed.
Aozora signaled to Shin'ya, who promptly stepped forward, handing each person a scroll.
"These scrolls record your new identities, including distinct characteristics specific to those identities."
After everyone received their scrolls, Aozora continued, "For the upcoming period, you will undergo new training. During this time, your instructors will enhance your abilities while also removing Uchiha traits from you, helping you adapt to your new identities."
The identities Aozora prepared for them were primarily twofold: bounty hunters or wandering samurai. Neither of these roles involved particularly refined fundamental skills nor flashy combat techniques, which diverged significantly from the Uchiha style.
Moreover, among the twelve, five had awakened their Sharingan. It was essential they become accustomed to fighting without activating their Sharingan on missions—otherwise, they'd blow their cover in no time.
Once everyone finished reading their scrolls, Aozora stated bluntly, "I believe you all understand now—your mission is to serve as spies and infiltrators."
The group nodded silently upon hearing this.
Aozora asked, "Are some of you regretful? Or feel resentment?"
No one responded verbally, but uncertainty and regret flickered visibly in their eyes.
After glancing around at them all, Aozora became stern. "Allow me to reintroduce myself—I am Uchiha Aozora, personally appointed by the clan leader as the captain of the Sleeping Dragon Squad. As for you, you are the first batch of members in the Sleeping Dragon Squad. Now, what exactly is the Sleeping Dragon Squad?"
He paused before continuing, "You may regard it as the Uchiha Anbu!"
"The Sleeping Dragon Squad? The Uchiha Anbu?"
They exchanged glances, realizing that the Sleeping Dragon Squad clearly existed to rival the "Flying Tigers," while being linked to the Uchiha Anbu instantly clarified the nature of their future tasks.
"Currently, the Clan Leader stands on the brink of becoming Hokage. He will need to establish his own covert forces in the future—and the Sleeping Dragon Squad..." Aozora trailed off deliberately.
Then Aozora kept spouting empty promises: "Moreover, Konoha is practically already within our grasp. But is controlling Konoha enough? The Fire Daimyo holds The Third under a tight financial leash. How can our Uchiha clan allow ourselves to be threatened by others?"
Seeing that the last bit of resistance had vanished from everyone's hearts, Aozora grew serious and warned, "I'll say this one last time—when you stepped in here, there was no way back, and there never will be. You won't regain your true names until your mission is complete!"
"Yes!" The twelve nodded firmly.
Aozora waved his hand, "Dismissed! There are rooms for you in the village."
After they left, Aozora instructed Shuichi and the others, "The next few days will be tough on you all.
"Shuichi, Shin'ya—you two are in charge of the Samurai Unit. Make sure they master sword techniques from the Land of Iron.
"Genya, Kagenbi—you two handle the Ninja Unit. Train them to fight using Basic Ninjutsu."
"Yes!" The four responded and accepted their orders.
After finalizing training plans for the Wolong Unit, Aozora headed back to the village alone.
On the way, Aozora contacted Keshin via the Cross-realm Phone: "Taiyi, rise quickly to become the Clan Leader of the Ninja Ravens Clan and fully take control over them. I need a secure communication channel."
In the Summoning Realm, Taiyi stood atop a massive tree, commanding ninja ravens to build a palace for him on the giant trunk.
Hearing Aozora's voice transmission, he chuckled lightly, "Who do you think you're talking down to anyway? Right now, I've already become the King of the Ninja Ravens Clan!"
Aozora was stunned—this clone actually managed to pull this off!
If he didn't stay on top of things, would Taiyi soon declare himself Emperor of the Summoning Realm?
"Fine, King of Ravens it is—but first, don't provoke the Three Great Holy Lands recklessly!" Aozora warned.
"You're the duck king!" Taiyi shot back, "And besides, I'm not stupid either. The Summoning Realm isn't simple. Without even mentioning the Three Sages, I'd struggle against powerful summon beasts like Gamabunta!"
Aozora said, "Glad you understand! By the way, how's your Reverse Summoning Jutsu coming along?"
Taiyi replied confidently, "Recently I've summarized some experience—I guarantee it's flawless now."
Aozora hesitated for a moment before saying, "Once I return to the village, I'll send you more shadow clones to practice with. If you succeed with ten Shadow Clones in a row without any issues, you can attempt to summon me!"
It was nearly time for the Akatsuki meeting—the one where Obito had ordered him to appear. He had no choice but to risk testing Keshin's Reverse Summoning Jutsu.
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