Danzo suddenly realized he had always seemed to be led by Chinya, and began questioning Chinya's loyalty.
Facing Danzo's direct suspicion, Chinya stuck out his tongue, revealing the Curse Seal of Absolute Silence.
After showing Danzo that the Kara of the Curse Seal of Absolute Silence was now empty, Chinya said, "Haven't I always been under Lord Danzo's command? Practically everyone in Konoha knows I'm your subordinate. Isn't that how you see me too, Lord Danzo?"
Danzo stared at Chinya for a long time, but Chinya met his gaze without flinching.
Finally, Danzo suddenly chuckled and said, "Of course you're mine. I was just asking casually. Thinking about it, you're right. We need to let the Uchiha breathe before targeting them more effectively. Since that's the case, go ahead then."
Chinya nodded and replied, "Thank you for understanding, Lord Danzo. I'll be on my way then."
Chinya turned and left.
The moment Chinya stepped out of his office, Danzo's face darkened instantly.
Although Chinya had shown the Curse Seal of Absolute Silence and answered almost flawlessly, Danzo felt that Chinya was no longer under his control.
The Curse Seal of Absolute Silence merely prevented someone from disclosing secrets—it imposed no actual restrictions on Chinya himself.
Though Chinya's answers were perfect, his tone and manner lacked the attitude expected between superior and subordinate—they appeared more like equals.
Danzo felt as if he'd granted Chinya too much authority.
Currently, both Chinya's strength and status had grown beyond what Danzo could easily suppress.
His fingers rhythmically tapped against the desk.
Undeniably, Chinya was an extremely useful blade.
Yet this blade cut both ways—it might wound him as well.
Moreover, lately, this dual-edged sword seemed to be pointing toward him.
After leaving the Root Base, Chinya's face showed clear contempt.
Chinya hadn't expected Danzo to begin suspecting his own loyalty already.
But would *he* ever consider submitting to Danzo again? That would never happen.
If Danzo refused to cooperate, Chinya would simply switch allegiance to Minato Namikaze—what could Danzo possibly do about it?
Minato might even leap for joy three times over the moment Chinya defected.
Right now, Danzo still held some usefulness; unless necessary, Chinya preferred avoiding confrontation.
However, if Danzo failed to recognize this opportunity…
He could politely address him as "Lord Danzo" when giving face—but without respect, he'd just call him "old fool" straight to his face.
Still, Chinya believed Danzo wouldn't provoke open conflict—as long as he had sound judgment.
If they turned hostile now, Danzo would definitely be at a disadvantage.
Such a move would severely hamper Danzo's plans against the Uchiha Clan and likely keep him continually suppressed beneath Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze.
When Chinya returned home, Kakashi had already left.
Chinya told Kushina Uzumaki that he would bring Kakashi to the Konoha Defense Unit tomorrow, then immediately went to Ryuchi Cave to train in Sage Mode before returning as soon as possible.
An entire night passed without sleep.
The next day, Chinya left his house with a refreshed spirit.
He found Kakashi and led him toward the Konoha Defense Unit.
On their way to the Konoha Defense Unit, Chinya gave Kakashi some instructions.
"Those thirty Root ninja under my command, along with twenty regular ninja, will all follow your orders. Do whatever you like with them—there's no point not using them when they're available.
As for Shisui Uchiha, it doesn't really matter whether you listen to him or not—he's practically a figurehead. But after I leave, he might come looking for you himself and try to create rules favorable to him during my absence. Since this is meant to be your training, handle it however you see fit.
I've also already spoken with Orochimaru-sensei beforehand. If there's ever something you really don't know how to deal with, go find Orochimaru-sensei at his Base—he'll help you."
Kakashi listened carefully to every word Chinya said.
When he finished speaking, Kakashi responded solemnly: "Understood, Chinya-sensei."
While they were talking, Chinya and Kakashi had already arrived at the entrance of the Konoha Defense Unit.
Still visibly anxious, Kakashi took a deep breath and stepped inside after Chinya.
Standing in the main hall, Chinya snapped his fingers. A Root ninja immediately knelt on one knee before him.
Chinya commanded, "Summon everyone—bring back those currently on patrol."
"Yes sir!"
Hearing the commotion in the hall, Shisui Uchiha came out from his office. Seeing Chinya, he frowned slightly and asked, "What's going on?"
Chinya replied calmly, "Deputy Captain Shisui Uchiha, please wait a moment and hear me out."
Shisui's frown deepened. He couldn't tell what Chinya was planning now.
When he noticed Kakashi beside Chinya, he wondered—was Chinya here to install his own disciple?
Around ten minutes later, all one hundred members of the Konoha Defense Unit had gathered in the hall—exactly one hundred in total.
Thirty of Chinya's Root ninja and twenty regulars.
Shisui had twenty Anbu ninja and thirty regulars.
Originally, Shisui had wanted to recruit more personnel, but Chinya offered wages matching those of Root.
Although the Uchiha Clan is wealthy, Shisui himself couldn't afford high wages, so he was limited to offering standard market rates.
In comparison, most of those who joined Shisui eventually quit.
Who would want to stay under someone they already despised and who paid less?
So Shisui cut his numbers but did his best to offer higher wages. In the end, he recruited only thirty ninja, most of them Genin.
Chinya announced, "I must temporarily leave Konoha for a period of time. From now on, Kakashi will act as acting captain, replacing me to manage the Konoha Defense Unit! As acting captain, Kakashi has full authority equal to mine—you are all to obey Kakashi's commands!"
The Root Division ninjas naturally had no objections, while the other regular ninja looked at Kakashi in surprise.
Of course they knew who Kakashi was—Chinya's prized disciple and Konoha's celebrated prodigy Jonin (elite ninja).
Meanwhile, the twenty Anbu turned their attention to Shisui Uchiha.
When he heard Chinya would be away and Kakashi would be the acting captain, Shisui's first thought was: this is great news.
He had been held back by Chinya for far too long. With Chinya gone, he finally had a chance to step forward!
As for Kakashi, in Shisui's eyes, he was just a placeholder until Chinya returned.
How could Shisui possibly object? He was practically eager to see them leave with a smile.
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