After careful deliberation, Sarutobi Hiruzen settled on the other two overseers.
One was an ANBU elite with the codename "Elephant."
Eiya remembered him slightly: during the future "Konoha Crush," he had stood outside the Four Violet Flames Formation explaining the Third Hokage's battle with Orochimaru to nearby shinobi—proof of his broad knowledge of jutsu and sharp analytical mind.
The other was called Naiken, likewise a trusted aide of the Third.
Late at night, outside the ANBU base.
Eiya quietly withdrew his Ultra Kagura's Mind Eye—he had already eavesdropped on the meeting in the Hokage's office—and now waited by the gate.
Minutes later, two sets of footsteps approached.
Elephant and Naiken returned to base. The instant they stepped through the door, both tensed; they could feel an unabashed gaze on them.
They turned to see Eiya, arms folded against the wall, calmly watching.
"Uchiha Eiya… the one from Kakashi's squad?" Elephant stepped forward. "Looks like you were waiting for us."
"Relax," Eiya waved. "I'm the same as you—an overseer for the Police exam."
Both men blinked, then looked him up and down.
Naiken's tone held surprise. "Didn't expect the third spot to be you."
"Say it straight," Naiken added with a cold snort. "You didn't stop us to bond, did you?"
"In order for the work to go smoothly," Eiya said flatly. "From now on, exam logistics, pass standards, expansion quotas—everything follows my directives."
Their faces darkened.
"How laughable," Naiken sneered. "Planning to abuse your post and open the back door for your Uchiha?"
Eiya smiled and nodded without evasion. "Yes. And what of it?"
Both men flared, rage barely leashed.
"Outrageous!" Elephant barked. "We'll report to Hokage-sama now and have your qualification revoked!"
They turned to leave—when Eiya's cool snort cut behind them. "Two idiots."
They froze and glared back. "What did you say?!"
"You can't even read the intent behind Hokage-sama's order," Eiya said unhurriedly, "you're blind to the village's situation, and your analysis is abysmal. Frankly, you shouldn't be in ANBU—you'll die someday without even knowing how."
Elephant stopped his partner from charging and asked through his teeth, "What are you getting at?"
"As an Uchiha, I was still put on this detail. You really can't see the Hokage's intent?"
They exchanged a frown.
"The rumor storm just died down, then the Uchiha were framed by the top," Eiya continued. "Now this 'reform' strips the last of our authority. If it were you—what would you think?"
Silence.
"If Hokage-sama truly went 'impartial' and cut us further," Eiya went on, "what do you expect from the Uchiha?"
"…Clashes," Elephant answered grimly. "Maybe riots—rebellion."
"Exactly." Eiya's gaze swept them. "He won't force the Uchiha to revolt. That's why he put me on the panel—not to play blind referee, but to soothe my clan."
"Now do you understand?"
Their expressions eased, though doubt lingered.
"Even so," Naiken snorted, "maybe we ease up a bit in scoring. But why should we take orders from you?"
"Simple," Eiya said softly, with absolute certainty. "I'm stronger than you."
Elephant scowled. Naiken sneered. "Oh? By strength? I heard you one-shotted Jōnin Satō with a sneak attack—that 'feat' still shames us commoners. If you think—"
"Too much talk," Eiya cut him off, already turning toward a training hall. "Come. I'll take one minute to teach you the attitude you owe a stronger man."
…
One minute later, the last thud and crackle of purple lightning faded.
The door slid open from within.
Eiya walked out composed, clothes neat, as if he'd taken a stroll.
Inside, Elephant and Naiken lay boneless on the floor, faces bruised, thin arcs of violet still crawling over twitching muscles. They couldn't lift a finger—only stare, horrified, as Eiya's back receded.
[Ding! Indulgence Success!]
[As an overseer, you coerced colleagues by force. Indulgence Grade: B]
[Reward Calculating…]
[Reward: Chakra reserve +30%!]
Feeling the sudden surge of chakra, Eiya's face remained calm. He checked the time and, as usual, left the ANBU base early. The critical matter was handled; now he would focus on Izumi's special training.
Back home, he slid open the door.
Izumi sat on the floor, brows knit over a file, with a small mountain of case folders stacked beside her.
Hearing him, she looked up, a little sheepish. "You're back, senpai… I ran out of chakra while training, so I thought I'd review these cases while recovering."
Eiya nodded and sat beside her.
She tensed instinctively, breath quieting.
He picked up a file and skimmed. "Any leads?"
Izumi sighed. "These cold cases are much harder than I thought. Missing key evidence, no suspect trails—every thread breaks."
She pointed at the page he held. "That one doesn't even have a solid suspect…"
"Leave those to me," Eiya said, closing the folder. "Your side—how's the training?"
A spark of pride lit her eyes. She lifted her index finger; a neat bead of purple current zipped into being, crackling softly.
Eiya studied it and nodded. "Stable, and the output's decent. Looks like you've fully grasped lightning nature transformation."
"Next is chakra shape transformation. Have it done by morning."
"Yes, senpai!"
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