The next day.
Chinya put on his ninja attire for the first time in over half a month.
After saying goodbye to Kushina Uzumaki, Chinya headed toward Root.
As soon as he entered Root headquarters, he saw thirty neatly lined-up Root ninja gathered in the main hall.
All the Root ninja bore the same blank expressions, radiating a heavy and oppressive aura.
It was clear these Root ninja had gone through Root's infamous training—stripping away their identities completely. They had no names, nor any emotions.
Danzo stepped out from a side room and said, "Chinya, these thirty Root ninja have been personally handpicked by me. They will follow any orders you give. Once you assume command, they're yours to command."
Chinya nodded and said, "Yes sir! I definitely won't disappoint Lord Danzo's expectations!"
A cold gleam flashed in Danzo's eyes. "Go then. They've had it easy for a while now. It's time they experienced some hardship."
Chinya led the thirty Root ninja toward the Konoha Defense Unit.
The Uchiha Clan wasn't exactly popular at the moment, but they weren't being pushed out or anything like that either.
So while the Konoha Military Police Force's location wasn't exactly at the very heart of Konoha, it was still relatively close to the central area.
After all, the time when the Military Police Force would be relocated to Konoha's outskirts wouldn't come until after the Nine-Tails event.
Chinya arrived with the thirty Root ninja at the entrance of the newly established Defense Unit's department building.
The structure looked quite imposing—at least much grander than the Military Police Force's headquarters across the street.
Two Uchiha ninja serving as guards at the Military Police Force's gate glared hatefully at the Defense Unit's building.
The day after Minato Namikaze left office, Fugaku Uchiha summoned every clan member to Naka Shrine Pass Technique for an emergency meeting, where he informed them about this new Defense Unit and warned everyone strictly against causing trouble during this sensitive period, threatening disciplinary action according to clan rules otherwise.
Now, a crowd had gathered outside the Defense Unit's department entrance because everyone was curious about what this newly established department actually did. Besides that, both Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze had already arrived there.
As Chinya approached with his squad of fearsome-looking Root ninja, the villagers scrambled to make way.
At the same time, murmurs spread among the villagers.
As for Chinya, there wasn't much to say—everyone in Konoha already knew exactly who he was.
As for those thirty ninja following behind Chinya, they clearly weren't ordinary either.
This made it clear—this new department must be under Chinya's direct command.
Otherwise, why else would Chinya bring so many ninja here?
Chinya directly approached the entrance with his thirty Root ninja. Alongside Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze, Shisui Uchiha also stood there.
Standing behind Minato Namikaze was Shisui Uchiha, with twenty ninja aligned behind him.
Minato had personally selected these twenty ninja from Anbu to assist Shisui.
Chinya greeted the two Kages standing at the entrance, "Third, Fourth, I've arrived."
Upon seeing the thirty Root ninja behind Chinya, both Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi simultaneously frowned slightly.
Because these thirty Root Division ninjas were clearly elite members, no one expected Danzo to dispatch such a powerful force to assist Chinya.
Minato Namikaze and Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Shisui Uchiha standing beside them, along with the twenty Anbu behind him. Compared to the elite Root ninjas, Shisui's squad seemed noticeably underwhelming. That was because those twenty Anbu were only mediocre in strength.
At this moment, Orochimaru arrived as well. After giving Hiruzen a half-hearted greeting, he stood in front of Chinya, a cold smile on his face. "Not bad," he said. "You look energetic."
Chinya smiled faintly and replied, "Really? Then that's good."
Neither Minato nor Hiruzen had expected Orochimaru's appearance. When they saw him, both were momentarily stunned.
Ever since Minato became Hokage, Orochimaru had been holed up in his base. Even Hiruzen hadn't seen him for quite some time.
After a brief pause, Hiruzen kindly smiled and said, "Didn't expect you to show up, Orochimaru. Well then, let's start, Minato."
Minato nodded, smiling gently as he said, "Alright, I'll make the announcement. Chinya, Shisui, stand beside me."
Minato stepped forward, positioning himself in front of the crowd. Chinya and Shisui Uchiha stood on either side of him.
Minato announced, "After thorough discussion, due to the heavy responsibilities of the Konoha Military Police Force, we have decided to establish a new division called the Konoha Defense Unit to relieve their burden. The Konoha Defense Unit will be responsible for setting village regulations and arresting ninja suspected of criminal activity!
The captain of the Konoha Defense Unit will be Chinya, and the deputy captain will be Shisui Uchiha. Both start their positions today!"
The people surrounding them wore expressions of shock and bewilderment.
This pairing was nothing short of bizarre.
Chinya, who relentlessly targeted the Uchiha Clan, and Shisui Uchiha, a member of the Uchiha Clan himself.
Would Shisui really not suffer from Chinya's personal vendetta?
Was this unit under Chinya's command, or was it still controlled by the Uchiha Clan?
Minato turned to Chinya and Shisui and said, "How about you two each share a few words too?"
Chinya politely responded, "Please, let Shisui go first."
Everyone present wore stunned expressions at Chinya's politeness.
This Chinya… seriously? Could it actually be someone else?
Hearing Chinya offer him the floor, Shisui Uchiha's eyelid twitched slightly.
Nonetheless, he took a step forward. "I'm honored by the Hokage's trust in appointing me as deputy captain of the Konoha Defense Unit," he said. "I won't betray the Hokage's confidence or the public's expectations. I will give my all to fulfill my duties and serve Konoha. Thank you all."
Only scattered, hesitant claps responded to his words.
Though [Body Flicker Shisui] was a famed nickname, Shisui Uchiha remained a member of the Uchiha Clan. Konoha villagers had long harbored suspicion and resentment toward the Uchiha Clan.
Without Chinya's involvement, they would have assumed this new unit was still another private arm of the Uchiha Clan.
Shisui Uchiha pressed his lips together. The Uchiha Clan still had a long way to go to change their image in the hearts of Konoha's people.
After finishing his speech, Shisui Uchiha stepped back behind Minato Namikaze.
Chinya stepped forward. His humble expression from just now vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling aura as he declared coldly, "Starting today, I am the captain of the Konoha Defense Unit. Since you may not fully understand our responsibilities, allow me to explain them plainly!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze had already tightly furrowed their brows.
This Chinya was just too overbearing. Wouldn't this provoke resentment from the villagers?
However, Hiruzen and Minato didn't need to worry. The villagers weren't resentful at all—in fact, they found it perfectly natural.
This was the real Chinya; finally, this felt authentic. That earlier Chinya had felt fake, almost like an impostor.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>